Homebuilt Media Center/Main Computer Help

[SeathP]

Can you good people help me out with system I want to build? It will be used as my main computer and also as my media server.

Software I will be running on it will be…
Photoshop
Lightroom
Illustrator
Dreamweaver
Cad
And other basic software…

It also will be my media center connected to on smart TV and one Roku device for my other TV. I need to have 4 HDD and 1 SSD for OS in it right now, but with the option of expending to more HDD’s when I need it. I don’t really play any games so that is not a concern for me.


The spec. I figure out are…

Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor

Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler

EVGA Z87 FTW ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (I am not sure about the motherboard, it has some mix reviews and I want to make sure it will support the next generations on Intel processors so in say 5 years when I want to upgrade it will still work)

Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory or Corsair Dominator Platinum 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (I am not sure)

4x Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive

Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 760 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card (Like I said I don’t play any games so I am not sure if that is a overkill or not, I have one monitor for now, cheap thing, but down the road I want upgrade to 2 monitors most likely to ASUS PA249Q 24-Inch)

Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (White) ATX Mid Tower Case

EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer

Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)

Any thoughts and help would be appreciated….
Thanks.

 

[sadams04]

I think you have a bit of overkill going there, but my thoughts are below...

MB - If you want to add more hard drives, look for a board with 8 or 10 SATA ports.
SSD - The 840 Pro is pretty nice, but consider the Samsung EVO or Crucial MX100. Both good performers for much less cost.
GPU - Since you aren't gaming that is way overkill. The 750 Ti below does not require aux power and will handle dual monitors with a high resolution.
PSU - Fine and all, but 750w is a bit much for this build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($336.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($97.16 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($112.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.30 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $2020.37

 

[bsod1]

I think you have a bit of overkill going there, but my thoughts are below...

MB - If you want to add more hard drives, look for a board with 8 or 10 SATA ports.
SSD - The 840 Pro is pretty nice, but consider the Samsung EVO or Crucial MX100. Both good performers for much less cost.
GPU - Since you aren't gaming that is way overkill. The 750 Ti below does not require aux power and will handle dual monitors with a high resolution.
PSU - Fine and all, but 750w is a bit much for this build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($336.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($97.16 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($112.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.30 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($102.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $2020.37

the price can be reduced a little if OP doesn't want to overclock. doesn't seem like any overclocking is needed.

 

[SeathP]

This will be my first build so I am reading and learning a lot, I change the motherboard... What you think?

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dBz76h) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dBz76h/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74790k) | $336.77 @ OutletPC
**CPU Cooler** | [Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h100i) | $97.16 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [MSI Z97-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97gaming7) | $179.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-blt2kit8g3d1869dt1tx0) | $169.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct256mx100ssd1) | $109.99 @ Micro Center
**Storage** | [Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd40efrx) | $169.00 @ Adorama
**Storage** | [Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd40efrx) | $169.00 @ Adorama
**Storage** | [Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd40efrx) | $169.00 @ Adorama
**Storage** | [Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd40efrx) | $169.00 @ Adorama
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp43757kr) | $144.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefr4tiw) | $99.28 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr550rm) | $79.99 @ Amazon
**Optical Drive** | [LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-optical-drive-wh16ns40) | $54.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $102.98 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $2032.13
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 11:28 EDT-0400 |

How do you calculate the power supply so you know what you need? I read someplace that the combine power of your system should be 60% capacity of the power supply.
Also what defines the speed of computer (how fast apps open, start-up and so on)... If I understand it correctly its combination of RAM and CPU.
Will the case and CPU cooler be enough to keep the system cool?

Thanks for the help.

 

[bsod1]

This will be my first build so I am reading and learning a lot, I change the motherboard... What you think?

