Need advice on a new build

B

BlackBat

New Member
Hello everyone! First post here, though I've lurked this forum among other sites a bit during the research for my new build.

What I'm going for is a system that will run some gaming (though not a lot), but will be able to handle a heavy workload when it comes to video and RAW photo processing and editing. As a note, I do not plan on overclocking this system.

I'm not super concerned about leaving myself too open for future hardware updates, as long as the products I purchase will be supported for a few years (BIOS updates, drivers, etc.), as I usually rebuild from the ground up with new components every 3-4 years anyway. While my budget isn't unlimited for this system, I do plan to use it for a few years, so I don't mind to invest accordingly.

I've finally gotten a list of components together that I intend on purchasing, but since it's been a little over 3 years since I last built a system a LOT has changed. I was hoping that some of the more knowledgeable members here that have kept in the loop on things would be kind enough to share their opinions with me on my choices, comment on if the items I have picked are fully compatible, and hopefully make pointers concerning helpful information, and advise where I might have made the inevitable misstep. :rolleyes:

Thanks in advance! :)


Motherboard: ASUS P9X79 PRO LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with USB BIOS

Processor: Intel Core i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor

Memory: G.SKILL Ares Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-1866C10Q-32GAB

Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand TPG-1200M 1200W ATX 12V v2.3 & SSI EPS 12V v2.92 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Cooling: Phanteks PH-TC14PE 140mm UFB (Updraft Floating Balance) CPU Cooler

Boot Drive: SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Internal Storage Drive: Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive

Graphics Card: EVGA 02G-P4-3660-KR GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Case: Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case


I'm not too worried about an optical drive, as I think I'll probably use the one I have. It works fine and they're relatively benign if I ever decide that I need an upgrade.

I don't have a good handle on the newer case fans at this point, but if anyone can make recommendations on make, set-up, etc. I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again everyone! I know it's asking a lot, but you know what they say.... the only stupid question is the one that goes unasked.:D
 
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PSU is complete overkill. For a 660ti all you need is a quality 600 watt. if you go SLI, then look at a 700+ Watt.

Not exactly sure you need to have 32GB of RAM. Start with 16GB and if you need more you can upgrade later.

Everything else looks good to me.
 
If you wanted to save some money you could go for a good Z77 board (such as the Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H or UP4) and get an i7 3770K. A 3770K should be fine for video editing and photo processing. I process my RAW photos on an i5 2500K and I never have any performance issues, so a 3770K would be fine.

I also agree that 16GB of RAM is enough and yeah, 1200W is completely overkill. A Corsair TX 650 V2 would be absolutely plenty.
 
CPU - Why you are getting i7-3930k if you are not overclock? You can get away with i7-3820. Or may be i7-3770 with Z77 mobo.

Mobo - If you are not overclock, I don't see the point getting $320 motherboard. A $260 mobo could do the job.

CPU cooler - Why do you need aftermarket heatsink if you are not overclock?
On the other hand, with $86 could buy yourself water cool

HDD - I think Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 is a faster drive?

Video card - if you make saving on CPU & mobo, you could probably afford GTX 680.

PSU - I am not sure why you need 1200W. If you go for dual GTX680 eventually, you could probably get away with 900W - 1000W. SeaSonic X-1050 seems to be relatively good value.
 
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I'd go with K anyways. Keep the option open.
The stock cooler is noisey, so I agree with 3rd party cooler and helps with air flow.
For Gold power supply take a look at Seasonic X / Corsair AX, including thier cables :good:
If you don't mind the extra, Western Digital Black(FAEX) with 5yr warranty. Or Seagate M003-M004.
Corsair will already be using good case fans.
 
Wow...some great advice. Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to help me out!

I was thinking the 32G RAM for the multiple applications I use like Photoshop, Lightroom, Phototools, Elements, Vegas, etc... many of which I often have open at the same time as each other and a browser window or three, and I hop back and forth on my multiple monitor set-up. Since RAM is cheap currently I figured doubling what my current system has couldn't hurt.

