Building my first computer, Workstation/Gaming rig: need advice on components

TiminyCricket

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Oct 12, 2013
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Hi guys, I'm building my first computer to replace my old Dell XPS 420. I've already replaced the memory, graphics card, hard-drives and PSU..etc, but after spending a couple days reading and learning on this forum, I've resolved to finally build my own system so that I can upgrade/expand it easier in the future.

I'll be using my new system for both work (Adobe After Effects, Cinema 4D, Premiere, Photoshop, Visual Studio...etc) and gaming (Skyrim, Civ 4, Battlefield 3). I don't plan on overclocking until I educate myself a little more (on this forum), but I suspect that eventually it's something I'll do.

I'd appreciate any advice on the components I have selected, feedback on the overall build or if there are any compatibility issues or other Red flags. Thank you in advance!

Case: Corsair Graphite 600T (I've already purchased this)
CPU: Intel Core i7 3930K 6-core (LGA 2011)
MOBO: Asus Rampage IV Extreme (LGA 2011)
PSU: Corsair AX760 (Platinum certified) (I've already purchased this as well)
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 650 Ti (2GB)
Memory: Corsair DDR3 Vengeance (16 or 32 GB, I haven't decided yet)
CPU cooler: Cooler Master V6 GT
SSD: Samsung 840 Evo (500GB) - This will be my OS/Software drive
HDD: 2 X WD Caviar Black (1TB) - One for media and one for work projects
OD: Samsung Black DVD/CD drive
OP: Windows 7 Professional

So, beyond any general opinion or advice on the build I had a couple specific questions:

I plan to do a lot of motion graphics works (2D and 3D), is the processor and the amount of RAM sufficient?

I'm hoping that this build will "future proof" me (however much that's even possible). Is the Rampage IV motherboard with the LGA 2011 socket a good way to go?

Lastly, I don't really have a "hard" budget, but I'd like to keep things as close to $2K as possible. I'm willing to spend more on a specific component if there is a good justification for it.

Thanks again guys!


 
Solution
I'd return that PSU if you could - the Corsair AX are certainly not the best supplies on the market, and that iLink software is a gimmick.

As far as whether or not you plan to use X79 to its' full extent (video editing and rendering) that would be a solid purchase, but the 3930K has been replaced with the 4930K. You for sure do not need to spend $450 on a motherboard - especially when the Rampage IV is an XL-ATX motherboard and it won't fit in that 600T you've already purchased.

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
I'd return that PSU if you could - the Corsair AX are certainly not the best supplies on the market, and that iLink software is a gimmick.

As far as whether or not you plan to use X79 to its' full extent (video editing and rendering) that would be a solid purchase, but the 3930K has been replaced with the 4930K. You for sure do not need to spend $450 on a motherboard - especially when the Rampage IV is an XL-ATX motherboard and it won't fit in that 600T you've already purchased.
 
Solution
Your build is reasonable.

The motherboard is probably a bit more expensive than you need.
cpu performance is not related to the motherboard. If it has the features you need, then fine.
Since budget is not a big issue, I see no need to change your selection.

For games and 3d work, I think a GTX650ti is a bit weak.
You could try it out first since it is very easy to replace a graphics card later.
But, since budget is not an issue, I might think a GTX780 would be more appropriate.

And... I might suggest using a 30" 2560 x 1600 monitor or a 27" 2560 x 1440 unit.
The picture image of a ips paned is much better.
Use your current monitor as a side monitor.
 

flyhiloone

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Jan 3, 2007
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Hi,
I have a vary similar build that I put together and use at my office 3930k 32gb etc.. I run mostly after effects and premiere on my system.

Your question on 16 or 32gb of ram is important... I would personally buy 32 or 64gb of ram especially if you are working a lot in after effects. Premiere doesn't really care what you have so don't buy more based on premiere. Also if it comes down to dropping to a lower speed ram to get more do it. After effects is heavily dependent on the amount of ram available especially when more cores are available.

Also you will likely want to think about getting some sort of high speed drive to work off of. I know you have the 1 500GB ssd but you will need more probably. I have a 16 drive 2tb each raid array and I still am HD limited because I max out the speed on it doing uncompressed editing. 800MB's per second is what blackmagic disk speed test tell me it will do.

Last thing. I always buy Asus WS (workstation motherboards) they have never let me down.
ASUS P9X79 WS is what is available now.

Hope that helps.
 

TiminyCricket

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Oct 12, 2013
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g-unit1111, thanks mate! I definitely like that price as well ;)

As you've sold me on the 4930k processor, do you know if that board would Ivy Bridge-E friendly? It says that it supports Sandy Bridge-E and I don't know if that's a compatibility concern or not.
 

TiminyCricket

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Oct 12, 2013
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10,510
@flyhiloone, thanks for the feedback. Since I'm picking up more motion graphics work and will be using After Effects heavily, I'll take your suggestion on the RAM and most likely start out with 32GB and double that in the near future. Any suggestions on memory (brand?).

I planned on using one of the HDDs for my project files (imported assets and such) and then the other for my render output, with the software actually on the SSD. Is there a more practical or beneficial setup than this? You mentioned a RAID setup. I'm embarrassed to admit, I understand the basic concept of it, but that's about it.
 

TiminyCricket

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Oct 12, 2013
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@g-unit1111, thanks for catching that! I didn't realize that the Rampage was ATX-extended. Do you have any mobo suggestions for the 3930K or the 4930K (I'm researching that processor now)?

 

TiminyCricket

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Oct 12, 2013
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10,510


@geofelt, I was concerned about the graphics card as well. I actually had the GTX 650 ti left over from my old Dell, but I'm seriously considering your suggestion of the GTX780. Out of curiosity, will upgrading to a 780 impact both gaming and animation work, or is that primarily for gaming performance? As far as monitors, I'm currently using two 27" Dell Ultras.
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator


Assuming that X77 motherboards are released relatively soon you will want something of that nature as it will work better with IB-E. But otherwise something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157289
 

flyhiloone

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Jan 3, 2007
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Your graphics card won't impact adobe premiere much and it won't impact after effects at all. If you want to buy a 780 for gaming that's great and fine but don't buy it for after effects or premiere the 650ti is all you need.

You mentioned not understanding Raid. Raid levels (0,1,5,6,10) are how windows or hardware setups a group of hard drives (2 or more) Raid 0 = 2 HD's blended for speed but no reliability, 4tb total size. If one fails you lose the information on 2 drives. Not recommended for a storage drive.

Raid1 = 2 hard drives (1 backs the other up) no speed increase over 1 drive but you constantly have a mirror copy of everything on 1 drive and the other. This means when you buy 2 hard drives, 2tb drives for example, after raiding them in raid1 you only get 2tb total space even though you have two 2tb drives.

You will need to look more into it and research it for yourself. I do raid 6 with 16 drives. but you likely don't have that option. You would be looking at raid 0,1 or 5. Most other raid lvls are just a mixmatch of raids 0,1, or 5
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator


Cool! You can use a image uploading site like Photobucket or Instagram and then copy and paste the URL with IMG codes.