Since my previous post, I began tweaking my system specifications using some of the suggestions given to me on this fourm to get my system within my established budget with some degree of success. You can view my previous post with the following link
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/350995-31-first-time-...
I have several questions in this post for the community. Should I continue with Ivy Bridge or consider an X79/Core i7-3820 based build for a similar price? The reason I ask this is that I perceive a possible advantage for the graphics applications I plan on using with my build. Not only that, but I also have the option to upgrade to a six core processor in the future. What are the pro and cons between Ivy Bridge and Sandy Bridge-E? I also have a question regarding cases. Are either the Antec Three Hundred Two or NZXT Phantom 410 adequate for the kind of build that I am doing? Or, should I consider the case I previously picked, the Corsair 600t? The problem here that I need to keep my system within my established budget with minimal impact on performance, functionality, and expandability. However, I probably will not need all the bells and whistles of a premium case. A less extravagant case was one of the suggestions I was given to get the cost of my system within my budget.
Approximate purchase date- This summer
Budget Range: My budget limit has established at approximately $2200 including the monitor.
System Usage: Gaming (including modding PC games), game design, graphic design (including Adobe CS6 applications such as Photoshop & Illustrator) 2D/3D modeling & animation (I plan on installing the Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite programs and Pixologic Z-brush), regular school work, and general entertainment (music, films etc.)
Parts not required: speakers
Preferred website(s) for parts: newegg.com
Country: United States
Parts Preferences: Intel for CPUs. I have no specific preference for the other components.
Overclocking: This may be a compelling project to try at some point in the future. The prospect of it happening though is unlikely
SLI or Crossfire: I plan on starting with a single graphics card. The possibility of setting up multiple graphics cards down the road depends on if I can do this with a dedicated sound card occupying on of the PCI Express 1x slots.
Monitor Resolution: 1920x1200 is the optimal resolution I am aiming for. I cannot go higher as a result of budget constraints.
Additional comments: The computer system that I am looking for must be able to comfortably play bleeding-edge games at rock solid frame rates and their complete visual glory (60 frames per second at max settings is highly preferable). I am also little weary of the motherboard I picked as a result of bad reviews on newegg.com despite the excellent reviews from the media. Nonetheless, I find this motherboard to be the idea pick for me so far given features and budget constraints.
Here is the updated Specifications for this build-
CPU- Intel Core i7 3770k- $349.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
CPU Cooler- Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO- $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Motherboard- Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H- $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Memory- CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M2A1600C9 $134.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Hard Drive- Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB- $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
SSD- OCZ Vertex 4 128GB- $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Optical Drive- ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS- $19.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Graphics Card- EVGA Geforce GTX 670- $399.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Monitor- Dell Ultrasharp U2410- $529.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Case- Antec Three Hundred Two- $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
OR
NZXT Phantom 410- $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Power Supply- SeaSonic Platinum-860- $189.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Keyboard- Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard- $46.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Mouse- RAZER Abyssus- $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Operating System- Windows 7 Professional 64-bit OEM- $139.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...