Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me. I have never built my own system before, but I have replaced components and I'm not afraid to learn as I go. I tend to keep my computers for 7-8 years before upgrading, and I'm hoping that this one will last at least that long with minimal maintenance/upgrades. I'm a music teacher and composer, and I'd like to start doing some of my own audio production in the near future. Ninety percent of the work I will be doing on this new computer will involve using music notation software (Sibelius 7.5) and virtual/software instruments to compose, playback in real time, and create recordings. I will also be using Pro Tools 11 for audio production projects. I will be buying a quality audio interface as well (not part of this budget), so I'm not sure I need a discrete internal sound card (it looks like the MOBO I'm considering might have pretty decent sound).
Approximate Purchase Date: within the next month
Budget Range: $1200-1500
System Usage from Most to Least Important: mostly audio production, some minor video editing, internet browsing, streaming video, etc.
Are you buying a monitor: Yes - probably the Asus VS248H-P 24-Inch Full-HD LED-lit LCD Monitor – $170 Amazon ($20 rebate)
Do you need to buy OS: Yes
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or amazon.com
Location: Eau Claire, WI (USA)
Parts Preferences: none
Overclocking: Not a necessity, but I'd like to try it since it looks like many people have gotten good results with the processor I've chosen.
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: The quieter the better. Not worried too much about looks. Quality and reliability are my main concerns.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I currently have a laptop only, and would like a desktop setup with a large monitor. My laptop is almost 8 years old and it isn't able to play back large musical scores (full band, orchestra, 20-30 tracks) in my current software (Sibelius, Pro Tools) using software instruments without distortion/crashing.
Here is what I am considering based on some research I've done. Haven't build a computer before, so I'm sorry if I am way off with what I've selected.
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K (8M cache, 4.4Ghz, 4 core, up to 32GB ram, 2 channels DDR3-1333/1600, FCLGA1150 socket) – $317 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPRWAX8/ref=gno_cart_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
MOBO: MSI ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z97 GAMING 7 – $180 Amazon
4 memory slots, 3 PCI-E x16 3.0, 4 PCI-E x1, 8 SATA ports, 1 display port, 1 HDMI, 14x10.6x3.2 inches, 1 M.2 slot, Killer E2205 Gigabit LAN
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-DDR3-2600-Motherboards-GAMING/dp/B00K23BZTA/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1415512765&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=MSI+ATX+DDR3+2600+LGA+1150+Motherboards+Z97+GAMING+7
MEMORY: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHZ (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (CMZ32GX3M4A1600C9) – $340 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Desktop-Memory-CMZ32GX3M4A1600C9/dp/B0086THGI6/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415512798&sr=1-4&keywords=Corsair+Vengeance+32GB+%284x8GB%29+DDR3+1600+MHZ
SSD: SanDisk Extreme PRO 240GB SATA 6.0Gb/s 2.5-Inch 7mm Height Solid State Drive (SSD) With 10-Year Warranty- SDSSDXPS-240G-G25 – $164 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Extreme-2-5-Inch-Warranty--SDSSDXPS-240G-G25/dp/B00KHRYRNM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415513082&sr=1-1&keywords=SanDisk+Extreme+PRO+240GB+SATA+6.0Gb%2Fs+2.5-Inch+7mm+Height+Solid+State+Drive
HDD: WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache - WD10EZEX – $52 Amazon
(Will probably buy 2 of these so that I have an extra to use for internal backup.)
http://www.amazon.com/WD-Blue-Desktop-Hard-Drive/dp/B0088PUEPK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415513197&sr=1-1&keywords=WD+Blue+1+TB+Desktop+Hard+Drive%3A+3.5+Inch%2C+7200+RPM%2C+SATA+6+Gb%2Fs%2C+64+MB+Cache+-+WD10EZEX
PSU: Corsair Builder Series CX 600 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS (CX600) – $62 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Builder-Watt-EPS%C2%A0-CX600/dp/B0092ML0OC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415513315&sr=1-1&keywords=Corsair+Builder+Series+CX+600+Watt+ATX%2FEPS++80+PLUS+%28CX600%29
GPU: (Looking for recommendations for a low/mid-range Nvidia Graphics Card. The software I use most recommends a GPU in order to get the best performance.)
OPTICAL: LG WH16NS40 Super Multi Blue Internal SATA 16x Blu-ray Disc Rewriter – $59 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/LG-WH16NS40-Internal-Blu-ray-Rewriter/dp/B00E7B08MS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415513432&sr=1-1&keywords=LG+WH16NS40+Super+Multi+Blue+Internal+SATA+16x+Blu-ray+Disc+Rewriter
WIRELESS: (needed)
CASE: Cooler Master N400 - Mid Tower Computer Case with ATX Motherboard Support, Multiple 240mm Radiator Support, and Ventilated Front Panel – $60.00 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-N400-Motherboard-Ventilated/dp/B00DOZHJU2/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415513538&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=ooler+Master+N400+-+Mid+Tower+Computer+Case+with+ATX+Motherboard+Support%2C+Multiple+240mm+Radiator+Support%2C+and+Ventilated+Front+Panel
Although, I really like the looks, extra front inputs, and rack mounting capability of cases similar to this one (if anyone has any recommendations):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007X8TQYI/ref=gno_cart_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
FANS: (I don't know what I'll need here. These were a couple that looked like good options.)
