Building a 4k Gaming & Editing PC

srr2449 · Oct 2, 2014

First of all thank you anyone for your time and input

I am setting out to build a great gaming and editing pc that is capable of running at a constant 60 FPS with a 4k monitor. I will be recording gameplay footage at 4k. I will also be editing this footage as well as real world footage in 4k. If possible without bogging down my system too much I'd like to have a second 4k monitor that is not being used for gaming but just for editing and workflow. My request is that some of you well educated in this matter can share you thoughts and personal wishlist so that we may build the perfect setup for my needs.

My budget is not so much of an issue, however I don't want to be spending money just to spend it. Please try to make my dollars count and no go for overkill if not needed. I know a few things that I want so we can start from there and improve upon them if needed.

I will be running 3 Samsung 850 Pro 1tb SSD in raid 0 strictly for my raw footage recording destination. I will also be needing a separate SSD dedicated strictly to the boot and OS functions. As well as a separate SSD dedicated strictly to software. I will not be keeping any HDs inside my tower, and will only be using external storage to archive any media files.

I would like to run the build as quiet as possible but I understand there will likely be some noise but hoping to keep any throttle to a minimum. The chassis I have seemed to decide on is the Corsair 780t.

Very much looking forward to reading the input that comes from this thread. Thanks again for your time!

popatim · Oct 2, 2014

Please post a budget if you have one. Thx.

srr2449 · Oct 2, 2014

popatim :

Not sure if you missed that I don't care about the cost, more that I want bang for the buck. I know just the gpu's alone would likely end up costing me in the range of 2-4k so I'd say my budget is 7k at the high end. Honestly the budget is whatever it takes to get the job done. This isn't just a hobby/gaming pc. I will be using this to generate income from editing as a job so the cost is justified, however I don't want to waste money on a minimal gain of a 3rd or 4th gpu in SLI if it's not needed.

Warhiker · Oct 2, 2014

SRR, it sounds like you are building a better version of what I have planned.
Look at my breakdown here http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VBtTFT

To make yours better, you can get a second gfx card, and additional ram.

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VBtTFT) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VBtTFT/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80648i75820k) | $384.95 @ SuperBiiz
**CPU Cooler** | [Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h100i) | $89.99 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [ASRock Fatal1ty X99X Killer ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-x99xkiller) | $287.98 @ SuperBiiz
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k8g4d240fsa) | $224.99 @ Newegg
**Video Card** | [Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 4GB Dual-X Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-112170420g) | $207.99 @ SuperBiiz
**Case** | [Cooler Master HAF 922 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-case-rc922mkkn3gp) | $89.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [Rosewill 1000W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-power-supply-rbr1000m) | $89.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $1375.88
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-02 18:57 EDT-0400 |

I suggest this as a base, because I believe that it would make a very relevant thread.
You talk about budget, but the question is ... "Do you really want to fork out top dollar today?"

I personally believe that with the new changes, that it is better to wait for a slight price drop
and an increase in technology. BUT, you should at least get the socket to let you use the
newest CPU and the highest ram.

I would make this a ram-centric build, and use "DimmDrive" from dimmdrive.com. Tell Tim that
Warhiker sent ya over. I use this for my graphics and it speeds up my workflow immensely.

srr2449 · Oct 2, 2014

I'd imagine even having 2 of those graphics cards wouldn't be sufficient for what I'm looking to do. 4k at full settings in gaming is going to be very intense.

logainofhades · Oct 2, 2014

This would be my pick, given your budget and what you want to do.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($1039.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($111.29 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X99-GAMING G1WIFI EATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($342.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M550 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($429.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Crucial M550 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($429.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Crucial M550 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($429.99 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($101.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($101.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($101.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($101.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card (3-Way SLI) ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card (3-Way SLI) ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card (3-Way SLI) ($349.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($139.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000G2 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($158.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($141.26 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Samsung U28D590D 60Hz 28.0" Monitor ($599.99 @ Best Buy)
Monitor: Samsung U28D590D 60Hz 28.0" Monitor ($599.99 @ Best Buy)
Total: $6387.37
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-02 20:17 EDT-0400

srr2449 · Oct 2, 2014

logainofhades :

Do you not think the samsung 850 1tb ssd's technology is worth the bump in price over the crucial m550's?
If I was to SLI 2 of the higher end graphics cards wouldn't that serve me better for the long term?
Are the monitors good for gaming and editing? I'd imagine a monitor that is good for gaming would be horrible for editing. That's mostly the reason I want a second one. The luxury of the second screen is great, but if there is a single monitor that is great at gaming and editing I'd probably enjoy that savings toward other hardware.

