New gaming/work rig, please advise

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PantsOptional

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Jul 23, 2012
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This is my first time building a computer completely from scratch, so I appreciate the help!

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc

Primarily this will be a work computer, with a bit of gaming. Games include Skyrim, Starcraft, etc. Work wise I do a fair amount of Photoshop, video editing, programming, matlab data analysis, and writing. I'm guessing the biggest resource use will be with data analysis, where I'm running analysis scripts. This is going to be my main computer for the forseeable computer, so versatility and power are nice features.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?

Absolute max is $2200, but I'd rather keep it in the $18-1900 range if possible. The money is part of a grant, and I can spend anything extra on other equipment.

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

United States, Atlanta, GA.

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.

I've put together a potential parts list here: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cPZF which I am aware is in no way optimized. I based it off of the anandtech guide (http://www.anandtech.com/show/5196/holiday-2011-mainstream-high-end-buyers-guide/3) for a gaming PC, assuming the qualities that made it powerful enough for high-end gaming would also translate to my work.

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80 92.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: 2x G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F4 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive
Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk​
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card
Case: Fractal Design Define XL Titanium Grey ATX Full Tower Case
Power Supply: SeaSonic 850W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Full (32/64-bit)
Mouse: Corsair CH-9000001-NA Wired Laser Mouse

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.

I'm getting a Dell U3011 form another source, so this build won't need a monitor. I'd like to eventually upgrade to a PLP monitor setup, I think, but I don't believe that will be necessary to start. I have a stock keyboard that came from Dell that I may use, or get something else.

6) Will you be overclocking?

Only if necessary. Definitely not a priority

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?

The optimal resolution is listed as 2560 x 1600 Hz. It's 30"

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

First week in August

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.

USB 3.0 and eSATA might be nice, as I deal with large amounts of data, and being able to carry around and plug in spare drives could be handy. Backup drives will also come in handy. I'm not sure if I need Crossfire or SLI support.

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

Nope, will need to get Windows 7. I'm guessing 64bit, unless anyone knows of any reasons not to.

Thanks for the help everyone. I appreciate the advice!
 
PantsOptional said:
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.

I've put together a potential parts list here: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cPZF which I am aware is in no way optimized. I based it off of the anandtech guide (http://www.anandtech.com/show/5196/holiday-2011-mainstream-high-end-buyers-guide/3) for a gaming PC, assuming the qualities that made it powerful enough for high-end gaming would also translate to my work.
Click to expand...
Not really. Too many issues with that AT setup (outdated mobo, overkill PSU, not optimal RAM, not a good case, wrong OS for you, not the right CPU for your needs) so your best bet is just to start from scratch again.

PantsOptional said:
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?

First week in August
Click to expand...
Please come back in August and ask for advice then. We tend to use Newegg combo deals to help you save you money. However those combo deals expire at the end of the month they're introduced in. So any combo deals we recommend you this month won't be available next month. In addition, if you do happen to live near a Microcenter, they have excellent CPU + mobo combo deals. However, like Newegg, those combo deals generally expire at the end of the month they're introduced in. We don't know what combo deals there will be until that month hits. So if you want more bang for the buck, your best bet would be to ask for advice in August. Feel free to bump up this thread if you want.

PantsOptional said:
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?

Nope, will need to get Windows 7. I'm guessing 64bit, unless anyone knows of any reasons not to.
Click to expand...
The kind of usage you're talking about screams RAM heavy. As such, you should be looking at Windows 7 Pro 64bit at the least since Windows 7 Home Premium is artificially limited to 16GB of RAM max. Also, you should be looking at 2 x 8GB RAM sets, not 2 x 4GB, if you want to get as much RAM as possible.
 
Hey all, bumping this thread back up on Danny's advice since it's now August, and I'm looking to make my purchases by the end of next week.

It seems like my proposed system had several flaws, so starting from scratch seems practical.

Again the majority of its use is going to be programming and running Matlab scripts, with some photoshop and video editing thrown in. I'll play the occasional game with it, and in terms of longevity I'd like to make it powerful enough to keep it around a while and remain compatible with gaming and software as that develops. This computer is going to do a bit of everything, but what it needs to do best is the programming/data analysis.

Oh and as I said before, I'm getting a U3011 monitor, and am looking at upgrading to a PLP setup in the not to distant future.

Thanks everyone!
 
Are you aware of the 27" Korean LCDs for $300?

In a nutshell, it's the same as the 27" Apple Cinema display with a grade "A-" lcd from LG that didn't pass the Dell or Apple specs.
2560x1440 resolution, S-IPS.

There are some tradeoffs vs. a Dell U3011 or U2711, but well worth the savings, imo.
Imagine spending $900 for 3x 27" lcds instead of $1000 for a single U3011.

There is one model that comes with a pivoting stand, the Crossover brand. I bought this one. Alternately, you can buy a cheaper brand and use an aftermarket mounting bracket.
 
You are not likely to get many with dead pixels. It is a good bargain.
 
Most people don't have stuck or dead pixels. There's not a huge market for $1000 LCDs. They have to sell the excess screens somewhere for 1/3 the price.

Personally, I've seen one stuck pixel out of 5 of these LCDs. Not bad at all considering the price.
 
I probably have dead pixels on my current monitor, but I can't tell the difference.
 
