Need a new PC in Middle Earth

[Mr. Pedantic]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Handbrake, gaming. Day to day usage isn't so heavy, but encoding blu-rays takes a lot of multithreaded CPU power.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

Aiming around $3000, but everything will probably be from New Zealand - simply not worth it to ship from another country because of shipping costs and customs taxes.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

New Zealand - as above

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU.

www.pricespy.co.nz
nz.pcpartpicker.com

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Prefer Intel. Really want an nvidia GPU this time but they are, for some reason, more expensive than their AMD counterparts.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

I have an SSD/HDDs, monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, blu-ray drive, and an operating system. Need a CPU + cooler, mobo, memory, GPU, PSU, and case. Also a fan controller.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Overclocking would be nice. Not absolutely essential, but I'd like the option, which is why I don't want a Xeon.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

23"

Heh heh. 1920x1080.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

Soon. Should be getting a pretty hefty tax return this year cause I didn't work the full year, and I should be getting it within the month. So aiming mid-July.

10. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

Nope.

________________________________________________________________

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($587.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($379.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Memory: Crucial 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($525.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($568.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 660W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($279.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Total: $2338.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-07 09:18 NZST+1200

I didn't pick out a case or a CPU cooler cause I'm not sure exactly what to get. I wanted an FT02 but I don't think it's stocked anywhere in New Zealand. So, I want something similar in terms of styling. The FT02 is pretty much as big a case as my desk space can handle, and it needs to be able to accommodate 1x 5.25", 3x 3.5", and 1x 2.5" drives. Not sure what case would be best.

The CPU cooler depends on the case. If it fits, I'd like a Corsair H100i, but if not then I'll get something else.

 

[TheELF]

You sure you want to spend so much (more) money just to get better bluray conversion speeds?
How many blurays a day are you planning on converting?

Unless you are a professional a PC like this is total overkill.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

You sure you want to spend so much (more) money just to get better bluray conversion speeds?
How many blurays a day are you planning on converting?

Unless you are a professional a PC like this is total overkill.

The encodes are actually pretty slow on my i7 920. The normal DVDs take about a day and the Blu-rays take quite a bit longer. And I suspect H.265 takes a further performance hit. It's not like it's a job or something, but I have quite a few Blu-rays and I'm planning to add to the collection.

Disappointingly, the 4790K isn't THAT much better than the i7 920. Like, I went from an Athlon64 3200+ to an i7 920 after 6 years, that was an unimaginably huge performance jump. Now it's 6 years later and I'm pretty disappointed, but I'm expecting this 5820K to last another 6 years conservatively. I'll probably have to upgrade the GPU once or twice like I did with my current machine, but this CPU should be with me for quite a while.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

why don't you see if your motherboard will work with the 6c, 12 thread Xeon e.g. X5660

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

why don't you see if your motherboard will work with the 6c, 12 thread Xeon e.g. X5660

I think it supports the Westmere 6-cores, but the problem is finding one. Most places don't sell them anymore, since it's, you know, 4 years old, and the cheapest one I've found is $500. So why not get a 5820?

Also, and most important, I want something new, and for the first time in about 5 years, I can afford it.

 

[mfenn]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($587.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($379.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Memory: Crucial 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($525.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 970 4GB WINDFORCE 3X Video Card ($568.00 @ 1stWave Technologies)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 660W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($279.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Total: $2338.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-07 09:18 NZST+1200

I didn't pick out a case or a CPU cooler cause I'm not sure exactly what to get. I wanted an FT02 but I don't think it's stocked anywhere in New Zealand. So, I want something similar in terms of styling. The FT02 is pretty much as big a case as my desk space can handle, and it needs to be able to accommodate 1x 5.25", 3x 3.5", and 1x 2.5" drives. Not sure what case would be best.

The CPU cooler depends on the case. If it fits, I'd like a Corsair H100i, but if not then I'll get something else.

My thoughts:

- RAM: 16 GB would be fine for your usage, so you could save a couple hundred by going with a 4x4 GB kit like this Kingston DDR4 2400 for $334. You have the budget for 32 GB if you want it, but it's not strictly necessary for your use case.
- GPU: The R9 290X is the AMD competitor to the GTX 970, and in the US it is generally cheaper by $20-40. However, it looks like it's very scarce and/or expensive in NZ, so the GTX 970 is a good choice.
- PSU: You can save a bundle on the PSU by going with the Antec TP-650C for $158. It's built by Seasonic on their S12G platform.
- Case: Since it's seems like you're looking for a "monolith" style case, check out the Phanteks Enthoo Pro for $195 and the Corsair 550D for $242
- HSF: I would consider a tower cooler like the Phanteks PH-TC12DX for $114. It's loses a few degrees at load to the dual-fan AIO's, but costs about half as much. The PH-TC14DX remedies that for $183.

 

[XavierMace]

I think it supports the Westmere 6-cores, but the problem is finding one. Most places don't sell them anymore, since it's, you know, 4 years old, and the cheapest one I've found is $500. So why not get a 5820?

Also, and most important, I want something new, and for the first time in about 5 years, I can afford it.

~120 USD on eBay for the record.

