Computer Hardware Recommendations for this Year
We have created this guide to help you select each computer component with ease, but in this article we've gathered our recommendations into 3 builds. These 3 sets are for you to choose from depending on your budget, but they can all do 3D work, from modeling to rendering. All the proposed builds have different price points within the the mid-to-high or 'mainstream' category. This range, from 1000$ to 3000$ (USD) is optimal for the price-to-performance ratio.
Also take a look at our article on finding the optimal price in electronics to help you decide what to aim for, when you shop online from hundreds of items. This is why physical store make a pre-selection for you, while serving all ranges of budgets.
1. The Affordable Build (1000$)
This build will give you the most bang for your bucks. You will have everything you need to start with making 3D, but it may get limited if you want to expand with better components later on. Choose this build if your budget is really tight, or if you mostly have access to a better computer to install 3D software, at school, or at work
2. The Balanced (Mid-Range) Build (2000$)
This is the main build we recommended for everyone, from beginners to professionals. This build is the best balance between power, reliability and affordability. It is expandable and easy to upgrade later in the future.
3. The High-Performance Build (3000$)
Use this build only if money is not a concern, but you still want to optimize your investment. . This build is uses only the best and highest components of the mid-to-high range, still at a very reasonable price, because it is not using all the most expensive components. This is a pro build that will last you a long time and rival any pre-built computer of the same price. Ryzen 1800X, Triple Screen and SLI.
Article / Category
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Affordable Build
Value Components
Balanced Build
Mid-Range / Mainstream
Performance
mid to high-end
Use the stock heatsink and fan included with CPU
Same as the mid-range
2x 2 Tb
2x 6 Tb
4x 6 Tb
None
1x 1 Tb
Same as mid-Range
Same as the mid-Range
1x 120mm
Same as the mid-Range
2x 120mm
4x 120mm
Same as the mid-Range
1x GTX 1050
1x GTX 1060
2x GTX 1070
2x 24 inches
2x 27 inches
3x 27 inches
Good Builds to Create with NewEgg Parts
Value Build
- Processor: Ryzen 5 1600 6 Core 3.2Ghz (3.6Turbo) AM4 65W
- CPU Fan: (stock heatsink and fan, included with CPU)
- Motherboard: Asus Prime A320M-K AMD Ryzen AM4 DDR4 Micro ATX *
- RAM: G.Skill Fortis Series 16Gb (2 x 8Gb) DDR4 2400 (PC19200) AMD X370 / B350 / A320
- Hard Drives: 2x Western Digital Black 1Tb 7200RPM 64Mb Sata 6Gb/s 3.5 inch drive
- PSU: EVGA Super NOVA 650W Gold Certified Modular with HDB Fan
- Case: Antec VSK400E Black SGCC steel Micro ATX Tower Computer Case
- Case fans: 1x Cooler MAster SickleFlow 120 LED Silent Fan
- GPU: 1x Gigabyte (Nvidia) Geforce GTX 1050 4Gb 128 Bit PCI Express 3.0 16x
- Monitors: 2x LG 24MC57HQ-P Glossy Black 23.8 in 5ms multi tasking IPS
Balanced Build
- Processor: Ryzen 1700X 8 core 3.4 Ghz 95W
- CPU Fan: Noctua NH_L9a
- Thermal Paste: Artic Silver Thermal Compound
- Motherboard: Asus Prime B350 Plus
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX (2 x 8Gb) DDR4 2400
- Hard Drives: 2x Western Digital Gold 4Tb 7200RPM Sata 6Gb/s 3.5 in
- SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Triactor 3 DL 2.5 inch 512 Gb internal SSD
- PSU: EVGA Super NOVA 750W Gold Certified Modular with HDB Fan
- Case: Thermaltake View 31 Dual Tempered Glass ATX Case
- Case fans: 4x Cooler MAster SickleFlow 120 LED Silent Fan
- GPU: 1x Gigabyte (Nvidia) Geforce GTX 1060 6Gb 192 Bit PCI Express 3.0 16x
- Monitors: 2x Samsung 390 series C34F390 glossy black 24 inc 4ms HDMI widescreen LED monitor
Performance Build
- Processor: Ryzen 1800X 8 Core 3.6Ghz
- CPU Fan: Noctua NH_L9a
- Thermal Paste: Artic Silver Thermal Compound
- Motherboard: Asus Prime X370-Pro AM4 USB 3.1
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX (4 x 8Gb) DDR4 2666 PC21300
- Hard Drives: 4x Western Digital Gold 4Tb 7200RPM Sata 6Gb/s
- SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 2.5 in 1 TB SATA 3, 3D NAND, SSD
- PSU: Corsair RMx Series 1000W 90 Plus Gold Full Modular SLI
- Case: Thermaltake View 31 Dual Tempered Glass ATX Case
- Case fans: 4x Cooler MAster SickleFlow 120 LED Silent Fan
- GPU: 2x EVGA (Nvidia) Geforce GTX 1070 8Gb 256 Bit PCI Express 3.0 16x
- Monitors: 3x Asus VC249H Slim Bezel Black 27 in 5ms IPS widescreen LED Backlight HDMI 1920x1080 w eye Care
Optional Components to Add to any Build
- Mouse: Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomics
- Keyboard: Logitech K740 illuminated Wired USB keyboard
- Graphic Pen & Tablet: Wacom Intuos Pro Pen Touch Tablet Medium
- Printer: HP LaserJet Pro M102w 600dpi Wireless USB Monochrome (untested)
- Scanner: Canon CanoScan LiDe 120 FlatBed 2400dpi
- Router: Linksys E900-NP Wireless-N300 Router IEEE 802.3/3u & b/g/n
- Wifi Adapter: Linksys WUSB600N USB 2.0 Wireless-N Dual Band USB Adapter
- Blue Ray Drive: LG Black Blue Ray Burner SATA WH16NS40
- USB Stick: Kingston 64Gb Data traveler USB 3.0
- External HD Drive: Western Digital 2Tb Passeport Ultra Portable USB 3.0
Related Articles
on Newegg.com
on amazon.ca
on pcpartpicker.com
Go to the 'computer hardware' table of contents:
Guide on Finding the Optimal Computer Components
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