Help me build my dream computer plz! Looking for best prices (of course!)

C

ComposerRyan

New Member
Hey guys,

I have been out here a couple of times and appreciate everyone's help. I am going to be building my first custom computer soon and I am a total noob when it comes to building a computer from the ground up.

So, to begin, this is why I am building my computer: I am wanting a Digital Audio Workstation and it will require A LOT of RAM (32 GBs or even more) due to the sample libraries required for creating music. I am also looking to get a nice video card since I want to use Adobe After Effects and also game as well.

This is a brief rundown of what I believe I need:

1) Intel i7 Processor
2) Motherboard that can handle 32gb-64gb RAM
3) Powerful graphics card
4) SSD Hard Drives (for the audio samples of course :) )
5) Powerful soundcard
6) A nice case
7) Power supply that can handle it all

I will leave this info posted here as I find the parts (thanks to your help of course! ;) ):

CASE: [to be decided]

MOTHERBOARD: [to be decided]

RAM: [to be decided]

OS: Windows 7 or 8

CPU: [to be decided]

Video Card: [to be decided]

Sound Card: [to be decided]

Hard Drive: [to be decided, must be SSD]

I have watched many videos out there and heard the best place to start is with the motherboard. Of course, I am looking for something very powerful with no bottlenecking but, like everyone else, I don't want to spend too much.

By the way, how much do you think a custom build like this would cost? Any estimates?
 
Do you guys think there is a chance i can get it below the $2500, more like $2000?

Also what motherboard do you guys recommend I start with? I'm probably looking for a motherboard that can of course handle the SSDs and up to 64 GB RAM. What do you guys think?
 
By the way, I should probably mention that I want the motherboard to be able to handle the latest i7 Intel CPU (sorry I forgot to mention that in my previous post.)
 
ComposerRyan said:
Do you guys think there is a chance i can get it below the $2500, more like $2000?

Also what motherboard do you guys recommend I start with? I'm probably looking for a motherboard that can of course handle the SSDs and up to 64 GB RAM. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

You don't need 64GB RAM and you wont be able to get what I listed for $2K. If I have some time later Ill try though...
 
Yes, Okedokey is definitely correct. Really, there is no need for 64 gigs of ram. It is actually just a waste of money. For what you need (a business and gaming class PC), you really only NEED 16 gigs, and if 100% necessary, maybe 32, but even that is usually for the biggest, baddest Super Computers. That money would be better put into something like a processor or dual graphics. If you are doing heavy editing, RAM is necessary, though not near as much as you think. But, a good CPU is essential. I would recommend the minimum of a 3930K for what you need. I'd go for this RAM and a couple of these (not necessary unless you are a super serious gamer). Dont really know a ton about sound cards, but from the research I have done, I believe this one should suit your needs. I would also hit up a couple of these as i am sure you will need the space and you already stated you needed speed. With all of that being said, you need a nice MOBO. You could probably spot one for cheaper, but really if you want a dream PC, it won't be cheap and you will definitely need closer to 3 grand. This case is here is quite roomy and not too terribly expensive. A good power supply so you can not only power your PC, but also keep everything inside safe is essential. Do not have much experience with these either, but others seem to really like them and they have become quite popular. Of course, we will get a copy of Win 8 with it. All of that runs at $2860.38. I know that is close to a thousand more than you'd like to spend, but if you want a perfect PC that will last years to do what you want to do, do it. Save up if necessary, but I believe you will be happy with the build. That is my dream build at least :P
 
DStetts said:
Yes, Okedokey is definitely correct. Really, there is no need for 64 gigs of ram. It is actually just a waste of money. For what you need (a business and gaming class PC), you really only NEED 16 gigs, and if 100% necessary, maybe 32, but even that is usually for the biggest, baddest Super Computers. That money would be better put into something like a processor or dual graphics. If you are doing heavy editing, RAM is necessary, though not near as much as you think. But, a good CPU is essential. I would recommend the minimum of a 3930K for what you need. I'd go for this RAM and a couple of these (not necessary unless you are a super serious gamer). Dont really know a ton about sound cards, but from the research I have done, I believe this one should suit your needs. I would also hit up a couple of these as i am sure you will need the space and you already stated you needed speed. With all of that being said, you need a nice MOBO. You could probably spot one for cheaper, but really if you want a dream PC, it won't be cheap and you will definitely need closer to 3 grand. This case is here is quite roomy and not too terribly expensive. A good power supply so you can not only power your PC, but also keep everything inside safe is essential. Do not have much experience with these either, but others seem to really like them and they have become quite popular. Of course, we will get a copy of Win 8 with it. All of that runs at $2860.38. I know that is close to a thousand more than you'd like to spend, but if you want a perfect PC that will last years to do what you want to do, do it. Save up if necessary, but I believe you will be happy with the build. That is my dream build at least :P
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for the detailed summary of the ultimate build! :D Those are some great part recommendations and really help me go in the right direction. But, like you mentioned, it runs around $3,000 and I was hoping more around $2,000 but maybe I'm being unrealistic? Any other ideas how to get the price down?
 