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dBz76h) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dBz76h/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i74790k) | $336.77 @ OutletPC
**CPU Cooler** | [Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h100i) | $97.16 @ Amazon
**Motherboard** | [MSI Z97-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-z97gaming7) | $179.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-blt2kit8g3d1869dt1tx0) | $169.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-internal-hard-drive-ct256mx100ssd1) | $109.99 @ Micro Center
**Storage** | [Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd40efrx) | $169.00 @ Adorama
**Storage** | [Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd40efrx) | $169.00 @ Adorama
**Storage** | [Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd40efrx) | $169.00 @ Adorama
**Storage** | [Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd40efrx) | $169.00 @ Adorama
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp43757kr) | $144.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcadefr4tiw) | $99.28 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-ssr550rm) | $79.99 @ Amazon
**Optical Drive** | [LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-optical-drive-wh16ns40) | $54.99 @ Newegg
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $102.98 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $2032.13
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 11:28 EDT-0400 |

How do you calculate the power supply so you know what you need? I read someplace that the combine power of your system should be 60% capacity of the power supply.
Also what defines the speed of computer (how fast apps open, start-up and so on)... If I understand it correctly its combination of RAM and CPU.
Will the case and CPU cooler be enough to keep the system cool?

Thanks for the help.

There is a website for calculating the rough power required: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

it is a combination of CPU and the speed of your harddrive. SSD will make it much faster than normal 7200 RPM for example. After you increase your RAM to ~8 GB it doesn't really make a difference if you increase it further.

 

[SeathP]

the price can be reduced a little if OP doesn't want to overclock. doesn't seem like any overclocking is needed.

I would like to bring the power of RAM to what is capable of in this case 1866. I most likely wont be overclocking the CPU. This is beyond my skills for sure but it would be fun to try it and learn.
Sorry I don't know what OP means..

 

[logainofhades]

PCpartpicker does the PSU wattage for you. The PSU you chose is just fine. Here is another build option, for a 6 core rig. For your software, the extra cores would be beneficial.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($384.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Thermalright TRUE Spirit 140 POWER 73.6 CFM CPU Cooler ($52.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($239.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($233.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GT 740 1GB Superclocked Video Card ($85.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($50.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2069.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 11:54 EDT-0400

 

[sadams04]

This will be my first build so I am reading and learning a lot, I change the motherboard... What you think?

How do you calculate the power supply so you know what you need? I read someplace that the combine power of your system should be 60% capacity of the power supply.
Also what defines the speed of computer (how fast apps open, start-up and so on)... If I understand it correctly its combination of RAM and CPU.
Will the case and CPU cooler be enough to keep the system cool?

Thanks for the help.

That MSI motherboard will be just fine.

Plenty of PSU calculators out there to help you out. Read through their guides... On the PCPartPicker web site you will see that your system will consume about 320w at full load (upper right) . They calculate that with no overclocking... Also keep in mind that figure is with your CPU and GPU at full load with all other components working hard. ...that just doesn't happen very often.

You should have no issues with heat. The case has great airflow and, if needed, you can add additional case fans. Try to promote front-to-back airflow. That is... intake on the front / bottom / side, and exhaust on the top / rear.

 

[sadams04]

I would like to bring the power of RAM to what is capable of in this case 1866. I most likely wont be overclocking the CPU. This is beyond my skills for sure but it would be fun to try it and learn.
Sorry I don't know what OP means..

If you aren't overclocking then change the motherboard to an H97 model instead of the Z97 counterpart. Also, swap the CPU out for a non-K series and skip the H110 water cooling. For a non-overclocking rig the stock Intel CPU cooler will be perfectly fine. Keep the build as-is if you want to try overclocking down the road.

OP means "original poster".

 

[bsod1]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 4 79.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Asus H87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($135.18 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 630 Windowed Edition (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1742.07
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 11:54 EDT-0400

how do you like this? /i spent the most on a sick looking case since it is a Media Center after all.

 

[sadams04]

how do you like this? /i spent the most on a sick looking case since it is a Media Center after all.

CPU - Change the CPU to 4460. The difference of 300MHz won't be noticed.
MB - Change the MB to a H97 board (H87 is last generation and doesn't have front USB 3.0).
CPU Cooler - Skip the CPU cooler.
CASE - The Phantom 630 is very nice. Huge, but nice....


EDIT: Said Z97 when I meant H97. Good catch Rapajez!

 

[Rapajez]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($223.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Scythe Mugen 4 79.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Asus H87-PRO ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($135.18 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 630 Windowed Edition (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1742.07
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 11:54 EDT-0400

how do you like this? /i spent the most on a sick looking case since it is a Media Center after all.

