Need advice for new desktop system - $1450 - $1650

[TheGreatestView]

Hi guys,

I want to build a new system over the next few months now that I'm on holidays. My budget is $1450 - $1650.. and I live in Australia so thats $AUD.

Things I'll be using it for:

- Engineering purposes (AutoCAD, Revit, GIS)
- Recording music (mini home studio using Pro Tools)
- GAMING! (running games like BF3, Skyrim with enbs, GTA 4 and (5), and Far Cry series all at full graphic capabilities)
- Regular work based uses (report writing, acrobat usage, photoshop and lighthouse 4)

These are some of the specs which I've researched and formed the basis of a new system with. Any improvements, advice and experienced feedback would be most helpful.

Specifications:

Processor: Core i7 3820
Motherboard: ASUS P9X79 PRO
Graphics Card: 2G GTX 660Ti Asus TI-DC2-2G
Memory: 16Gb 2133Mhz
Storage: Seagate SATA3 2TB
SSD: Intel SSD-420 SATA3 120Gb
Case: AeroCool Vx9-Pro-LE
Power Supply: Coolermaster extreme2 power plus
Network: 1 x Gigabit LAN Controller(s) 1 x Netgear Wireless
Optical Drive: Sata Blu-Ray Writer LG

Cheers guys,

TheGreatestView

 

[DeusAres]

Try this...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($335.00 @ PCCaseGear)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($36.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($145.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.00 @ Scorptec)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($415.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($125.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($141.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($22.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Total: $1539.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

The i7 3770k would be perfect. It can easily be overclocked with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. If you want, you can upgrade the aftermarket cooler to the Noctua NH-D14 which offers superior cooling. You could hit 4.5GHz, no sweat.

As for the GPU, it is the single most fastest GPU in the world. If you need to do GPGPU work, this baby will handle it no problem. It's also great for BF3 and Skyrim. It'll run every game out there on max settings 1920x1080 at 60fps no problem. Not sure why you chose the 660Ti. That card is weak.

My other suggestions are no brainers. They are excellent choices. The PSU I chose is high quality. I chose the Antec 1100 for its airflow and clean aesthetics. It also has 2 USB 3.0 on the front.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask. Good luck with your build!

 

[TheGreatestView]

Best answer selected by TheGreatestView.

 

[TheGreatestView]

Try this...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($335.00 @ PCCaseGear)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($36.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($145.00 @ Mwave Australia)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.00 @ Scorptec)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($415.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Case: Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($125.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($141.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($22.00 @ PCCaseGear)
Total: $1539.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

The i7 3770k would be perfect. It can easily be overclocked with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. If you want, you can upgrade the aftermarket cooler to the Noctua NH-D14 which offers superior cooling. You could hit 4.5GHz, no sweat.

As for the GPU, it is the single most fastest GPU in the world. If you need to do GPGPU work, this baby will handle it no problem. It's also great for BF3 and Skyrim. It'll run every game out there on max settings 1920x1080 at 60fps no problem. Not sure why you chose the 660Ti. That card is weak.

My other suggestions are no brainers. They are excellent choices. The PSU I chose is high quality. I chose the Antec 1100 for its airflow and clean aesthetics. It also has 2 USB 3.0 on the front.

If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask. Good luck with your build!

Thanks for your suggestions mate, that was great advice! I appreciate it!

TheGreatestView

 

[DeusAres]

If you wanted a nvidia graphics card, the HD 7970's closest equivalent would be the GTX 680. Although, I don't think it's worth the price.

 

[TheGreatestView]

If you wanted a nvidia graphics card, the HD 7970's closest equivalent would be the GTX 680. Although, I don't think it's worth the price.

Hey mate,

I am currently buying pc parts thanks to the awesome site you referenced me to which I had no idea even existed. Due to a few bad experiences with AMD radeon i had chosen to go with the Nvidia card. I looked at the "Asus GTX 680 DirectCU II TOP" which goes for about $620 AUD.

How would you rate this card compared to the gigabyte version of AMD radeon 7970 you linked me?

Cheers.

 

[DeusAres]

Hey mate,

I am currently buying pc parts thanks to the awesome site you referenced me to which I had no idea even existed. Due to a few bad experiences with AMD radeon i had chosen to go with the Nvidia card. I looked at the "Asus GTX 680 DirectCU II TOP" which goes for about $620 AUD.

How would you rate this card compared to the gigabyte version of AMD radeon 7970 you linked me?

Cheers.

Personally, I believe the GTX 680 is extremely overpriced. You'd be better off to get the Gigabyte HD 7970. It's faster, cheaper and even has a custom cooler from gigabyte. This will allow you to overclock it if you want more performance from the card.

In games such as BF3, the GTX 680 and HD 7970 are on par with each other...

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-ghz-edition-review-benchmark,3232-8.html

However, once you start playing other games such as Skyrim, the HD 7970 begins to pull away...

Skyrim:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-ghz-edition-review-benchmark,3232-10.html

Metro 2033:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7970-ghz-edition-review-benchmark,3232-13.html