$2500 Gaming/Media Playback/Video Encoding Build

[SgtSprinkles]

Just about to start my first build and would love some advice and feedback.

Approximate Purchase Date: Soon as Possible

Budget Range: $2000-2500

System Usage from Most to Least Important:

Gaming at max settings (Battlefield 3, Crysis 3, Borderlands )
Media Playback (HD-Audio Support via GPU HDMI port is a must)
Video Encoding/Editing
Miscellaneous PC Usage (Web browsing, Microsoft Office, etc.)

Parts Not Required: Windows 7 64 bit, also have 5 additional 3.5” HDD’s

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: No preference, whoever offers the lowest price.

Country: United States, Texas (Amazon charges tax here)

Parts Preferences: Intel 3770k, Nvidia GTX 670, 16gb memory, Lian-Li PC-A71F, motherboard and psu with above average amount of sata ports

Overclocking: Eventually, it’s not a huge priority right now, but I’d like to have the hardware capabilities to do it once I’m comfortable with it.

SLI or Crossfire: Unsure, seems that by the time I’d buy/need a second card, it’d be better to just buy a single current high end card.

Monitor Resolution:
1920x1080 60” 3D plasma for media playback and gaming
1920X1080 23” monitor for gaming, encoding, and general pc use (would eventually like to upgrade to a 3 monitor 5760X1080 set-up)

Additional Comments:

Alright, so this desktop will be used both at my desk and in my “home theater” set-up (using a 15ft hdmi cable). With that in mind, I’d like a build that is quiet, will last 5 or so years, and have room for expansion/upgrades.

This probably isn't the most reasonable request, but there seem to be hundreds of parts out there, so hopefully it's not impossible.

Here’s what I’m thinking:

Case: LIAN LI PC-A71F USB3.0 Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112343

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Green WD30EZRX 3TB IntelliPower 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136874

Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U2312HM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260055

GPU: EVGA 02G-P4-2670-KR GeForce GTX 670 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130782

PSU: CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX750 (CMPSU-750AX) 750W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139016

Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire Rapid SGK-4000-GKCL1-US USB or PS/2 Wired Gaming Mechanical Cherry Blue Switches Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823129002

Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145347

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H-WB LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128549

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018

Blu Ray Drive: Pioneer Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 10X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA Internal BD/DVD/CD Writer BDR-207DBKS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129067

SSD: Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148443

Mouse: Logitech G700 Black 13 Buttons Tilt Wheel USB RF Wireless Laser Gaming Mouse
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104377

 

[g-unit1111]

First off you're spending way too much on the case and peripherals, IMO. You could get an NZXT Switch 810 and save $100 there.

And that 256GB SSD doesn't justify the cost per GB - you could drop that to a 128GB and save some money there.

Also for what you need it to do - the extra threads of the i7-3770K will not be used, you could drop that to the i5-3570K and save another $100. You probably also don't need 16GB of RAM either.

 

[SgtSprinkles]

Thanks for the input.

I'm dead set on the current case and 16gb ram. Even if they aren't necessary, I don't mind spending the extra cash.

I chose the 3770k over the 3570k out of the hope that it would have greater long term sustainability (and that features such as hyper threading would have greater relevancy in the future) if that's not the case, then I'd love to save the $100. Same goes with the SSD.

Any compatibility problems with the build above if I replace the i7 with the i5?
Also, any recommendations for cost effective peripherals?

Thanks Again.

 

[bigcyco1]

Yeah ditch that case it's not even worth that IMO no case is worth more than 200.00 even if it could talk it's not worth that lol

 

[mpheng]

I believe the Antec P280 would be a better choice in case as it is similar in looks as well as it is $100 cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129179&Tpk=antec%20p280

 

[bigcyco1]

Check these out see if you like any

Case:Rosewill THOR V2 Gaming ATX Full Tower Computer Case, support up to E-ATX / XL-ATX, come with Four Fans - 1 x Front Red LED 230mm Fan, 1 x Top 230mm Fan, 1 x Side 230mm Fan, 1 x Rear 140mm Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147053#top

Case:COOLER MASTER HAF XM RC-922XM-KKN1 Black Mesh, Plastic, Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119257#top

