Build Assistance for Graphics Programmer

[vladraz]

Hey everyone, long time lurker here. I decided to sell stuff I no longer needed and realized I could get $1000-$1100 for it. So I figured I could build a small workbench of sorts for my needs as a graphics programmer. I got some specs thought out, but I was wondering if I made any mistakes, or there's some better options.

1. What will you be doing with this PC?
I will be using this for graphics intensive processing, mainly real time rendering, as well as some gaming on the side. I have other means to browse the internet or watch stuff.

2. What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included in this budget? Is your budget flexible? Is cost a driving factor in component selection?
My budget is $1000-$1100, tax and shipping included. I don't want to spend any more than that, so not very flexible.

3. Where do you live? Do you have any big B&M (brick and mortar) computer chains nearby?
I live north of Columbus, Ohio. So a Bestbuy and a Microcenter.

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.
Building a whole system, so case, psu, mobo, cpu, gpu, wifi, ssd. I have mice and keyboards lying around, but if I have extra I figure I could spend on an ergonomic mouse. I also will be sharing the display with my personal computer.

5. If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. For reused parts, list brands, model #s, and, if applicable, firmware revisions.
Only parts I will be reusing are display and usb mouse + keyboard. dell 2007fp, logitech mx510, Kensington k64670.

6. What specific features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? etc. Which is more important, size of the system or having the particular feature?
Required are USB 3.0, PCIe 3.0x16, and SATA 6Gb/s. No crossfire or SLI. RAID not important. I don't wish to sacrifice size for cost.

7. What resolution output do you need? Do you need multiple monitor output?
In the future a dual monitor, PL setup. 1200x1600 + 2560x1600.

8. Does this system need to fit into a particular space?
No.

9. How comfortable are you with custom case design/modification and electrical wiring? What tools do you have?
I have a screwdriver and that's as much as I'm going to use.

10. How important is the noise/silence of this system?
Somewhat. I don't want to hear a tornado next to me since I use open ear headphones.

11. How mobile does this system need to be? Need a carrying handle or carrying straps? Is weight important (carry-on bag, etc)? Water cooling quick disconnects, etc?
I plan on carrying this in a back pack, so weight and handles are not important.

12. Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I have access to MSDN and I will to get windows 8 pro x64. This is my biggest concern as I am unsure if the mobo supports it.

13. When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Immediately, in a couple weeks, 3-5 years?
I plan on building it over the next few weeks.

Here's what I current thought out. It is built around the sugo sg08 case and the 660ti.

Case --- Silverstone Sugo SG08 --- $200
Motherboard --- Intel BOXDH77DF --- $140
CPU --- Core i5 3450 --- $160
Graphics Card --- EVGA 02G-P4-3660-KR GeForce GTX 660 Ti --- $300
RAM --- Patriot Intel Extreme Master, LE 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 or CORSAIR Vengeance 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 --- $100
SSD --- SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC064B/WW 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC --- $85
Wifi --- USB 2.0 Wireless Lan 802.11N Monoprice 2T2R --- $25

Total is: $1010

While I could spend a little bit more, I would like to keep it closer to $1000.

Any tips or suggestions very welcome! Thanks for checking out this post.

 

[Dangman]

This is one of the few times where I'm gonna recommend an AsRock due to the pretty good deal for it. Since you live near a MC, you can take advantage of MC's Core i5 3570K + $50 off Intel Z77 mobo combos:
$285 - Core i5 3570K + AsRock Z77E-ITX Intel Z77 mITX Motherboard Microcenter combo

$15 cheaper but you're getting a slightly faster CPU and slightly better mobo. Use that $15 towards the 128GB version of that Samsung SSD:
$99 - Samsung 830 Series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB SSD

Even without the savings, at $85, that Samsung 64GB SSD is overpriced as hell. So go for the Samsung 128GB no matter what.

RAM wise, both of those RAM sets have fairly tall heatsinks which may cause space issues in an already small case. I recommend these lower profile RAM instead:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148545
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231606

Choose whatever company you trust more. Personally I trust G.Skill a bit more.

 

[vladraz]

Thanks Dan for the help! That SSD deal is pretty good, I don't really need the space, but at only 15 dollars more for slightly better performance and double the capacity I can't really pass it up.

As for looking at the Microcenter deals. I've had 2 AsRocks in the past and both died on me, taking out the video card and most everything else on their way out. So I have sworn off them. I am not going to overclock so I think the mobo has everything I need.

As for the RAM. It always seems like a crap-shoot, but I figure the low profile would be easier to use.

Thanks for the help on the SSD, and pointing me to that Microcenter brochure, I forgot how good some of their deals were.

UPDATE: I originally posted as well about a possible $100 off a combo deal, but after speaking to a Microcenter employee (who then called support) He confirmed that it's only $50.

Also, I shopped around for the Samsung SSD and found out Newegg had it for $90. I ordered that for now as I can just install windows 8 on it in my personal computer. I will probably wait until Black Friday, as Microcenter usually has RAM for half off then. Also I'll stay on the lookout for other combo deals. Hard to pass up.

UPDATE 2: After talking to a friend who is more of a regular here and knows his stuff, it seems newer AsRocks arn't as bad as before. The one linked by Dan has built in wifi by Broadcom which saves me $25 and will make it easier to carry. It also has good caps (a complaint my friend mentioned about previous AsRocks).
I am still not sure about the ram. Newegg reviews talked about compatibility issues with the G.Skill ram and problems with having it show the right speed and voltage, I doubt such issues are better in Windows 8. Also my friend swayed me away from crucial. I feel like everything else seems to be in order. I even checked Camel and found that the prices were never better. I will still wait a bit, hold out for a better deal on ram.

UPDATE 3: After much deliberation on the ram, I decided 16GB was not needed, and that I could get low profile ram at 8GB (2x4GB) for $45.

So here is the new total:

Case --- Silverstone Sugo SG08 --- $200
Motherboard --- ASRock Z77E-ITX --- $102
CPU --- Core i5 3570 --- $203
Graphics Card --- EVGA 02G-P4-3660-KR GeForce GTX 660 Ti --- $300
RAM --- CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600 CML8GX3M2A1600C9 --- $45
SSD --- SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC --- $90

Total is: $940