Beginner's Low Budget PC Build Geared Towards Video Edits & Blender

[Maris]

Hello! First PC build.

Budget: $1,800 [includes peripherals, OS, etc], so really, $1,250ish on the build itself. Balling on a teacher's aide budget, with decent savings from side jobs.
Goals: Primarily wanted to do some video edits, streaming, while also being able to use Blender, Gimp, etc. I opted for After Effects pc build for the potential power and ability to switch between different programs. It was suggested that I have this proofed before I start buying. I am certainly hoping this is upgradable later down the road. I do not game, especially not competitively. I'm more of a writer. I don't need anything extra until later.
Location: East Coast USA.
Side notes / Clarification on goals: Also looking at flat IPS monitors. Would LG 27GL850-B work? I'm also researching cameras (videography, photography, & livestream potential) -- so looking at something like Canon EOS M50 Mark II kit or Panasonic Lumix G7 Mirrorless. These could be adapted to or already have connections to do a livestream and group programs for signing lessons and Deaf mentoring. I'd like to make this an amazing experience and have the build geared towards those experiences primarily (being able to use platforms for on-screen graphics), while the secondary thing is to acquire and build on digital art skills.

After Effects Build:
CGDirector.com Parts List: https://www.cgdirector.com/pc-builder/?=6NVrQ

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X 4.7GHz 6-Core Processor ($231.31)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock 4 ($73.59)
Motherboard: MSI PRO B650-P WIFI ATX AM5 ($189.99)
GPU: Nvidia RTX 3070 8GB - MSI Gaming X Trio ($349.16)
Memory: 32GB (2x16GB) G.Skill Flare X5 Series DDR5-6000 CL32 ($104.99)
Storage PCIe-SSD: ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive ($84.99)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 850 P2 80+ Platinum Power Supply ($99.99)
Case: be quiet! Pure Base 600 Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($113.87)
Total: $1247.89

Video Edit Build:
CGDirector.com Parts List: https://www.cgdirector.com/pc-builder/?=6NVrR

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X 4.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($319.49)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 ($88.26)
Motherboard: MSI PRO B650-P WIFI ATX AM5 ($189.99)
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5700XT - Gigabyte Gaming OC ($179.99)
Memory: 32GB (2x16GB) Kingston Fury Beast Black DDR5-6000 CL40 ($71.99)
Storage PCIe-SSD: WD Black SN850X 1TB NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive ($59.99)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 850 P2 80+ Platinum Power Supply ($99.99)
Case: be quiet! Pure Base 600 Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($113.87)
Total: $1123.57

 

[Maris]

After Effects Build on PCPartPicker: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/tDqdjZ
Video Edit Build on PCPartPicker: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/s3H3zf

I picked the WD storage with heatsink for both, not sure if that's practical or if it's better just to pick the one without heatsink. It also goes without saying I'm mainly purchasing through cgdirector list.

 

[Maris]

I'm back! I promise I'm not trying to be pushy or get attention, just re-thinking things and couldn't re-edit my first post. With a little guidance, I was able to pinpoint more of what I want/need. My goals/intentions/workflow remain the same. I'd just like to share in here to be sure I'm going in the right direction or to correct me where I'm wrong.

So, I know for certain on these following things:

1. Nvidia GPU, minimum 8 GB, but struggling to find even that within budget, or availability.
2. Intel CPU, minimum 8 or 12 cores.
3. Ram, 32GB minimum.
4. Storage, 2TB, NVMe m.2.
5. I think I'm ok on DDR4, I'm may be looking at longevity vs upgradability here.

This is what I pulled on budget, with Intel/Nvidia team: https://www.cgdirector.com/pc-builder/?=6NVOj
CPU: Intel Core i7 12700K 3.6GHz 12-Core Processor ($249.00)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 ($74.99)
Motherboard: MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk DDR4 ATX LGA1700 ($239.99)
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1660 Super 6GB - ZOTAC Gaming ($259.44)
Memory: 32GB (2 x 16GB) G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-3200 C16 ($61.99)
Storage PCIe-SSD: WD Black SN850X 1TB NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive ($59.99)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 850 P2 80+ Platinum Power Supply ($99.99)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($109.99)
Total: $1155.38

What I'm thinking about swapping:

• Motherboard. I like the LGA1700 options and am looking at ASRock. ($180)
• Possibly backpedaling to GeForce 3060s, if I can get the 12GB Vram. Someone mentioned render times can be leveraged with Intel Quicksync. Or try to push up to Nvidia with 8GB, once other things are swapped out for lower prices. Advice?
• RAM is tough for me to pin down. Not sure on the CL.
• PSU is off. Clicked on the link and it took me to something well over $120.
• Any advice on anything else?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Jerry James]

o, I know for certain on these following things:

1. Nvidia GPU, minimum 8 GB, but struggling to find even that within budget, or availability.
2. Intel CPU, minimum 8 or 12 cores.
3. Ram, 32GB minimum.
4. Storage, 2TB, NVMe m.2.
5. I think I'm ok on DDR4, I'm may be looking at longevity vs upgradability here.

Seems like a good enough checklist.

CPU: Intel Core i7 12700K 3.6GHz 12-Core Processor ($249.00)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 ($74.99)
Motherboard: MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk DDR4 ATX LGA1700 ($239.99)
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1660 Super 6GB - ZOTAC Gaming ($259.44)
Memory: 32GB (2 x 16GB) G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-3200 C16 ($61.99)
Storage PCIe-SSD: WD Black SN850X 1TB NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive ($59.99)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 850 P2 80+ Platinum Power Supply ($99.99)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case ($109.99)
Total: $1155.38

A couple of swaps here would make it better. Swap out the CPU cooler for something either cheaper and similar or similarly-priced and better. Noctua nh-d15 if you want to pick the latter, and for the former you could go with something like a Thermalright peerless assassin or something.

Change the case to something more 'compact,' as this full tower is mostly geared towards Pros who need access to a lot of peripherals and paraphernalia. The Lian Li Lancool II mesh, Fractal Design Torrent and Meshify are personal favorites.