$1300 i7 First Build Help

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akabaka9

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May 1, 2013
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10,510
I am building a computer for programming and engineering work as well as some occasional gaming. My budget is $1300 for the whole computer as well as 2 monitors. Here is what I have so far based on research and posts on here:

pcpartpicker

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHZ ($315)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 ($135)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($58)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" SSD ($115)
Storage: WD Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM ($70)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB ($175)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower ($60)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($60)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15)
Monitor: 2 x Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor ($120x2=$240)

total: $1270

The 2 things I am most looking for is advice with the video card and case. If anybody knows something better that won't push over budget please let me know! Thank you!
 
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efngn

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Nov 19, 2012
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Do you really need the i7? I don't know much about engineering, but that seems like overkill to me.
Also, don't go with the 830 series SSD. Get the new 840. Personally, I think you need to spend more money on this. Do you need Windows?
 
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lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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Looks pretty close to what I built in the previous posts, but I have a few tweaks left:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($314.14 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($110.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.34 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($194.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1298.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-08 21:19 EDT-0400)

* RAM has LOW PROFILE heat spreaders (which yours don't), so you can add just about any aftermarket CPU HSF. I also upped the RAM up to 16 gb's which can come in handy with several programs.
* SSD - 830 is no longer in stock (and hasn't been for quite some time), so I added an equivalent. You could go with the 256 GB version (840 - non PRO) for about $30 more (which I'd recommend if you can afford it).
* GPU I upgraded a bit, so you can have a better gaming experience for not much more.

If you want the 250 gb SSD (840 - non PRO) than you could either drop the RAM down to 8 gb's or drop the GPU down to the 560 Ti Boost. I would recommend the 7870 GPU over the GTX 660, but that would be up to you.

* BTW, the CM HAF 912 doesn't have front USB 3.0 ports, so that is why I recommend the Corsair 200R over it. They are similar priced and both are pretty good at cooling (I own the 912).
 
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akabaka9

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May 1, 2013
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10,510




Yeah I went a lot off of your advise from last time. I like the compromise with the video card. As for the RAM I am thinking of starting with 8GB because that is a pretty easy upgrade if I need more. What is the difference between the pro3 and extreme4 motherboards besides price? Also, do you know if the HAL case I mentioned would work just as well as the cosair 200R? The 200R is just a little too bland looking for my taste.

 
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lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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Yeah the HAF is a good case, I own it. I like to recommend cases with front USB 3.0 ports, because that is something that will help with file transfers and such. If you don't mind the slower ports than the HAF case is a good one. I don't really care so much on looks in a case, but that is up to you. I rather have function over form, but that is just me.

Pro 3 is cheaper, because it has a some fewer ports, No SLI/Xfire options, and a few other things. If you can afford the Extreme 4 or 6 than I would go with either, only $5 difference at the moment. They a bit more options, but on a budget the Pro 3 has everything you would need.
 
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akabaka9

Honorable
May 1, 2013
23
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10,510


Ok I have been looking at a bunch of cases. I found a NZXT Phantom 410 for $85 at Wal-Mart. I will have to think on the motherboard. Not sure if I should spend the extra $40 to have the ability to Xfire later. Your input is extremely helpful. Thank you
 
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akabaka9

Honorable
May 1, 2013
23
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10,510


Also, this is probably a noob question, but even without the front usb 3.0 on the case I will still have access to the usb 3.0 from the motherboard on the back? Also I see the extreme6 comes with "free bundle: 1 x Front USB 3.0 Panel, 1 x Rear USB 3.0 Bracket". What is this and is it useful? Thanks again
 
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lunyone

lunyone

Splendid
Feb 22, 2006
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26,960
The Extreme 4 Mobo is probably worth the $40 more, because it has better quality parts (from what I've read) and also has everything under the sun that you would need for the life of the computer. Is it necessary? Not if you want to save some $ and aren't going to do some higher end OC's. If you want to do some mild OC's and don't have like 6 HD's to hook up, the Pro 3 will do. There are other options, but the Pro 3 is quite economical.

The case is personal preference, but I'd try and make sure you have one that supports front USB 3.0 ports (especially in this price range).
 
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akabaka9

Honorable
May 1, 2013
23
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10,510


I switched in the Galaxy GTX 660 video card because it is $175 from NCIX. This bring my price just a little over budget with the extreme6 mobo
 
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akabaka9

Honorable
May 1, 2013
23
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10,510


Oh that makes sense. I think that covers most of my questions for now until prices change on me :p
 
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