New rig: budget between $1.5k and $2k...

M

m4nwich

n00b
Joined
Apr 22, 2013
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6
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
gaming, personal video editing, web browsing.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
between $1.5 and $2k before taxes and shipping. This will be a work in progess and not buy everything at once build.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Leesburg, VA
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.
case, motherboard, cpu, memory, hdd, ssd, graphics card, optical drive, aftermarket watercooler for cpu, psu, fan controller, monitor, speakers.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
keyboard, mouse, monitor (temporarily)..
6) Will you be overclocking?
just the cpu
7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
my ideal monitor will eventually be 1920x1080 - 23in.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
within the next month
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.
RAID, SLI, USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s, and preferably black in color
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No.


I've had an idea of what kind of system I want to put together for some time now. Figured it would be a good idea to post here for some advice before I go ahead and start buying parts. This will be my second build ever, so any advice would be appreciated.

What I'm looking at so far:
-Fractal Design Define R4 with Window Black Pearl Silent ATX Mid Tower Case - $123.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352021

-Intel Core i7 3770K - $230.00
http://www.microcenter.com/product/388575/Core_i7_3770K_35GHz_LGA_1155_Processor

-ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 - $240.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131821

-Corsair Vengeance 16gb(4x4gb) DDR3 1600(PC3 12800) - $137.00 [stupid prices keep going up....]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233143

-Samsung 120gb ssd - $100.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147188

-WD 1tb HDD - $95.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

-Corsair HX850 psu - $170.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

-Asus optical drive - $20.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

-Windows 7 Home 64bit - $100.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

TOTAL: around $1250.00

**Parts that can wait, but want to buy eventually**

-EVGA GeForce GTX 670 - $390.00 (add a second one in the future..)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782

-Corsair H100i watercooler - $106.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181032

-Asus VH238H 23" LCD monitor - $170.00 (add a second one after SLI..)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236117

-Bitfenix Recon 5 channel fan controller - $40.00
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...ge=product_info&cPath=36_48&products_id=36210

-Add a second hdd and ssd

-Average to decent 2.0 channel speakers - around $40.00

- a nice headset/headphones, not really sure what though... I'd also like to buy a couple of the high performance corsair case fans, and some white cable extenders to keep the color theme (black/white).

So what do you think?
 
I'd probably go for the 250/256GB variants for the SSD (840/840 Pro).

If you don't intend to go SLI or CF in the future, you won't need such a large capacity PSU as well, maybe you could draw the cash from there.
 
mda said:
I'd probably go for the 250/256GB variants for the SSD (840/840 Pro).

If you don't intend to go SLI or CF in the future, you won't need such a large capacity PSU as well, maybe you could draw the cash from there.
Click to expand...
I actually do plan to go SLI at some point, that's basically the reason for the 850w. May I ask why go with the 256gb ssd? its like an extra 100 bucks. I was just gonna use it primarily for a boot drive and whatever else i want to load quickly.

Verass said:
If you get an Asus mobo you will also get their software that gives you fan control through its mobo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcUz0SjBKGY
Click to expand...
Good to know. I also thought the recon fan controller was just cool looking to have :D
 
I prefer the 250/6 GB SSD due to 2 things:

1. Performance and longevity on a 250/6 GB is usually better than vs a 120/8 GB.
More about that here, reviewing your choice of SSD in particular. The 250/256GB variants of the 840 & 840 pro are [very] well received compared to that 120GB.

2. I like to put games/apps on my SSD for loading purposes. Usually though, the installation sizes of the programs that tend to take longer to load and are therefore what I would want on my SSD - are actually quite large. When BF3 alone approaches 30 gigs, I'd like to have a lot more space just in case. Reinstalling stuff to another drive due to lack of SSD space isn't something I'd like to do.
**The formatted capacity of a 120GB SSD should be around ~112GB.

If you insist on going 120/8GB, I'd suggest another drive as the 120GB 840 uses TLC flash. (the [H] article I linked explains this better).

Also, I re-read your post and saw that you mentioned you are to build within the next month. If so, Haswell is just around the corner with a rumored launch date of June 2. It isn't a significant step up from Ivy Bridge, but it may be worth waiting for if you're not in a terrible hurry.
 
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That RAM is pretty overpriced. Go for this RAM instead since that Vengeance RAM isn't worth the higher costs:
$77 - Corsair CMX16GX3M2A1600C11 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM

If you're actually gonna get serious about video editing, then I recommend bumping up the OS to Windows 7 Pro 64bit or regular Windows 8 since those don't have the the 16GB RAM limit that Windows 7 HP does.

