Advice & Suggestions on first build under $3k budget

[TBGAPowa]

-I have this question posted on multiple forums so bare with me here as my replies will be much slower.
-AS FOR THE PEOPLE recommending me WC I honestly feel intimidated by it. I chose an air cooling case but I still am not sure to choose a water cooling enabled one since I am not positive if I go WC in the future.
-I will order from mostly canadian sites but will order from other places if necessary. The preferred retailer list I posted isn't that vital.

UNAVAILABLE ON NEWEGG CANADA:

Monitor: Dell UltraSharp U2312HM
CPU HSF: Thermalright Silver Arrow SB-E
Headphones: Sennheiser PC 350 or 360
Tablet: Wacom Bamboo Splash

This is my first build from scratch my gaming orientation leans on rpgs, mmos, action-adventure and rts for the most part and less so for fps and racing games.

Approximate Purchase Date:
By the end of July
Budget Range:
Under $3k subtotal including everything base system, monitor, peripherals etc…
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
Extensive gaming and production/rendering in autodesk and other 3D/CG art software
Parts Not Required:
Not planning on getting a custom water cooling system just yet
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
Newegg Canada
TigerDirect Canada
Canada Computers
NCIX
Country:
Canada
Parts Preferences:
Nvidia, visuals for the most part
Storage Space:
2TB minimum
Overclocking:
Likely
SLI or Crossfire:
Possibly SLI
Monitor Resolution:
1920x1080 or 2560x1440. I would like to have games on maxed settings, AA would be nice and what ever gaming technology optimization available
Additional Comments:
my newegg wishlist

anything sold out on the list i will look for else where, as long as they have good enough return policy

Really looking for some of the top and latest support with longevity, durability and silence

the rig would be placed in the basement which is usually around 20C, during the humid summer it should be closer to 30C room temp but we almost always AC then. the only thing about the basement i am worried about is if airflow wouldn't be good enough for the rig

would a heatsink fan suffice for now? if i ever choose to SLI would water cooling be needed then?

[TBGAPowa]

Quoted from a member named lehpron from the EVGA forums "But, in order to maintain your CPU stabilty; your RAM, HDD, motherboard, PSU, etc all have to be in sync and stable too. So while the CPU could theoretically take the punishment, total system stability depends on the other junk in the system."
How Long Before Failure ?

i hope the hhds would suffice, they do get great ratings i believe the others are good enough.

is 16 gb RAM 1600 enough or should I go higher 1866/2133/2400?



what do you think think about this monitor?

Yamakasi Catleap 27" LED 2560x1440 WQHD S-IPS

[PoLoMoTo]

Get Win7 Pro so you aren't limited on the ram.

I would get identical sets of RAM.

Definitely get an SSD even if it's small, just for OS and an app or two.

And a 1000Watt PSU for the extra headroom.

Looks good to me other than that, I'm sure someone with more knowledge will have other things to add. *Cough* Jim *Cough*

And the monitor, get it if it's in budget and if you don't mind a 6ms response time.

[Doctor_Death]

Skip the MS keyboard, and go eith the Corsair K90, also the Phanteks CPU coolers do out perform the D14. I'll tell you what, I have a brand new system that I built for Enermax with duel EVGA Classified GTX590s. I have the Gigabyte X79 UD7 installed, but if you perfer ASUS, I can swap it out for a new X79 Rampage 4 Formula. There's also a brand new Intel 3820, and a Lepa G1600 PSU. Blu-ray burner and a DVD burner, 16GBs of Geil 1600MHz, 240GB SSD and a WD 1TB drive. You can own this build for $1500 shipped

Here's a couple of photos, click to enlarge:

[TBGAPowa]

direct quote from member lehpron from the EVGA forums, sorry its huge but this sums up why i chose the type of mobo, GPU and CPU. but of course still subject to change

"Most modern games are threaded for between 2-4 cores, and it has been a slow progress adoption since quads have been around for six years, duals for eight years. meaning, a 6-core won't make a difference today. New games take 2-3 years to make from the ground up, so in that time, it will make a quad that much more important. Only get the 6-core for your professional work, not for gaming.

3770K is a 22nm quad and half the die area (thus half the actual power and thermals if set at the same frequency) as 32nm i7-3900's 6-cores; mathematically, they should overclock better, but Intel differed from tradition of soddering the CPU die to the IHS (integrated heat spreader) by using a thermal grease with Ivy Bridge which tends to artificially raise temperaturess. This prevents anyone from really being able to push it except for those using cryogenics; so in the end, all Sandy and Ivy processors reach a max of approx 5GHz regardless of number of cores.

