Is this a balanced build? $2k-ish

MakoSix · Nov 17, 2011

Approximate Purchase Date: by 30 Nov

Budget Range: ~ $2000 USD

System Usage: Primarily gaming, photo/video editing, general usage

Parts Not Required: Monitor

Preferred Website: Prefer single online vendor with excellent CS/return/exchange policies - Amazon or NewEgg

Country: USA

Overclocking: Yes

SLI: Yes

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Comments: After my last computer, I'd really rather this system be fairly quiet. Also, I haven't built a system in a v long time, so assume I'm a noob builder.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

My current thoughts EDITED:

Case: Corsair 650D (still wonder about the noise level)

Mobo: Asus P8Z68-V Pro gen 3

CPU: i7-2600k

CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro H100

RAM: 8 GB Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz

PSU: Corsair AX850

GPU: EVGA GTX 590 Classified x1 or GTX 560 Ti Superclocked MB x 2 (big price diff between options)

SSD: Crucial 128GB 6Gb/s SATAiii CT128M4SSD2

HDD: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Black SATAiii 6Gb/s

ODD: LG 10x BluRay SATA writer

OS: Win 7 Pro

Keyboard: Logitech G19

Headset: Logitech G930

Is this a balanced build? I'm pretty sure this is way over $2k but I'm not wanting to do any upgrades for at least 1 year+.

TIA!

Proximon · Nov 18, 2011

Just get 8GB of RAM. There's a good G.skill Sniper 1866Mhz kit.

Do you really need to burn Blu-ray disks?

Win 7 Pro:
Virtual XP mode is OK for office type apps that need it, but not for gaming.
The real strength is the network automated backups. If you aren't going to use either of those features you don't need the Pro version.

Eddie C · Nov 18, 2011

I would go for a Corsair 650D, if you want to splash some money on a decent case - it has enough space for the Corsair H80 you plan on getting, while also fitting pretty much any graphics card out there, though that is not the best part - it looks so sleek :S

The PSU should be enough for your 2 GTX 570s, so you're good to go in that area. Meanwhile, while I am personally a Corsair fan, I would recommend the Crucial M4 128GB SSD over the one you're thinking about - it is more reliable and in benchmarks, it has crushed the Corsair SSD line from boot up, application and gaming speeds.

Might be worth going for the i7 2700K, considering the difference in price is so minuscule. Oh yeah, forgot to mention this, I don't see why you are going for the H80, when you could go for the H100, which is just a few dollars or more expensive. Think about it.

16GB is overkill, as the difference in performance between 8GB and 16GB is very small and not worth its price, so save some money. I wouldn't even buy a HDD if I were you - that is unless you don't mind paying twice the price.

candlelarbra5212 · Nov 18, 2011

It is balenced you could get away with 8GB of ram but its not that much more to chuck the extra in if you really want it. 1600mhz is the sweet spot there is really no point moving up as it wont give that much of a performance boost in the real world.
If you want to cut down costs here is what I would do.
First 8GB of RAM 1600
ASrock extreme 3 Mobo. (They all have really really good audio, but if you are a professional music editor or a complete audiophile the you may want to consider a sound card)
The 2500k is enough for gaming so unless its worth spending $100 on hyperthreading (useful for your video editing) then go the 2500k.
With the case it is really just personal preference. With your water cooling all you need is a place to put your radiator and then still have solid air flow for your graphics.
I like these cases (sorry about the aussie website but its way easier to navigate than newegg)
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_547&products_id=17170

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_547&products_id=15892

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_547&products_id=18722

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_547&products_id=16228

Now for the full towers
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_547&products_id=17340

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_547&products_id=6916

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_547&products_id=14840

This is one of my favorite but probable doesn't suit you
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_547&products_id=18284

Both those cases you are looking at look good as well, again its up to you to decide what you want it to look like, how much space inside you will need and how much you want to spend.

candlelarbra5212 · Nov 18, 2011

Eddie C :

The H100 has two 120mm ratiator so make sure you have enough space inside your case. (Your looking for an exaust with two 120mm fans next to each other.)
Why would he not need a HDD? He is doing video editing and gaming the SSD wont be enough.
Other that that I would follow this guys advice. 650D is a good case

MakoSix · Nov 18, 2011

Proximon :

Burning BluRay's...only thing I would be doing is backing up video stuff that I don't want to have on the system. However, that is not critical and a BD player/DVD writer would likely fill the bill as well.

If not win 7 pro, then which version, home premium? For $20 I though it worth it to have the XP virtual machine...my office version is old and I'm not looking to replace it yet.

I was thinking the 16 GB would be better when editing video. Can win 7 pro address that much RAM?

Proximon · Nov 18, 2011

Win 7 home Premium 64-bit can access 16GB, and no more. All higher versions can access 192GB

8GB is quite a bit. I can't really say what your video editing needs are though.

MakoSix · Nov 18, 2011

Eddie C :

That is a nice looking case...you think a mid-tower is big enough? And yes, the SSD I listed is actually a Crucial (actually that specific model) and not a Corsair, my bad. The HDD is for video files and other stuff I don't want taking up space on the SSD.

I started off with a 2500k, then jumped to the 2600k and you're right the 2700k may be the way to go....but this whole thing has been constantly sliding upwards on me pricewise. I need to draw the line at some point.

MakoSix · Nov 18, 2011

Proximon :

Thanks for the input. Seems several people feel 16 GB is a bit overkill. I just figured that kit was only $90 so why not 16...but I've been saying that a bit too much and am well over what I intended to spend initially. Shoot, initially I started off wanting to buy a $1500 tunkey system. Nowadays, my time home between deployments is usually short and I don't want to waste much time tweaking a build. That's why I'm looking for advise on a balanced/stable system.

