My Athlon 3700+, 2GB memory, 6800GS build has been in daily service for 8 years and is now quite pathetic... A new build is very long overdue.
update: I'm down to only needing suitable memory, PSU, cooling (cpu/gpu/case?), SSD(s), HDD (maybe), and the OS...
Ultimately I'm looking for critiquing and suggestions as it's been so long since I've spec'd out a build that I've just kinda been winging it with this one. I've revised every part on the list several times based on reviews, benchmarks, compatibility, noise levels, etc. But could use some outside opinions. I could spend $200 on craigslist and have something that outperforms what I'm using now so the build is mainly a fun project that will be a pleasant upgrade.
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
A little bit of everything. I may run HDMI to my Denon AVR4308ci in the theater... so bluray playback along with 1080 h264 decoding/encoding. I plan on testing the waters and hopefully jumping head-first into the latest graphics-intensive games (FPS mostly), I regularly have 25+ web tabs/pages open, photoshop & lightroom (up to 300MP or so image sizes).
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Originally it was ~ $800, then 1000, then 1500... it's pretty flexible, I plan on purchasing individual parts as they are on sale - I'm using PCPartPicker
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Pierce County in WA, US
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need. Update* I have almost everything! Only need GPU cooling and a 2nd storage drive...
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
displays, keyboard/mouse, audio system
6) Will you be overclocking?
If it would provide enough performance gain with keeping noise/temps down then maybe, but don't currently plan on OC'ing
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1920x1080 37" Westinghouse, and two other displays at 1680x1050, possibly to a projector at 1920x1080 as well. However, I will never game on multiple displays.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I have already started purchasing parts (I knew if I didn't pull the trigger and order something then I was just going to keep delaying the project) but have no deadline, if I can find all parts in a month then great, if it takes 4 months then I still won't lose any sleep.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
I researched this and chose the MSI Z97-G45 Gaming Motherboard, however it seems almost all ATX motherboards these days support newer features like USB3.0, SATA6, etc. I won't be using RAID or onboard video. I absolutely had to have a digital audio output (optical on the 990FXA) to go to my receiver - hopefully the digital output works well on this board for DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Looking to purchase Win 8.1 64bit
PCPartPicker part list
***Case: Silverstone GD08B (Black) HTPC Case (Purchased For $141.99)
***Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (Purchased For $106.19)
***CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor (Purchased For $277.80)
***CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X31 69.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (Purchased For $73.99)
***Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (Purchased For $289.99)
***Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $152.10)
***Storage-OS: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Purchased For $199.99)
***Power Supply: SeaSonic 660W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $141.98)
***Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) (Purchased For $104.51)
GPU Cooler Bracket: NZXT G10 Video Card Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
GPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X31 69.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($73.99 @ Newegg)
Storage-Other: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1722.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-04 12:34 EDT-0400
Previously selected and now replaced parts:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (Purchased For $107.99)
CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($174.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.49 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($116.98 @ Newegg)
After seeing this fellow fit two Corsair H75's side by side in the Silverstone GD07 case (w/ the fans mounted externally) I am now set on two NZXT Kraken X31 (120mm) AIO coolers for the CPU/GPU. It will require a small modification to the drive tray/bracket but I don't mind as I will likely be using an external Bluray drive if I need to.
update: I'm down to only needing suitable memory, PSU, cooling (cpu/gpu/case?), SSD(s), HDD (maybe), and the OS...
Ultimately I'm looking for critiquing and suggestions as it's been so long since I've spec'd out a build that I've just kinda been winging it with this one. I've revised every part on the list several times based on reviews, benchmarks, compatibility, noise levels, etc. But could use some outside opinions. I could spend $200 on craigslist and have something that outperforms what I'm using now so the build is mainly a fun project that will be a pleasant upgrade.
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
A little bit of everything. I may run HDMI to my Denon AVR4308ci in the theater... so bluray playback along with 1080 h264 decoding/encoding. I plan on testing the waters and hopefully jumping head-first into the latest graphics-intensive games (FPS mostly), I regularly have 25+ web tabs/pages open, photoshop & lightroom (up to 300MP or so image sizes).
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Originally it was ~ $800, then 1000, then 1500... it's pretty flexible, I plan on purchasing individual parts as they are on sale - I'm using PCPartPicker
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Pierce County in WA, US
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need. Update* I have almost everything! Only need GPU cooling and a 2nd storage drive...
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
displays, keyboard/mouse, audio system
6) Will you be overclocking?
If it would provide enough performance gain with keeping noise/temps down then maybe, but don't currently plan on OC'ing
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1920x1080 37" Westinghouse, and two other displays at 1680x1050, possibly to a projector at 1920x1080 as well. However, I will never game on multiple displays.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
I have already started purchasing parts (I knew if I didn't pull the trigger and order something then I was just going to keep delaying the project) but have no deadline, if I can find all parts in a month then great, if it takes 4 months then I still won't lose any sleep.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
I researched this and chose the MSI Z97-G45 Gaming Motherboard, however it seems almost all ATX motherboards these days support newer features like USB3.0, SATA6, etc. I won't be using RAID or onboard video. I absolutely had to have a digital audio output (optical on the 990FXA) to go to my receiver - hopefully the digital output works well on this board for DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Looking to purchase Win 8.1 64bit
PCPartPicker part list
***Case: Silverstone GD08B (Black) HTPC Case (Purchased For $141.99)
***Motherboard: MSI Z97-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (Purchased For $106.19)
***CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor (Purchased For $277.80)
***CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X31 69.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (Purchased For $73.99)
***Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card (Purchased For $289.99)
***Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Purchased For $152.10)
***Storage-OS: Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Purchased For $199.99)
***Power Supply: SeaSonic 660W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply (Purchased For $141.98)
***Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) (Purchased For $104.51)
GPU Cooler Bracket: NZXT G10 Video Card Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
GPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X31 69.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($73.99 @ Newegg)
Storage-Other: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1722.50
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-04 12:34 EDT-0400
Previously selected and now replaced parts:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (Purchased For $107.99)
CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($174.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.49 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($116.98 @ Newegg)
After seeing this fellow fit two Corsair H75's side by side in the Silverstone GD07 case (w/ the fans mounted externally) I am now set on two NZXT Kraken X31 (120mm) AIO coolers for the CPU/GPU. It will require a small modification to the drive tray/bracket but I don't mind as I will likely be using an external Bluray drive if I need to.
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