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Critique on a media editing build

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I'm building a new PC because my existing machine needs an upgrade to virtually every component. The most intensive work I do is video, audio and photo editing in CS6, working with a lot of large files simultaneously. I'll do little or no gaming and no overclocking on the CPU. I've purchased number of USB 3.0 devices recently in anticipation that I'd be upgrading.

I'll be buying the components this week, and here's the tentative lineup:

CPU: 3770K
CPU heatsink/fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V Deluxe
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X series, 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3 1600
Graphics: EVGA GTX 670 FTW 2GB
Case: Corsair Obsidian 560D
Power supply: Corsair AX750 (750 Watt)
SSDs: 2 x Samsung 840 Pro 256GB
Hard drives: 2 x Western Digital WD Black 2TB
Optical: Lite-on Blu-ray burner iHBS212-08

Using existing speakers, keyboard/mouse and monitor (Eizo CE240W @ 1920 x 1200)

Other: Silverstone SST-CPO9 120mm external to internal 19 pin USB3.0 adapter to avoid having to run cable out back of case for front panel USB connections

I’m tentatively planning on using one SSD for the OS and applications, the other as scratch disk. I’ll either divide my files in some logical way between the two WD drives or run them in a Raid 1 mirror. (I have a number of external drives for long-term storage and backup)

Two questions:

1. Any flaws or imbalances in the specs or suggested substitutions?
2. Any advice on a different storage configuration, given that I’m not interested in a striping Raid approach for performance purposes.

The things I’m debating are:

1. Downgrading the graphics card to GTX 660ti
2. Going to 500GB WD Black instead of SSD for the scratch disk
3. Windows 7 vs. Windows 8

Any suggestions much appreciated; it's amazing how much I can agonize over the details ....

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If you are not going to overclock, get the i7-3770 instead. The k models mean they are unlocked for overclocking. So get the 3770 and a H77 motherboard instead of Z77 (Z77 is for overclocking, H77 is not).

I would definitely recommend Windows 7 instead of 8 for a desktop.

The graphics card I'm not 100% sure what you should do, I think they both have the same amount of Cuda cores, the difference is 192 bit on 660ti vs 256 bit on the gtx 670. I'm honestly not sure how much difference that makes, but the 670 is probably a little faster. The 212 Hyper Evo is a good cooler, that's what I have too. There are people who will tell you that you don't need an aftermarket cooler if you're not overclocking, but doing the graphics work you do I would definitely use one. I have a i7-3770 with 212 evo and I do 3d modeling and rendering.

You'll be happy getting 32gb RAM. I have 16gb on a micro atx with 16gb maximum, and kind of wished I had got a 4 slot motherboard for 32gb instead of 2 slot for 16gb.

But if you are going to get 32gb RAM you need to buy Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate 64 bit. Windows 7 home premium 64 bit is limited to using 16gb (this is what I have).

Hope this helps a little, good luck with your build! :) 
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brandon402 said:
If you are not going to overclock, get the i7-3770 instead. The k models mean they are unlocked for overclocking. So get the 3770 and a H77 motherboard instead of Z77 (Z77 is for overclocking, H77 is not).

I would definitely recommend Windows 7 instead of 8 for a desktop.

The graphics card I'm not 100% sure what you should do, I think they both have the same amount of Cuda cores, the difference is 192 bit on 660ti vs 256 bit on the gtx 670. I'm honestly not sure how much difference that makes, but the 670 is probably a little faster. The 212 Hyper Evo is a good cooler, that's what I have too. There are people who will tell you that you don't need an aftermarket cooler if you're not overclocking, but doing the graphics work you do I would definitely use one. I have a i7-3770 with 212 evo and I do 3d modeling and rendering.

You'll be happy getting 32gb RAM. I have 16gb on a micro atx with 16gb maximum, and kind of wished I had got a 4 slot motherboard for 32gb instead of 2 slot for 16gb.

But if you are going to get 32gb RAM you need to buy Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate 64 bit. Windows 7 home premium 64 bit is limited to using 16gb (this is what I have).

Hope this helps a little, good luck with your build! :) 


Thanks, Brandon.

I went with the 3770K for the slightly higher clock and the Z77 because I could get more usb 3.0 and sata 6Gbs ports. But I didn't realize how much I could save by going with the 3770/H77 combo.

I'm definitely leaning toward Windows 7. I like to have more of a hands-on-the-files feel that it appears you lose with Windows 8.

Best solution

IDK if an LGA 2011 build would be better for this, so I have two suggestions, one with the i7-3770K and one with the i7-3930K.

LGA 2011:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ncHE
$2500

LGA 1155:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ncBl
$2050

That's with some heavy storage performance and overclocking, if that's not important, then much cheaper builds are obviously possible.

Example:
LGA 2011
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ncU6
$2300

LGA 1155
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ncTR
$1800

EDIT: I almost forgot, instead of striping, how about RAID 5?

blazorthon said:
IDK if an LGA 2011 build would be better for this, so I have two suggestions, one with the i7-3770K and one with the i7-3930K.

LGA 2011:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ncHE
$2500

LGA 1155:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ncBl
$2050

That's with some heavy storage performance and overclocking, if that's not important, then much, much cheaper builds are obviously possible.

Example:
LGA 2011
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ncU6
$2300

LGA 1155
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ncTR
$1800

EDIT: I almost forgot, instead of striping, how about RAID 5?


This is very helpful. The 3930 with the 2011 motherboard is definitely better optimized for video editing. I had discarded that option because it would have pushed me out of my price range with existing components, but your suggested builds have sufficient savings in other areas.
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