~1500$ Gaming/Editing build

CrysisX · Apr 5, 2014

Hello all,

I'm looking to make a completely new build. I'm mostly into gaming and video editing/rendering (Premiere Pro). In the (not so distant) future I'd like to get into streaming as well. I want to be able to maximize FPS while streaming, optimize the use of Premiere Pro, while keeping the cost relatively around $1500. The total price would be without case and OS, but I'd like some opinions on cases as well.

Below I'll include what I'm leaning towards, I've been researching for quite a while and am very indecisive. I want to stay within the Intel family (if possible) unless you feel it's a mistake. Any changes to my choices, or even a complete overhaul is much appreciated.

I have a microcenter close to home, some of the parts are cheaper there than they are online.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/KrysisX/saved/4gWC

CPU - i7 4820k 3.7GHz

GPU - GTX 760 2gb - will this be good enough to stream + game at high FPS? (on Ultra)

RAM - Corsair Vengeance 4x4gb 1600 - wasn't sure if I should grab the 1866 for 30$ more

SSD - Samsung 840 Evo 250G - for OS + programs.

HDD - At least 2 - 1TB Western Digital Blacks - planned on doing a raid setup

MOBO - I've been stuck between the Sabertooth x79, x79 deluxe, or Rampage 4.

Cooling - Corsair H100i

PSU - haven't made a decision on this, but I want there to be expandability, just in case, for upgrades

Like I said, I could be completely off the wall with some of these, and you may feel that they're unnecessary. If that's the case, please let me know where I can make changes or what I'm not understanding.

Even though a case is not included in the budget, I was leaning more for a Full Tower, I want there to be ease of access for liquid cooling. I (unfortunately) have to have things that are aesthetically pleasing, so even though they're pricey, I was thinking the Thermaltake Level 10 Gt Snow Edition or Thermaltake Level 10 GT LCS.

Please feel free to tell me I'm an idiot and should go with a different component.

Thanks you!

manofchalk · Apr 5, 2014

I'v pretty much overhauled your build to something I think would be better, and that includes a case within the budget.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1240 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($267.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ TigerDirect)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($143.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.79 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($84.79 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($129.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1526.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-05 03:18 EDT-0400)

Reasoning for changes
- The CPU change is because the 4820K is a Quad Core with Hyperthreading, so its nothing you cant get your hands on with a mainstream socket. If your going X79, you want a 4930K, which is a proper Hex core. The Xeon chip I have is basically an i7 4770k, minus overclocking capabilities, an integrated GPU and a bit cheaper.
- Mobo had to change with the CPU.
- Because of the mobo change, changed RAM because you dont need a Quad Channel kit.
- Doubled your storage capacity for the same money, WD Blacks are expensive.
- PSU, you need one, and this will let you SLI cards down the line.
- The 750D I think is a good case for this rig, especially since you feel that you want to water-cool.

My advice, the Thermaltake Level 10's, don't even touch them. Their very overpriced and offer very little over $100 cases. Its a $250 full tower that at can only support a 240mm radiator, there are ITX cases that can do that. It really is a poor case, Thermaltake can slap the BMW logo around on it because they helped design it, but ultimately they are good at cars, not computers.
If you feel you still want to spend $250 on a case, my recommendation is on a Phanteks Enthoo Primo. Easily the best case IMO for water-cooling short of a MountainMods/Caselabs, and yes that includes the 900D.

CrysisX · Apr 5, 2014

Thanks for such a quick response,

The CPU change is because the 4820K is a Quad Core with Hyperthreading, so its nothing you cant get your hands on with a mainstream socket. If your going X79, you want a 4930K, which is a proper Hex core. The Xeon chip I have is basically an i7 4770k, minus overclocking capabilities, an integrated GPU and a bit cheaper.

So I am completely in the dark about Xeon CPUs, I'll have to do more research on them, in your opinion, is not being able to overclock the Xeon E3 going to be a problem for maximizing rendering/editing/gaming? I want to have a good balance of all of them, not favoring one completely and lacking in others.

Doubling the Hard drive space is amazing, for whatever reason the Barracuda's were escaping me.

Although having the case included within the budget is awesome, would it be practical to up the CPU, Mobo, or GPU? Or do you believe it wouldn't be worth it for how extra little 'juice' I'd get out of them?

Additionally, is the GTX 770 worth it? The 760 is ~$80 cheaper, would it be worth it to grab two 760s and SLI or just stick with the one 770 for now?

Also, what are some other options for the Mobo (if we stay at that price range) Just trying to look at some options.

For the case, I only really plan on water cooling just to do it. I enjoy the hobby of building rigs, and it'd be my first time doing liquid cooling. But due to my "must have colors and lights" brain function, I'll probably be looking into something else. I couldn't find anything in the ~125$ range (didn't look too hard) that is a full tower, and aesthetically pleasing. Any ideas?

