Need Help Building a new computer ( 2500 $ )

[flashfire_06]

hi im planning to build a desktop at the end of this year . Kindly suggest me some configs . also let me know of new Cpus or Gpus that will be out by the time i build it.

Budget - 2000 - 2500 Cad $
Country - Canada
Use - 3d modelling , rendering , editing and gaming.
Software i will use - Maya , NukeK , Aftereffects , Photoshop , zbrush etc im a Visual effects student so will be using a lot of CG software .

i need the PC to fast enough to render stuff and also low maintenance cost(reliable).

Thank you Im creating a thread very early because i want to do my research and get opinions from as many people as possible....Thanks again

[SpicySnow]

Normally I would approach this by briefly summarizing all this; but I figured this approach would be better:

Have fun.

My Guide:
Spicy's Gaming Computer Guide

GPU
Best Graphics Cards For The Money: May 2012 : Best Graphics Cards For The Money, May Update

CPU
Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: June 2012 : Best Gaming CPUs For The Money, June Updates
Gaming CPU Hierarchy Chart : Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: June 2012

Sample configurations:
Budget Intel-Based Gaming PC
Gaming rig mainly for SWTOR ~$1k (The 2nd post)

[SpicySnow]

Oh and;
GPU:
Nvidia: 670,680,690 are released. 660,660Ti,650 to be released
AMD: 7970,7950,7870,7850,7770,7750 are released. Maybe in like 8 months, we'll start seeing 8xxx series?

CPU:
current gen: Intel ix-3xxx [Ivy]
last gen: Intel ix-2xxx [Sandy]
Next gen: long way off; maybe like 12 months?

[flashfire_06]

hey thks for the info ........ will we see the ivy bridge E chipsets in this year .... ???.....and for applications that render like maya and aftereffects which is more important Gpu or a cpu ??

[SpicySnow]

I'm in a different field; engineering and I use CAD. Which is also an Opengl application. I have never used maya, let alone as a professional. Though both autocad and maya are from the same company.

Here's the official recommended hardware stuff.
Autodesk - Autodesk Maya Services & Support - Certified Hardware

If you want to force an opinion out of me: For Maya gpu is probably more important than cpu
If I use CAD as a bench for comparison - especially programs such as CAD Civil 3D (Where you have stuff like miles of elevated freeway in 3D)
I would guess an i5 is in more in line with your needs. I've see people running CAD on old dinky laptops (granted its a little slow, but it works). Yes, CAD is cpu intensive, but current cpu's are beasts.
However, when doing 3D in cad, graphics cards really start struggling. And since maya works more with 3D, I would think gpu is more important