- Mar 9, 2012
- 13
- 0
- 10,510
(Feel free to skip the fluff and get to the actual build stuff below - though I did try to make it moderately entertaining.)
Back in the dark ages, I was a PC-building machine - designing and building my own rigs from back in the early Pentium days. Actually, the first system I built was a 486 DX2/66 back in 1994 (which, depressingly, means I'll likely be receiving advice from people who weren't even [strike]born[/strike] in school when I did my first build). I can remember building rigs with 3dfx cards (including the first SLI with Voodoo2s nearly 14 years ago) and the very first GeForce card (the 256). All that to say that I have - or rather, had, a history. In fact, I used to be the guy all my friends asked for advice. Until...
In 2005, I did something for which I'll probably be shunned by the TH community... I bought a Mac Pro.
It was for my business (I'm a professional photographer), and it quickly became my primary computer for every task - except gaming, of course. My PC at the time still sufficed for playing older games, but it became quickly outdated. So in 2008, I rebuilt the system: a Core 2 Duo E8400 with 4GB (though my 32-bit XP system could only see 3.25) and a GTX 260. Though it's been a reasonable gaming machine over the years, it has clearly gotten very long in the tooth and it's time to do a new build.
But here's where things get tricky. Since I haven't done a build in four years, my skills and knowledge have all faded to practically nil. After all, I use a Mac most of the time (an 8-core Nehalem w/16gb, an SSD boot and a 3 TB Striped RAID), so I never have to tweak, mod, adjust or fix anything... it just works. All the time. So you can imagine the combination of excitement and trepidation as I embark on building a gaming PC to last me for the next four to five years.
Which is what brings me here - to Tom's and the helpful forums. I've done my research; I've looked at articles and tests, comparisons and features; I've read reviews and forum posts until my eyes started bleeding. So I'm not going into this completely blind - but I'm willing to admit that I don't have the edge that I once had... so I'm hoping you all can help me figure out if I'm on-target or not, and -- if not -- where I can make adjustments that will be most effective.
Because I'm a forum newbie, I read the sticky *How To Ask For New Build Advice* and will try to follow that template as closely as possible. Thanks in advance for your help.
====================================
Approximate Purchase Date: Almost certainly this month, probably next week. If the enthusiast or top-end Kepler GPUs were scheduled for release soon, I'd delay - but from what I could find out, that's Q4 2012 or Q1 2013.
Budget Range: $1500-$2000. The cheaper, the better - but my goal is to build a system that will last as long as possible (though I'm well aware that future-proofing is, of course, impossible). That means I'm planning on spending money on a quality case and PSU, so those can stay through the next build.
System Usage: This will be almost exclusively used for gaming, though I'll want to be able to watch Blu-Ray movies from time to time. My Mac Pro will still be my primary computer for work (Lightroom 4, HDR Efex Pro and Photoshop CS5) as well as e-mail, internet browsing, etc.
Parts Not Required: I'll retain my current Logitech keyboard, Razer Lycosa mouse, Apple 23" cinema display (1920 x 1200), speakers, and my Wireless-N adapter, so the budget does not include those parts. Also, I have a Creative SB X-Fi in my current system that I can transfer over if needed, but I understand newer mobos offer more than adequate sound (with, presumably, less annoyance than Creative's drivers and apps).
Preferred Website for Parts: newegg.com, though I'm open to suggestions.
Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, Nvidia GPU
Overclocking: I'll probably not dive into OC'ing right away, but I still want the option - but only to the extent that an air-cooled system can support, as liquid-cooling is way beyond my comfort zone. Reliability is more important to me than bleeding-edge performance.
SLI: I'd rather start with one card to stay in my budget; then, in a few months, I can always add a second card if needed/desired. So the answer is "maybe, eventually".
Additional Comments: My focus is on system flexibility, longevity and overall reliability.
With all that, here's the build I'm currently considering (along with questions where applicable):
Motherboard:
EVGA Z68 FTW
This is the area where I feel the least knowledgeable. Is the Z68 really the chipset I really want? I think so, but... shrug. I know I want USB 3.0 (including a front-panel header) and SATA 6gb/s, as well as eSATA - but other than that, I'm not sure. What I know I want is reliability - so when I see a bunch of 1-star reviews with dead mobos and RMAs, I look elsewhere... regardless of performance or features. It's one thing to RMA a memory stick or even a video card, but replacing a mobo is too much of a hassle.
CPU
Intel i5 2500k
The main question here is whether it's worth $100 more to jump to the i7 2600k. I'm leaning strongly against moving off the 2500k simply because of value v. performance, but I'm open to options.
RAM
Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1600
If it's good enough for the $2400 Tom's build a couple months ago, it's good enough for me.
