Time for a new computer

[motheninja]

Alright so currently my i7-970 paired with my gtx 260 really is not cutting it anymore. I had a GTX 295's but they died and had no warranty so I just popped in a gtx 260 to hold me over. So now instead of spending $2000 on a airplane ticket to go on a vacation, Iam going to spend that money on a new computer and I already have about $900 up, and another $400 if I sell my laptop. There is nothing to salvage out of my current rig except the SSD but it was one of the first ssd's and I'd rather just sell it and get a new Vertex or M4....


Approximate Purchase Date: by July 7th or so (I want to wait until the July 4th sales, Newegg has!)

Budget Range: My total budget is around $3000, but I need $1000 on a triple monitor setup

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Trading, Internet Browsing, Movies, Games,

Parts Not Required: I have a copy Windows 7 Premium and Professional

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, ncix, amazon, and site really as long as its not sketchy

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: None really....

Overclocking: Maybe if the computer doesnt cook my room!

SLI or Crossfire: Sure!

Monitor Resolution: 1920 X 1200 in a portrait mode so 3600 X 1920

Additional Comments: I would prefer a PC that did not heat up my whole room! My current rig literally bakes my room! Also Iam buying (3) 24" Asus Monitors, and an XFX Triple Display Stand. I need this for school work and trading.


So far is what Iam firm on:

XFX Triple Display Stand [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824994053&Tpk=xfx%20display]


Iam open to any monitors as long as they have the button on the bezel. I dont want the buttons on the side or something because when in portrait 3x1 or landscape I dont want to move the panels just to turn off the monitors.


For the actual PC:

Iam looking at getting the following:


CPU: Intel Core i7-3820
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 X 4GB) 2133Mhz (QUANTITY 2 for a total of 32GB of ram)
Mobo:Asus Sabertooth X79 Mobo
GPU: 7970 3GB Edition (not sure which brand, I prefer XFX or Asus)
SSD: 256GB Crucial M4 (or another top brand)
HDD: 2TB Western Digital Caviar Black
PSU: OCZ 1000W PSU (or similar)
Case: Open to suggestions for a cheaper case that is a full tower and a nice quality finish, I currently am thinking about the HAF X
Optical: Random DVD +/- RW


Costs:

CPU - $300
RAM - $250
Mobo - $330
GPU - $415 (seen it at this price before)
SSD - $150 (again, seen it at this price)
HDD - $100 (seen it)
PSU - $110 (seen it)
CASE - $125
DVD - $25
XFX Stand - $350
3X Monitors - $600
Keyboard - $100
Mouse - $100
_________________

$2905 Final Bill

Iam slickdeals member and I can get really cheap deals so the prices above are the prices I will pay or less....Any suggestions for better parts?

 

[eddieroolz]

One thing about going with a X79 setup. Unless you'll be doing a three-way SLI/CrossFire, the advantages are completely lost, and it looks like you only have a single card right now.

Also, the i7-3820 is multiplier locked, so you won't be able to overclock.

In terms of gaming performance, the i7-3770K or i5-3570K are on par with the i7-3820 and the two chips are also capable of reaching 4.4~4.5GHz on decent air cooling. That will blow its performance right past the i7-3820.

 

[FinneousPJ]

You don't need a new CPU yet, that 970 will do all the things you listed for years to come.

 

[motheninja]

One thing about going with a X79 setup. Unless you'll be doing a three-way SLI/CrossFire, the advantages are completely lost, and it looks like you only have a single card right now.

Also, the i7-3820 is multiplier locked, so you won't be able to overclock.

In terms of gaming performance, the i7-3770K or i5-3570K are on par with the i7-3820 and the two chips are also capable of reaching 4.4~4.5GHz on decent air cooling. That will blow its performance right past the i7-3820.

I did see that, but again, overclocking is something Iam not really interested. or atleast I dont want to overclock the CPU very much... At first I was thinking about getting a pair of gtx 670's but I want eyefinity and getting a pair of like 6950's is not worth it. I think a 7970 will hold me up for the next 2-3 years. I dont game very much, other than some online games....

 

[motheninja]

You don't need a new CPU yet, that 970 will do all the things you listed for years to come.

No doubt about that, but my dad is currently running a 2002 Dell Optiplex and needs a new computer. he is going to spend $700+ on a piece of crap dell desktop so Iam giving him mine. It should last him the next 10 years if not that...

 

[eddieroolz]

I did see that, but again, overclocking is something Iam not really interested. or atleast I dont want to overclock the CPU very much... At first I was thinking about getting a pair of gtx 670's but I want eyefinity and getting a pair of like 6950's is not worth it. I think a 7970 will hold me up for the next 2-3 years. I dont game very much, other than some online games....

