Best $2500-$3500 Design + Gaming Computer - Please help!

ChicagoDesign

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Aug 4, 2013
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Please help!
I need the computer experts here to help me out with a build.

Monitor Setup:
Triple Monitor Setup: (3X) 27” AOC IPS -I2757FH 1920x1080
(Higher resolutions would be nice, but I don’t require it)

Main Use:
Adobe After Effects CS6
Adobe Photoshop CS6
Digital Illustration
Audio Recording
Animation
Video Editing
Web Design

Secondary Use:
Gaming (Skyrim, MMOs, Call of Duty, Battlefield, etc)

Notes:
I've noticed that most "design" oriented builds focus more on the # of cores like the Xeon (ie: Two 2.4GHz 6-Core Intel = 12 Cores), whereas for gaming, the emphasis is put on GPUs (ie: 2x Radeon 7970's).

I'm also undecided about 32Gb vs 64Gb of RAM, or more.

I need help with a build that can draw the line between overkill and true performance, has a very flexible mobo for upgrades (ie: more RAM, SLI/Crossfire, 2x CPU). I also do not have to run the games at the absolute highest resolution, but it would be nice to be somewhat high on the list. But again, gaming is secondary on my list, as this computer’s cost justification is a work-at-home computer that will be more design/production powered than gaming. I just don’t want to sacrifice too much in the gaming department. Also keep in mind the 3x 1920x1080 monitor setup.

Summary:
Is it possible to nail down a build between $2,500 - $3,500? To save costs initially, I’d like to find a very flexible/upgradeable motherboard and have a side-list of add-ons (ie: let’s start with a very flexible motherboard and only put in one Video Card, and as an upgrade option, I can add a 2nd card later for SLI/Crossfire. Another option is a mobo that will allow for 2 CPUs (ie: I can start with (1x) Xeon 6 core, and add a second down the road). Basically, let’s plan for the best, but scale back and keep costs down for the initial build.

Thanks a ton for the help!
 

EasyTransfer

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Dec 5, 2012
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This latest i7 4770k featuring 8 threads and is able to be overclocked goes perfect with the gd65 motherboard from MSI, the motherboard is great to overclock with and has an amazing sound card built in for better audio and killer ethernet for faster internet speed.

A great ssd performing nearly as fast as a samsung 840 pro for a lot cheaper, an amazing 2tb to store your documents, movies, songs, pictures and many more.

The 600t as it looks clean and looks different to the average case, it is just a preference but the bitfenix alchemy cables go amazing in the case and maches the white http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU...

A msi 780 3gb goes and looks amazing with the motherboard

Great psu 750w is all you need leaving head room for SLI in the future, featuring a semi-modular design to keep your case staying clean.

16gb 1600mhz of ram is perfect and can be overclocked to 1866mhz, low profile but still stays cool, also takes up just 2 dimm slots leaving room for an over 16gb to be put I the future

The phanteks tc14pe black version looks great with the motherboard and keeps the cpu very cool.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-GD65 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($185.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($142.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($157.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($669.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 600T White Graphite ATX Mid Tower Case ($135.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.73 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $2013.61
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-04 06:29 EDT-0400)
 

ChicagoDesign

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Aug 4, 2013
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Does that mobo support 64GB of RAM? I just tried to edit it on PC Part Picker and it doesn't offer the 64GB option... and from trying my luck out on other builds, it only shows up when the chipset allows for a 64GB config. Your thoughts?
 

EasyTransfer

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Dec 5, 2012
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64gb is not necessary IMHO; but if it is really necessary than you might aswell max out the processor and the motherboard too, so here is what i came up with
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($999.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P9X79 PRO ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($288.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($261.07 @ TigerDirect)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($261.07 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($157.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 780 3GB Video Card ($669.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 600T White Graphite ATX Mid Tower Case ($135.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Microcenter)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.73 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $3215.76
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-04 11:58 EDT-0400)
 

ChicagoDesign

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Aug 4, 2013
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Where would I see the benefits of the Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor vs. the 3970 Extreme? How does the drastic cost jump justify itself performance wise? Would it lean to benefit the Animation/Graphic Design/Video side of the computer's use, or the gaming?





 

ChicagoDesign

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Aug 4, 2013
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Ok, another interesting way to look at this:

Where would I see the greatest benefit performance wise and budget?
a. 32GB Ram + Chipset and the i7 4770k (cannot go to 64gb)
b. 64GB RAM + Chipset and the i7-3930K/3970 Extreme

 

ChicagoDesign

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Aug 4, 2013
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I'd say that it would be about 8hrs work, 3hrs gaming.

Work = Animation & Editing using After Effects with particle generators and plugins such as Trapcode Particular, Plexus 2, etc. Also, some tutorial creation (screen recording, audio recording) using Camtasia + Audacity).

Gaming = High-res landscapes and textures in games like Skyrim, the new upcoming Elder Scrolls online (MMO), and main stream First Person Shooters like Battlefield and Call of Duty.
 

ChicagoDesign

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Aug 4, 2013
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Awesome, thanks!

One last question for you guys... GPU Related.
2x Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB 1.1GHz : $800
or
2x GeForce GTX 780 3GB 954MHz : $1,340

Going the 780 route would, I'm assuming result in better performance, but for $800 using 2 Radeons, would I get pretty much the same performance only slightly less powerful? The benefit being I'd save about $540 and I don't need 3 monitors pumping out the absolute highest resolutions for my gaming.

I've read that the 7970 Radeons come close to Titans, obviously not as powerful, but nearly and at a fraction of the cost. It just seems to me that the 780s are for pixel mongers who live and breathe hardcore gaming and unlimited incomes...whereas the Radeons are just fine, if not more than necessary for what I'm trying to do.

Please let me know your honest opinion, why, and I'll definitely take that into consideration for the final build.

Thanks!
 

EasyTransfer

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Sorry for the late reply, but when it comes to cost and performance a single 780 will max out all comes and will max out future games too. Save your money now and go sli in two or three years time.
To correct some info it is a 7990 that performs near the titan not the 780. Also crossfire has many issues, including stuttering images, nvidia doesn't have this.
Also crossfired 7970 usually gets "vs'd" against sli 770 and still the sli 770 wins, when it come to money and performance a 780 will always beat a 7970 in any situation.