700$ Multipurpose New Build

[jamierin]

Hi there!

I've been clicking on computer related links to this site for years. Thought it would be a good place to ask for some last minute advice. -<(0.0)>-

This is my first attempt to build a computer. I'm not sure if I've picked everything I need or if everything is compatible. I want to make sure it's right for my needs. I'm upgrading from a Dell XPS 420 with Core 2 Quad 9450 that is five years old. I'd like to wait at least as long to buy another new computer. Thank you in advance for any help provided!! =^.^=
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Purchase Date: This week.

Budget Range: Approximately 700$

Mail-In Rebates: I don't count them. >.<

System Usage from Most to Least Important: 3D/2D Rendering, Toon Boom, Apophysis. Skyrim, Guild Wars 2, Internet, and Movies. GW2 might go up in priority when it bothers being released. =P

Parts Not Required: Monitor, GPU, HDDs, CD/DVD

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Tiger Direct. Amazon. I'm not opposed to others though.

Country: US

Parts Preferences: I want to be able to easily upgrade for a while.

Overclocking: Maybe. Doubtful. Should I? I've always been scared to.

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe. Not sure if I should.

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200

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Chassis A note here. I'd rather have something cute, or sleek, than flashy. I'm set on this price.
NZXT LEXS-001BK Lexa S Crafted Series Mid Tower PC Case

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5222598&sku=A406-1096



PSU
Thermaltake W0382RU Modular Power Supply - 750 Watt, 140mm Fan, 80 Plus Bronze, Active PFC

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=419877&sku=T925-3083



Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 Motherboard

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1165562&sku=G452-1047



CPU I'd like to see a big improvement here over my current computer.
Intel Core i5-2500K BX80623I52500 Unlocked Processor - Quad Core

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7073161&sku=I69-2500K



RAM
Corsair Vengeance Blue 16 GB DDR3

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RFBIUU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER



Keyboard/Mouse
Logitech Wireless Wave Combo Mk550

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VAHYNC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER



Wireless Card
Sabrent 802.11n Wireless PCI Controller Card

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4389486&sku=M501-4020


Parts I have:

XFX Radeon HD 5770
2 1TB Seagates 3.0gb/s
CD/DVD R/W

 

[g-unit1111]

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 Motherboard

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] =G452-1047

This would be a better choice for your motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

Chassis A note here. I'd rather have something cute, or sleek, than flashy. I'm set on this price.
NZXT LEXS-001BK Lexa S Crafted Series Mid Tower PC Case

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] =A406-1096

I like NZXT cases - they're among the best in the business but I don't like cases with doors at all, especially since I tend to build my systems with more than one optical drive (kind of my signature). This would be better for the money: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6531504&Sku=C283-2094

CPU I'd like to see a big improvement here over my current computer.
Intel Core i5-2500K BX80623I52500 Unlocked Processor - Quad Core

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] =I69-2500K

Not gonna get much better than that unless you want to fork over the cash for an X79 build.

Keyboard/Mouse
Logitech Wireless Wave Combo Mk550

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B [...] PDKIKX0DER

I have this same keyboard / mouse combo and while I normally like Logitech products, this one doesn't have a scroll lock button and frustrates the crap out of me. I actually have to plug in my cheapo wired USB keyboard to turn scroll lock off if it somehow gets activated. This would be a better choice: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5208985&Sku=M17-0076

PSU
Thermaltake W0382RU Modular Power Supply - 750 Watt, 140mm Fan, 80 Plus Bronze, Active PFC

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] =T925-3083

Thermaltake PSUs are not that great (some are, others aren't). It's kind of a gamble with them. And I've actually come to prefer wired PSUs over modular ones. And it's not in having less cables will improve your airflow, it's all in how you route them. Something like this would be a far better choice: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7195038&Sku=C13-2802

 

[angaddev]

Here's my $750 build, but for 3D rendering, how much will you do>
$750 - Budget - $779.92 w/o Rebates $759.92 with Rebates

CPU : Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor $230
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115072

Motherboard : ASUS P8P67 (REV 3.1) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131770

RAM : G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231277

CPU Cooler : COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103099

HDD : Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148767

PSU : Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371044

GPU : SAPPHIRE 100328L Radeon HD 6770 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102940

Case : Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147153

 

[angaddev]

You have to choose between a Rendering PC and a gaming. For a 3D renderer, you can pick up a FirePro card for sub-$200.