The encodes are actually pretty slow on my i7 920. The normal DVDs take about a day and the Blu-rays take quite a bit longer. And I suspect H.265 takes a further performance hit. It's not like it's a job or something, but I have quite a few Blu-rays and I'm planning to add to the collection.

That's far too slow for a i7 920 or a 4790K. What settings are you using? I've done a handful of Blu-ray rips (makemkv + handbrake), don't recall any taking more than a few hours on my 3770K.

Not saying don't buy a new computer, just saying your current one sounds like it should be performing faster than it is.

 

[MonKENy]

I have nothing to add to this thread except to ask if those prices are because its NZ? When I saw a budget of 3k I was think wow you can go all out. Thats ridiculous

 

[mfenn]

I have nothing to add to this thread except to ask if those prices are because its NZ? When I saw a budget of 3k I was think wow you can go all out. Thats ridiculous

Pretty much. The actual exchange rate isn't that bad (1 USD = 1.40 NZD), but the fact that it's a small island country really screws with prices.

 

[DigDog]

but ..

how does a six core 3.3Ghz compare to a 4 core 4.4Ghz?
even with OC, i doubt the 5820k can go over 4Ghz, while the 4790k should hit 4.8.

this encoding that you do, is it for fun, or for work?

 

[XavierMace]

I realized after my last post that I should have mentioned it depends on what you're doing the encoding with as well. If the application allows for CUDA offloading and you've got a decent video card, that can make a huge difference as well.

 

[PhIlLy ChEeSe]

even with OC, i doubt the 5820k can go over 4Ghz, while the 4790k should hit 4.8.

But he can always upgrade the CPU in the future, the 5820K is a good over clocker. He also states it's not important if he doesn't over clock. it also defaults at 4326MHz.............

http://hwbot.org/hardware/processor/core_i7_5820k/

 

[DigDog]

But he can always upgrade the CPU in the future, the 5820K is a good over clocker. He also states it's not important if he doesn't over clock. it also defaults at 4326MHz.............

http://hwbot.org/hardware/processor/core_i7_5820k/

you might want to re-read that. it defaults at 3.3Ghz.

 

[piasabird]

I am guessing here. I am guessing you have the same problem as trying to compile animations.
X99 motherboard
CPU for maximum threads/speed/multitasking
DDR4 RAM
More speed, more threads, more RAM, more throughput.
You have to look at the total picture. I think More RAM that runs faster and CPU designed to take advantage of that is key here.

For encoding I am thinking go look at people who sell Workstations and see what they are selling. I am wondering if what you really want is a server.

This is what Dell sells for $3k: 8 core XEON???
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...ision-t7910-workstation&c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04
Maybe more RAM.

Higher throughput is more important that fastest processor.

 

[mfenn]

but ..

how does a six core 3.3Ghz compare to a 4 core 4.4Ghz?
even with OC, i doubt the 5820k can go over 4Ghz, while the 4790k should hit 4.8.

this encoding that you do, is it for fun, or for work?

It's kind of disingenuous to compare the max boost clock of a 4790K to the base clock of a 5820K. If you assume that MCT is running on both, the comparison is 6 cores as 3.6 GHz versus 4 cores at 4.4 GHz.

Since encoding scales well with core count and they are both the same microarchitecture, a simple core-MHz calculation results in the 5820K having 22.7% more compute power. Whether that's worth the cost delta depends on the OP.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Sorry guys, been way too busy with work and shit.

I have nothing to add to this thread except to ask if those prices are because its NZ? When I saw a budget of 3k I was think wow you can go all out. Thats ridiculous

Pretty much. And shipping stuff here isn't much better. For example for a $120 processor (e.g. x5660) it costs about $60 for shipping, then there's another $40 for customs. It's not just the exchange rate.

but ..

how does a six core 3.3Ghz compare to a 4 core 4.4Ghz?
even with OC, i doubt the 5820k can go over 4Ghz, while the 4790k should hit 4.8.

this encoding that you do, is it for fun, or for work?

From what I understand the base of the 5820K is 3.3GHz and the base of the 4790K is 4GHz, which is only around 20% more. And from what I've read the overclockability of both is similar; the 4790K maybe 4.6-4.8GHz, and the 5820K maybe 4.4-4.6GHz.

It's not like I do it for a living. But it takes more of my CPU time than any other single thing I do. And I have a budget, so why not use it?

~120 USD on eBay for the record.



That's far too slow for a i7 920 or a 4790K. What settings are you using? I've done a handful of Blu-ray rips (makemkv + handbrake), don't recall any taking more than a few hours on my 3770K.

Not saying don't buy a new computer, just saying your current one sounds like it should be performing faster than it is.

From my reckoning it's not far off. My 920 is at base clock. These are the settings for my current encode:

-f mp4 -w 1920 --crop 140:140:0:0 --loose-anamorphic --modulus 2 -e x265 -q 19 --vfr -a 1,4 -E fdk_aac,fdk_aac -6 dpl2,dpl2 -R Auto,48 -B 320,320 -D 0,0 --gain 0,0 --audio-fallback ac3 --subtitle 1,2,8 --markers="xxxxx" --encoder-preset=veryslow --verbose=1

This one's with x265 using Very Slow, guess how long this is taking. But I think the reason you're expecting my encodes to be quicker is because I usually use Slower to Placebo.