First Custom PC Build - Help Needed

[XxSelymxX]

Thank you all for your input! All my issues were resolved and I have much better parts at less cost now I most likely will not change anything else.



I will use this PC to game, edit video (Adobe After Effects), and do graphics design among other things almost every day, bring it to LAN parties every few weeks, and I would like to overclock the GPU. I am strongly against changing the motherboard, case, and CPU / GPU (Intel/Nvidia fanboy ). I will not change the Keyboard and want the PSU to be 1,000w for possible future upgrades.

Budget: $2k



Here are the parts I've chosen (with links):


Case $140:
LIAN LI PC-B25F
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112248

Motherboard $190:
GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128545

GPU $500:
EVGA GTX 680
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130768

SSD $81:
Crucial M4 64GB SATAIII SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148441

HDD $155:
Seagate Momentus XT 750GB 7200RPM 32MB Cache 2.5" SATA 6GBP/s SSHD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148837

RAM $95:
CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB DDR3 240pin 1.5v
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145347

Power Supply $200:
SeaSonic X-SERIES 1050w ATX12V SLI Certified 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151110

CPU: $320:
i7 3770 3.9 GHZ (TB) 8 core (Multi Thread) 8MB Cache 77W Ivy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116502

Wifi Adapter ($45):
TP LINK 8.022.11 a/b/g/n 450MBPS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833704133

Grounding Strap $8:
http://www.outletpc.com/aa8186.html?...FUdN4AodpRB51A

Monitor $300:
Dell U2412M
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...oductdetail.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&sku=320-1629

Keyboard $140:
Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth Edition
http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.235197900/categoryId.35156900

Speakers $50:
Creative Inspire T3130 2.1 Speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836116048


Total Price: $2k

Thank you!



Suggestions accepted:

PhoenixEnigma: i7 3770 3.9GHZ (TB) CPU, Windows 7 Professional OEM, CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB RAM

Ken g6/mfenn: Crucial 60GB SSD

mrnewsham: Suggesting I get different motherboard. Choice: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77

birthdaymonkey: Dell U2412M, mechanical keyboard Choice: Razer BlackWidow Stealth Ultimate Edition

 

[PhoenixEnigma]

Just off the top of my head:

The i7-3820 is an LGA2011 CPU, and you've picked an LGA1155 motherboard, so they won't work together. There's no reason to go for LGA 2011 for gaming anyways, so replace the CPU with an i7-3770k or i5-3570k and you'll be set.

You don't really need a 1kW PSU for a build like that. A good 650W or 750W unit would be much more reasonable.

It's recommended to stick to 1.5V (or lower) RAM with SB and IVB. Probably going to cost you twice as much, though compared to the overall build it's not a big deal.

The GTX680 is probably overkill for a single 1080p monitor, though some will disagree that there is any such thing. At any rate, it GTX 670 is rumored to be coming out very soon now and be very close in performance, so you might want to wait for that.

You're paying about $100 too much for Windows. You should be able to get an OEM copy for about $100.

 

[XxSelymxX]

RE PhoenixEnigma

Thank you so much for your input! I would get a 750w PSU but want to be safe in case I want to upgrade to SLI and overclock (is 750w still ok?). I changed OS, CPU, and RAM Please review my edits You saved my $62 and I have a better CPU and RAM Thanks again!

 

[Ken g6]

If I was you, I would start with...well...practically everything in [thread=2192841]this thread[/thread] except the GPU and case, as you can clearly afford better. I think Mfenn's choices for CPU, mobo, SSD, HDD, RAM, and PSU, as listed in that thread are all better choices than yours - though you do have a need to double up on the RAM.

Actually, for a gaming PC to take to LAN parties, I'd personally want a smaller case and mobo - mini-ITX if I could find a workable case.

Edit: Didn't see your SLI comment until I posted. 750W would be a minimum; 850 would give a comfortable margin.

 

[XxSelymxX]

RE Ken g6

Thank you for the suggestion. The build you linked me to is great I will consider changing some of my parts to the ones in that build. I am not worried about weight/size of the case but more about durability and enough room for large components, good cable management, etc.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

I'd scrap that $250 mobo for something like the Asrock extreme4 or extreme6

 

[PhoenixEnigma]

There's no way you need SLI GTX 680s for a 60Hz 1080p monitor, it's absolute overkill. Even one is pretty extreme, IMO. By the time there's any need for that amount of graphics power at that resolution, it's going to make far more sense just to buy a new card - that seems to be a pretty universal truth of multi-GPU setups.