I am looking to build my first gaming pc will this work be compatible
Is this computer compatible
CM Cosmos II
CM 1300W Silent Pro Hybrid
CM Sonuz
CM Aquagate Max
kingston HyperX H20
Kingston Hyper X K3 480GB
Asus Sabertooth Z77
Asus BW-12B1LT 12x Blu-Ray Writer (Internal, SATA)
Asus PCE-N15 300mb
Asus wireless Router N900
i7 3770k
Nvidea Geforce GTX 690
4Tb HDD
Gigabyte M8600 & K8100
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit or 64 bit
Triple Screen - not sure what can you suggest something
 
mustang.gtf said:
I am looking to build my first gaming pc will this work be compatible
Is this computer compatible
CM Cosmos II
CM 1300W Silent Pro Hybrid
CM Sonuz
CM Aquagate Max
kingston HyperX H20
Kingston Hyper X K3 480GB
Asus Sabertooth Z77
Asus BW-12B1LT 12x Blu-Ray Writer (Internal, SATA)
Asus PCE-N15 300mb
Asus wireless Router N900
i7 3770k
Nvidea Geforce GTX 690
4Tb HDD
Gigabyte M8600 & K8100
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit or 64 bit
Triple Screen - not sure what can you suggest something
Click to expand...
Please create your own thread. Do not hijack other people's threads.

When do you do create your own thread, please answer the stickied "ANSWER QUESTIONS FIRST" in that thread so that we can help you better.
 
Since you have a Microcenter nearby, I suggest you take a look at their "Auria" branded 27" LCDs. It's the same thing as the Korean ones, but you can take it back & exchange if it has any stuck or dead pixels.

Don't buy a Z68 motherboard. Get a Z77 board.
Everything else looks great on the build though.

[open can of worms]
What speakers / headphones ?
[/close can of worms]
 
J Macker said:
Most people don't have stuck or dead pixels. There's not a huge market for $1000 LCDs. They have to sell the excess screens somewhere for 1/3 the price.

Personally, I've seen one stuck pixel out of 5 of these LCDs. Not bad at all considering the price.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. Just surprised there aren't more companies who sell those displays in the U.S.
 
$385 - Core i7 2700K + Asus P8Z77-V Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard from MC
$168 - 2 x G.Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-16GAO 2 x 8GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$546 - eVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB PCI-E Video Card + Corsair HX750 750W Modular PSU Combo
$210 - Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2 2.5" 256GB SSD
$120 - Samsung Spinpoint F4 HD204UI 2TB 5400 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$18 - LG iHAS124-04 DVD Burner
$140 - Windows 7 Professional SP1 64bit OEM
---
Total: $1587 plus any taxes or shipping

Notes about the above build:
- That's 32GB of RAM total there. Windows 7 Pro is needed here since Windows 7 Home Premium is artificially limited to 16GB of RAM
- If you still feel like spending money, upgrade the GPU to the GTX 680 if you want.
- If you still have leftover cash, get another hard drive to act as a scratch disk/extra storage
- That PSU is still a bit overkill for your current needs so it'll be enough for most of your future needs.

Choose your own case. I recommend any of these 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 - Fractal Design Define R3 Arctic White ATX Case
$120 - Fractal Design Define R3 Silver Arrow ATX Case
$125 - Fractal Design Define R3 Black Pearl 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 - Antec P280 ATX Case
$140 - Antec Performance One Series P183 V3 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
 
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Hey all,

Thanks so much for the help a while back. I got most of the parts, but had to change a few. I just finished plugging in everything (no AC yet). This being my first real build, i figured before I switched it on I would check with you all before it exploded in my face.

Here's what I ended up with:

ASUS P8Z77-V LK Motherboard
Intel Core i7-2700k processor
EVGA GEFORCE GTX680 4Gb Graphics Card
Corsair AX750 Power supply
2x Ares 8Gx2 G.Skill F3-133C9D-16GAO DDR3 memory
2Tb Samsung Hard drive
Crucial 256Gb 6Gb.s SATA Solid state drive
Windwos 7 Profession SP1 64bit
DVD Burner Lite-On

I realized already that I'm going to need to add a wireless card of some sort, as it isn't integrated into the motherboard (any suggestions?). Anything else I should concern myself with?

Again, I really appreciate the help everyone. You all are an amazing resource!

edit: The case was a Corsair Carbide Series 300R ATX, by the way.
 
PantsOptional said:
I realized already that I'm going to need to add a wireless card of some sort, as it isn't integrated into the motherboard (any suggestions?).
Click to expand...

I bought a dirt cheap Rosewill and have had good luck with it. May not be the best, but it worked for what I needed.
 
PantsOptional said:
I realized already that I'm going to need to add a wireless card of some sort, as it isn't integrated into the motherboard (any suggestions?).
Click to expand...
I recommend this:
$30 - Asus PCE-N15 Wireless Adapter

PantsOptional said:
Anything else I should concern myself with?
Click to expand...
Other than "I hope you got the CPU and mobo as part of that combo deal otherwise you wasted money", that setup looks ok.
 
Thanks for the recommendation!

Danny Bui said:
I recommend this:
$30 - Asus PCE-N15 Wireless Adapter


Other than "I hope you got the CPU and mobo as part of that combo deal otherwise you wasted money", that setup looks ok.
Click to expand...

Haha yeah, I got them combo'd at microcenter. Thanks again for the tip!
 
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