ComposerRyan said:
Do you guys think there is a chance i can get it below the $2500, more like $2000?

Also what motherboard do you guys recommend I start with? I'm probably looking for a motherboard that can of course handle the SSDs and up to 64 GB RAM. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Here is what I based on

Fractal design R4
i7 4770K
Gigabyte G1 Sniper Z87
SILVERSTONE HE02 CPU Cooler
2 x ADATA XPG V2 2 x 8GB DDR3 2400 (32 GB as you request)
Samsung 840 pro 256GB SSD
Seagate 3TB HDD
EVGA 03G-P4-3784-KR GeForce GTX 780 3GB
HT | OMEGA Claro Halo XT / ASUS Xonar Essence STX (not sure about this, you may not need additional sound card)
Corsair AX860
LG WH16NS40 - OEM
Windows 8.1

The main problem is I don't know if you need the component to be quiet, as I don't know if you need the PC for recording.

To make it near to $2000, SSD to Samsung EVO 120GB, heaksink change cheap arctic cooling freezer pro rev 2, PSU to Antec HCG-850M, and probably drop the sound card(?)
 
Last edited:
Cisco001 said:
Here is what I based on

Fractal design R4
i7 4770K
Gigabyte G1 Sniper Z87
SILVERSTONE HE02 CPU Cooler
2 x ADATA XPG V2 2 x 8GB DDR3 2400 (32 GB as you request)
Samsung 840 pro 256GB SSD
Seagate 3TB HDD
EVGA 03G-P4-3784-KR GeForce GTX 780 3GB
HT | OMEGA Claro Halo XT / ASUS Xonar Essence STX (not sure about this, you may not need additional sound card)
Corsair AX860
LG WH16NS40 - OEM
Windows 8.1

The main problem is I don't know if you need the component to be quiet, as I don't know if you need the PC for recording.

To make it near to $2000, SSD to Samsung EVO 120GB, heaksink change cheap arctic cooling freezer pro rev 2, PSU to Antec HCG-850M, and probably drop the sound card(?)
Click to expand...

Thanks Cisco for the detailed parts list. I put together the parts over at the PC parts picker website and had to make some customization to the hard drives (I actually need 2 SSD at 500 gbs each)

Here is the price so far according to pcpartpicker.com:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3aQiX

As you can see, it is quite expensive but at least it puts me on the right track though. :) Thanks for your help and if you guys have any other ideas on how to get that price lowered, that would be great. :good:
 
ComposerRyan said:
Thanks Cisco for the detailed parts list. I put together the parts over at the PC parts picker website and had to make some customization to the hard drives (I actually need 2 SSD at 500 gbs each)

Here is the price so far according to pcpartpicker.com:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3aQiX

As you can see, it is quite expensive but at least it puts me on the right track though. :) Thanks for your help and if you guys have any other ideas on how to get that price lowered, that would be great. :good:
Click to expand...

Why do u need 2 x 500gb ssd?
Why u choose ddr3 2800? That is so expensive, and u won't notice the difference!
 
Cisco001 said:
Why do u need 2 x 500gb ssd?
Why u choose ddr3 2800? That is so expensive, and u won't notice the difference!
Click to expand...

Hmm, didn't even notice I had chosen the 2800. I put it back to 2400 which brought the price down to $2,500 so I'm getting close to getting it lower. Thanks for noticing that. Btw, what does the "2400" and "2800" truly stand for?

With the SSD hard drives, the samples I will be using are 310 gbs (strings sounds), 150 GBs (trumpets, french horns, etc), and then the list goes on and on. So the samples could easily reach 1 TB and they recommend a SSD for the samples. It's just too bad SSDs are soooo expensive. :eek:
 
ComposerRyan said:
Hmm, didn't even notice I had chosen the 2800. I put it back to 2400 which brought the price down to $2,500 so I'm getting close to getting it lower. Thanks for noticing that. Btw, what does the "2400" and "2800" truly stand for?

With the SSD hard drives, the samples I will be using are 310 gbs (strings sounds), 150 GBs (trumpets, french horns, etc), and then the list goes on and on. So the samples could easily reach 1 TB and they recommend a SSD for the samples. It's just too bad SSDs are soooo expensive. :eek:
Click to expand...

I am not sure how your programme suppose to work.
But usually you can use a ssd to run OS and programme and store everything on the HDD.
Or to save money, you can consider getting SSHD
 
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