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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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Hi all,

It's been quite awhile since I built my last PC. I put this parts list together and was hoping to get some feedback.

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

My main goal was building a stable system with power and performance. I'm not a gamer (hence the low end card), but I wanted something more than the integrated graphics. Most important to me is the system stand the test of time at least 5 years.

I routinely do memory and CPU intensive operations like Photoshop & Video editing so that is important to me also.

Thanks a lot!
Aaron
 
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haynesr07
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haynesr07

haynesr07

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Jul 14, 2013
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($339.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH Z87 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($304.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($178.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($254.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 650D ATX Mid Tower Case ($159.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit) ($129.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1928.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-27 12:46 EDT-0400)


I messed with it a little bit. I didn't see the gaming part until after, but the 760 is a good card for the money. and gigabyte's version is very highly clocked.

Also, I took that PSU out as the CX series is crappy as fuhh. TX definitely for this kind of build. You don't want to rely on a cheap power supply to send current to your 4770k.

Also, you could even dumb down the ram to 16gb honestly. I know you're rendering but in all honesty, you could just get by with 16 and have same performance. That would save you some money as well. I also changed your case to a 650D as it has very good airflow especially with your H100i. I love my H100i, good choice on that.

Also, I'd get rid of the black drive, grab a blue. It'll save you some money especially if you have those programs (photoshop, AAE etc) running off of your Evo.
 
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Onus

Onus

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Jan 27, 2006
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For the Photoshop and video editing, unless the graphics card can accelerate processing, even the GTX650Ti Boost is stronger than you need. A GT640 or HD7750 would be sufficient, and neither needs auxiliary power.
Even the selected card doesn't need anything more than a 380W Antec Earthwatts, or similar quality PSU. Since you're buying from Newegg, check out the 450W Rosewill Capstone as another good, efficient alternative.
Full tower cases are typically needed by people with multiple graphics cards that need cooling, or a stack of hard drives that need space. You could build this in a much smaller case. Check out Fractal Design for some high-quality options that are also very quiet.
Unless you plan a moderate to high overclock, you can save some more money by using a decent air cooler. I use and recommend the Xigmatek Gaia over the more commonly mentioned but inferior Hyper212 EVO:
http://www.techreaction.net/2011/07/07/review-xigmatek-gaia-sd1283/7/
http://www.techreaction.net/2011/11/27/review-cooler-master-hyper-212-plus/4/

Unlike the Hyper212 EVO (ignore the URL; it IS the EVO they tested), the Gaia never throttled, although it wasn't always the coolest depending on the fan used. Both got awards, but if you factor in the price, the Gaia wins hands down.
You're spending $250 on a motherboard, when likely $150 will buy a good board with all the features you need. If you aren't interested in overclocking, this $130 Asus board would also allow you to build in a micro-ATX case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131994 for even smaller size.
 
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Onus

Onus

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The WD Black drive is a good choice. Afaik it is the only consumer drive to have retained a five year warranty since the Thailand floods. You can use some of the money my recommendations will save you to get a pair of them to run in RAID1 for additional data safety. You may still wish to add an external drive for backup purposes.
As a non-gamer, there is no need for a GTX760.
 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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Thanks for the tips! I was going back for forth about the case and was really thinking about the 650D and figured it would be a no brainer for the h100i...

Don't want to shell out the xtra money for the card though doesn't make sense to me because I'll barely use it...

Thank you!
 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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Thanks a lot for the feedback! All really good points. I'm going to definitely downgrade the PSU but want to stick with the motherboard. I'm definitely after the tuf line of boards from ASUS. I do want the ability to overclock even if I don't do it right away.

Video card wise I think you are right and I *could* always upgrade, but I doubt I'll need to.

As far as the drive goes: Would I need an additional RAID controller or is this stuff now integrated? If it's integrated is it any good?

Thanks again!
Aaron
 
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Onus

Onus

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I understand your POV about the "TUF" series; as you can see below I have one as well, which I bought primarily for the 5-yr warranty.
RAID is built into the motherboard, and RAID1 performance is fine with the chipset controller. You'd really only want a separate controller for RAID5, but I doubt that's what you'd want to use; to do it right you'd need to buy pricey enterprise-class drives with a feature called TLER (Time Limited Error Recovery) for RAID5. RAID1 is fairly forgiving; I've got both WD Black and also Seagate LP drives working in RAID1 pairs (not together) without issues.
 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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Oh that is awesome! And yes just looking for RAID1. I really wouldn't want to get into needing an extra controller that would be super overkill for me.

OK thanks again for the tip I really appreciate it!
 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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Here is the new (potential) build

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/aaronstpierre/saved/2b2u

CPU Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Combo or $339.99
CPU Cooler Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid $109.99
Motherboard Asus SABERTOOTH Z87 ATX LGA1150 Combo or $249.99
Memory Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 $131.99
Storage Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" SSD $178.99
Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM $149.99
Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM $149.99
Video Card EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB $194.99
Case Corsair 650D ATX Mid Tower $159.99
Power Supply Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V $124.98
Optical Drive Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer $14.98
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (64-bit) $129.98

I went with a few different suggestions here:

- Upgraded the graphics card to 660 (I'm cool with the extra expense even though I may not use it that often; I play a game here and there but would never call myself a gamer and that isn't the intention of this build)
- Downgraded the case to a 650D (even that is more than I need and the HAF X is super over kill )
- Downgraded the PSU to 650W (give myself room to grow but not overkill)
- Downgrded the memory to 16GB of 1866 memory
- Added extra mechanical HD to run in RAID 1 configuration

I think that's it. Let me know your thoughts and thanks so much for the comments so far they have been SUPER helpful!

