$1500 New Build Advice...Does this look good?

[MPiland]

Ok, I've stalked these forums a lot in the past and figured I'd ask you guys some advice. I'm currently looking to build a new PC for some gaming, but mainly for 3D modelling including programs like Maya, 3DS Max, Houdini, etc.

Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as Ivy Bridge is released at the end of this month

Budget Range: ~$1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: 3D Design and gaming primarily

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, mouse, monitors, battery back-up. Also, my friend is giving me an 850W PSU SLI ready and (2) GTX 560 graphics cards

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Where I can get the cheapest price

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: I prefer Asus mobos, but other than that...whichever is reliable

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: SLI

Monitor Resolution: At least 1080

Additional Comments: I would prefer the case be quiet, but more importantly have good airflow

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So far these are the parts I'm looking at:

RAM: G.SKILL Sniper Gaming Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL9Q-16GBSR

SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos MKNSSDCR120GB 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

DVD: LG Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 10X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA 12X Super Multi Blue with 3D Playback & M-DISC Support WH12LS39 LightScribe Support - OEM

COOLER: CORSAIR H80 (CWCH80) High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler

MOBO: This is what I'm looking at right now...ASUS P8Z77-V LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Intel Motherboard or ASUS P8Z77-V DELUXE LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Intel Motherboard, although not exactly sure that I NEED the extreme lol

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate

THERMAL PASTE: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

I'm pretty set on going with IB because I have the time to wait, so why not? My biggest question is I need a good case (preferrably mid tower due to space constraints) that will handle the cooler and the dual GPUs, but will retain good air flow. I would like it to have a fan control, but if not, I'm fairly sure I could use software for that. I also want USB 3.0 on the front panels to be internal. I really like the Corsair, I'm just wondering how much I'd actually use that firewire. Not that it's a problem having it, but y'know...Also, is Asus still a good mobo company? What's the difference between Gigabyte, Asus, AsRock, etc.?

These are the cases I'm looking at right now:

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced Blue Edition

Bitfenix Raider Steel Black ATX USB3.0 Mid Tower Case

Corsair Carbide Series 500R

I'm not leaning to much toward the CM case due to the size and weight of that bad boy, but the airflow looks incredible. This should be a pretty solid build, right?

 

[azeem40]

ASUS Z77 Boards are already on newegg.

 

[MPiland]

Yeah, I saw that after I posted so I corrected my post. Thanks!

 

[MPiland]

Also, can anyone tell me if that voltage ram will work with that mobo?

 

[azeem40]

2133 MHz RAM is a waste of $. You will not notice any difference between it and 1600MHz.

 

[MPiland]

So, should I stick with memory like this G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM instead? I decided two stick would be better incase I want to add an additional 16gb later.

 

[Jim_L9]

Why Windows 7 Ultimate, do you need some of the features? I have to say that price for Win 7 Ultimate is good.

 

[MPiland]

I don't NEED it, but at that price, it's hard to pass up. I'll probably end up going with Home Professional, though.

 

[Jim_L9]

If you ever think you might use more than 16 GB of RAM then Professional is a good choice. Some reviews for Discount Mountain claim they sell OEM branded software for Dell, etc. which legally you can't use.

 

[MPiland]

Yeah, I'll probably upgrade in the future to 32gb, that's why I'm sticking with (2) 8gb sticks right now. And I didn't see that about the Dell Software and what not, I'll be careful about that. Thanks!

 

[MPiland]

Going to bump this once since I haven't gotten that many people to chime in. I'll probably start ordering these parts soon unless anyone has any other suggestions?

 

[Light Plasma]

Are you definitely sure that 2133Mhz memory is not usable in his new build?
I just got the feeling that I read a review a while ago, that said something along the lines, that memory over 1600Mhz could be utilized. Just trying to be helpful, no guarantee that I am not mistaken.

 

[hconduc]

First off what kind of CPU do you have or are you planning to buy

 

[MPiland]

I'll be getting the i7-3770k (I need the HT for the 3D apps I use) when it's released. This is why I'm shopping ahead of time to get everything in order.

 

[hconduc]

ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77

ASUS P8Z77 WS

GIGABYTE G1.Sniper 3

Those are some of the newer boards I've been looking at.

Then there's the new Maximus GENE V uATX at 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm. But is going to be expensive imo,
G1.Sniper is 30.5cm x 26.4cm an XL ATX board, keep in mind that this board wont fit Mid Tower Cases.

 

[MPiland]

The one I'm looking at right now is either the Asus p8z77-v pro or possibly deluxe. I'm just not sure I'd need everything that comes on the deluxe. The built-in bluetooth is cool, but don't know how much I'd use it. I saw that Maximus GENE V board, but I'm not a fan of it and it'll probably be out of my price range.

 

[Light Plasma]

Whats the differences?

 

[MPiland]

I ended up purchasing the pro. The deluxe comes with 2 more PCIe Gen 2 slots, but 1 less PCI slot. It also has built-in bluetooth, 2 eSata 6 GP/S ports, 2 more USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports on the back of the board, and a power/reset button. Other than those differences, they're essentially the same.

 

[MPiland]

Best answer selected by MPiland.