Time to build a new content development WorkStation. My motivation for upgrading is that I have been using a mediocre laptop (i7m, 8gb, 250gb ) from my work as my home system for the last 2 years, I am starting to get more freelance coming in and need a good desktop.
I am not so sure about my mother board, power supply/cooling and video card choice. I am more interested in app usability than absolute through put and want to maximize my dollar investment. I could get a nice lens for the difference in price.
Purchase date: this week
Budget: I'd like to stay close to $1200-1400, but can spend more for significant performance gains. As I do more research, my inclinations are trending higher. :-( LOL
System Usage: My primary uses will include photo editing with Lightroom and Photoshop, 3D graphics using 3D studio Max, Maya and Mud Box, HD video editing using Premiere and After Affects and Web Design. I will also use it as an HD media player and hifi stereo audio is important. Maximizing cs6 performance in premiere & pShop is my main target. I am focused mainly on user experience while running these apps. If I need to encode hrs of video or crank out frames in max/maya, I can do it at work, but I will use these apps a fair bit at home. I seldom run games, but may toy around with a few for a little while to test the graphics on the new system.
The video/storage array will be built separately.
Monitors: I'm running two Dell U2410's IPS, calibrated w\Color Munki, one portrait one landscape.
Parts to Upgrade: Full system build
O/S : Win7 Ultimate, I might play with Ubuntu/Virtualization
Vendor: Newegg unless I can save big $$ else where. I like B&H.
It needs to be an Intel machine & I have chosen lga 2011 because I'll eventually go to 64gb. I'll do some modest overclocking.
Any advice is appreciated. Thank you for your expertise.
Processor
Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73820
$299 w/ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115229
or
Intel Core i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73930K
$569 w/ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116492
Mobo
ASRock X79 Extreme6 LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$228 w/ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157289
Memory
G.SKILL Ripjaws z Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL10Q-32GBXL
$160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231490
or
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL10Q-32GBXL
$130
Already Purchased
Hard Drive
SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
$160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147164
Video
Galaxy 66NPH7DV6XXZ GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$270 w/ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162121
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, Bare Drive, 3D Play Back (WH14NS40) - OEM
$70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136250
Case
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$90 w/ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
Power Supply
XFX Core Edition PRO650W (P1-650S-NLB9) 650W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014
or
CORSAIR AX760i 760W Digital ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$210
CPU Cooler
CORSAIR Hydro Series H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
$110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017
or
CORSAIR Hydro series H50 High Performance CPU Cooler
$65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010
Total
$1347 or $1867
Is the i7 3930 6 core ($569) worth the extra $ over the i7 3820 ($300) for the type of work I'll be doing (web design, photo editing, 3d and video editing)?
The AS Rock seems to have a rep for solid value/performance, it also has a fair number of usb 3 & eSata ports which I will use. Opinions?
I am a little confused about RAM, some say I need the ripJaw z series because it is designed for x79, others say the x series is ok. I got some X series before I knew there was a difference. Should I sell the x series & buy z series? Thoughts?
I have little idea in term of what I would need for cpu cooling, but understand that the i7 3820 comes with a fan (Would I need another)? The i7 3960 does not? I would like any suggestions? thx
Finally, I would like some advice on power supplies I have spec'd a decent one that was recommended here, but others have told me to spend more, will the less expensive one get me by OK? Recommendations?
I am not so sure about my mother board, power supply/cooling and video card choice. I am more interested in app usability than absolute through put and want to maximize my dollar investment. I could get a nice lens for the difference in price.
Purchase date: this week
Budget: I'd like to stay close to $1200-1400, but can spend more for significant performance gains. As I do more research, my inclinations are trending higher. :-( LOL
System Usage: My primary uses will include photo editing with Lightroom and Photoshop, 3D graphics using 3D studio Max, Maya and Mud Box, HD video editing using Premiere and After Affects and Web Design. I will also use it as an HD media player and hifi stereo audio is important. Maximizing cs6 performance in premiere & pShop is my main target. I am focused mainly on user experience while running these apps. If I need to encode hrs of video or crank out frames in max/maya, I can do it at work, but I will use these apps a fair bit at home. I seldom run games, but may toy around with a few for a little while to test the graphics on the new system.
The video/storage array will be built separately.
Monitors: I'm running two Dell U2410's IPS, calibrated w\Color Munki, one portrait one landscape.
Parts to Upgrade: Full system build
O/S : Win7 Ultimate, I might play with Ubuntu/Virtualization
Vendor: Newegg unless I can save big $$ else where. I like B&H.
It needs to be an Intel machine & I have chosen lga 2011 because I'll eventually go to 64gb. I'll do some modest overclocking.
Any advice is appreciated. Thank you for your expertise.
Processor
Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73820
$299 w/ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115229
or
Intel Core i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73930K
$569 w/ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116492
Mobo
ASRock X79 Extreme6 LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
$228 w/ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157289
Memory
G.SKILL Ripjaws z Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL10Q-32GBXL
$160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231490
or
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL10Q-32GBXL
$130
Already Purchased
Hard Drive
SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
$160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147164
Video
Galaxy 66NPH7DV6XXZ GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
$270 w/ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162121
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, Bare Drive, 3D Play Back (WH14NS40) - OEM
$70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136250
Case
COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$90 w/ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
Power Supply
XFX Core Edition PRO650W (P1-650S-NLB9) 650W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014
or
CORSAIR AX760i 760W Digital ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS PLATINUM Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply
$210
CPU Cooler
CORSAIR Hydro Series H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler
$110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017
or
CORSAIR Hydro series H50 High Performance CPU Cooler
$65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181010
Total
$1347 or $1867
Is the i7 3930 6 core ($569) worth the extra $ over the i7 3820 ($300) for the type of work I'll be doing (web design, photo editing, 3d and video editing)?
The AS Rock seems to have a rep for solid value/performance, it also has a fair number of usb 3 & eSata ports which I will use. Opinions?
I am a little confused about RAM, some say I need the ripJaw z series because it is designed for x79, others say the x series is ok. I got some X series before I knew there was a difference. Should I sell the x series & buy z series? Thoughts?
I have little idea in term of what I would need for cpu cooling, but understand that the i7 3820 comes with a fan (Would I need another)? The i7 3960 does not? I would like any suggestions? thx
Finally, I would like some advice on power supplies I have spec'd a decent one that was recommended here, but others have told me to spend more, will the less expensive one get me by OK? Recommendations?