Computer build for Gaming/Blender

[Scorch48202]

Hey all, I'm going to build my first PC in a couple of weeks so I'd just like to make sure I'm going about this correctly. The only thing I've done before is replace GFX Cards. Here's what I'm going to be getting -

OS - Windows 7

MOBO - Gigabyte Intel Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128546

CPU - Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

Power Supply - Thermaltake Black Widow W0319RU 850W ATX 12V v2.3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153106

GFX Card - GeForce GTX 680
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130799

HDD - WD Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

SSD - SAMSUNG 840 Series MZ-7TD120BW 2.5" 120GB SATA III Internal (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147188

RAM - CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233299

Wifi Card - SUS PCE-N15 Wireless Adapter
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320074

CD/DVD Drive - ASUS 24X DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Case - Rosewill THOR V2-White Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147158

OR

Rosewill BLACKHAWK Gaming ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147107


Does this look right? Will everything work just fine?

If you're going to suggest a different PSU, I already bought the Black Widow. It was about half off when I got it.

I don't really know much about SSD's, except that they're faster with loading times (is that right?). If someone can suggest a better one, I'd appreciate it. I'm going to install 3 games, Blender and my OS on it.

As for cases, I'm kinda stuck between those two. Will the mid tower have room for a second 680, possibly a second HDD? If I decide to add both later on, I'd like to be able to fit everything in either case.

 

[darth pravus]

I've got no experience with either of those case.

I can tell you a 4gb 680 isn't worth it. Get a 2gb one with aftermarket heatsink and throw in a hyper212 evo for your CPU cooler.

 

[Scorch48202]

Which cases have you used? I was leaning towards the THOR V2 but if the Blackhawk can fit 2 680's and another hdd later on, I might as well go with that. I'll probably look at the feedback to see if anyone has SLI'd with either.

There's not really much of a difference between the 680 2gb and 4gb?

 

[darth pravus]

I have a phantom laying in my room for another build but I use a haf 932 which is great.

The 4gb show no practical advantage

 

[sam_p_lay]

4GB may well be beneficial for future games, but not today's games. Since you're clearly not holding back on CPU and graphics, why not get an 840 Pro SSD? I'd personally prefer an 840 Pro and GTX670 than an 840 and GTX680 (since the GTX680 only adds ~6% on average over the GTX670). Looks like a solid setup though.

 

[sam_p_lay]

And purely interms of looks, I'd take the first case :-D

 

[sam_p_lay]

An expensive SSD isn't needed for this type of setup. Any decent SSD in slave mode will be fine.

What do you mean by 'this kind of setup'? Looks like a high-end setup to me. No compromise in CPU and graphics so why compromise on SSD? And why slave mode? The whole point of an SSD is to run it as a system drive for running Windows and software from.

 

[sam_p_lay]

Unless OP is planning on buying two SSDs (which he's made no mention of), he should buy one excellent SSD. Why have you gone from arguing for a lesser SSD to arguing for TWO SSDs?

 

[Scorch48202]

Its clear you never tested the difference between a ssd as primary vs slave mode...

To be clear anyone doing serious 3d work short of having a render farm should have their 3d programs on a slave drive. Of course it could be on primary but this is a "high end" build. Why put the 3d apps on a drive that is going to be accessed by the OS and every running app?

EDIT: setup I seen many use was with Quadro cards and they had the following setup...

SSD 1: OS, all apps but maya, photoshop, 3d cad.
SSD 2: maya, photoshop, 3d cad
HDD 1: output from SSD 2 apps

I was going to put Battlefield 3, Borderlands 2, Guild Wars 2, Windows 7 and Blender on the SSD. Everything else will go on the HDD.

As for Blender, I was going to be using it heavily. Making high quality models and textures with huge open areas and cities. Would it be bad to put it on an SSD, or it won't matter either way?

I was actually going to get the 670 at first but if it's only that much of a difference I might as well go back to it. I could put the extra $100 or so towards something else.

I'm only going to be getting 1 SSD and 1 HDD. I'll probably add more later on if I need them.

 

[sam_p_lay]

Good choice - some of the extra could go on the SSD ;-) Not sure if anything else is worth adding to, looks like a solid setup to me. I wouldn't buy a Thermaltake PSU though - they're not highly regarded at all for reliability. I've only owned one, had a five-year warranty which was encouraging. Only lasted six months though.

Get something Seasonic-built - XFX, Silverpower SP-Sxxx / SP-SxxxM / SP-SS lines, PC Power & Cooling Silencer series and Silencer Mk III series or obviously actual Seasonic-branded units.

 

[sam_p_lay]

Speaking of SSD lifetime, it's a good argument against the non-Pro 840. Don't get me wrong, the 840 definitely isn't a bad drive, but the 830's real successor is the 840 Pro. The non-Pro 840 uses TLC NAND, which has half the write/erase endurance of MLC NAND (which is what's normally used in consumer SSDs such as the 830 and 840 Pro). It'll still last years, but not as many years. If you don't want to spend more, I'd grab an 830 (if you can) or an OCZ Vertex 4. If you're happy to spend a little extra, 840 Pro is as good as it gets for consumer SSDs (or alternatively the OCZ Vector).

 

[jpoos]

if you're pushing that much data that increased i/o can make a difference in the drive arena then have a hunt around. i myself had considered a single 240gb~ drive but after seeing discounts on drives + introduction of trim support to intel raid controllers i decided to go with 2 disks rather than 1

 

[jpoos]

Unless OP is planning on buying two SSDs (which he's made no mention of), he should buy one excellent SSD. Why have you gone from arguing for a lesser SSD to arguing for TWO SSDs?

http://postimage.org/image/8s6kwr0jv/ [IMG]
there's the case for more than one ssd, providing you can properly utilize it. as for degredation, stilll expect even a consumer ssd drive to last longer than the magnetic based storage you have in you computer by several years. quite shockingly over the past 5 years i've owned 4 different ssd's personally with absolutely no complaints about any of them however i've had several hdd's go boom on me, losing alot of invaluable time & data. the sooner i can get away from tradition magnetic storage mediums the better, they are far too unreliable for my liking.

 

[Scorch48202]

Speaking of SSD lifetime, it's a good argument against the non-Pro 840. Don't get me wrong, the 840 definitely isn't a bad drive, but the 830's real successor is the 840 Pro. The non-Pro 840 uses TLC NAND, which has half the write/erase endurance of MLC NAND (which is what's normally used in consumer SSDs such as the 830 and 840 Pro). It'll still last years, but not as many years. If you don't want to spend more, I'd grab an 830 (if you can) or an OCZ Vertex 4. If you're happy to spend a little extra, 840 Pro is as good as it gets for consumer SSDs (or alternatively the OCZ Vector).

Alright, for SSD I'll go with the SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD128BW 2.5" 128GB , GFX Card - 670, Case - Rosewill Blackhawk.

As for the PSU, I already own the black widow. It was on sale for about $60 when I got it, I couldn't resist. I won't be too disappointed if it doesn't last long.

I would believe I'm set now, or is am I missing something?

Thanks for the help everyone. I really appreciate it!

I'm fine with HDD's. They've been reliable enough for me to keep using them. A Dell my dad bought in 2002 is still working today perfectly fine. The only thing that has ever completely stopped working for me is one of my 16 gb thumb drive. I had filled it up and I was pissed off after everything I tried doing didn't get it to work. I don't even remember what I had on it but it still bothers me that I can't get it to work. It's the "USB device not recognized" deal.