Yes, if you don't game too much a 7970 will definitely be more than enough. In fact, it might be overkill and you can save some cash by going with a 7950.

Also, even if overclocking isn't your thing (for CPU), you won't gain much by going with a i7-3820. It only has 4 cores and a larger cache, which will help a bit in some games and productivity applications but definitely not worth the $300.

In fact, you can safely go with a i7-3570 (non-K) and pay $100 less, and still have 95% of the performance.

 

[FinneousPJ]

I agree you seem to be throwing too much cash at parts you don't need.

 

[motheninja]

Yes, if you don't game too much a 7970 will definitely be more than enough. In fact, it might be overkill and you can save some cash by going with a 7950.

Also, even if overclocking isn't your thing (for CPU), you won't gain much by going with a i7-3820. It only has 4 cores and a larger cache, which will help a bit in some games and productivity applications but definitely not worth the $300.

In fact, you can safely go with a i7-3570 (non-K) and pay $100 less, and still have 95% of the performance.

I dont game usually but sometimes I do like GTA IV. That and Racing Games.... I see the 1155 chipset similar to the 1156 chipset and 2011 similar to the 1366. I dont really like the 1155 chipset for some reason...

 

[motheninja]

I agree you seem to be throwing too much cash at parts you don't need.

meh, I always buy more than I need...

 

[elbert]

I would suggest the i7-3770k as its lower nanometer than the i7-3820. The i7-3820 is based on 32nm and will produce more heat then the newer i7-3770k 22nm CPU. Should run cool which was one of your requests. In most cases the i7-3770k will beat the i7-3820 while running cooler.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/523?vs=551

The i7-3770k takes far less power which must be dissipated as heat.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core-i7-3770k-i5-3570k_8.html#sect0

With power consumption lower than the old i5 2500k its a no brainer for a lower heat CPU.
http://www.techspot.com/review/523-ivy-bridge-intel-core-i7-3770k/page10.html

The i7 3770k is lower clocked than the i7 3820 but under use the i7 3770k's higher turbo boost gives it the advantage.

I suggest sticking with the AMD 7970, drop that 32GB's of RAM for 16, and you dont need 1k power for even 2 7970's. Only photoshop and 3d modeling needs that much RAM. This review has 2 with the entire system at 641. A good 850W would be more than enough.
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1834/11/

Here is a nice 16GB kit. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233281

Spend this extra cash on a larger SSD as all these programs will take a good deal of space.

 

[eddieroolz]

I dont game usually but sometimes I do like GTA IV. That and Racing Games.... I see the 1155 chipset similar to the 1156 chipset and 2011 similar to the 1366. I dont really like the 1155 chipset for some reason...

I know what you mean, once you go high-end and exclusive you don't want to back down to a mainstream product.

 

[motheninja]

I would suggest the i7-3770k as its lower nanometer than the i7-3820. The i7-3820 is based on 32nm and will produce more heat then the newer i7-3770k 22nm CPU. Should run cool which was one of your requests. In most cases the i7-3770k will beat the i7-3820 while running cooler.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/523?vs=551

The i7-3770k takes far less power which must be dissipated as heat.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core-i7-3770k-i5-3570k_8.html#sect0

With power consumption lower than the old i5 2500k its a no brainer for a lower heat CPU.
http://www.techspot.com/review/523-ivy-bridge-intel-core-i7-3770k/page10.html

The i7 3770k is lower clocked than the i7 3820 but under use the i7 3770k's higher turbo boost gives it the advantage.

I suggest sticking with the AMD 7970, drop that 32GB's of RAM for 16, and you dont need 1k power for even 2 7970's. Only photoshop and 3d modeling needs that much RAM. This review has 2 with the entire system at 641. A good 850W would be more than enough.
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1834/11/

Here is a nice 16GB kit. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233281

Spend this extra cash on a larger SSD as all these programs will take a good deal of space.

1. Alright if the 3770k runs cooler then I guess that is what Iam going with. Now I have to find a different mobo but there are tons of 1155 mobos compared to 2011!

2. Yep, I checked the power usage compared to a gtx 680 or 670 and the 7970 runs the coolest.

3. The thing is I dont like "downgrading". I currently run 24GB of Corsair Dominator @ 1600Mhz. I need to maintain that or increase it. Its one of my psychological flaws....

4. On the other hand, I ordered the XFX Triple Stand from newegg for just $370 after using my gift card.

5. My budget went up by $300. So it is now $3200 and I want to keep my laptop preferably.

 

[motheninja]

Alright here is my build v2:


CPU: i7-3770K ($325)
Ram: 16GB (2 X 8GB) 1866Mhz ($190)
Mobo:EVGA Z77 FTW ($330)
GPU: Radeon 3GB 7970 ($400)
Case: Silverstone Raven ($150)
SSD: 256GB Crucial M4 ($200)
HDD: 2TB Caviar ($100)
PSU: OCZ Fatal1ty 1000w PSU ($170)
__________________________________

Total: $1865

Iam pretty sure I can get away with a 700w PSU? I run a 1200W Thermaltake for my i7-970 and GTX 260, I know its overkill but I don't like to strain PSUs since I replaced TWO in like a time frame of about 4 months....