Cooler Master JetFlo 120 - POM Bearing 120mm High Performance Silent Fan for Computer Cases, CPU Coolers, and Radiators – $17.00 Amazon
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2) ($37 Amazon)
Approximate Purchase Date: within the next month
Budget Range: $1200-1500
System Usage from Most to Least Important: mostly audio production, some minor video editing, internet browsing, streaming video, etc.
Are you buying a monitor: Yes - probably the Asus VS248H-P 24-Inch Full-HD LED-lit LCD Monitor – $170 Amazon ($20 rebate)
Do you need to buy OS: Yes
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com or amazon.com
Location: Eau Claire, WI (USA)
Parts Preferences: none
Overclocking: Not a necessity, but I'd like to try it since it looks like many people have gotten good results with the processor I've chosen.
SLI or Crossfire: No
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080
Additional Comments: The quieter the better. Not worried too much about looks. Quality and reliability are my main concerns.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I currently have a laptop only, and would like a desktop setup with a large monitor. My laptop is almost 8 years old and it isn't able to play back large musical scores (full band, orchestra, 20-30 tracks) in my current software (Sibelius, Pro Tools) using software instruments without distortion/crashing.
Here is what I am considering based on some research I've done. Haven't build a computer before, so I'm sorry if I am way off with what I've selected.
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K (8M cache, 4.4Ghz, 4 core, up to 32GB ram, 2 channels DDR3-1333/1600, FCLGA1150 socket) – $317 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KPRWAX8/ref=gno_cart_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
MOBO: MSI ATX DDR3 2600 LGA 1150 Motherboards Z97 GAMING 7 – $180 Amazon
4 memory slots, 3 PCI-E x16 3.0, 4 PCI-E x1, 8 SATA ports, 1 display port, 1 HDMI, 14x10.6x3.2 inches, 1 M.2 slot, Killer E2205 Gigabit LAN
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-DDR3-2600-Motherboards-GAMING/dp/B00K23BZTA/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1415512765&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=MSI+ATX+DDR3+2600+LGA+1150+Motherboards+Z97+GAMING+7
MEMORY: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHZ (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (CMZ32GX3M4A1600C9) – $340 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Desktop-Memory-CMZ32GX3M4A1600C9/dp/B0086THGI6/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415512798&sr=1-4&keywords=Corsair+Vengeance+32GB+%284x8GB%29+DDR3+1600+MHZ
SSD: SanDisk Extreme PRO 240GB SATA 6.0Gb/s 2.5-Inch 7mm Height Solid State Drive (SSD) With 10-Year Warranty- SDSSDXPS-240G-G25 – $164 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Extreme-2-5-Inch-Warranty--SDSSDXPS-240G-G25/dp/B00KHRYRNM/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415513082&sr=1-1&keywords=SanDisk+Extreme+PRO+240GB+SATA+6.0Gb%2Fs+2.5-Inch+7mm+Height+Solid+State+Drive
HDD: WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache - WD10EZEX – $52 Amazon
(Will probably buy 2 of these so that I have an extra to use for internal backup.)
http://www.amazon.com/WD-Blue-Desktop-Hard-Drive/dp/B0088PUEPK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415513197&sr=1-1&keywords=WD+Blue+1+TB+Desktop+Hard+Drive%3A+3.5+Inch%2C+7200+RPM%2C+SATA+6+Gb%2Fs%2C+64+MB+Cache+-+WD10EZEX
PSU: Corsair Builder Series CX 600 Watt ATX/EPS 80 PLUS (CX600) – $62 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Builder-Watt-EPS%C2%A0-CX600/dp/B0092ML0OC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415513315&sr=1-1&keywords=Corsair+Builder+Series+CX+600+Watt+ATX%2FEPS++80+PLUS+%28CX600%29
GPU: (Looking for recommendations for a low/mid-range Nvidia Graphics Card. The software I use most recommends a GPU in order to get the best performance.)
OPTICAL: LG WH16NS40 Super Multi Blue Internal SATA 16x Blu-ray Disc Rewriter – $59 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/LG-WH16NS40-Internal-Blu-ray-Rewriter/dp/B00E7B08MS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415513432&sr=1-1&keywords=LG+WH16NS40+Super+Multi+Blue+Internal+SATA+16x+Blu-ray+Disc+Rewriter
WIRELESS: (needed)
CASE: Cooler Master N400 - Mid Tower Computer Case with ATX Motherboard Support, Multiple 240mm Radiator Support, and Ventilated Front Panel – $60.00 Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-N400-Motherboard-Ventilated/dp/B00DOZHJU2/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1415513538&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=ooler+Master+N400+-+Mid+Tower+Computer+Case+with+ATX+Motherboard+Support%2C+Multiple+240mm+Radiator+Support%2C+and+Ventilated+Front+Panel
Although, I really like the looks, extra front inputs, and rack mounting capability of cases similar to this one (if anyone has any recommendations):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007X8TQYI/ref=gno_cart_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
FANS: (I don't know what I'll need here. These were a couple that looked like good options.)
Cooler Master JetFlo 120 - POM Bearing 120mm High Performance Silent Fan for Computer Cases, CPU Coolers, and Radiators – $17.00 Amazon
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2) ($37 Amazon)
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