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Craig  
#1 Posted : Saturday, February 20, 2016 2:45:45 AM(UTC)
Craig

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I decided to build my own machine for rendering/CAD work, after some research I discovered most CAD systems can only utilize a single core for most operations.
My laptop that I had been using for rendering/CAD work had a very nice i5 CPU and that gave me a starting point for single core performance.

I looked at AMD and found most of their processors have terrible single core performance when compared to Intel i5 and i7 processors, in fact many i3 processors beat high end AMD processors on single core performance.
I then discovered the AMD Athlon X4 860k CPU (£77.80) which beat most Intel CPU’s in single core performance, and when I compare it to the i5 my laptop is running it is clearly the hands down winner.
So for £415 I managed to put together a fantastic rendering/CAD machine, because most rendering systems use the GPU for rendering the processor was not a concern.
For the rendering side of things I chose a EVGA Geforce GTX 760 Super Clocked card (I have not bothered to over clock it as it is fast enough out of the box, this machine is rock solid with no 3rd party junk.

The end result is that I will never buy another prebuilt machine, this same rig from PC World would have cost me around double than I paid for components.
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solidtooldesigns  
#2 Posted : Saturday, February 20, 2016 6:42:09 AM(UTC)
solidtooldesigns

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I made the same decision a couple years ago. You can find youtube videos that show you very clearly how to put a PC together.

I'm using the EVGA GTX 960 Super Clocked and am very happy with it. Since I started building I've been using EVGA cards and have never had any issues.

The only thing about AMD processors I would be wary of is I've heard they get a little hotter. Just something to maybe look up. I had one in a computer a few years back though and it ran solid for 5-6 years
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Craig  
#3 Posted : Sunday, February 21, 2016 2:25:03 AM(UTC)
Craig

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Temperatures of the AMD are fine, I downloaded AMD’s Catalyst Control Centre and the idle/operating temperatures are well within the optimal ranges for CPU’s.
Great little processor for a very low price, it is a pity Shark cannot use the GPU for rendering, I use Blender for that side of things but I would like to be able to use one program for everything.
I have to say that the better single core performance is really noticeable once you have worked with both systems.
The AMD seems much smoother, I would not have noticed it if I had carried on using just the i5 but now that I have used both the i5 seems sluggish compared to the AMD.
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Craig  
#4 Posted : Monday, February 22, 2016 9:07:28 AM(UTC)
Craig

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You are comparing CPU’s that cost £390 and £260 with an £80 CPU, and as I stated I was looking for single core performance for CAD, if I want a number cruncher I will buy a number cruncher.

The laptop is about 15 months old and I was not comparing the AMD to a recent desktop version was I? I was comparing it to a known source.

So what if they are still using CPU’s for rendering, it is old technology, you can see the time saved by using the GPU over on the Gibson thread in the gallery.
On the famous Blender BMW render test the guy who modelled the BMW went from something like 70 seconds using the GPU to over 7 minutes when he used his i7.

Why would I upgrade my graphics card when it has far more grunt than I need?

You can doubt what you want but I am sitting here using a machine that cost me £415 with a 30gb ssd for the operating system, did I say the operating system was included?
I have a copy of Windows 7 from way back and now I have a brand new machine with Windows 10, all parts are covered by warranty so am not sure about that point either?
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Craig  
#5 Posted : Tuesday, February 23, 2016 12:41:24 AM(UTC)
Craig

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Of course I am comparing CPU’s of the same value, does that really have to be spelt out, why would I compare a Ferrari with a Ford Fiesta?
Word to the wise, be careful who you call a liar because the next person might not be so laid back and might just jump in their car and give you a lesson in manners, your ignorance and self-importance is astounding.

Edited by user Tuesday, February 23, 2016 12:42:00 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified
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Craig  
#6 Posted : Tuesday, February 23, 2016 7:18:35 AM(UTC)
Craig

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Stop quoting people and stop giving your opinion where it is not wanted, your opinion means as much to me as what I flushed this morning, this was supposed to be about a great little processor and you have turned it into another self opinionated load of rubbish.

Who asked you about graphics cards and all the other rubbish you have sprouted? You go around adding multi-quotes as if you think people care about what you are saying, we don’t.

What are you talking about moderation, you are the one who came to somebody’s thread and started with your self-important opinions and insults?
All you have to do is copy and paste this into Google.....................Opinions are like.
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Craig  
#7 Posted : Tuesday, February 23, 2016 10:48:43 AM(UTC)
Craig

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Lol, you came looking for trouble and you found it.

Your stance is fragile, you tell me I am the worst and all that but you are the one who came to insult me, why would you visit a thread by somebody you dislike if not to cause trouble?

You were not looking discuss by any stretch of the imagination!
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