As for the PSU, I guess I haven't got used to the lower power demands of some components since my last build, plus I didn't take into consideration that my last PC is also a gaming rig with SLI setup, two SATA HDs, two optical drives, a card reader, and a video capture card (most of which which I have long since abandoned using). Since my last system had a 1000W PSU, I just "kneejerked" my "need" for the 1200 one out of the habit of escalation. Thanks for setting me straight. I took a look at the SeaSonic units and was pretty impressed with the true modular cabling and overall positive feedback. I think I've settled on this one:

SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply

It looks like it will meet my needs and I don't think the single rail system vs. the two rail I'm accustomed to will cause any problems, considering how few peripherals I'll be actually using, but if I'm incorrect let me know.

I took a look at the Storage HD and liked the WD Black that was suggested better than the one I had initially chosen:

Western Digital WD Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

The CPU seems to be about the most powerful one I could settle on without breaking the bank for the Extreme additions. Also, even though I don't plan on overclocking... who knows how I'll feel a year or two from now. Like Benny says, I think I'd prefer to keep the option open.

I really like the BIOS setup on ASUS boards, and I've had good luck out of their boards as well, so I do have a touch of brand loyalty to them. Is there an ASUS board that might be a better choice and would offer the same/better performance for the i7-3930k CPU ?

I chose the cooler for overall airflow, noise reduction over the stock unit, and reported better cooling, as a lot of reviews indicated the 3930K ran hot. I'm not experienced with water coolers... are they easy to install and are they far superior to the cooling unit I picked? I also know how to maintain my fans, is there special maintenance for water cooling units?

Again, I appreciate the help and recommendations. :)
 
That's a good PSU you've picked there.

The board you found for the 3930K will be fine (P9X79 PRO).

I'd go for 16GB of RAM for the time being and if you feel you need 32GB of RAM get another 16GB later on. 16GB really is a lot. Really, the only reason why you'd need 32GB is if you're going to running multiple virtual machines at once. Make sure to get 2x8GB sticks though, not 4x4GB if you may be upgrading later.
 
BlackBat said:
I was thinking the 32G RAM for the multiple applications I use like Photoshop, Lightroom, Phototools, Elements, Vegas, etc... many of which I often have open at the same time as each other and a browser window or three, and I hop back and forth on my multiple monitor set-up. Since RAM is cheap currently I figured doubling what my current system has couldn't hurt.
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If you want to spend money on the 32GB, it won't hurt. But I seriously doubt that you need it.

SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply

It looks like it will meet my needs and I don't think the single rail system vs. the two rail I'm accustomed to will cause any problems, considering how few peripherals I'll be actually using, but if I'm incorrect let me know.
Click to expand...
You can not really look at the rail design reliably. Most designs are multirail anyway, but (and I am sure biigfella will come along to explain it), technically it is one rail with a bit of magic that makes it seem like more.
Either way, seasonic is one of teh best out there.

I took a look at the Storage HD and liked the WD Black that was suggested better than the one I had initially chosen:

Western Digital WD Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Click to expand...
Western Digital is good, but I would take a look at a Seagate drive. About the same quality, only marginally less performance, and less expensive. The blacks are more of a boot drive than a storage drive.

I chose the cooler for overall airflow, noise reduction over the stock unit, and reported better cooling, as a lot of reviews indicated the 3930K ran hot. I'm not experienced with water coolers... are they easy to install and are they far superior to the cooling unit I picked? I also know how to maintain my fans, is there special maintenance for water cooling units?

Again, I appreciate the help and recommendations. :)
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First, no. A good air cooler like you choose is about equal to most closed unit water coolers. Generally only a few degrees difference at most.
Though for a high end system like this, look at a XSPC cooling kit. You will not match it on air or CLC ever. Assembly is easy also.
 
Altho QVL usually doesn't mean a lot, X79 might be a little more picky about what RAM. I'd see if my RAM was on it or pic one that is. Looks like quad channel will help maximize performance and if you think 16 is cutting it close, 32 is ok and Ramdisk is useful if you have extra. Also, if you manage pagefile on your ssd to 0 or a small min/max size then you'd have the memory to hold more of that unpaged data. The 4 dimm pack also insures factory testing for the kit.
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1779/1/
I like the hdd choice. Just about any 7200rpm would be considered boot drive. For any purpose, no real reason to have anything slower in a desktop.
Nice board.
Since you're not overclocking right away just go with the good air cooler and with it you can overclock nicely. Then you can decide if you want water cooled.
 
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