Hi,

 

The computer I have is a few years old now, the spec is:

 

Intel Core i7 CPU 930 @ 2.80 GHz

12.0 GB RAM

Windows 7 64 bit

ATI FirePro V3800 graphics card

2 x 24 inch 1920x1200 monitors.
1 x OCZ-VERTEX2 ATA 60 GB SSD drive (for Windows 7 and Software).
(3 x Internal Hard Drives for scratch disk, projects and source files etc. (all NTFS, one Hitachi rest WDC)).

 

At the time this computer was a lot more than $1500.

Now, since I assume a lot has happened since I got this (3rd generation i7 CPU’s etc. and faster graphics cards) I wanted your input on what is the top performing custom built or pre-built PC for this type of projects:

The type of After Effects (CS6) work would be:

1920x1080, 24 fps, short videos typically 1-3 minute animations with standard 3D layers and Camera, Lights.

(Ray-traced 3D would currently not be so important as it doesn’t support: blending modes, layer styles and masks and effects on continuously rasterized layers (including text and shape transfers)).

Any advice on what is the fastest that could replace it that would make a big difference? (minimum 1 hard drive for operative system and one for project and one for scratch disk).

Alternatively what would be the best component to replace/upgrade to make the current setup much faster?

Thanks in advance!

-Anders