So it all comes down to the board really; X79 can support up to 4-way SLI (in quad x8, or a pair of full x16) configs while Z77 is limited to just dual x8's. If you're serious about longitivity in terms of having the room for future graphics cards and not change the board (which definitely need more bandwidth than current), then X79 is the only option. For CPU, either get quad 3820 or 6-core 3930K depending on how often your professional uses need 12-threads or not.

BTW, as for the GTX670's, get the 4GB card. We'll soon see a new standard for mainstream monitors that used to be the reign of medicial professionals, their total single display res equals to a modern multi-display setup. So if you intend on at least one in the next two years and not upgrading graphics for it, then you should plan ahead with a 4GB model and get 3-way SLI by then to compensate.

TBGAPowa

Really looking for longevity and durability I chose a gtx 670 in hopes of being able to run graphic intensive art programs and gaming on high settings for at least two years before upgrade/new build.
This part will require an edit for realism.

In two years, a pair of GTX670 will have the performance equivalency of a future mainstream card (i.e. "GTS850" )and unable to run those games appearing then at high details without having the frame rates dip whatever is high-end at time. So either plan to get into 3-way or 4-way SLI (meaning you need to get a 4-way capable board in the first place, i.e. X79), think about upgrading your graphics card much earlier than two years, or settle for less visuals as times passes especially if you plan a higher resolution monitor someday. Most games are GPU-intensive, so if your resolution doubles the pixels, you cut your frame rates in half.

The only way you can truly have longivity is if your expectation is much lower than what is available for purchase. If you want max detail at smooth rates, then that is only possible today, it isn't possible next year with this year's configuration running next year's games. Just so you know, many folks on enthusiast websites like these upgrade often as a hobby, they choose to keep up with technology in order to maintain their preference level in every new game; I personally see it as a hassle. So you have to decide your upgrade tendencies beforehand and plan ahead, beyond this upcoming build. "

Advice & Suggestions on first build under $3k budget

[realneil]

Skip the MS keyboard, and go eith the Corsair K90, also the Phanteks CPU coolers do out perform the D14. I'll tell you what, I have a brand new system that I built for Enermax with duel EVGA Classified GTX590s. I have the Gigabyte X79 UD7 installed, but if you perfer ASUS, I can swap it out for a new X79 Rampage 4 Formula. There's also a brand new Intel 3820, and a Lepa G1600 PSU. Blu-ray burner and a DVD burner, 16GBs of Geil 1600MHz, 240GB SSD and a WD 1TB drive. You can own this build for $1500 shipped

Here's a couple of photos, click to enlarge:

Attachment 2871Attachment 2872

That's a heck of a deal Stan. Wish I had the cash, I'd get it.

[Solara2xb]

that is def a nice build for $1500.

[Steve]

Holy crap, what a steal of a deal.....someone better jump on that quick before I grab it.

[SamCR3]

If I had $1500 in cash, I'd jump on it too. It's a badass rig - it would cost way more the $1500 to buy those components.

This is the second time I've seen Stan offer it to someone wanting to build a gaming rig with a large budget ($2K plus) and they've passed on it to settle building something less superior. What the hell is wrong with people. If they are so set on building their own machine, they should buy Stan's, take it apart and put it back together. Then they can say they assembled it.

[Drdeath]

Ok, Time for my expertise./

Welcome to Pure OC TBGA. Just to introduce myself, I am the Processor and Motherboard reviewer here at Pure OC. I pull the highest overclocks on reviews and tested every motherboard and ALL the current platforms hold on and I will give you some insight to help you out. More to come.

[Drdeath]

I would not mess with Ivy Bridge period. If your going that rout, the 2600K and 2700K will perform within 5% on all apps. Gaming has absolutely no benefit from SandyBridge, SandyBridge E and IvbyBridge. The ssytems "longevity" does not depend on the junk in the system. Let us get that over and done. What matters is your cooling. lets start there. Whatever platform yopu choose and with your budget, go custom watercooling. CPU and GPU's. That should knock that issue out of the way. Real good custom water will set your budget back $700-$800 leaving a lot of headroom for top notch system.


OK, lets look at your use. Production, rendering and art is cut and dry SandyBridge E processor with the X79 platform. Although Stan has a great value, I would go with the core i7 3930K or the core i7 3960X. The 3930K can be had for around $500 US and the 3960X for $1000 USD.