JackNaylorPE · Nov 18, 2011

Proximon · Nov 18, 2011

JackNaylorPE :

There are advantages though Jack, they are actually easier to install in some ways and they don't put so much stress on the motherboard. They also take the heat generated by the CPU out of the case instead of dumping it into the interior air.

Not that I'm a big fan. I do like the H100 though. Excellent cooling and the other benefits I listed, as long as you have a case that will fit it. Not that it's a priority. A $30 air cooler will do the job just fine.

MakoSix · Nov 27, 2011

So I won't be home to build this for another 1.5 weeks and just found out that work has me leaving again right after the new year for another few months. Would this build be much less expensive then? Or will ordering it all tomorrow on NewEgg work out to about the same? (not even sure if any of this will be on sale tomorrow)

MakoSix · Nov 27, 2011

How would this compare to what I was already considering?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.770962

Proximon · Nov 28, 2011

It compares... not sure it's quite as good.

paradoxeternal · Nov 28, 2011

i do a lot of video editing myself and i think 8 GB is a decent amount of ram for it--however i would say go for 12 GB, as the more room the better. 16 might be overkill but if you get decently fast ram at 16 gigs then you won't need to upgrade the ram for a while

MakoSix · Nov 28, 2011

Getting close here. This works out to about $2020. What are the deficiencies or inefficiencies of the build listed below? Maybe the MOBO overkill? Some specific choices are due to being in stock or not versus a very similar model. Am I missing something for a complete build (already have a monitor and serviceable mouse).

SILVERSTONE RAVEN RV02B-EW Matte black reinforced plastic outer shell, 0.8mm Steel body ATX Full Tower Computer Case
$184.99

CORSAIR Professional Series HX850 (CMPSU-850HX) 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$169.99

GIGABYTE GA-Z68XP-UD5 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$254.99

Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000
$319.99

G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2
$49.99

EVGA 015-P3-1582-A1 GeForce GTX 580 (Fermi) Superclocked Batman Arkham City Edition 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$509.99

Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2CCA 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) with Transfer Kit
$214.99

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
$19.99

Rosewill Mechanical Keyboard RK-9000BR with Cherry MX Brown Switch
$109.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit
$139.99

Arctic Silver AA-1.75G Thermal Compound
$5.98

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R1 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 1366/1155
$34.99

Proximon · Nov 28, 2011

So you are going to make do without a HDD for a bit?

I think the Gigabyte UD4 would be just fine. I never really saw the purpose of any of Gigabyte's UD5 boards.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128507

MakoSix · Nov 29, 2011

Proximon :

Prox between the GA-Z68XP-UD4 and the P8Z68-V Pro gen 3, which do you take?

As for the HDD, a friend 'found' an unused 750 GB 3 GB/s at work that will hold me for a while...really trying to get back to the $2k mark (shipped if possible).

Eddie C · Nov 29, 2011

While the CM Hyper 212 Evo is a great CPU cooler, you need to understand how big it is and it may just cover some of your RAM slots, though if you don't plan on adding more in the future, then it won't be a problem for you.

Good idea on holding off on the HDD - they're too expensive right now, and since you will be gone after the New Year for a few months, when you return, prices should go back to normal.

On your question about if the parts will decrease in price - yes and no. The processors may decrease, once Intel release their new line Ivybridge. Other components, like the PSU, case, fans, motherboards will probably stay the same in price. In the end, you save a few bucks there and there, but hey - buy the components now and when you return from your work, you'll be able to start playing on a beast of a machine.

Proximon · Nov 29, 2011

MakoSix :

Probably the Asus because of the placement of the USB 3.0 port and the case you want to use.

MakoSix · Nov 30, 2011

Proximon :

Hmm, expand the choices a bit to between:

ASRock Z68 Extreme7 Gen3 (this just looks sexy!)

MSI Z68A-GD65 (G3)

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 or is the Deluxe a better deal?

GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3

Who wins then and why? Should I care about gen 3?

MakoSix · Nov 30, 2011

Eddie C :

If not the Hyper then which air cooler or do I go back to either an H80 or H100? I worry about the liquid coolers fitting but that's a valid concern for the air coolers too, I suppose...maybe more so.

Proximon · Nov 30, 2011

MakoSix :

Sorry, I was thinking that the case was "right-handed" but it's left. The ASRock board is nice and I have no objection beyond that bottom USB 3 socket.

MSI Z68A-GD65 (G3)

Not a big fan of MSI. They make products that review well but always seem to have longevity problems.

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3 or is the Deluxe a better deal?

The Deluxe ships with a USB 3.0 front panel, and your case of choice has none.... that makes it a good choice. But the ASRock has one too and comes with more cables and bells and whistles.

GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3

OK budget choice but the spacing between the first two PCI-E slots is too small.

Who wins then and why? Should I care about gen 3?

If it fits your budget the ASRock is the best board.

MakoSix · Dec 1, 2011

Proximon :

Cool. I'm almost done with the choosing, my last question is on the cooler. Would you think the h80 or h100 would fit in with the rest of this build?

madchemist83 · Dec 1, 2011

Asrock - no thank you
http://hardocp.com/article/2011/11/09/asrock_z68_extreme4_gen3_motherboard_review/
Asus - YES PLEASE
http://hardocp.com/article/2011/05/11/asus_p8z68v_pro_z68_chipset_motherboard_review/

Is this a balanced build? $2k-ish

Distinguished

Illustrious

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Distinguished

Illustrious

Distinguished

Distinguished

Titan

Illustrious

Distinguished

Distinguished

Illustrious

Distinguished

Distinguished

Illustrious

Distinguished

Distinguished

Illustrious

Distinguished

Distinguished

Illustrious

Distinguished

Distinguished

Share this page