While the Corsair HX850 is a solid PSU and still a tad overkill for your SLI plans, I recommend this slightly higher quality and cheaper Seasonic PSU instead:
$160 - Seasonic M12II 850 SS-850KM 850W Modular PSU

Do you actually live near a Microcenter?
 
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Danny Bui said:
That RAM is pretty overpriced. Go for this RAM instead since that Vengeance RAM isn't worth the higher costs:
$77 - Corsair CMX16GX3M2A1600C11 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
Click to expand...

That $77 price is outdated. The RAM actually costs $105 shipped. Still not as outrageously overpriced as the OP's original choice of RAM.
 
Danny Bui said:
Do you actually live near a Microcenter?
Click to expand...

Leesburg is about a 40-minute drive away from Fairfax, the location of the Virginia Micro Center store. It's about the same "distance" for me (assuming there isn't any heavy traffic).

Assuming that the OP will grab most of his parts from there, IMO, it's a worthwhile trip.

m4nwich said:
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
between $1.5 and $2k before taxes and shipping. This will be a work in progess and not buy everything at once build.
Click to expand...
OK, how much do you have right now?
 
mda said:
I prefer the 250/6 GB SSD due to 2 things:

1. Performance and longevity on a 250/6 GB is usually better than vs a 120/8 GB.
More about that here, reviewing your choice of SSD in particular. The 250/256GB variants of the 840 & 840 pro are [very] well received compared to that 120GB.

2. I like to put games/apps on my SSD for loading purposes. Usually though, the installation sizes of the programs that tend to take longer to load and are therefore what I would want on my SSD - are actually quite large. When BF3 alone approaches 30 gigs, I'd like to have a lot more space just in case. Reinstalling stuff to another drive due to lack of SSD space isn't something I'd like to do.
**The formatted capacity of a 120GB SSD should be around ~112GB.

If you insist on going 120/8GB, I'd suggest another drive as the 120GB 840 uses TLC flash. (the [H] article I linked explains this better).

Also, I re-read your post and saw that you mentioned you are to build within the next month. If so, Haswell is just around the corner with a rumored launch date of June 2. It isn't a significant step up from Ivy Bridge, but it may be worth waiting for if you're not in a terrible hurry.
Click to expand...
Hmmm, I see your point. I always forget that the formatted capacity is always smaller than what's advertised.

I wasn't aware of the new Haswell's coming out soon. That does make me feel like waiting to see what those are like.. And I would assume prices would change decently when those new CPUs roll out. But that 3770k at microcenter is at such a nice price, I'd feel dumb for passing that up.

With Haswell being released with a new socket (1150), maybe I should choose a cheaper 1155 mobo now with the 3770k ($230 @ microcenter) or the 3570k ($190 @ microcenter), and wait for Haswell a few months after its launch. Because correct me if I'm wrong, when a new architecture is released it takes a couple months for solid mobos to come out and for prices to be reasonable.


Danny Bui said:
That RAM is pretty overpriced. Go for this RAM instead since that Vengeance RAM isn't worth the higher costs:
$77 - Corsair CMX16GX3M2A1600C11 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM

If you're actually gonna get serious about video editing, then I recommend bumping up the OS to Windows 7 Pro 64bit or regular Windows 8 since those don't have the the 16GB RAM limit that Windows 7 HP does.

While the Corsair HX850 is a solid PSU and still a tad overkill for your SLI plans, I recommend this slightly higher quality and cheaper Seasonic PSU instead:
$160 - Seasonic M12II 850 SS-850KM 850W Modular PSU

Do you actually live near a Microcenter?
Click to expand...
Like someone else said, that memory is priced at $105 now, but definitely cheaper than what I picked. And honestly the vengeance ram sticks I think look ugly.

I chose the 850w because I used this site to calculate my system's power requirement
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp
It came out to a little under 800w for maximum power requirement.

Would 750w be okay? I'm starting to also lean towards two 660ti's instead of the 670's. I feel like $400 for a videocard is a bit much. And yes I live near a microcenter.
 
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tiraides said:
Leesburg is about a 40-minute drive away from Fairfax, the location of the Virginia Micro Center store. It's about the same "distance" for me (assuming there isn't any heavy traffic).

Assuming that the OP will grab most of his parts from there, IMO, it's a worthwhile trip.


OK, how much do you have right now?
Click to expand...

