Revising my new PC build for audio production/gaming

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Hi guys! Another noob thread from me about help building my first PC as I am feeling indecisive on what to go with. Would value help in any form because I have little experience. Been taking in as much as possible and I want to check with the experts again with my current build I tried piecing together on my own. The PC will be for audio production/gaming (pro tools, native instruments software, cubase, skyrim, sc2). Would like feedback specifically on little things like for example if I'll run into trouble with the fans I selected, psu, putting the the components together. The most I have trouble with is knowing what to look for. Also, I need it to be generally quiet so its not an annoyance when trying to mix/record. Just trying to filter out any issues I can before ordering the parts. I also wanted to ask how do I go about getting wireless internet since the modem will not be close to the room I'm in. Here's the link to the build> http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jnassbeats/saved/1oHa ..Again any comments are appreciated thanks

p.s. My budget is about 1200$ and would be open to anyones complete build suggestions if you feel like it. Already ordered the case
 
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DarkSable


Yep, the extreme 4 is a great motherboard. :)
As for the case, no worries there, the fractal is a great case - it's just not soundproofed and amazing like the ghost.

When it comes to the SSD, here's what you want to do.

1) Your data drive, which'll be the normal hard drive, will store all of your pictures, music...
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Few things:

1) Barracudas run hot and noisy. I have a few of both, and I HIGHLY recommend Western Digital blues or blacks.

2) You're REALLY going to want an SSD to put windows and whatever projects you're working on at the time on. I'd suggest a 128GB drive with two partitions - one for windows and programs and such, and one 5GB partition to use as a scratch drive.

3) Gigabyte's cooler is going to be noisy. Consider something like an EVGA FTW or signature 2. (avoid the FTW + or FTW LE, however.)

4) If you're going for silence, go with a Bitfenix Ghost. It's MILES ahead of anything else: http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/5086/bitfenix_ghost_mid_tower_chassis_review/index.html

5) The 200mm fan might not then fit in there, but your cooling will be sufficient with 140mm fans anyways.

6) Horrible pick on the PSU, sorry. It's an unreliable brand, and it's way more than you need. Get a 550w of a reputable brand - the seasonic G series is good for silence.

EDIT: for wireless internet, you want a PCIe wireless card. They're pretty cheap, but know that gaming on wifi is going to be HORRIBLE - when it comes to high bandwidth needs like that, wifi is slow and unreliable.
 
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andrewcarr

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If you're actually working with sound programs I would recommend a sound card (ASUS makes some nice ones).

Another problem I see is that the PSU is a bad brand, I'd switch it to this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

Lastly the fan you picked out won't even fit into the case. From the page "7 fan slots: 1 x 140mm and 1 x 120/140mm -front, 1 x 140mm - side panel, 1 x 140mm - rear, 1 x 120/140mm - bottom, 2 x 120/140mm top - positions also support 240/280mm radiators"
No were in there does it list a spot that a 200mm fan would fit. I'd buy a few more 140mm fans if you really want.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553007
 
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DarkSable

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Here's what I'd go with:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($58.79 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($92.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: BitFenix Ghost (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($98.98 @ Outlet PC)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1188.64
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-29 03:25 EDT-0400)
 
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I have an external sound card sorry failed to mention that. Yea that psu was a mistake I chose too much wattage on accident. Thanks for the input
 
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Edit* Sorry I was confused so SSD for things like windows and all my audio pro stuff and internal HD for games and everything else? That case looks awesome, but I already got the define r4 shipped and on its way. Also, shoud I go with the same motherboard I had listed for your build suggestion? Thanks for the help againnn man I'm probably so annoying lol. I still wanna get that benQ monitor you showed me the other day
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Yep, the extreme 4 is a great motherboard. :)
As for the case, no worries there, the fractal is a great case - it's just not soundproofed and amazing like the ghost.

When it comes to the SSD, here's what you want to do.

1) Your data drive, which'll be the normal hard drive, will store all of your pictures, music, most of your games... and any audio editing projects you aren't currently working on.

2) Your SSD will be partitioned into two partitions (which'll show up as two drives in windows.) On the first, which will be most of the drive, you'll have windows, programs, drivers, and the few games that benefit from being on an SSD. On the second partition, which will only be a few GB, you'll keep only the editing project you're CURRENTLY working on - it's called a scratch drive. You'll move projects in and out of there as you work with them, so that they get the benefit of being on the SSD without taking up space - when you're done working, they just go back on the hard drive.

 
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This cleared up a lot about the usefulness of having two HD's for when you do audio pro. Always heard its almost necessary, but never knew exactly why. I started out making music on a 2009 macbook pro and I basically just beat the hell out of it and had the worst file management lol.. I'm pretty confident in the r4 case to keep generally cool with some sound dampening to meet my needs. Im still kind of torn between gpu's, but either should do the job since I decided I don't really want to overclock. Didn't you say avoid FTW ones though?

Edit* Hopefully with a wireless card i'll be good for games like WoW, D3, and SC2 (can't you tell I'm a mac gamer lol). But maybe I'll stay away from like first person shooters where theres a bunch of people on the map at once. Either that or get a long ethernet cable
 
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DarkSable

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Yep, keeping track of hard drives can be insane. I just checked my computer, and counting the two flashdrives that I keep permanantly attached for writing and my buisness, my external drive, my backup drive, and my normal SSD / hard drives, I have nine entries in 'my computer'.

As for being torn between graphics cards, I'll iterate again that I'd avoid gigabyte - they're 'meh' as far as the cards go, and (at least when trying to deal with their motherboards) have piss-poor customer service. And no, don't avoid the real EVGA FTW ... it's one of the best 670s out there. The problem comes from the LE and + versions of the card, which are both considerably worse and just try to capitalize on the branding. If you don't want to overclock, then I would defiantly go with the FTW. It's got a good factory overclock, and has one of the best and quietest blower-style coolers out there, which is what you want if you're trying to keep heat out of the case so you can have the fans running quieter.

The long ethernet cable is definitely an option, as I could see wifi having trouble with WoW (and occasionally booting you out of D3.)
 
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EVGA 670 is what I want after reading up on it some more and referencing your post. Gonna get the wireless card to see how it works for me and keep an ethernet cable to attach when I wanna play those FPS's and WoW type games. I'll be sure to jump on here and let you know how it all goes!
 
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