Building a Custom Computer... not too well versed in the technology

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ExValentine0

New Member
So, just some quick background, I'm a university student with some measure of knowledge in the way of computing, but my main focus is in biology and chemistry. I also enjoy gaming. In about 9 months, I plan on getting a job in research (which might require 3D modeling and heavy multitasking at home) and I need/want a computer that will both run fluidly and last a while.

I want to build a custom computer and I'm not sure if the components that I have picked out are too overpowered for the kind of things that I want to do.:confused: I really want to run games like League of Legends fluidly, plus have sufficient power to stream videos, listen to music, run 3D modeling programs and support heavy multitasking. Here's a list of what I'm looking at:

OS - Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (it's the OS I'm running on my laptop and I really like it... yes, it came with it)

Hard Drive - Hitachi Ultrastar 3.5-Inch 300 GB 15000RPM SAS 64 MB Cache Enterprise Hard Drive with Mission Critical Performance http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-Ultrastar-Enterprise-Performance-0B23661/dp/B00492BU40/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_T1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1M3J2H2QN8ZSS&colid=2VPPPW7KX6T92

Graphics - EVGA GeForce 560 Ti (2 linked by SLI), GDDR5, 2048MB, PCI 2.0, SLI Ready. http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Mini-HDMI-Graphics-02G-P3-1568-KR/dp/B005760836/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2XL74AFMMLMNT&colid=2VPPPW7KX6T92

I'm not sure if this is relatively powerful, so, if not, I'd at least like to link 2 of them up. I don't know if having two linked by SLI or having one graphics card of equivalent benchmark would be better.

RAM - Corsair Vengeance Blue 4x4GB DDR3 Dual-Channel Memory http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Channel-Memory-CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9B/dp/B004RFBIUU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3E2O3H9ZY872&colid=2VPPPW7KX6T92

Motherboard - Not really sure how to describe it.... http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-LGA-1155-Motherboards-P8Z68-V/dp/B005UDITPK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2U2DXOFRKQ7MU&colid=2VPPPW7KX6T92

CPU - Intel Core i7-2600K, fully unlocked for overclocking http://www.amazon.com/Intel-BX80623I72600K-Core-i7-2600K-Processor/dp/B004EBUXSA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1SR6QYB0QOOI6&colid=2VPPPW7KX6T92

Tower - Here's another link with the info. I picked it mostly because it supposed to have good airflow and "creates positive pressure" in the housing to keep dust and whatnot out. http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Lanboy-Air-Computer-Modular/dp/B003WMX3SY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_T1?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2K2MHS0LX55IE&colid=2VPPPW7KX6T92


I have a CD/DVD drive selected, as well as a monitor (I doubt that they're REALLY important in terms of performance). The entire set-up, as far as I calculate, is a bit over $2000. I don't have a power supply selected because: (1) my selections aren't set in stone) and (2) I don't really know much about power supplies to make a good selection.


Any and all help is appreciated!

Thanks!

EDIT: I'd like to have this set-up be fairly cost-efficient while having little sacrifice to computing power. If I can have this computer running for like..... 8-10 years and just needing to replace hard drive every few or so, I'd really like that.
 
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OK I can tell you now that the 2600K is a good choice, but the new i7 3770K just got released! It's a newer chip and as it's the latest and greatest, why not get that? It overclocks just as well as the 2600K does/did.

You want a Z77 motherboard, go for an ASUS P8Z77-V board or a Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H board if you can. ASRock also make some great Z77 boards, the Z77 Extreme6 looks like a good board. I have the P8Z68-V PRO, it's a good board, but Z77 is newer, faster and runs cooler than Z77, so get the Z77 board. :) Will work with the 3770K and your RAM just fine. :) Even the 2600K would work on the Z77 board.

So you want two GTX 560 Ti's? I'd just go for one GTX 580 if I were you. It would probably be cheaper and I always prefer one bigger card over two smaller ones. To be honest though, the 560 Ti is a pretty powerful card, so even one 560 Ti would game very well and be than enough for your rendering. :) Save the money.

That case is pretty expensive. The Lian-Li PC-K62 is 100 bucks from Amazon and is a great case. You might want to speak to voyagerfan99 about the PC-K62, he's got one, think he likes it. :D

PSU wise, buy a good brand PSU - Corsair, XFX, Antec, OCZ, PC Power & Cooling or Seasonic, and remember amperage to the +12V rail is more important than wattage usually. For two 560 Ti's, a 750W would be enough (I recommend the Corsair TX750m, it's a modular PSU too, only plug in the cables you need). For a single 560 Ti, a 650W would be enough (Corsair TX650) and for a single 580, I'd say a quality 700W would do you good.

Good luck!
 
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