After my next paycheck I should have enough.
 
m4nwich said:
I wasn't aware of the new Haswell's coming out soon. That does make me feel like waiting to see what those are like.. And I would assume prices would change decently when those new CPUs roll out. But that 3770k at microcenter is at such a nice price, I'd feel dumb for passing that up.
Click to expand...
Microcenter usually has the latest CPUs when they're launched at a discounted priced. That's what they've done with the Core i5 3570K, Core i5 2500K, Core i5 750, etc. In addition, Intel usually releases their new CPUs at or near the price of their older CPUs and will not drop the price of their older CPUs until several months.

m4nwich said:
With Haswell being released with a new socket (1150), maybe I should choose a cheaper 1155 mobo now with the 3770k ($230 @ microcenter) or the 3570k ($190 @ microcenter), and wait for Haswell a few months after its launch. Because correct me if I'm wrong, when a new architecture is released it takes a couple months for solid mobos to come out and for prices to be reasonable.
Click to expand...
Solid mobos are usually released at launch but they sometimes have higher prices than necessary.

m4nwich said:
Like someone else said, that memory is priced at $105 now, but definitely cheaper than what I picked. And honestly the vengeance ram sticks I think look ugly..
Click to expand...
Forgot to change the price. In any case, yeah go for that RAM.

m4nwich said:
Would 750w be okay? I'm starting to also lean towards two 660ti's instead of the 670's. I feel like $400 for a videocard is a bit much. And yes I live near a microcenter.
Click to expand...
Yes 750W is ok. I recommend the Corsair HX750 or Seasonic X750 Gold.
m4nwich said:
After my next paycheck I should have enough.
Click to expand...
And when will that be?
 
Danny Bui said:
And when will that be?
Click to expand...
Aren't you nosey lol. Friday of next week.

So I'm thinking of a few changes to my list based on everyone's suggestions so far:

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 mobo - $135.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

CORSAIR XMS3 16GB (2 x 8GB) - $105.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145357

Samsung 840 Pro Series SSD 256 GB - $230.00
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NB8WRU/?tag=extension-kb-20

EVGA 660Ti 3GB - $325.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130811

SeaSonic X850 psu - $160.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151102

Windows 7 pro 64bit - $135.00
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Q0T0LU/?tag=extension-kb-20

Everything else is the same...
 
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m4nwich said:
Aren't you nosey lol. Friday of next week.
Click to expand...
Sorry but we need to know when exactly you're planning the build as our recommendations do change over time due to availability, pricing, and the performance of the parts. In other words, if your next paycheck was in 30 days from now, we would just tell you wait a few more weeks to plan again.

Considering that you're planning on buying next week, I would again highly recommend just waiting for Haswell and getting that instead. That is unless you absolutely need the PC ASAP. Otherwise, just wait for Haswell.

m4nwich said:
SeaSonic X850 psu - $160.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151102
Click to expand...
Even with your overclocking plans AND GTX 660 TI, honestly, a 850W PSU is total overkill. Check out the power testing figures here :
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012..._gtx_660_ti_gc_3gb_sli_review/10#.UXdZ7LVJPdI

Considering that those GTX 660 Ti 3GB cards used a little more power than the regular GTX 660 Ti 2GB cards IIRC and the fact that the test setup was a 2600K OC'd to 4.8Gh and one hard drive, it's fair to say that you won't be coming close at all to the limits of a 850W PSU. Even the 750W PSUs I recommended earlier are overkill as the above clearly shows that a solid 650W PSU would be fine for your needs.
 
Danny Bui said:
Sorry but we need to know when exactly you're planning the build as our recommendations do change over time due to availability, pricing, and the performance of the parts. In other words, if your next paycheck was in 30 days from now, we would just tell you wait a few more weeks to plan again.

Considering that you're planning on buying next week, I would again highly recommend just waiting for Haswell and getting that instead. That is unless you absolutely need the PC ASAP. Otherwise, just wait for Haswell.


Even with your overclocking plans AND GTX 660 TI, honestly, a 850W PSU is total overkill. Check out the power testing figures here :
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2012..._gtx_660_ti_gc_3gb_sli_review/10#.UXdZ7LVJPdI

Considering that those GTX 660 Ti 3GB cards used a little more power than the regular GTX 660 Ti 2GB cards IIRC and the fact that the test setup was a 2600K OC'd to 4.8Gh and one hard drive, it's fair to say that you won't be coming close at all to the limits of a 850W PSU. Even the 750W PSUs I recommended earlier are overkill as the above clearly shows that a solid 650W PSU would be fine for your needs.
Click to expand...

I hate waiting...:mad:

I should probably wait anyway, not just for Haswell but I need to start saving for other reasons. I guess I'll bump this in a month or two.

Appreciate yall's advice.
 
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