Case:Corsair Obsidian Series 650D (CC650DW-1) Black Steel structure with black brushed aluminum faceplate ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139006#top

Case:COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0, Black Interior and Four Fans-1x 230mm front RED LED fan, 1x 140mm rear fan, 1x 230mm top fan, and 1x 230mm side fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160#top

Case:COOLER MASTER CM Storm Series Trooper (SGC-5000-KKN1) Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119245#top

Case:NZXT SWITCH 810 Matte Black CA-SW810-M1 Steel / Plastic ATX HYBIRD Full Tower Gaming Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146095#top

Case:NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black Steel / Plastic Enthusiast ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068#top

Case:Corsair Carbide Series 400R Graphite grey and black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Gaming Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008#top

Case:Corsair Graphite Series 600T CC600TM Mid-Tower Gaming Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139007#top

 

[bigcyco1]

i kept the motherboard & mouse you liked & 16gb ram that you want i went with a top notch 750W PSU that is not overpriced for SLI later in the future here my suggestion PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($188.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate SV35.5 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($417.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF XM (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($134.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($136.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHBS112-04 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($76.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VW246H 24.0" Monitor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G700 Wireless Laser Mouse ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2115.89
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-07-19 05:24 EDT-0400)

 

[bennaye]

Hmmmm...OP don't feel pressured to pick another case. If you're dead-set on picking the Lian-Li one, which you already said you are, then the case is perfectly fine, albeit overpriced compared to the alternatives listed above. I'll leave that aspect of the build alone. But imma drop a wall of text on you, so prepare yourself.

Peripherals could be better. For example, your keyboard has no keypad. Most people see that as basic functionality. Even the stock keyboards from Dell, Acer etc. have a keypad. Functionally speaking, the keyboard is pretty limited for a premium keyboard. No extra media keys or anything. The Logitech G110 would be a better purchase, imo. But if you're satisfied with the sacrifice of a keypad for mechanical switches, then by all means.
Also, WIRED>WIRELESS. For the casual gamer/computer user, wireless is acceptable. But for gamers, you want minimum latency. The signal travels faster over cable. A Razer Deathadder is a great alternative. And I hate worrying about battery levels as well. Wired eliminates that.

The processor can be dropped down to a 3570k. Since you're only gaming, you don't need the 3770k, which can really only be utilised with programs such as Photoshop, Maya, CAD in general, etc. The 3570k will be more than sufficient. Even a 2500k would do the job.

Your PSU can be downgraded to a 650W, if you're not using those extra 5 HDD's lying around; the new GPU's from nVidia and AMD use very little power. But if you're sure you're going to be SLI'ing in the future then 750W is fine I guess.

The SSD can be downgraded to a Samsung 830 128 GB or Crucial M4 of the same size. Both choices are very reliable and provide great performance at very reasonable prices. Tom's often posts deals for those. If you have the patience you can wait for one before buying. 128 GB is a good size, as you don't have to watch you're storage as closely as you would have to for a 64 GB. 256 GB is kinda overkill esp. if you can't fill it up with your most used/important programs.

Your build is great otherwise, and even then the problems are pretty minor. Hope your build goes great. Very jelly btw.

 

[bigcyco1]

one last suggestion good luck with whatever you decide i kept the keyboard and mouse you liked PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: TUNIQ Tower 120 Extreme 90.7 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V PRO ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($209.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($117.85 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($136.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE276Q 27.0" Monitor ($289.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm QuickFire Rapid Wired Gaming Keyboard ($87.86 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Logitech G700 Wireless Laser Mouse ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2140.57
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-07-19 05:46 EDT-0400)

 

[Thrallsman]

Also, WIRED>WIRELESS. For the casual gamer/computer user, wireless is acceptable. But for gamers, you want minimum latency. The signal travels faster over cable. A Razer Deathadder is a great alternative. And I hate worrying about battery levels as well. Wired eliminates that.

I have that mouse, and must say, IT'S FANTASTIC. No really, it is. However, you are under a misconception. It is both wired and wireless, that choice is yours - so really allows the user complete freedom.

 

[SgtSprinkles]

Best answer selected by SgtSprinkles.