 

[eddieroolz]

For your Build V2, you can definitely get away with a 700W supply. For any modern single-GPU card, 600-650W is more than enough so with a 700W PSU, you have some leeway in case you add more fans, hard drives or overclock.

 

[elbert]

While it is important to not push the PSU near its breaking point its often the quality that keeps them running. Quality of the parts used and design. For these reasons I would suggest a seasonic, Antec, or Cooler Master. These company's are the oldest PSU makers and for good reason. Look at neweggs top rated PSU. While Corsair has got top of the list lately the other three have always been in the top ratings. Corsair has a 7 year warranty for their pro PSU's.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007657&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=58&description=&hisInDesc=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=

I would suggest the 900W Antec but Antec is all I buy. I haven't had a single one to fail in the 15 years I have been buying them.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371050

If you want the quietest possible power supply the Seasonic has best. For this perk tho it costs for quality.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151102

I should also point out that most PSU makers mark them near their limit on power output. Antec and Seasonic on the other hand marks theirs by lowest sigma. IE only about 1 percent can only produce the watt stated. For the Antec 900 you may get one that can produce 1000w or more.

 

[motheninja]

While it is important to not push the PSU near its breaking point its often the quality that keeps them running. Quality of the parts used and design. For these reasons I would suggest a seasonic, Antec, or Cooler Master. These company's are the oldest PSU makers and for good reason. Look at neweggs top rated PSU. While Corsair has got top of the list lately the other three have always been in the top ratings. Corsair has a 7 year warranty for their pro PSU's.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007657&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=58&description=&hisInDesc=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=

I would suggest the 900W Antec but Antec is all I buy. I haven't had a single one to fail in the 15 years I have been buying them.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371050

If you want the quietest possible power supply the Seasonic has best. For this perk tho it costs for quality.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151102

I should also point out that most PSU makers mark them near their limit on power output. Antec and Seasonic on the other hand marks theirs by lowest sigma. IE only about 1 percent can only produce the watt stated. For the Antec 900 you may get one that can produce 1000w or more.

I actually have a 650w seasonic right now in my dad's i5. Whisper silent and does the job. I was looking at a 750w seasonic that is on sale for just $85....

 

[FinneousPJ]

Cooler master is a big no on PSUs.

 

[eddieroolz]

Seasonic is an excellent choice, I got the X-850 myself.

 

[elbert]

I actually have a 650w seasonic right now in my dad's i5. Whisper silent and does the job. I was looking at a 750w seasonic that is on sale for just $85....

I wouldn't suggest their cheaper builds. Not all seasonics are the same. Just like Antecs basiq PSU are junk compared to the earthwatt design. Make sure its not a seasonic made for the big OEM system builders. This said I wouldn't suggest going cheap on the PSU. IF the 750 isn't a high quality version its not worth the risk. The two 750 watt versions I found on newegg both have low ratings. Seems a good percentage of these die within 4 months. May be a bad designed seasonic. Parts like these can often be made in separate locations with less quality control.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17-151-087&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=3#scrollFullInfo

I would suggest the X-850 as the reuse of a good PSU is always worth the quality price.

 

[motheninja]

I wouldn't suggest their cheaper builds. Not all seasonics are the same. Just like Antecs basiq PSU are junk compared to the earthwatt design. Make sure its not a seasonic made for the big OEM system builders. This said I wouldn't suggest going cheap on the PSU. IF the 750 isn't a high quality version its not worth the risk. The two 750 watt versions I found on newegg both have low ratings. Seems a good percentage of these die within 4 months. May be a bad designed seasonic. Parts like these can often be made in separate locations with less quality control.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17-151-087&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=3#scrollFullInfo

I would suggest the X-850 as the reuse of a good PSU is always worth the quality price.

Alright ordered the 3770K and 32GB of ram since it was on sale. Mobo unsure but I bought my case as well, HAF X. I went with a 850W Seasonic. I also bought a pair of 240GB OCZ Agility 3 SSDs. I got 2 free 550W psus from it! I also will just use a set of 2TB hdd's for my capture card. I decided to just get a single GPU, and I got the XFX Double D 3GB 7970. The mobo is currently unsure of so Iam going to do a little more research. I also need a set of monitors. Oh yeah I bought a Logitech G19 since my G15 r2 is nearly dead. I cant decided between the RAT 9 mouse or a Logitech G700....