I'm just really concerned with buying all the hardware and finding that I can't get a solid 60fps at 4k in ultra. I don't care about getting into the 100's of fps, but I can't have it dip below 60 or it will ruin the sync on my footage.

This build is much closer to what I expected though.

logainofhades · Oct 2, 2014

I don't see why a monitor good for gaming would be bad for editing. The GTX 980 really isn't much faster than the 970. That is why I said 3, GTX 970's for your 4k gaming, vs 2 GTX 980. They come out a bit cheaper than 2x 980 also. The 850 is a bit faster, but not $200 per drive faster.

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_980_sli_review,22.html

Drive spec comparison

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008120%2050001077%2050001455%20600038493&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=636%7C20-147-362%5E20-147-362-11%23%2C20-148-793%5E20-148-793-TS&percm=20-147-362%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B20-148-793%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24

srr2449 · Oct 2, 2014

This is what I've come up with. Can you look it over and confirm everything will fit and run smoothly?

My Build

logainofhades · Oct 3, 2014

Yes it will, but I would recommend a storage solution, to backup your work. In raid 0, if one drive fails, you lose everything. Hence why I did the storage solution I did above. Your other option is a raid 5, giving you 3tb storage, but if one drive fails, you can replace it and rebuild the raid array.

bazpaul · Oct 3, 2014

This comp will be sick, i'll be watching this thread

srr2449 · Oct 4, 2014

logainofhades :

I made some changes to add in parts that I already own from my previous machine. Any conflicts?

I will be using the two 180gb ssd's for my OS and software
The two 3gb HDD for media archiving and misc storage
The 1440p monitor for color correction and other misc needs

CPU: Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($1039.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H110 94.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (Ordered Already)
Motherboard: Asus X99-DELUXE ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard (Ordered Already)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 520 Series Cherryville 180GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (From my previous build...
Storage: Intel 520 Series Cherryville 180GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ...)
Storage: Crucial M550 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Ordered Already...
Storage: Crucial M550 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ...
Storage: Crucial M550 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ...
Storage: Crucial M550 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ...)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (From my previous build...
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ...)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (3-Way SLI) ($355.91 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (3-Way SLI) ($355.91 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (3-Way SLI) ($355.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 780T ATX Full Tower Case (Ordered Already)
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 1200W 80+ Gold Certified ATX (From my previous build)
Optical Drive: LG BH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer (From my previous build)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (From my previous build)
Monitor: Samsung S27A850D 27.0" Monitor (From my previous build)
Monitor: Samsung U28D590D 60Hz 28.0" Monitor ($599.99 @ Best Buy)

logainofhades · Oct 4, 2014

Be sure that the motherboard has enough sata ports for all those drives. Evga/seasonic/xfx/corsair on the Psu. Other than that, I'd say you are good.

srr2449 · Oct 4, 2014

logainofhades :

as for the mobo:
1 x SATA Express port, , compatible with 2 x SATA 6.0 Gb/s ports
8 x SATA 6Gb/s port(s)

and I'll go with the corsair hx1050 power supply then.

srr2449 · Oct 4, 2014

I am trying to decide my best option for the raid setup.. so I'm thinking for my OS bootup and software on the (2) 180gb ssd's I will raid 0 those.
I will raid 0 (3) of my crucial m550 1tb ssd's for raw data recording with fraps. I will use the 4th crucial m550 1tb ssd as a destination drive for rendering media files, and once complete I will transfer them over to my (2) 3tb HDD running just independently (jbod).

srr2449 · Oct 4, 2014

Another huge problem I'm running into is I can't find the memory or video cards in stock anywhere... it's crazy!

angaddev · Oct 4, 2014

I would recommend the Acer XB280HK for 4k gaming, it has G-sync to get rid of tearing and other refresh rate / v-sync based issues.

srr2449 · Oct 5, 2014

Well I was able to get the CPU and 1 MSI gtx970 at my local store today. No more to be found anywhere! But I did get a killer deal, 899$ on the CPU and $305 open box on the GPU!

Can't wait to get this thing built.

Building a 4k Gaming & Editing PC

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