Thanks again for all of the help

manofchalk · Apr 5, 2014

Losing the overclockability on the CPU will impact on proffessional performance if it was your intention to overclock to begin with. However your also balancing that against the nearest overclockable CPU (in terms of price) is an i5, so you get less CPU grunt to begin with anyway.
For gaming, CPU overclocking doesnt matter all that much.
You could get the i7-4770k, which would give you basically the same chip and be overclockable, but its a fair bit more expensive.

CPU, yeah probably. Though the only upgrade I would consider worthwhile from that level of CPU is the aforementioned 4930K. Motherboard, not really. GPU, for what your doing a 770 will be fine.
Really depends what you mean by "worth it". If your looking at it from a price/performance aspect, the 760 probably beats it. SLI 760's is going to end up more expensive than a 770, a more reasonable comparison would be a 780Ti vs SLI 760's, not a 770.

Other motherboard options. Whatever ASUS, MSI and AsRock have at that pricepoint are all going to be good options. Between boards of similar price and reputable companies, you will find there isn't much difference in terms of features.

Guessing you want the more rugged look, not a fan of Corsair's subdued aesthetic.
Theirs the Coolermaster HAF-X, though it is an older case and missing a lot of features that are common now (check my build log, I have one and water-cooled in it). The Corsair Air 540 and some of the Silverstone Raven cases come to mind.
Though in general, the current design trend has erred toward a minimalistic aesthetic rather than something like what the Level 10 has. For instance all the great water-cooling cases (the 900D, Phanteks Enthoo Primo, NZXT Switch 810, Caselabs/MountainMods) have that kind of look.

CrysisX · Apr 5, 2014

Losing the overclockability on the CPU will impact on proffessional performance if it was your intention to overclock to begin with. However your also balancing that against the nearest overclockable CPU (in terms of price) is an i5, so you get less CPU grunt to begin with anyway.
For gaming, CPU overclocking doesnt matter all that much.
You could get the i7-4770k, which would give you basically the same chip and be overclockable, but its a fair bit more expensive.

Alright so just to make sure I have things square - In your opinion, on this budget, to upgrade to the i7 4770k, wouldn't be practical enough for its performance, due to the increase in price. And being that the 4820k is still also quad core, it's not worth the money for what it is (like you said there's plenty of 1150 quad cores). So the only CPU choice you deem fit would be to jump to the 4930k - being that a significant price jump.
Am I grasping that correctly?

I'll have to continue to compare the mobos, but like you said features won't change much.

As for everything else, you've helped me solidify choices - Thanks!

manofchalk · Apr 5, 2014

CrysisX :

Yup!

CrysisX :

Also for reference, this is pretty much the reasoning why my rig is water-cooled. Its pretty addictive once you do it, and its always fun to talk to non-techies and the look on their face when you say you pour water into your machine to keep it running. Theirs typically that "this guy is crazy" face.

CrysisX · Apr 5, 2014

Alright, so after checking out a little more, the Xeon E3 1240 V3 is ~260, while I found both the 4770k and 4820k for ~320. So that being said, the 60$ increase on the CPU I'd definitely do. So we'd be comparing the 4770k and 4820k at this point.

Being the 4820k is a 2011 socket, the mobo price goes up exponentially. From benchmarks the difference between from 4770k & 4820k isn't much different for the programs I'm going to use I think I'm going to go with the 4770k.

Is it worth it to buy the h100i cooler for now, even though I plan to watercool at some point? Or should I just find a complete watercooling kit and go from the get go?

manofchalk · Apr 5, 2014

If your going to be dumping a fair bit of cash into custom water later on, I wouldn't bother getting an expensive, non-expandable, cooling solution right now that your just going to have to deal with once you do get custom water. That 212 EVO I recommended before will cover you for moderate overclocks, I would say 4.0-4.2Ghz is an easy feat on that cooler and isnt that bad of an overclock.
I assume your going to put the GPU under water at some point, or at least would want the option to do so? If so, a custom kit that can accommodate that would be running you around $250-300. If you have that kind of cash to spend now, then there are better things to be spending it on like the beefier CPU or bigger case.

CrysisX · Apr 5, 2014

Alright, thanks for all of the help/insight!

CrysisX · Apr 5, 2014

After a bit of configuring, I am now stuck between the decision of the GTX 770 2gb or 4gb, I was looking at the Gigabyte Windforce cards. The price difference between the two is ~60$. If I run a dual monitor setup, would it be handled by the 2gb? If so I could always SLI in the future. Or would it be ideal to buy the 4gb now and not need to SLI as soon as I would with the 2gb

manofchalk · Apr 5, 2014

As a general rule, when it comes to RAM (including VRAM), it only impacts performance when you run out of it. At 1080p, I have only seen one gamethat can consume more than 2GB, Crysis 3 with near max settings.
Having dual monitors wont matter as your not going to be gaming across them , imagine if your crosshair was split in half by the monitor bezels. You will still be gaming on your primary monitor, with the other sitting at the desktop.

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