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Thinking of Building a Gaming/Developer Rig

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  • Gaming
  • Homebuilt
  • CPUs
  • Laptops
  • Games
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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August 24, 2014 12:47:24 AM

Right now I own a fairly decent laptop that's able to get most of my work done. I'm currently in school for animation and game design so I'm used to working in CPU and RAM intensive programs like Maya and Photoshop. On the side I like to game on PC every now and then and my laptop has been serving me well for the past year and a half, but by the looks of things with this newer generation of games coming in I'm beginning to doubt that it will last for another year or 2. Next year I'll be out of college and based on the rate that graphics technology is accelerating, I'm thinking of building a rig that will be able to last for at least another 3 years.

On the development side of things, I work with 3D modeling and concept work which requires rendering stills and painting at high resolutions. I'd need an average to pretty decent CPU and at least 16 GB of RAM to get the work done. Since I've only owned a gaming laptop and never had the experience of building a gaming desktop, I'm a complete newbie when it comes to the technicalities of setting up a rig. Over the past year and a half I've spent a good amount of time researching different graphic cards and their performances, console equivalents, and competitor equivalents. From what I can conclude after reading various forums, I hear that it's a bad idea getting a graphics card that's equal in power to the current generation of consoles due to being outdated in a quicker span of time. I'm not too crazy about being a quick adopter of 4K games so I'm just looking to play at 1080p with max visuals and fidelity at a similar (or slightly better) quality to that of a high end PS4 game.

I don't know about the longevity of this card in particular, but I've been really interested in the GTX 660 Ti GPU. From what I can tell it play games at just the right quality and fps that I'm looking for. I also see the R9 270X as a great alternative especially in price, but I don't know how well it optimizes with other programs. As for the CPU, I'm mostly looking for a CPU that outperforms my current laptop (3630QM) with the desktop equivalent roughly being the i5 3550S. I hear often that the i7 3770k and the i7 4770k are very popular choices, but I wouldn't mind an i5 processor as an alternative.

Now for the budget I'm not looking to go over $1,500, but at the moment I'm just gauging the prospects of what's needed in order to build a rig that will last at least 3 years, and since I'm not looking at an immediate purchase (I plan on purchasing in parts over a long period of time) I can give leeway to a slightly higher budget, just as long as it doesn't exceed $ 2,000. Now for the PSU, tower, cooling system, and motherboard, I need much further education on this, which is why I ask the forum for recommendations :) . If I'm comparing this to my current laptop, I'd say 2-4 USB 3.0 slots would be fine and a built in wireless a/b/g/n network adapter; 1TB HDD with 8+ GB of SSD cache is the minimum in terms of storage. My laptop monitor runs at 120 Hz with 400-nit brightness, but I wouldn't mind a monitor with 60 Hz just as long as the monitor has a wide enough color gamut at 1080p (painting requires accurate colors). Mouse and keyboard aren't required as I have a spare for each, but OS should be Windows 8.1 and above. If anyone has recommendations for a tower, PSU, cooling system, and motherboard that's upgradable over a long period of time, help would be greatly appreciated.

Last question regarding the tower setup. Since I come from a long history of laptops, is it possible to find a tower with these specs that fit in a small form factor, just so long as it is possible to carry and setup in a bag or case? Since I'm focused on longevity and upgradability, I don't necessarily mind the size and look of the machine, but if there is a tower that can fit these in a small form factor, that would be an excellent plus to add to the rig.

I apologize for the long post, hopefully the bold and italic text helped simplify my questions.

More about : thinking building gaming developer rig

a b 4 Gaming
a b B Homebuilt system
a c 122 à CPUs
a b D Laptop
August 24, 2014 12:51:12 AM

Yup here's a build according to bold and italic setup. Try not to make post a whole story in the future. ;) 

Here's the build great for video or photo editing as you are into 3D modelling.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.91 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290X 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($519.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Thermaltake SMART 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($63.95 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.88 @ Amazon)
Total: $1599.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-24 03:50 EDT-0400
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August 24, 2014 1:12:12 AM

Joeteoh99 said:
Yup here's a build according to bold and italic setup. Try not to make post a whole story in the future. ;) 

Here's the build great for video or photo editing as you are into 3D modelling.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.91 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290X 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($519.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Thermaltake SMART 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($63.95 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.88 @ Amazon)
Total: $1599.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-24 03:50 EDT-0400

Thanks, everything seems to look good so far. Do you have any monitor recommendations that fit within this budget?
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Related resources
a b 4 Gaming
a b B Homebuilt system
a c 122 à CPUs
a b D Laptop
August 24, 2014 1:16:25 AM

OminousD said:
Joeteoh99 said:
Yup here's a build according to bold and italic setup. Try not to make post a whole story in the future. ;) 

Here's the build great for video or photo editing as you are into 3D modelling.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.91 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290X 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($519.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Thermaltake SMART 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($63.95 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.88 @ Amazon)
Total: $1599.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-24 03:50 EDT-0400

Thanks, everything seems to look good so far. Do you have any monitor recommendations that fit within this budget?


I read that you wouldn't want to go over $2000. So if I was to recommend a monitor to the build then it will exceed the budget. Do you have a budget to fit the monitor? And how many do you want?
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August 24, 2014 1:20:07 AM

Joeteoh99 said:
OminousD said:
Joeteoh99 said:
Yup here's a build according to bold and italic setup. Try not to make post a whole story in the future. ;) 

Here's the build great for video or photo editing as you are into 3D modelling.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.91 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290X 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($519.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Thermaltake SMART 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($63.95 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.88 @ Amazon)
Total: $1599.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-24 03:50 EDT-0400

Thanks, everything seems to look good so far. Do you have any monitor recommendations that fit within this budget?


I read that you wouldn't want to go over $2000. So if I was to recommend a monitor to the build then it will exceed the budget. Do you have a budget to fit the monitor? And how many do you want?

Eventually two monitors, but 1 monitor with specs as mentioned would be fine in determining the price for 2.
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Best solution

a b 4 Gaming
a b B Homebuilt system
a c 122 à CPUs
a b D Laptop
August 24, 2014 1:22:23 AM

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.91 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290X 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($519.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Thermaltake SMART 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($63.95 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.88 @ Amazon)
Total: $1734.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-24 04:22 EDT-0400
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August 24, 2014 1:30:38 AM

Joeteoh99 said:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.91 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290X 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($519.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Thermaltake SMART 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($63.95 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.88 @ Amazon)
Total: $1734.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-24 04:22 EDT-0400

Joeteoh99 said:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($338.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($154.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.91 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290X 4GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($519.99 @ Micro Center)
Case: NZXT Phantom (White) ATX Full Tower Case ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Thermaltake SMART 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($63.95 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VS247H-P 23.6" Monitor ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN725N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.88 @ Amazon)
Total: $1734.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-24 04:22 EDT-0400


Thank you, I appreciate your help. One last question; not that it is a necessity, but what would the difference in price be if a 6-layer Blu-ray drive replaced the optical drive?
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a b 4 Gaming
a b B Homebuilt system
a c 122 à CPUs
a b D Laptop
August 24, 2014 1:43:00 AM

Get a Blu-Ray drive if you plan to play movies. :D 

PM me if you need more help.
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