After a long, hard search, it is time to bite the bullet and make my final decision regarding a first time custom pc build. The purpose of this thread is to make sure that all of my component selections are fully compatible with each other so I can finally pull the trigger with my purchase. You can also view the previous discussions I have had on this forum with the following links.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=351281&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0"e_only=0&new=0&nojs=0
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=350995&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0"e_only=0&new=0&nojs=0
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=354075&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0"e_only=0&new=0&nojs=0
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=33&post=359553&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0"e_only=0&new=0&nojs=0
Approximate Purchase Date: This system must be assembled by the end of this month or the very start of August. That said I am looking at ordering the parts before the weekend is over if possible
Budget Range: $2400
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Game Creation (I plan on starting with modding PC games and using other beginner level tools), graphic design, high performance gaming
Are you buying a monitor: Yes
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, the software I plan on running also requires the professional version of Windows 7
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com
Location: United States
Parts Preferences: none
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Your Monitor Resolution: I am aiming for 1920x1200 as this is the maximum I can go due to budget constraints.
Additional Comments: This system must be able to comfortably run most games at max settings at 60fps. I will also be running the following software:
Adobe CS6 Design & Web Premium (especially Photoshop & Illustrator)
Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite Student programs including, Maya, 3D Studio Max, Softimage, Mudbox and Sketchbook Designer
Pixologic Z-Brush
Microsoft Office
I also want to know if there are any changes that can be made to this system to allow for cost savings without compromising the functionality, performance, expandability of the system. I had strongly considered Sandy Bridge-E but in the end rejected it as a result of the higher cost of the needed components. I also do not believe I require a professional card as I am a beginner. On top of that, a professional card would push the cost of my system way over budget.
Current component selection
CPU: Intel Core i7 3770k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master RR-H612-20PK-R3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103106&Tpk=Hyper%20612%20PWM
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819
Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 16GB Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226314
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840&Tpk=Seagate%20Barracuda%20ST1000DM003%201TB
SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe MX 120GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226318&Tpk=Mushkin%20Enhanced%20Chronos%20Deluxe%20MX%20120GB
Optical Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon 7970 OC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102982
Monitor: Dell Ultrasharp U2410
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260020&Tpk=Dell%20Ultrasharp%20U2410
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 500R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010
Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum-860
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151111&Tpk=SeaSonic%20Platinum-860
Keyboard: Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109191&Tpk=Microsoft%20Sidewinder%20X4%20Keyboard
Mouse: RAZER Abyssus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153056
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=351281&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0"e_only=0&new=0&nojs=0
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=350995&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0"e_only=0&new=0&nojs=0
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=354075&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0"e_only=0&new=0&nojs=0
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=33&post=359553&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0"e_only=0&new=0&nojs=0
Approximate Purchase Date: This system must be assembled by the end of this month or the very start of August. That said I am looking at ordering the parts before the weekend is over if possible
Budget Range: $2400
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Game Creation (I plan on starting with modding PC games and using other beginner level tools), graphic design, high performance gaming
Are you buying a monitor: Yes
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, the software I plan on running also requires the professional version of Windows 7
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com
Location: United States
Parts Preferences: none
Overclocking: Maybe
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe
Your Monitor Resolution: I am aiming for 1920x1200 as this is the maximum I can go due to budget constraints.
Additional Comments: This system must be able to comfortably run most games at max settings at 60fps. I will also be running the following software:
Adobe CS6 Design & Web Premium (especially Photoshop & Illustrator)
Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite Student programs including, Maya, 3D Studio Max, Softimage, Mudbox and Sketchbook Designer
Pixologic Z-Brush
Microsoft Office
I also want to know if there are any changes that can be made to this system to allow for cost savings without compromising the functionality, performance, expandability of the system. I had strongly considered Sandy Bridge-E but in the end rejected it as a result of the higher cost of the needed components. I also do not believe I require a professional card as I am a beginner. On top of that, a professional card would push the cost of my system way over budget.
Current component selection
CPU: Intel Core i7 3770k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master RR-H612-20PK-R3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103106&Tpk=Hyper%20612%20PWM
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819
Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 16GB Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226314
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840&Tpk=Seagate%20Barracuda%20ST1000DM003%201TB
SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe MX 120GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226318&Tpk=Mushkin%20Enhanced%20Chronos%20Deluxe%20MX%20120GB
Optical Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon 7970 OC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102982
Monitor: Dell Ultrasharp U2410
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260020&Tpk=Dell%20Ultrasharp%20U2410
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 500R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010
Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum-860
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151111&Tpk=SeaSonic%20Platinum-860
Keyboard: Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109191&Tpk=Microsoft%20Sidewinder%20X4%20Keyboard
Mouse: RAZER Abyssus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153056
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992