Haswell Build advice

[FXDawg]

Hello all,

I'm thinking of trying to grab the Core i7 4770K 3.5GHz at microcenter this weekend.

I'm looking for advice on the rest of the build. Should I upgrade the system in my signature with new CPU, MOBO, GPU, SSD and Memory, salvaging all the rest? Or should I do a fresh build from the ground up.

I'll be using the same 3- 27" dell monitors.

I use AutoCAD, NavisWorks and Revit...and play a game here and there...

Thanks in advance for an y and all suggestions and comments!

Danny

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
I use AutoCAD, NavisWorks and Revit...and play a game here and there...

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Pretty much open to what it needs to be without wasting funds... $1500ish if I have to...More important is the build quality.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Rehoboth, MA

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.
This is what I'm asking above.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Again, this is where I'm asking for the advice...

6) Will you be overclocking?
Probably

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
3 - 1920 x 1080 see signature

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
As soon as I figure it all out, soon...

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.
Again, I'd like advice here.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I have an OEM Win 7 ultimate 64 bit

 

[Dangman]

Just upgrade the CPU, mobo, RAM and add a solid liquid cooling AIO and you'll be fine. I recommend getting this Asus mobo from Microcenter so that off $40 will be knocked off the total price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131981

RAM wise, I recommend this (Get two to get a total of 32G of RAM):
$100 - Corsair XMS CMX16GX3M2A1333C9 2 x 8GB DDR3 1333 RAM

As for the cooler, I recommend the Corsair H80i.

 

[FXDawg]

thanks Danny! that sounds pretty killer.

you think the GPU setup is fine?

 

[Dangman]

thanks Danny! that sounds pretty killer.

you think the GPU setup is fine?

If your HD 6970 is no longer meeting your gaming needs and AutoCAD performance, definitely upgrade the video card to the GTX 770 as consumer grade Nvidia cards outperform consumer grade AMD cards in AutoCAD.

Now that I think about it, you could actually ditch both your HD 6570 and HD 6970 with that one GTX 770 card since the GTX 770 can power three monitors without the need for a DisplayPort adapter. You can even attach a 4th monitor to the GTX 770 but that will require a DisplayPort adapter.

 

[FXDawg]

yea, it is autocad and navis performance I'm looking to improve. if I did go with the gtx, how would you recommend getting the third monitor hooked up?

 

[Dangman]

if I did go with the gtx, how would you recommend getting the third monitor hooked up?

To the onboard video of that motherboard or the HD 6570.

 

[FXDawg]

Thanks Danny! That sounds great! I'm hoping to get up to Microcenter on Sunday

 

[FXDawg]

Okay it has been a while since I asked this question but, I never did get around to buying this stuff.

I'm looking at this now on NewEgg and was wondering if there is any advice or suggestions otherwise...

2 x CORSAIR XMS 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX16GX3M2A1333C9 = $285.98

ASUS Z87-A LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard = $144.99

Intel Core i7-4770 Haswell 3.4GHz LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I74770 = $294.99

Plus an extra 5% off w promo code.

total $689.66

This beats out Micro center by $10.00

I guess my only question is about the components. Could I save by going with a different MoBo? I don't think there are any better deals on RAM... it has gone up quite a bit recently but, is there a better choice for the same money?

Thanks in advance!
Danny

 

[FXDawg]

Okay, I was wrong new egg wouldn't let me combine promo codes so their price is $704 putting them $5.00 over microcenter. But for the $5.00 I don't have to drive into Boston.

Oh forgot to mention I picked up the Samsung 840 EVO 1TB ssd a couple weeks ago, so, this would finish the upgrade I'm planning.

 

[Dangman]

2 x CORSAIR XMS 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX16GX3M2A1333C9 = $285.98

This is a slightly better RAM deal since it's slightly faster and cheaper:
$139 - Crucial BLS2CP8G3D1609DS1S00 Ballistix Sport 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM

Okay, I was wrong new egg wouldn't let me combine promo codes so their price is $704 putting them $5.00 over microcenter. But for the $5.00 I don't have to drive into Boston.

Well first and foremost: Since you're planning on overclocking, the regular 4770 isn't the right CPU for that. You'll need the 4770K. While the 4770K costs $30 more than the 4770 at Microcenter, the 4770K has a $30 off bundle savings if you buy the Asus Z87-A with it. So it'll actually come to about the same subtotal. Hence why a trip to Microcenter would be a good idea if you're planning on overclocking.

Also, again, if you're planning on overclocking, grab the Corsair H80i.

 

[FXDawg]

ah... good catch. when I price the changes out at newegg the price only goes up like $6

the low profile ballistix sport is just $131 for 2x8gb and the cpu goes up $30 then the promo code saves me like 40. so grand total with your suggestions from newegg is like $711,

micro center comes in at $679 for the same parts but I'd have to pay $44 in taxes so the new egg price comes out $15 cheaper

 

[Dangman]

You're still missing the HSF.

 

[FXDawg]

Yea I just added it comes out to $802

I'll jump on the computer and list it better

 

[FXDawg]

2 x Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model - $263.98

ASUS Z87-A LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - $144.99


Intel Core i7-4770K Haswell 3.5GHz LGA 1150 84W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics BX80646I74770K - $339.99

CORSAIR Hydro Series H80i High Performance Water/Liquid CPU Cooler. 120mm - $96.99

total - $845.99

5% promo code - $42.30

$803.65

MicroCenter is 828.70 w/taxes

 

[Dangman]

Solid.

 

[FXDawg]

Thanks Again Danny I'm gunna push the button right now!

This and the 1TB evo from a couple weeks ago and that a great upgrade.

Now I'll just have to wait for the R9 290X to come out! LOL

 

[FXDawg]

Okay,

I've got the upgrade parts coming in tomorrow. I'd like a little advice on the OS situation. I've got the 3 Kingston drives. I use one for the OS and one I have the Autdesk software installed on and one I use to access current files. The 750GB drive is really just archives.

Any advise on the logistics of the upgrade. Should I just reinstall everything fresh on the new EVO 1TB drive?

The Windows 7 ultimate version I have is OEM. So, I don't think I can just re-install that but, I do have a Windows 8 upgrade I bought on sale a while back and never used.

Should I upgrade to windows 8 using the key from my current Win 7 OEM?

Or, should I buy another Windows 7 to install on this seemingly new machine?

Or can I re-install the windows OEM I'm using now on the new drive?

 

[Dangman]

I've got the upgrade parts coming in tomorrow. I'd like a little advice on the OS situation. I've got the 3 Kingston drives. I use one for the OS and one I have the Autdesk software installed on and one I use to access current files. The 750GB drive is really just archives.

Any advise on the logistics of the upgrade. Should I just reinstall everything fresh on the new EVO 1TB drive?

Yes since the Evo 1TB drive is probably going to be faster than the Kingstons.

Or can I re-install the windows OEM I'm using now on the new drive?

It's worth a try. It may require a phone call to MS and a reason ("Oh my motherboard died") but still worth a try.

 

[FXDawg]

yea, that sounds like it may work. I'll keep the kingstons for added storage.