Programming, Gaming build $1000-$1500 range, need your input

[Digital Overdose]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next few weeks

Budget Range: $1000-$1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Computer and Web Programming, Adobe products and Visual Studio mostly, Gaming

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: I have a power supply and graphics card I bought within the last year, everything else will be upgraded

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Lowest pricing, currently shopping on newegg

Location: Wisconsin, US

Parts Preferences: Intel CPU, other parts are up for debate

Overclocking: Would like to but it would be my first time

SLI or Crossfire: Not at the moment but in the future I will head that direction

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Current computer is 6 years old and not optimal for programming, graphic editing or gaming

I already have:

Video Card: HIS IceQ X Turbo H695QNT2G2M Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
HIS IceQ X Turbo H695QNT2G2M Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5

Power Supply: Rosewill HIVE Series HIVE-650 650W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified, Modular Design, Single +12V Rail, ATX12V v2.31/EPS12V v2.92, SLI Ready, CrossFire Ready, Active-PFC Power Supply
Rosewill HIVE Series HIVE-650 650W Power Supply

What I have found:

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K ($399.99 newegg)
Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz

CPU Cooler: not sure, is it absolutely necessary?

Motherboard: ASUS Maximus V EXTREME LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard ($379.99 newegg)
ASUS Maximus V EXTREME LGA 1155 Intel Z77 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard

Memory: G.SKILL Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400 (PC3 19200) Desktop Memory Model F3-2400C10D-16GTX ($199.99 newegg)
G.SKILL Trident X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2400

Storage: SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256D/AM 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Desktop Upgrade Kit ($217.99 newegg, could save some money without the upgrade kit but read many reviews of people upset they did not get it)
SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256D/AM 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Desktop Upgrade Kit

Optical Drive: LG Black 14X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 12X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA BDXL Blu-Ray Burner with SW, 3D Play Back - BH14NS40 ($99.99 newegg)
LG Black 14X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 12X BD-ROM

Case: IN WIN Dragon Rider Black 1.0 - 0.8mm SECC Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case ($129.99 newegg)
IN WIN Dragon Rider ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Total: $1427.94

I would like to make this "future proof", I have not invested in a computer in 6 years and don't know when I will be able to again.
I would appriciate any input that can point me in the right direction to make the most of my investment, thanks.

 

[obsama1]

The 6950 is bested by the 7850. The 7850's will drop in price next week. $210 for the 2GB version, and $190 for the 1GB version. That RAM is the very definition of overkill. Just get 16GB 1600Mhz. In addition, the higher voltages on it will damage your CPU over time.

 

[Digital Overdose]

The 6950 is bested by the 7850. The 7850's will drop in price next week. $210 for the 2GB version, and $190 for the 1GB version. That RAM is the very definition of overkill. Just get 16GB 1600Mhz. In addition, the higher voltages on it will damage your CPU over time.

I did wonder about the memory, wondered if the slight difference would be noticeable with the various image editing programs I use but never considered the voltage problems, thanks much appriciated.

 

[Digital Overdose]

I am on fence about the case, seems this one will encourage a lot of dust and being a smoker that has a dog, that concerns me a bit. Other cases seem to have dust filters this one does not mention that at all. Plus I could save $20 without the desktop upgrade kit for the ssd if it has a suitable tray which I believe this case has, any recommendations on a case suitable for an EATX board in the $120 price range.

 

[obsama1]

Also, I'd suggest a CPU cooler like the Hyper 212 EVO.

 

[obsama1]

So you really need an eatx board? If you won't use all the board's features, get the Sabertooth instead.

 

[emperor piehead]

i would use the saved money from getting the sabertooth board and get the 650d case it has filters and is an all around good case

 

[Digital Overdose]

The 6950 is bested by the 7850. The 7850's will drop in price next week. $210 for the 2GB version, and $190 for the 1GB version. That RAM is the very definition of overkill. Just get 16GB 1600Mhz. In addition, the higher voltages on it will damage your CPU over time.

Would you recommend:

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM

OR

CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model CMZ16GX3M2A1600C9

Or something different?

 

[Digital Overdose]

You are right, the sabertooth was my choice a month ago or so until I saw this board, but you have a point about the features. I love the armor and the warranty, you've got me leaning that way again, I really do appreciate the input.

 

[Digital Overdose]

Also, I'd suggest a CPU cooler like the Hyper 212 EVO.

Will I also need the retention bracket? Never mind, I see I won't.

 

[envy14tpe]

Hi fellow Cheesehead.

If you haven't upgraded in 6 years you will go crazy with this build. I would suggest planning on building again in 3 years. Things change fast and its not wise to try to future proof for too long.

The mobo (ASUS Maximus V EXTREME), G.SKILL Trident X Series, and 240GB SSD are overkill. You could save at least $300 if you reduced those. I doubt you'd even notice the difference in speeds. Also, you didn't list a SATA HDD. I highly recommend a 128GB SSD + 1TB WD Black.

The two alternative RAMs you listed are CAS 9. You could move down to CAS 8. There is a slight improvement especially for Adobe usage. I like to have multiple photos open and programs open.

CPU cooler, such as the CM Evo, is only necessary if you overclock. It will help squeeze more out of the i7 and the cooler only costs $30 more.

Go Pack.

 

[Digital Overdose]

Hi fellow Cheesehead.

If you haven't upgraded in 6 years you will go crazy with this build. I would suggest planning on building again in 3 years. Things change fast and its not wise to try to future proof for too long.

The mobo (ASUS Maximus V EXTREME), G.SKILL Trident X Series, and 240GB SSD are overkill. You could save at least $300 if you reduced those. I doubt you'd even notice the difference in speeds. Also, you didn't list a SATA HDD. I highly recommend a 128GB SSD + 1TB WD Black.

The two alternative RAMs you listed are CAS 9. You could move down to CAS 8. There is a slight improvement especially for Adobe usage. I like to have multiple photos open and programs open.

CPU cooler, such as the CM Evo, is only necessary if you overclock. It will help squeeze more out of the i7 and the cooler only costs $30 more.

Go Pack.

Thanks, I have decided to shift down a few gears, I'll go with the sabertooth and tone down the memory, already saved me enough for the 7850 or a TB HD. My current old computer has 250GB HD packed full of programs and games so I would like an alternative storage space, I have an external TB drive with esata but I'm sure an internal would improve performance. As I have not tried my hand at overclocking, from what I understand ASUS could not make it easier so I will get the cooler, for the price point you can't lose, I have read that the I7-3770k does not overclock as well as we had hoped but every little bit helps.

and oh yes, the pack will go! Thanks