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seespotbrun

Reputable
Apr 19, 2014
4
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4,510
Here's my first attempt at putting together my own computer. I'm a graphic design student, so I'll primarily be using programs like the Adobe Create Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, After Effects, Dreamweaver) as well as 3D rendering software like Autodesk Maya, 3DS Max, Blender, zBrush, and Cinema 4D. So I needed a pretty high-processing computer for a 1 - 1.5k budget. And although it's not a priority, I also am interested in some PC gaming. Nothing too demanding though, probably just indie games off of Steam. Here's what I've put together on my own:

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor (329.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua 6 Dual Heatpipe with 140mm/130mm Dual SSO Bearing Fans CPU Cooler NH-D14 (71.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASUS Z97-A LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard (149.99 @ Newegg)
RAM: Mushkin Enhanced Redline 8GB (2 x 4GB) (86.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (217.99 @ Newegg)
Video card: Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 7870 2 GB GDDR5 DVI-I/HDMI/2x Mini-Displayport PCI-Express 3.0 Graphic Card GV-R787OC-2GD (242.47 @ Amazon)
Case: Diablotek CPA-0170 Black SGCC Steel Diamond ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 400W Power Supply (39.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (99.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: 23” Wide Screen LED Monitor (152.99 @ Staples)
Keyboard & Mouse: Logitech MK320 wireless (22.99 @ Staples)

I just wanted to see if there were cheaper options out there; or if I should upgrade on certain components based on my needs.
 
Solution
nostall




Good suggestions.
One more thing; after spending all that money do you want to risk it with a really poor power supply? The PSU is not the place to save money. Dia blow teck (yes, the real name is Diablotek, but this is more approriate) are not recommended for any PC ! THE case may be just fine and look good, but the PSU may be dangerous.
http://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx
Tier 5 - Other than the units listed above for any of these brands, NOT RECOMMENDED. Replace...
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nostall

nostall

Splendid
Nov 28, 2012
3,244
12
23,865




Good suggestions.
One more thing; after spending all that money do you want to risk it with a really poor power supply? The PSU is not the place to save money. Dia blow teck (yes, the real name is Diablotek, but this is more approriate) are not recommended for any PC ! THE case may be just fine and look good, but the PSU may be dangerous.
http://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx
Tier 5 - Other than the units listed above for any of these brands, NOT RECOMMENDED. Replace ASAP if you have one. :

A-TOP Technology
Apevia
APEX (SUPERCASE/ALLIED)
Aspire(Turbo Case)
ATADC
Athena Power
ATRIX
Broadway Com Corp
Coolmax
Deer
Diablotek <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Dynapower USA
Dynex
EagleTech
FOXCONN
FSP Everest
HEC Orion
Hiper Type-R
Huntkey
I-Star Computer Co. Ltd
In Win
JPAC COMPUTER
Just PC
Kingwin Inc.
Linkworld Electronics
Logisys Computer
MGE
MSI
NMEDIAPC
Norwood Micro/ CompUSA
NorthQ
NZXT
Okia
Powmax
Q-Tec
Raidmax
Rocketfish
Rosewill
SFC
Shuttle
Skyhawk
Spire Coolers
Star Micro
STARTECH
Thermaltake Purepower NP
Thermaltake Purepower RU
Thermaltake TR2 (and TR2-RX)
TOPOWER TOP
Ultra X-Connect
Ultra X2 >greater than 700 watt
Ultra LSP
Wintech
XION
YoungYear
Zebronics

Back to tier explanation.

Here's a review, little old, of one of their units from one of the best review sites. My research shows nothing has changed with their quality.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=187
In addition, the recommended minimum power supply for a system running a single Radeon 7870 is 500watts continuous power with a minimum of 23Amp. on the +12Volt rail. According to Newegg the PSU in your case does not meet the minimum wattage requirements, and just a little over the minimum amperes: And I would bet that once that PSU warms up to about 30C (a bit over room temp) it won't be able to produce that power.

This is an excellent PSU, excellent quality, great warranty, and a pretty good price from Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094&ignorebbr=1
SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
If you decide to shop, just be sure to get a power supply from Tiers 1-2 in the list above.

Oh yea, if you are doing rendering and Auto CAD etc, you might want another 8GB of RAM.
 
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Solution
S

seespotbrun

Reputable
Apr 19, 2014
4
0
4,510
Thanks for your suggestions everyone! It's helped a lot. I've tweaked the build up a little bit:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core - $219.99
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM - $78.99
Motherboard: Asus GRYPHON Z87 Micro ATX LGA1150 - $154.99
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 - $78.99
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM - $64.99
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB - $202.98
Case: Rosewill Line Glow ATX Mid Tower - $36.75
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W ATX12V / EPS12V - $65.99
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) - $89.99

Total: $959.65

I probably will upgrade to 16GB in the future. But since I'm still an amateur at AutoCAD's Software I probably won't be pushing the limits of my RAM. Plus my budget doesn't allow it, haha.
 
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nostall

nostall

Splendid
Nov 28, 2012
3,244
12
23,865


That'll be a nice rig and should last a long time. Glad we could help and Welcome to Tom's.
 
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