Graphics
EVGA GTX 570 1280mb
I'd initially considered a 580, but for budgetary reasons, have reverted to the 570. I'll likely never go to a dual-monitor setup, but I'll always like gaming on a large, high-res display. I'm looking at a 27" to replace my 23" Apple cinema display, but even those are still the same resolution - 1920x1200. I am considering adding a second 570 to the system in several months, but am not sure what gains I'll see, given that I'm using a single monitor. Open to thoughts on this.
Case
Corsair Obsidian 650
If I could use the case that Apple uses for its Mac Pro, I would - unbelievable ease of use, access, build quality, etc. But that's not an option, so the 650 looks like the next best bet. Yes, it's more case than I need - but its cable management and airflow are excellent, and the build quality looks rock-solid. It's pricier than other options, but it's a good deal right now ($149 after promo code and rebate).
Power
SeaSonic X-850
This definitely seems like overkill, but I want longevity and reliability. Pricewise, I'd prefer the Corsair HX750 as it's $70 cheaper, but I'm concerned that if/when I do go SLI, I'll need the extra 100w. Will I? Or can I shave $70 off here and use it better elsewhere in the build?
SSD
Corsair Force GT 120
I went SSD for boot on my MacPro two years ago when I built my Nehalem 8-core machine, and I can't ever go back to a mechanical boot drive. While I've got a 240 on my work machine, I think 120 would suffice for a boot for a gaming system. After all, it'll only hold the OS and primary apps - all the games will have to still settle for being on a mechanical. SSD users, have you found that 120 is enough? Maybe it's too much, and I can drop down to 80gb?
HDD
WD Caviar Black 1 TB
It's just unfortunate timing that I'm building a system in the middle of a hard-drive shortage, but so be it. Still, I want reliability. WD wasn't always reliable, but the last two Seagate drives I had failed in less than a year, so I'm never going back to them. I've been running 3 WD 1.0 TB drives in my MacPro (striped RAID) and they work beautifully (though they are enterprise grade devices).
ODD
LG something-or-other
While I don't need a BR-burner, the price is right and the reviews look decent.
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. Figured I don't need a link for this, since it's not really up for discussion, but it does add $140 to my budget (OEM).
Cooler
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Evo
It seemed to do well in the tests I've read, but this is another area where I lack thorough knowledge, so any input is appreciated.
As it stands, all the components listed above come to just under $2k after tax and shipping ($1,920.16 after mail-in rebates), so I'm pretty close to the top of my range.
Well, that about wraps it up. Thanks in advance for your input, and I hope to make my final decisions - and place my order - in the next few days. Looking forward to the build!
Back in the dark ages, I was a PC-building machine - designing and building my own rigs from back in the early Pentium days. Actually, the first system I built was a 486 DX2/66 back in 1994 (which, depressingly, means I'll likely be receiving advice from people who weren't even [strike]born[/strike] in school when I did my first build). I can remember building rigs with 3dfx cards (including the first SLI with Voodoo2s nearly 14 years ago) and the very first GeForce card (the 256). All that to say that I have - or rather, had, a history. In fact, I used to be the guy all my friends asked for advice. Until...
In 2005, I did something for which I'll probably be shunned by the TH community... I bought a Mac Pro.
It was for my business (I'm a professional photographer), and it quickly became my primary computer for every task - except gaming, of course. My PC at the time still sufficed for playing older games, but it became quickly outdated. So in 2008, I rebuilt the system: a Core 2 Duo E8400 with 4GB (though my 32-bit XP system could only see 3.25) and a GTX 260. Though it's been a reasonable gaming machine over the years, it has clearly gotten very long in the tooth and it's time to do a new build.But here's where things get tricky. Since I haven't done a build in four years, my skills and knowledge have all faded to practically nil. After all, I use a Mac most of the time (an 8-core Nehalem w/16gb, an SSD boot and a 3 TB Striped RAID), so I never have to tweak, mod, adjust or fix anything... it just works. All the time. So you can imagine the combination of excitement and trepidation as I embark on building a gaming PC to last me for the next four to five years.
Which is what brings me here - to Tom's and the helpful forums. I've done my research; I've looked at articles and tests, comparisons and features; I've read reviews and forum posts until my eyes started bleeding. So I'm not going into this completely blind - but I'm willing to admit that I don't have the edge that I once had... so I'm hoping you all can help me figure out if I'm on-target or not, and -- if not -- where I can make adjustments that will be most effective.
Because I'm a forum newbie, I read the sticky *How To Ask For New Build Advice* and will try to follow that template as closely as possible. Thanks in advance for your help.
====================================
Approximate Purchase Date: Almost certainly this month, probably next week. If the enthusiast or top-end Kepler GPUs were scheduled for release soon, I'd delay - but from what I could find out, that's Q4 2012 or Q1 2013.
Budget Range: $1500-$2000. The cheaper, the better - but my goal is to build a system that will last as long as possible (though I'm well aware that future-proofing is, of course, impossible). That means I'm planning on spending money on a quality case and PSU, so those can stay through the next build.