Your motherboard suggestions are easy. Asu X79 Ranpage Extreme, Asrock X79 Extreme 7 or Gigabyte Z79 UD7. We do not review EVGA product but I will say Asus owns everything. There is not a board that is close for overclocking prowess wiith Asus Digi+ VRM and there is only 2 companies that have overcloking built in the board (Asus and MSI). Everyone else uses software so overclocking through the OS and overclocking sux with the OS. The extra LLC controls, voltage regulation adjustments, memory adjustments, ect.... in ASUS UEFI bios is unbelivable and nobody comes close with what ASUS brings to the table. Not even EVGA. Asus uses am additional PLX chip and has more lanes than any other board so when the lanes get saturated, Asus shines in read and write speeds on your storage devices.


The Rampage IV Extreme goes for about $450 USD.

That leaves graphics cards. The GTX680 is a better card than AMD 7970's but you will not see any difference both are so good. I am a radeon fan and have 2 x 7970's liquid cooled. The 2 x radeon 7970's woill set you back $1000 USD./

OK

Rampage IV Extreme $450
Intel core i7 3930K $500
2 x radeon 7970 $1000

total $1950 + 700(waco) $2650.


That leaves you about $350 for storage( I think I will be a bit above $3000 here.......)

The Plextor M3 256G is one of best SSD's out today going for $250.
For Data storage look at the 1.5 T seagate Barracuda ate $100

ic X-1250 1250W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modlar Active PFC Power Supply has a beefy 104 amp single rail and is a very good PSU for $269 USD.

Ok Lastly memory. You will need a lot of memory for what you do. I would look at 32G. The Gskill Ares I reviewed was also great memory and overclocked over 2400MHz. 32 G will set ya back about $250..



OK lets surmise:

Asus Rampage IV Extreme $450
Intel Core i7 3930k $500
2 X RADEON 7970 $1000
Sasonic 1250 watt PSU $280
Pextor M3 256G $250
Seagate barracuda 1.5T $100
32G G.skill ares $250
Custom water $700

Total $3530.

Still need a case... LOL Drop 1 Radeon card and your at $3000 just need a case. A COMBO DEAL WILL PROBABLY SAVE YOU THE MONEY TO GET IN AT $3000

now that all said, see if Stan can pop in a 3930K or 3960x in the rig he is talking about and ya got somethin goin...LOL. Much cheaper.

[Irocing]

The only reason on my next build I wouldn't skip Ivy in one form or another is,
The 3.0 compatibilty factor if going for longevity.

Not sure what good it is going to be in the future as to bandwidth, But be nice to have it covered anyway.

As strong as these Vid cards are getting and the new engines for games and apps coming up would be on my list.
But for 1500 bucks with all that hardware would be hard to resist.
Just my two centavos.
Case,Cards, Blocks and a 480 cooling setup at about 1300-1500 you have a top flight rig.

Later

[realneil]

Stan's rig is a damn nice buy for the money.

[Drdeath]

The only reason on my next build I wouldn't skip Ivy in one form or another is,
The 3.0 compatibilty factor if going for longevity.

Not sure what good it is going to be in the future as to bandwidth, But be nice to have it covered anyway.

As strong as these Vid cards are getting and the new engines for games and apps coming up would be on my list.
But for 1500 bucks with all that hardware would be hard to resist.
Just my two centavos.
Case,Cards, Blocks and a 480 cooling setup at about 1300-1500 you have a top flight rig.

Later

LOL you will never use the bandwidth in 3.0.

[Doctor_Death]

I can add a 3960X but not for $1500 lol if I switch out the UD7 and replace it with the Rampage 4 Formula, and add the 3960X I have to get at least $2200 which is still a hell of a deal. Just the Vision Tek Racer 240GB and the WD 1TB would set you back a little over $400, never mind the EVGA Classified GTX590s, beside the new GTX690s the 590's are still one of the fastest cards around.

[Drdeath]

I can add a 3960X but not for $1500 lol if I switch out the UD7 and replace it with the Rampage 4 Formula, and add the 3960X I have to get at least $2200 which is still a hell of a deal. Just the Vision Tek Racer 240GB and the WD 1TB would set you back a little over $400, never mind the EVGA Classified GTX590s, beside the new GTX690s the 590's are still one of the fastest cards around.

Thats a stout deal