~$2,500 Build - Thoughts?

CynosureEPR

Honorable
Sep 23, 2012
34
0
10,530
Hey guys,

The plan here is to build myself a new workstation for around $2,500 (everything included).

This computer will mostly be used for heavy graphic editing (Photosohp, Illustrator, 3D Studio Max, etc.), web development (Visual Studio, Dreamweaver, etc.), file and network management, as well as my personal uses (browsing the web, watching movies, playing a few games, etc.). I expect the machine to be running at *least* one program from each of the above categories at a time spread across three 24-inch monitors. I do expect to have some web services running 24/7-ish as I am trying to improve my web development skills (don't want to push them all to paid web servers when I can run them locally).

Here is what I have so far: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=25037806

64gb SSD is for OS + Services. 128 SSD is for programs/games. 2TB drive is for storage/archiving (I have another already that will hold a duplicate of this drive for backup).

I'm yet unsure about things like the case and power suppy (as they are more aesthetics than anything and I never expected NXZT to have a power supply--I would have normally gone with a LEPA).

Avoiding AMD/Radeon products as I don't want to use this computer for mining at any point in it's life span (I have a dedicated rig for that) and I've lost faith in AMD processors after my last build 5-7 years ago.

Anything you can do to boost performance and reduce price would be great. I may decide to go with watercooling if I feel I can pull the funds together.



**EDIT**

Forgot to mention, I'm going for at least 5 years of compatibility with this thing in minimal upgrades. =) I tend to throw away and buy new every 5-7 years.
 
Try this. A better CPU, GPU, and more HDD space.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4930K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor ($549.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.98 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: Asus P9X79 LE ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($229.97 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital AV-GP 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital AV-GP 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card ($699.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 530 ATX Full Tower Case ($89.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: BenQ GL2450HM 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $2489.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-09 17:15 EST-0500)
 

CynosureEPR

Honorable
Sep 23, 2012
34
0
10,530
Not bad!

I do enjoy the improved CPU + GPU though those parts are a bit expensive. You don't think I'd be cutting the quality of the other parts down too much in order to fit those in?
 
No, I don't think so. The motherboard is still an ASUS, so it is high quality, and the PSU is an XFX, also very high quality, and G.Skill is a very reputable brand, with their Trident X ram being the best of the best. The SSDs are by Kingston, which isn't amazing like Samsung's, but they still are good, ant the case is by NZXT, and they are great.