Aaron
 
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M

mc962

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Jul 18, 2013
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look into the fractal design series (r4 is probably what you would look at but if you want full tower there is the xl r2)

good mix of air and quiet. It's definitely not silent but it's not that loud either (especially right now where i have a normal (noncomputer) fan to combat the summer heat

and it's also a little over just half the price of the 650d on amazon (for the r4 at least, the xl r2 is only a little more expensive)
 
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haynesr07

haynesr07

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I still think the black drives are a waste if you are not using them for games or industrial drives. I mean 5 year warranty is great, but what excludes it from the warranty would be my next question...idk. I'm ok with doing basic drives with a nice SSD. SSD's are the most important thing anyways and you have a good one in that build.
 
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Onus

Onus

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Hard to say about the mechanical drives, but since either Black or Green drives can be used in RAID1, I'll call that a niggle and let it go. I do agree that there is comfort in the five year warranty, if only because the company has that level of confidence in their products. Seems to me that those who cut their warranties down to as little as two years may as well have put up a "We Sell Junk!" sign on their web sites.
If you plan only mild to moderate overclocking, the air cooler is the better way to go. It costs a lot less, and is typically quieter than a CLC cooler.
 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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Hi all,
I decided to go for the caviar RED drives 2TB I'll get two and that will save me about 100.

As far as PSU I'm reading a lot of negative reviews on corsair PSU's (sesonic rebrand I think). Do you guys have any suggestions? Right now I've selected what I thought was a good PSU HX650, but now I'm not sure...

Thanks!
 
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haynesr07

haynesr07

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The CX and GS series is garbage to me. I was reading reviews on them whenever I was doing my research for my new build. I went with a TX850M because it was 5 dollars more than the 750 non-modular. So I got a good deal on that one for like 100 bucks. But the HX and AX series are top of the line Corsair power supplies. I would probably never goto a new brand.
 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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CPU Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Combo or $339.99
CPU Cooler Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid $109.99
Motherboard Asus SABERTOOTH Z87 ATX LGA1150 Combo or $224.99
Memory Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 $131.99
Storage Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" SSD $178.99
Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM $104.99
Western Digital Red 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM $104.99
Video Card Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB $196.98
Case Corsair 650D ATX Mid Tower $159.99
Power Supply Corsair 600W ATX12V $57.99
Optical Drive Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer $16.98
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) $83.88

Got the price down quite a bit!

I'm still worried about the PSU as I've seen a lot of negative reviews. I've got a thermaltake in my old box and that has been good...
 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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You are right...the TX750M is $99. My current max power consumption is around 400W this will give me plently of room for growth and and it's only 10 bux more :)

So you had good luck with your TX850M?
 
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haynesr07

haynesr07

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Yeah I mean if you can grab the 750M for 100, do so. I've had mine in for about 3 weeks and I haven't had any trouble. This is also my first semi-modular power supply. I'm happy as hell with it. The cable routing was much easier than my old PC Power and Cooling SB750QuadBlack. The cables are more attractive as well. My case is what sucks though. I have hardly any breathing room behind the mobo tray. Which is why I would not suggest the 932 from CM.

 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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Cool thanks man! I'm looking forward to working with the module PS myself. I understand about the case too because I have a CM case and have the same issue with the mobo tray...

This time I'm going with a corsair case...
 
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haynesr07

haynesr07

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I think you'll be happy with the 650D. I would love to get my hands on an 800D. Even their mid towers are extremely big for a mid tower. I remember when I purchased my old Antec 300, man my cable management was a pain in the ass. But now I think my cable management in my 932 is piss poor compared to the 650D's capabilities.
 
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Onus

Onus

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Jan 27, 2006
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The non-modular Corsair CX are the bad ones, built with some inferior capacitors. The modular ones (and the HX and TX) use all-Japanese capacitors.
Another excellent choice would be a Seasonic "G" series; the 550W model would be a good size for you. They are 80+ Gold and modular for easy cable management.
Oh, and although I haven't used one yet myself, from what I've read about them the WD Red would be well-suited to a data RAID.
 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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Hi,

OK here is what I did:

CPU Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core (Purchased) $279.99
CPU Cooler Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid (Purchased) $109.99
Motherboard Asus SABERTOOTH Z87 ATX LGA1150 (Purchased) $214.99
Memory Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 (Purchased) $131.99
Storage Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" SSD (Purchased) $182.99
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM (Purchased) $89.99
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM (Purchased) $89.99
Video Card Asus GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB (Purchased) $216.98
Case Corsair 650D ATX Mid Tower (Purchased) $189.99
Power Supply Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V (Purchased) $119.99
Optical Drive Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer (Purchased) $15.99
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased) $93.99

Total: 1736.87

I've purchased everything. I definitely could have saved money but I really wasn't looking to do that (and I wasn't looking to waste it either). In the end I went back to the black drives and I won't RAID them I'll just keep using crashplan like I have been.

I splurged on the video card and bumped up to the 750W again well because it was $10 more than the 650 and I believe it had a longer warranty.

I'm happy that a good amount of the products I purchased came with 5 years (my goal was a long term build).

Thanks again guys for your awesome feedback it really really helped me out a lot!
 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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haahha I like that "targeted overkill"! It's true because there is no question in my mind that this computer will last 5+ years. I'm really happy with the pieces I'll post a pic once I have it all together and working.

Thanks again!
 
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aaronstpierre

aaronstpierre

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Aug 27, 2013
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Hi All,

I know it's been awhile but wanted to post some pictures of the end result. BTW I've been running with this system for month now it's great!

sidea.jpg


sideb.jpg


 
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