New build, recommendations?

[Database]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Everything, music, few games, VMs (VMware workstation), web, working, etc
I do a lot of work from home, so it's my primary workstation, stability is important.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Don't really have one... I guess I'd like to keep it under $1500 with tax and shipping?

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
St. Louis, MO (Microcenter Local)

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.
Mobo, CPU, GPU, RAM, Case, SSD, Power Supply

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Plan on keeping Hitatchi 1 TB 7200 rpm drive (will use as secondary drive) and LG DVD Burner

6) Will you be overclocking?
Probably a little bit.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
I have 2x HP ZR22w 21.5" monitors 1920x1080

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Soon, within a week probably.

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.
SATA 6 Gb/s, eSATA would be nice, USB 3, above all I'd like a reliable motherboard. Having the ability to use SLI/Crossfire in the future would be nice.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, Windows 7 Ultimate x64


Here is what I was thinking so far... plan on buying mobo/proc at MC. Plan on ordering other items at Newegg/Amazon, prefer Amazon for prime shipping.


Processor: Intel Ivy Bridge 3570K
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V Pro
SSD: Samsung 830 256 GB
Case: CoolerMaster HAF X Full Tower (I'd like a full tower)
Power Supply: Seasonic X 650 gold
Cooler: Cooler Master 212 plus
RAM: ??? I'd like 16 GB, preferably 8GB x 2
Video: ??? I was thinking maybe a AMD 7950, gaming isn't my #1 priority but would like something that would last a while without being crazy expensive. Prefer single card solution. Currently have a AMD 5850

Thoughts?

 

[Dangman]

Please answer question 9. Also, which version of Windows 7 do you have? Pro? Home Premium? etc.

Case wise, not a huge fan of the HAF X since IMO it's overpriced for the quality you get. Why the need for a full-tower anyway? You haven't mentioned SLI or CFX at all and in fact prefer a single GPU solution. Not to mention that a "Full-tower" is really only 4" taller/longer than many mid-tower cases out there.

SSD, PSU, and HSF are good choices so far. GPU wise, I recommend the GTX 670.

 

[Database]

Please answer question 9. Also, which version of Windows 7 do you have? Pro? Home Premium? etc.

Case wise, not a huge fan of the HAF X since IMO it's overpriced for the quality you get. Why the need for a full-tower anyway? You haven't mentioned SLI or CFX at all and in fact prefer a single GPU solution. Not to mention that a "Full-tower" is really only 4" taller/longer than many mid-tower cases out there.

SSD, PSU, and HSF are good choices so far. GPU wise, I recommend the GTX 670.

Would prefer a full tower simply for the ease of working in them, the room they provide for expansion, etc. What case would you recommend? I'm not opposed to a good mid tower. I currently have a Silverstone MicroATX (TJ08B-E) case and am looking for something bigger.

Part of it is probably because I recently bought a house with an office in the basement and have plenty of space for it, won't be moving it, etc.

You think the GTX 670 is worth it price wise over a 7950? Keep in mind I'm only running 1080P and gaming won't be the primary use of the machine. Although I'll game a bit here and there.

edit: I answered the questions above.

 

[Dangman]

Would prefer a full tower simply for the ease of working in them, the room they provide for expansion, etc. What case would you recommend?

I recommend the following cases:
$80 - Corsair Carbide Series 300R ATX Case
$90 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - Antec 1100 ATX Case
$115 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$120 - Lian Li PC-9F ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White ATX Case
$130 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black ATX Case
$130 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Orange Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-WA ATX case
$150 - Silverstone TJ04B-EW ATX Case
$155 - Thermaltake VN300M1W2N Chase MK-1 ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$162 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
$164 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW ATX case
$220 - Silverstone FT02S-W ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case
$270 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW ATX Case

You think the GTX 670 is worth it price wise over a 7950? Keep in mind I'm only running 1080P and gaming won't be the primary use of the machine. Although I'll game a bit here and there.

Hmmm...with that in mind, the HD 7950 is a good choice for you if you want to save $50. However since you've mentioned SLI/CFX, I recommend that you up the PSU to the 750W version of that Seasonic just for a little extra headroom.

RAM wise, I recommend this set:
$90 - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series F3-12800CL10D-16GBXL 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM

 

[Database]

Ordered RAM, Power Supply, SSD, CPU cooler...

Need to decide on Case, GPU, CPU/Mobo.

Thoughts on the ASUS board I picked out from MC?

 

[Dangman]

It's a solid mobo.

 

[Database]

I think I'm going to go with the Corsair 650D and an EVGA 670 GTX...

I ended up buying the Seasonic X 850 Gold power supply. Will that provide ample power if down the road I decide to SLI 2x 670 GTX?

 

[azeem40]

That is 100W overkill.

 

[Deleted member 88227]

I think I'm going to go with the Corsair 650D and an EVGA 670 GTX...

I ended up buying the Seasonic X 850 Gold power supply. Will that provide ample power if down the road I decide to SLI 2x 670 GTX?

More than enough for SLI 670s.

 

[Database]

I picked up my mobo/cpu today. I ended up getting the i7 3770k. MC changed their sale and are now offering the $50 mobo discount with that chip as well, instead of just the i5. I didn't think upgrading to the i7 was worth $150, but for $100 a bit.

Just waiting for the ssd, power supply, and ram to shop up from newegg tomorrow. Got the case and 670gtx from amazon today.

 

[Deleted member 88227]

It's always been part of the deal and $100 more than the 3570k. Though if you aren't planning to overclock a lot, you spent ~$30 more than you needed.

In fact, getting the 2700k probably would have been the better deal being $40 less and still with an unlocked multiplier.

 

[Database]

It's always been part of the deal and $100 more than the 3570k. Though if you aren't planning to overclock a lot, you spent ~$30 more than you needed.

In fact, getting the 2700k probably would have been the better deal being $40 less and still with an unlocked multiplier.

I will be overclocking some... I mainly wanted the i7 for extra cores/hyperthreading as i will be running vm's quite a bit.

I wasn't interested in a SB build...

And from what I saw only the i5 was eligible for the extra $50 off z77 mobo's previously... also what the rep told me, that they changed it last week.

 

[Deleted member 88227]

Even the non "K" version of that processor can be overclocked to ~4Ghz, so unless you intend to go over that, it wasn't worth the money. I will also mention the only major difference between the i5 processor and the i7 processor is the addition of HyperThreading. Both processors have 4 cores.

Not much difference between SB and IB. Sure IB runs cooler when not overclocked, uses slightly less power, is manufacturer with a small manufacturing process and have a slightly better on die GPU; but clock for clock IB only provides about a ~3% increase in performance. So if 15% more money is worth ~3% performance increase then get the IB processor. If not, SB is the way to go.

I am telling you the rep only told you that because he is trying to sell you something. It's there job. The $50 off promotion that they do every week has always been for the top end of the i5 and i7 processors. It hasn't changed in a while. You can see this months ad here.

Either way, it's not a bad buy. Just informing you of the differences.