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Custom desktop rig for gaming and design

Tags:
  • Gaming
  • Desktops
  • Build
  • custom
  • Tom's Guide
Last response: in Tom's Guide
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April 9, 2013 4:31:53 PM

I'm trying to build a custom desktop that will be able to play games at high settings and allow me to use programs like UDK, Unity, and Lightwave; or other software of the like. I don't have the money to purchase any of the parts currently, but I'm attempting to find all of the pieces I need so I can have a price estimate, and then when I have the money I can just buy them. I have found some parts that I might be able to use (I have no idea though), but if anyone says otherwise I'm more than willing to look at other options.

Some of the parts I've found:
- Asus P9X79 WS motherboard:
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P9X79_WS/#overview
- EVGA GeForce 660ti:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
- Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4Ghz:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
- Corsair Vengeance 32gb ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
- Seagate 4TB sata 6.0Gb/s HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

And on a side note, I have no idea about cooling and power units, or how big a case should be.

My budget is open-ended as I am expecting to be waiting a while before I can get all the parts.

More about : custom desktop rig gaming design

April 11, 2013 5:36:10 PM

About the graphics card, you should go for a Radeon HD 7870 or 7950 instead of the GTX 660 Ti. The 660 Ti's low memory bandwidth really cuts down on its potential.
As for storage, the bigger a hard drive is the less reliable it is (as a general rule). You would probably, if you really need that much storage, be better off with a few smaller 1.5 TB drives.
For a power supply, I would recommend something made my Seasonic, Antec, Corsair, or XFX.
If your not planning to overclock, the stock heatsink would probably be fine.
Case size is mainly personal preference. The bigger a case, the more fans you can put in, therefore it will have better cooling. However, it will probably take up half your desk. I find that an ATX Mid-Tower is usually plenty large. It provides a good balance between cooling and bulkiness (and price). These are all great cases, but there are plenty, and I mean PLENTY, of other choices if you don't like the look of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Hope that helps!
April 12, 2013 9:50:26 AM

siviline said:
About the graphics card, you should go for a Radeon HD 7870 or 7950 instead of the GTX 660 Ti. The 660 Ti's low memory bandwidth really cuts down on its potential.
As for storage, the bigger a hard drive is the less reliable it is (as a general rule). You would probably, if you really need that much storage, be better off with a few smaller 1.5 TB drives.
For a power supply, I would recommend something made my Seasonic, Antec, Corsair, or XFX.
If your not planning to overclock, the stock heatsink would probably be fine.
Case size is mainly personal preference. The bigger a case, the more fans you can put in, therefore it will have better cooling. However, it will probably take up half your desk. I find that an ATX Mid-Tower is usually plenty large. It provides a good balance between cooling and bulkiness (and price). These are all great cases, but there are plenty, and I mean PLENTY, of other choices if you don't like the look of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Hope that helps!


Thanks for your feedback! I would really like to go for an nvidia card just because most of the things I use are more compatible with nvidia, but if you could sway me towards amd(or ati I can never get the two right) I would be willing to look into it.
April 12, 2013 12:39:41 PM

If you buy an HD 7870 right now, you'll get Bioshock Infinite and Tomb Raider free...
!