New Build Double Check Please

hovai · Jul 31, 2013

Hi there. Here's my new build, just looking for a second pair of eyes and any suggestions if you've got 'em. I am specifically looking for a cpu heatsync/fan that might work nicely with this build along with confirmation or critique of my mobo choice.

Purpose: Ground up for video editing (FCP APP), heavy gaming, entertainment system (VPN hub), 24/7 capable, programming

Overclocking: Yes, but not to push the limits

Budget: What you see, so 900-1400 flexible

Expected lifetime: 2-5 years depending on upgrades

Potentially: 2nd video card via SLI, memory upgrade to 24/32gb, two monitors

Climate: Temperate (0 to 100)

Desired: Quiet, modular PSU, cool (temperature...), low power consumption (though not to sacrifice major performance for power), BIOS control and like customization capabilities

Purchase Date: Unless someone says anything shocking immediately, the SSD, Case, and PSU will be today (catching a newegg instant savings). Other parts will be by the end of August. I am willing to wait for significant price drops if there is some new tech coming out within a month or two.

OS: Win7 64

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1mH35

Thank ya much.

unoriginal1 · Jul 31, 2013

Looks good.

Personally.. I'd go for a haswell build. People will argue it's not enough gain in performance for the price, but when it comes to those big rendering products the extra 5-10% boost will be significant. Other then that. Looks great.

hovai · Jul 31, 2013

Quick response, thanks =)

Yeah it was a tossup between haswell and ivy bridge. I decided ivy as most of these new cpus coming out seem catered towards mobile computing and as you said, the gain they bring to a desktop just doesn't equate to the price mark up. I figure I can always jump one generation past haswell in a couple years... assuming there's no major chip change, though a new mobo would probably be okay by then anyway.

any thoughts on a cpufan? I'm horrible at the simple stuff.

unoriginal1 · Jul 31, 2013

hovai :

Fair enough.

Since as you said your not trying to set records on your OC'ng. I'd go with the evo 212. It's cheap and a very good cooler for the price.

mc962 · Jul 31, 2013

I believe Cooler Master Hyper212 EVO would do fine as a cpu fan
As far as the Samsung SSD, I believe they are coming out with the EVO model soon which ive heard is better. I dont really know how much of a difference it makes, but might want to give that a quick thought

And as a more expensive alternative to the PSU, its probably a bit overkill but you could check out Corsair AX 760i (or non i version), which I believe is ultimately also made by Seasonic. Its supposed to have an application you can use to monitor it and stuff (since you said you have the budget i figured i might as well mention)

Ive heard the MSI version of the card has a bit better cooling, but i doubt its enough to really make much difference

Motherboard looks fine, only i have heard that sometimes Asrock has quality control issues. Many people were just fine with it but its still something to consider
ASUS P8Z77-V is the one i plan to get (well, the pro version as its only $5 more at microcenter), it looked good to me, but regardless your board seems just fine (and cheaper which is always more fun)

hovai · Jul 31, 2013

unoriginal1 :

hovai · Jul 31, 2013

mc962 :

Well. I guess I'm waiting on the SSD, it's only 10$ instant anyway and can find it cheaper elsewhere. Depending on performance drops I'd much rather have the extra SSD storage and drop my HDD a bit for faster RPM. Although, shyte. If my SSD is boot disk only do I really want to be tempted to put file storage on it? How much space do you guys usually use on the SSD in a boot/write build?

EDIT: Read a bit. It seems the evo is a next gen demonstration for mobile computing again. Billed as lower performance than the pro, but dropping SSD to .65/GB. Still, no benchmarks for comparison that I could find so maybe a small drop for an extra buck or two... wait and see.

unoriginal1 · Jul 31, 2013

hovai :

As far as performance differences in ssd's. You won't notice. Unless you run a benchmark etc. They are all blazing fast when compared with your rpm style hdds.

For large projects it would be beneficial to have a ssd big enough to be able to move the project to it, work on it, and move it to hdd storage when your done. But if you go that route you're gonna spend some cash.