System Usage: This will be almost exclusively used for gaming, though I'll want to be able to watch Blu-Ray movies from time to time. My Mac Pro will still be my primary computer for work (Lightroom 4, HDR Efex Pro and Photoshop CS5) as well as e-mail, internet browsing, etc.
Parts Not Required: I'll retain my current Logitech keyboard, Razer Lycosa mouse, Apple 23" cinema display (1920 x 1200), speakers, and my Wireless-N adapter, so the budget does not include those parts. Also, I have a Creative SB X-Fi in my current system that I can transfer over if needed, but I understand newer mobos offer more than adequate sound (with, presumably, less annoyance than Creative's drivers and apps).
Preferred Website for Parts: newegg.com, though I'm open to suggestions.
Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, Nvidia GPU
Overclocking: I'll probably not dive into OC'ing right away, but I still want the option - but only to the extent that an air-cooled system can support, as liquid-cooling is way beyond my comfort zone. Reliability is more important to me than bleeding-edge performance.
SLI: I'd rather start with one card to stay in my budget; then, in a few months, I can always add a second card if needed/desired. So the answer is "maybe, eventually".
Additional Comments: My focus is on system flexibility, longevity and overall reliability.
With all that, here's the build I'm currently considering (along with questions where applicable):
Motherboard:
EVGA Z68 FTW
This is the area where I feel the least knowledgeable. Is the Z68 really the chipset I really want? I think so, but... shrug. I know I want USB 3.0 (including a front-panel header) and SATA 6gb/s, as well as eSATA - but other than that, I'm not sure. What I know I want is reliability - so when I see a bunch of 1-star reviews with dead mobos and RMAs, I look elsewhere... regardless of performance or features. It's one thing to RMA a memory stick or even a video card, but replacing a mobo is too much of a hassle.
CPU
Intel i5 2500k
The main question here is whether it's worth $100 more to jump to the i7 2600k. I'm leaning strongly against moving off the 2500k simply because of value v. performance, but I'm open to options.
RAM
Corsair Vengeance 8GB 1600
If it's good enough for the $2400 Tom's build a couple months ago, it's good enough for me.
Graphics
EVGA GTX 570 1280mb
I'd initially considered a 580, but for budgetary reasons, have reverted to the 570. I'll likely never go to a dual-monitor setup, but I'll always like gaming on a large, high-res display. I'm looking at a 27" to replace my 23" Apple cinema display, but even those are still the same resolution - 1920x1200. I am considering adding a second 570 to the system in several months, but am not sure what gains I'll see, given that I'm using a single monitor. Open to thoughts on this.
Case
Corsair Obsidian 650
If I could use the case that Apple uses for its Mac Pro, I would - unbelievable ease of use, access, build quality, etc. But that's not an option, so the 650 looks like the next best bet. Yes, it's more case than I need - but its cable management and airflow are excellent, and the build quality looks rock-solid. It's pricier than other options, but it's a good deal right now ($149 after promo code and rebate).
Power
SeaSonic X-850
This definitely seems like overkill, but I want longevity and reliability. Pricewise, I'd prefer the Corsair HX750 as it's $70 cheaper, but I'm concerned that if/when I do go SLI, I'll need the extra 100w. Will I? Or can I shave $70 off here and use it better elsewhere in the build?
SSD
Corsair Force GT 120
I went SSD for boot on my MacPro two years ago when I built my Nehalem 8-core machine, and I can't ever go back to a mechanical boot drive. While I've got a 240 on my work machine, I think 120 would suffice for a boot for a gaming system. After all, it'll only hold the OS and primary apps - all the games will have to still settle for being on a mechanical. SSD users, have you found that 120 is enough? Maybe it's too much, and I can drop down to 80gb?
HDD
WD Caviar Black 1 TB
It's just unfortunate timing that I'm building a system in the middle of a hard-drive shortage, but so be it. Still, I want reliability. WD wasn't always reliable, but the last two Seagate drives I had failed in less than a year, so I'm never going back to them. I've been running 3 WD 1.0 TB drives in my MacPro (striped RAID) and they work beautifully (though they are enterprise grade devices).
ODD
LG something-or-other
While I don't need a BR-burner, the price is right and the reviews look decent.
OS - Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. Figured I don't need a link for this, since it's not really up for discussion, but it does add $140 to my budget (OEM).
Cooler
CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Evo
It seemed to do well in the tests I've read, but this is another area where I lack thorough knowledge, so any input is appreciated.
As it stands, all the components listed above come to just under $2k after tax and shipping ($1,920.16 after mail-in rebates), so I'm pretty close to the top of my range.
Well, that about wraps it up. Thanks in advance for your input, and I hope to make my final decisions - and place my order - in the next few days. Looking forward to the build!
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