Re: your opinion. You're here asking for help from people who have done this before, when you admit this is your first build. I'd recommend you check it at the door.

 

[XxSelymxX]

RE OVerLoRDI

The exteme 6 seems like a great motherboard for overclocking and its a great price, but reading the reviews I found it isnt as reliable as the sabertooth. I would rather pay more for a bit more reliability, thermal 'armor', and 5 year warranty. The extreme 6 is great though and I might change my mind. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[XxSelymxX]

RE PhoenixEnigma

SLI IS overkill and I most likely will not use it but I just want to be safe. If I need to lower the price of the build, I will get a 750w PSU. I am not too familiar with the 'check it at the door' expression, but I have heard of 'check your attitude at the door' and I don't think that was necessary to say if that was what you meant. I am trying to be respectful to everyone and I look at every single part someone suggests. The parts he suggested were clearly stated by the OP of the thread as a 'mid-range' build and I am looking for higher quality durable and reliable components. Sorry if that is not what you meant by 'check it at the door'.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Get a proper monitor

 

[mnewsham]

Get a proper monitor

21.5" 1920x1080 is better than what most people have, what would you suggest a "proper" monitor is?

 

[XxSelymxX]

RE aaksheyatalwar

I need a relatively cheap monitor.The Dell ST2220L has lots of 5 star reviews, almost no negative reviews, and its only $140. If you can inform me of a monitor around $200 that is better I will look at it and if I like it, I will get it. Thank you

 

[mfenn]

RE Ken g6

Thank you for the suggestion but as stated by the OP of that thread those parts are not for a gaming/high end PC that can handle overclocking and upgrades which is what I am looking for. I am not worried about weight/size of the case but more about durability and enough room for large components, good cable management, etc.

Show me where I said that?

 

[mfenn]

I am not too familiar with the 'check it at the door' expression, but I have heard check your attitude at the door and I don't think that was necessary to say if that was what you meant. I am trying to be respectful to everyone and I look at every single part someone suggests. The parts he suggested were clearly stated by the OP of the thread as a 'mid-range' build for a less than $1,000, and that dosent meet my $2,000 budget. Sorry if that is not what you meant by 'check it at the door'.

This is exactly what kind of attitude PheonixEnigma was referring to. If you have convinced yourself that you need to spend $2000 to play on a 60Hz 1080P screen, then more power to you, we can close this thread now. What we are trying to tell you is that spending $2000 on such a bog-standard resolution is beyond pointless and a waste of money.

 

[XxSelymxX]

RE mfenn

Let's not start an argument here. You are clearly more knowledgeable about PCs than me. The place where you say that this is in the title which is "Attention mid-range system builders" But I did misspeak as the system is definitely good for gaming. Sorry, I will edit my post.

I am spending 2k because I want this computer to last a long time before needing an upgrade or repair. I know you could build a great gaming machine at 1,000 so I have not convinced myself one needs to spend 2k but I would rather have a more reliable, and sturdy system with more features and excess power to have it last. I do not see why you can not accept this as many people have 1080p screens with MUCH more expensive components.

You might as well close the thread because I got some excellent helpful feedback at first and now its just turning to insults. I try to respect everyone and get insults back just because I would like to spend a bit more. Thank you and sorry.

 

[XxSelymxX]

RE mefenn

Also if you do leave this up then please consider deleting your quotes. I see how one could interpret that as a bad attitude and I have changed my posts to not sound so arrogant. I assure you that was not the tone I had in mind when I typed those. I am looking into changing some parts I had decided on to the ones in your post and I hope we can resolve this conflict.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

The i7 3770 cannot be overclocked. Cooler Master PSUs are not reputable. Buying a hybrid HDD and an SSD makes no sense; get a normal HDD and a 128GB m4. You're not really spending an extra $100 on that motherboard for quality... it's for e-peen. It makes no sense to skimp on the monitor and spend extra on a ricer motherboard. Spending $140 on a monitor for such a deluxe build is crazy. You're likely to keep a good monitor longer than you would a graphics card. Why would you spend 3X as much on the card??

