abarcan7

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Aug 19, 2012
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So, after getting a bit of extra money, I decided that I'd upgrade my upgrade plan...if that makes sense. I want to build a system with dual SLI and 2 monitors. My budget is somewhere around $3000, give or take, for everything including the monitors and keyboard/mouse (already got windows 7 ultimate 64bit). I'll be using this mostly for gaming, but I also do a good amount of CS5 and now getting into Sony Vegas, which I got as an early Christmas gift. I've got a temporary build going, but I really need a bit of advice on a good motherboard, because I'd like the option of throwing in another graphics card later and go for three monitors. I'd also like to stick with air cooling if at all possible.
Here's what I got so far, and I'd really wanna go with the cosmos case, since one of my pals has one and I really like it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($198.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($389.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($389.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Cosmos II (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($365.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($136.82 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($137.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Razer Naga 2012 Wired Laser Mouse ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2978.15
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-17 12:17 EST-0500)

Thanks for your time.
 
Solution

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
What's the second SSD for? I don't really see the point to it.

Also get the G.Skill Ares for your RAM instead of the Ripjaw, it will make installing the D14 much easier: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231558

If you're doing video editing, I'd suggest the 3770K and then getting the UP4 for your motherboard for Thunderbolt support: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128558

I also question why anyone would buy a $140 keyboard, that seems a bit excessive. You could probably get the Logitech G110 instead, I hear good things about it, and you save like $50.
 

abarcan7

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Aug 19, 2012
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Haha, keyboard, mice, and monitors are just something I threw in randomly without quite looking at them. I just needed to have a very general price range, but I'll fix that up when I get home from work. Thanks for the ram advice, I don't know which are low profile and which aren't. As for the second SSD, I was told that it was better to record to a second ssd as opposed to a hdd. My plan was to keep one for OS/programs, one for recordings, and the hdd for games/docs/etc. Should I just throw out the second ssd, and just keep the hdd, and if I need more room get a second hdd?

As for cpu, I was told to just get the i5 since I won't be doing too much video editing stuff, and that I won't benefit too much from the i7 if I'm only doing minor video and picture editing. Your thoughts?
 

abarcan7

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Aug 19, 2012
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Yeah but I don't have too much money to spend atm, so I want to have a system built so I can just add that on later
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator


That sounds about right. If you were running a hardcore production rig, I'd say go with the i7 or even go X79. But for everything else the i5-3570K will handle everything you need.

You might want to consider getting a 3rd monitor so you can play games in surround. Just a thought :)

Yeah I'd agree with this. You could probably drop the expensive peripherals and that would give you room for a third monitor. You can always add the good peripherals later.
 
Solution

abarcan7

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Aug 19, 2012
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What about the ssd business? Should I get one ssd for OS and one for recordings and keep the hdd for games/docs, or should I just include recordings in the hdd?
 


Do you really plan to just use a 256GB SSD only for OS? your OS will use maybe 30gb... You don't really need 2 256gb SSDs. I say get 1 and use it for OS + recording + some games, if you don't have room you can either do your recording or games on the HDD. use that extra money on a 3rd monitor :)
 


I personally like the 670's that he picked. If it was me i would keep the ones he had drop the crazy expensive case and 1 ssd and add a 3rd monitor. I kept the monitors(but added one more)/keyboard/mouse you had already picked.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/sXqe

its right around $2300.
 

abarcan7

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Aug 19, 2012
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How's this list for new set up?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($198.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($73.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($389.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($389.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 850W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($136.82 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH236H 23.0" Monitor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2448.18
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-18 00:06 EST-0500)




Yeah, well I do kinda need 1 ssd for OS + programs because now I've got 210 GB with just OS and programs. No room for much else on that one, since I'll probs end up adding more programs and stuff and I like having a bit of room for random downloads and such. Anyways, I rethought that out. Thanks



Well, I want room for a third possible GPU later, and a mid tower and that cooler will probs not cut it. Gonna stick with the dh14, since I've seen it portrayed as pretty much the best for air cooling. Also, I don't that mobo has 3 pci express 3 slots, which is what I need. Thanks though
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator


I don't know, I run rendering and CAD rigs (aside from my home gaming rig). I don't really run high end video editing rigs. The system requirements for both I'm sure are the same. If you want to use a second SSD to record that definitely won't hurt your system. You could always get the primary SSD and then a second HD and add the third as needed.

The new build looks really good.
 

abarcan7

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Aug 19, 2012
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10,530


Thanks man. Appreciate it.