Did you mean a H97? If you choose this build, just go with your original MSI Gaming 7 mobo, as this one doesn't have as many SATA ports, and the H80 series isn't guaranteed to support the next (5th) gen of intel core processors.

 

[Rapajez]

Also, keep in mind the OP mentioned all of the following applications, which would actually benefit from the i7. Granted, it can be a i7-4790 vs a 4790k, if there's no overclocking. That and more (16GB) of RAM.

Photoshop
Lightroom
Illustrator
Dreamweaver
Cad
And other basic software…

 

[logainofhades]

how do you like this? /i spent the most on a sick looking case since it is a Media Center after all.

CPU - Change the CPU to 4460. The difference of 300MHz won't be noticed.
MB - Change the MB to a Z97 board (Z87 is last generation and doesn't have front USB 3.0).
CPU Cooler - Skip the CPU cooler.
CASE - The Phantom 630 is very nice. Huge, but nice....

I agree on the CPU reasoning, unless the price is super close.
I agree with changing the board to a newer chipset, but your reasoning why is wrong. H87/Z87 boards had front panel USB 3.0.
http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#c=90,89&u=1&sort=a8

 

[bsod1]

how do you like this? /i spent the most on a sick looking case since it is a Media Center after all.

CPU - Change the CPU to 4460. The difference of 300MHz won't be noticed.
MB - Change the MB to a H97 board (H87 is last generation and doesn't have front USB 3.0).
CPU Cooler - Skip the CPU cooler.
CASE - The Phantom 630 is very nice. Huge, but nice....


EDIT: Said Z97 when I meant H97. Good catch Rapajez!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($177.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H97-PLUS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($109.89 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 630 Windowed Edition (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1623.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 12:10 EDT-0400

 

[Rapajez]

Here's my build, keeping that case and PSU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($159.39 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 630 Windowed Edition (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1890.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 12:15 EDT-0400

SSD is faster, more reliable, and has nicer managment software. NVIDIA in general has better support for most of the applciations the OP mentions, and the 750 TI has a "little" muscle in case there's some heavy rendering or gaming ever down the road.

Upgraded to 16GB of RAM and a locked i7, as the user will actually make use of it in this case (if not, the i5 and 8GB will do save $200ish). Went back to the MSI board the OP requested, as it has the requested # of SATA ports.

 

[SeathP]

From what I see the H97 don't have enough SATA ports for me, I do need 8 min. Can I use the Z97 ( that will ensure I can upgrade processor in the feature ) and downgrade the CPU to i7-4790. And get rid of the CPU Cooler...

Will this work?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.94 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.28 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1900.14
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 12:20 EDT-0400

 

[SeathP]

HA! you guys are so fast I can barely keep up HA!

 

[logainofhades]

Only including a Z97 board, due to the OP's comment about adding more drives later. Only other option is a controller card.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($248.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME6 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($142.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($50.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1798.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 12:36 EDT-0400

 

[SeathP]

@ logainofhades Thanks for the idea of controller cards.

OK, this is what I have now... This should give me enough power to run just about anything and have enough storage space for the feature... What you think?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.94 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI Z97-GAMING 7 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($174.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($159.39 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Red 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($169.00 @ Adorama)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.28 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1884.53
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-07 12:48 EDT-0400

 

[SeathP]

Question...

All the WD hard drives will hold all my media (music, photos, videos, ...) do I need the WD Red or would WD Green be more then sufficient?

 

[logainofhades]

With that many drive, i would assume a raid setup. Red's are made for raid.

 

[SeathP]

Yes I am going to do raid 1 I was thinking about raid 5 but I am not sure about that one.

Is it better to use hardware raid configuration on the Motherboard or do the software raid in Windows?

 

[logainofhades]

I have always used the motherboard for raid. I would probably go with raid 5. That would give you more overall storage.

 

[sadams04]

Yes I am going to do raid 1 I was thinking about raid 5 but I am not sure about that one.

Is it better to use hardware raid configuration on the Motherboard or do the software raid in Windows?

Either solution will work fine for your needs. I would do RAID5 at the hardware level (motherboard) simply because it would be independent of your OS. Software RAID assumes a functional, bootable OS. Guess what happens if you loose your boot OS...