EDIT: It's your money, but if you came here for advice, I think you'll find almost everyone on this board would agree with the posts that have been posted thus far.

 

[XxSelymxX]

RE birthdaymonkey

I agree it is a cheap monitor. I have seen it in person and IMO it looks amazing for the price (loads better than my current laptop screen). I was thinking of getting a different mobo. What do you suggest for a different monitor and motherboard? I'm open for suggestions but I would like if people could post what parts I should consider using.

 

[mnewsham]

RE birthdaymonkey

I agree it is a cheap monitor. I have seen it in person and IMO it looks amazing for the price (loads better than my current laptop screen). I was thinking of getting a different mobo. What do you suggest for a different monitor and motherboard? I'm open for suggestions but I would like if people could post what parts I should consider using.

How is this motherboard?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157293

And with that budget you can fit a nice monitor like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236092

This monitor will allow 3D gaming (if you are interested) or just 120Hz gaming (120FPS) which is a lot smoother.

 

[XxSelymxX]

RE mnewsham

Great motherboard! Thanks I'll use that instead

 

[XxSelymxX]

Any more suggestions?

 

[mnewsham]

RE mnewsham

Great motherboard! Thanks I'll use that instead

While we are at it I would recommend this RAM instead, you don't need 16GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231424

Also this hard drive is cheaper, you don't need a hybrid drive if you are getting an SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148697

Also since you are using this machine for gaming, getting the i7 makes no sense as Hyperthreading (all the i7 adds) does next to NOTHING for gaming, this CPU is much cheaper and will get you 85-90% of the performance.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116506


And might I recommend a Mechanical keyboard for gaming instead of a stupid light up keyboard that is more flashy and showoffy then actually useful?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823114011


That's all I can think of for now.

 

[DSF]

I am spending 2k because I want this computer to last a long time before needing an upgrade or repair. I know you could build a great gaming machine at 1,000 so I have not convinced myself one needs to spend 2k but I would rather have a more reliable, and sturdy system with more features and excess power to have it last. I do not see why you can not accept this as many people have 1080p screens with MUCH more expensive components.

Nobody here is insulting you.

The issue people are trying to point out with spending $2000 is that after the first $1000-1200 you're getting seriously diminishing returns. You get a much longer-lasting machine by spending $1000 now and another $500 every couple years than you do by dropping $2000 at once and not upgrading for four years. The best technology now isn't going to be as good as the mid-range in two years, so there's no point in buying a high-end system now when you could buy two mid-range systems for that price.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

The larger and higher quality Dell U2412M, which is pretty much the defacto king of entry-level IPS monitors, can be had on sale for $270-$300. You can afford that in your budget with what you'd save on the motherboard and a non-hybrid HDD.

You could easily afford it if you went with mnewsham's advice and got an i5. If you got the 3570K (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...6504&Tpk=3570K), for $250, you'd have the option of overclocking, which you couldn't do with the 3770 (non-K). Resultantly, the i5 would actually offer more "future proofing" than the i7 for less money if you OC (as you mentioned you wanted the 1000-watt PSU for).

Also, as was mentioned, you should consider a much nicer mechanical keyboard like the Rosewill RK-9000 series for the same price as the Razor.

And, again, Cooler Master power supplies are not generally recommended. For the same price, you can get a best-in-the-industry Seasonic X-series 850 or 1050 watt. (Although you really don't need anywhere near that much power)

 

[XxSelymxX]

The larger and higher quality Dell U2412M, which is pretty much the defacto king of entry-level IPS monitors, can be had on sale for $270-$300.

Also, as was mentioned, you should consider a much nicer mechanical keyboard like the Rosewill RK-9000 series for the same price as the Razor.

And, again, Cooler Master power supplies are not generally recommended. For the same price, you can get a best-in-the-industry Seasonic X-series 850 or 1050 watt. (Although you really don't need anywhere near that much power)

Yeah 1050 is ridiculous but I suppose I'll use it as its not much more and it is 80 plus gold certified.

I was looking at the Dell U2412M but was deterred by the IPS bleed on blacks and 'ghosting' so I stuck with a TN panel. Is the IPS bleed and ghosting/blurring really that bad?

I will get the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Stealth.

Now to choose a part to downgrade ._.