Help me build a 2k EUR PC for data analysis and light gaming, Germany

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J

Jethead

Honorable
Mar 9, 2013
42
0
10,530
Hello,

I will be building a PC for my girlfriend, she's a scientist and does a lot of data analysis, so this will be a CPU/RAM heavy build. Software example: Neurolucida, on their website they recommend i7 and 12 or more GB RAM.

She's not a hardcore gamer, she's mostly playing indie platformers and such. She's doing a bit of video and picture editing sometimes.

I will probably buy most parts at mindfactory.de (alternatives: harwareversandt.de, caseking.de, amazon, and ebay).
Here's partpicker of what I'm currently planning, it doesn't feature all the components though:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($137.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($201.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($237.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Platinum 550W 80+ Platinum Certified ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($129.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $1399.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-19 17:21 EDT-0400

I'm afraid my gaming addiction might be influencing the build too much. Do you see any parts she could save some money on? :)
It's very important for me to build her a solid science workhorse! Thanks for your help.

Full list with local prices:
Mobo: Asus Z97-A 1150 Dual Channel DDR3 ATX 125 EUR
CPU: Intel i7 4790K 4.0GHz 300 EUR
GPU: 2GB MSI GeForce GTX 770 Twin Frozr 250 EUR
RAM: 2x8GB G.Skill TridentX 2400 CL10 150 EUR
SSD: 512GB Crucial MX100 2.5" 6Gb/s 175 EUR
HDD: 3TB WD Green 64MB 3.5" 6Gb/s 90 EUR
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite 50 EUR
PSU: 550W Antec EarthWatts Non-Modular 80+ Platinum 90 EUR
Surge Protector: APC SurgeArrest Performance 40 EUR
Projector: Acer H5380BD 3D DLP Projector 375 EUR
Speakers: M-Audio AV40 MKII Studiophile 120 EUR
Keyboard: Zowie Celeritas Pro FR, MX-Red 80 EUR
OS: Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit 120 EUR
Total: 1,965 EUR.

Those of you who do data analysis or similar tasks, is it worth investing 450 EUR in i7 4790K + 16GB 2400 RAM? Or maybe it's a good idea to invest in DDR4?

Also, a question for those of you who watch movies on projector, do we need to buy a screen? Wouldn't a white sheet/wall be enough?

(Initially the build included 2 screens, a mouse, and a heatsink, but she has 2 tv's that won't be used once we get a projector, she likes her current mouse, and Intel's stock heatsink is good enough for now) :)

Thanks!
 
Solution
CorsairMaksis
Here's a better build, sorry for the stupid mistakes in the first one :D
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Lkrf23
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Lkrf23/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($559.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: EVGA Classified EATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($374.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($175.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($585.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Cosmos II (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Platinum 650W 80+...
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Mitchell Robinson

Mitchell Robinson

Honorable
Sep 18, 2013
68
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10,660
Hi there,

I'm no expert at computer builds, but I have a lot of experience with computers made for heavy rendering and 3D works.

I would recommend a few things. Dell is a good brand, yes, but you also pay more for their products.. If panel quality isn't an issue (i.e. colour reproduction and colour accuracy) then look at some cheaper alternatives by the likes of Samsung and AOC. Also I dont believe in getting faster ram as anything over 1600mhz gives you little to no gain in anything much. You could probably save some cash there as well. As for the CPU, are you going to over clock this build? I don't think you will need it as rendering and 3D work doesnt benefit much from faster cores but rather more cores. Lose the "k" and go for the i7 4790, that will also shave a chunk of money from the bottom cost.

I think the graphics card is a good option, however you could probably sacrifice some the gaming performance and save some cash by dropping down to the GTX760. That really depends on whether or not your GF is going to continue just playing small indie games.

All in all for a build like this its about making sacrifices. Could you forgo the speakers etc now to buy them later down the track?

Anyway, getting onto things that I do know..

The projector will work well on almost any white surface, although if you are planning to watch it on a white sheet the sheet will have to be taught and no light can be pointing towards the back of the sheet or you will get light bending. I would recommend eventually getting a projector screen. They can be picked up reasonably cheap online.

Anyway, Goodluck!
 
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J

Jethead

Honorable
Mar 9, 2013
42
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10,530
Thanks a lot for the reply, Mitchell!

4790 is clocked significantly lower compared to 4790K (even without overclocking): 3.60GHz (4.0GHz Turbo) vs 4.0GHz (4.4GHz Turbo). Price difference is 40 EUR.
Getting slower RAM would only win me a couple of EUR, but I could get less RAM - 8GB, which would save around 75 EUR.

Could people who do data analysis or similar tasks confirm that downgrading from
i7 4790K @4.0GHz + 2x8GB 2400 CL10 RAM, 450 EUR
to
i7 4790 @3.60GHz + 2x4GB 2400 CL10 RAM, 335 EUR
will not significantly decrease performance?

I could also downgrade GPU to:
3GB Gigabyte R9 280 Windforce 3x OC 180 EUR.
Is this enough for video and picture editing and some gaming?

Also, good idea with getting cheaper displays, what do you think about SyncMasters?

Thanks!
 
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CorsairMaksis

CorsairMaksis

Reputable
Sep 19, 2014
52
0
4,640
Here you go!

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JvkP7P
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JvkP7P/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($559.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($224.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital VelociRaptor 1TB 3.5" 10000RPM Internal Hard Drive ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card ($555.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Cosmos II (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Platinum 550W 80+ Platinum Certified ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional (32/64-bit) ($170.99 @ Adorama)
Total: $2371.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-19 12:14 EDT-0400
 
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J

Jethead

Honorable
Mar 9, 2013
42
0
10,530
Thanks, CorsairMaksis!

However, I'm trying to get a cheaper build than what i had selected, and all the parts you recommend are more expensive...
Your build is cheaper because it doesn't include 2 screens, speakers, projector, keyboard, mouse, heatsink, SSD, and surge protector. :)
Also, she needs 3TB storage for all that precious scientific data. :)

However, you are right about the PSU, I could save some money there. Thanks!
 
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CorsairMaksis

CorsairMaksis

Reputable
Sep 19, 2014
52
0
4,640
Here's a better build, sorry for the stupid mistakes in the first one :D
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Lkrf23
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Lkrf23/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-5930K 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($559.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: EVGA Classified EATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($374.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($175.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card ($585.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Cosmos II (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Platinum 650W 80+ Platinum Certified ATX Power Supply ($91.31 @ Amazon)
Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($27.91 @ NCIX US)
Speakers: Syba CL-SPK20115 6W 2ch Speakers ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2486.05
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-19 13:00 EDT-0400
 
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