Typical rule for boot ssd's is to leave about 15-20% empty at all times if you can. I always recommend at least a 128gb if doing on a boot ssd. 60 gb your constantly fighting / looking for empty space.

hovai · Aug 1, 2013

unoriginal1 :

Alright, I guess I'm going with the 250GB Evo. Thought being: enough space for OS/Games (only 1 or two at a time) and enough space for extended editing scenes.

Do you see a large drop in smoothness or speed while editing if all video clips are saved on the HDD, but the scene is put together and rendered on the SSD? Or would it be more beneficial just to have all files related to the scene being edited on one drive.

unoriginal1 · Aug 1, 2013

hovai :

Good choice. 250gb+ will be awesome when working with projects.

As far as having it spread out on the hdd and ssd I don't know. I don't have enough video editing experience to really tell you if it will affect it or not. The experience I do have doesn't involve an ssd

. But as far as photoshop and large projects I can tell you that the ssd makes it loads easier.

I like to goof around with Photoshop, illustrator etc and when I work on a project, especially something with multiple layers, I move it to the ssd and overall performance is loads better. I don't have to wait for those 1 - 2 second delays when loading multiple layers turning on and off etc. Everything is just "instant" I imagine you'd get the same feel with video projects. When you finalize your build come back to the thread and let us know how it went, I'd like to hear about it.

hovai · Aug 2, 2013

I'll try to remember to post the outcome, but I'm not going to have this built until September so forgive me if it slips my mind... waiting for deals on the parts. just saved 35$ on my case :bounce:

mc962 · Aug 3, 2013

if you live in the massachusetts, usa area or can get to a microcenter there, there is a sales tax holiday next weekend (8/10-8/11) could save you about $70 (where sales tax is 6.25%)

check out microcenter, especially their cpu/mobo bundle deals. i believe the motherboard you picked may be in one of them

hovai · Aug 4, 2013

mc962 :

My friend! Most of my build is on there as a combination deal with my mobo. You may have just saved me 70$.

Also, I forgot to ask about thermal paste. Does anyone know of a particularly good paste or otherwise for the 3770k + evo212, or will any tube do?

mc962 · Aug 4, 2013

always nice to save a pile of cash

ive heard the stuff that comes with the evo is alright, nothing special but still useable. personally i plan to use tuniq tx-2. ive seen other use IC Diamond 7 or Arctic MX-4. I guess my only warning about thermal paste would be to be careful if you use stuff that is electrically conductive (like Arctic Silver) as it might mess up your motherboard if you spill it off the cpu. and of course, dont pile it on there
and if all else fails...mayonnaise will work for about a week

hovai · Aug 4, 2013

ha, i think im going to go the mayonnaise route. it'll force me to dust at least the cpu fan once a week...

hovai · Aug 4, 2013

I'm now wondering: Does anyone have experience with using a single SSD for all storage? I may be able to work off the 250gb evo completely, but it would most likely average at about 200gbs full (I can pop finished editing or what not onto an external). Does the clutter that comes with a single drive setup degrade an SSD?

mc962 · Aug 4, 2013

there are several sites that you can read about how to maintain ssd health. what i think would be the best option is to get either a 120 gb ssd boot drive (os, most important programs) or a 256 gb ssd (better in my opinion), and then get a 1 tb HDD for storage. most cases can easily fit both with room to spare. this way you can use the ssd for what you really need, and throw all extra stuff you dont really use on the giant cheap drive

personally on my laptop even though its a 750 gb drive ive only used 100-160 gb max in the 2 years ive had it (but i dont often edit). keep in mind the ssd will perform better when it isnt full to bursting (i think ive heard 80% full max. is best?)

hovai · Aug 8, 2013

thanks for the research tip, I hadn't even considered many of thee maintenance options I found.

i've decided on the Evo / WD Black combo, though not yet sure what sizes yet. i will try to remember to post the outcome. Thanks for everyone's suggestions!

New Build Double Check Please

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