Graphics and Gaming build

H

Hacksaw

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
102
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Mostly Graphic Design work with multiple programs being used at once PS 5, AI, Rip software for Wideformat printers. Plus some gaming and ripping my dvds, blu ray when I get a chance
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Approx. 2,000 give or take a couple of hundred. Price excludes new monitor
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
U.S. in SC no nearby computer stores
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Case, Power Supply, Ram, Cpu, Motherboard, Heatsink, Video card, Blu ray drive, SSD, OS
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I will reuse my current 2 24" asus Monitors.
6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
I currently have 2 Asus 24" monitors Res 1920X1080p . I will be picking up third monitor thinking about the high res 27" Asus coming out (PB278Q is a 2560 by 1440)
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within the next 2 weeks
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
Not really sure, I know I need to be able to move large files for work some close to a gig in size.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No

Here is what I have been thinking so far:
Case Silverstone FT03
CPU i7-3770K
RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 32GB
Video Card EVGA SuperClocked 02G-P4-3662-KR GeForce GTX 660 Ti
Motherboard ASUS Maximus V Gene LGA 1155 Intel Z77
Heatsink CORSAIR H80
Hard drive Crucial M4 CT512M4SSD2 2.5" 512GB SATA III
This is the 3rd monitor I was looking at (not part of the above budget)

Thanks in advance for all your time and help!
Dan
 
How attached are you to that case?

OS wise, you should be looking at Windows 7 Pro at the least since Windows 7 Home Premium is limited to 16GB of RAM max.
 
I am not attached to the case. I was just quickly looking at cases on newegg and thought it looked decent.

OS wise I will do Windows 7 pro but I would like to upgrade eventually to 8 after its been out for awhile
Thanks!
Dan
 
I strongly advise against the Corsair H80 cooler. I've installed 2 of them and tested single fan and push/full configurations and the H80 simply does not compare to a decent air cooler. The Corsair fans are also noisier than average. Unless you're willing to pay the premium for a H100, I recommend sticking to air cooling.

Noctua NH-D14---$84 (similar price on Newegg right now)
Phanteks PH-TC14PE---starting at $88
Thermalright Silver Arrow---$80

These won't have any problems fitting into full size towers. The Ripjaws you picked out should be low enough for any of those HSFs to clear.
 
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Do you have to have a small case or did you just choose the case due to the looks?
 
I was trying to keep it in a smaller case but it does not have to be I am open to suggestions. it does not have to be a mATX board either.
Thanks again!
Dan
 
Ok, I recommend this OS and Mobo combo instead of your current mobo:
$310 - Asus P8Z77-V Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard + Windows 7 Professional 64bit OEM

Also, what monitor will you be gaming on? The 24" ones or the Asus one?

Oh and I would buy that RAM as soon as possible considering that it has a "$30 off w/ promo code EMCJNNF23, ends 10/10 " deal going on now.

Case wise, I recommend any of these other cases instead:
$80 - Corsair Carbide Series 300R ATX Case
$95 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
$100 - Antec 1100 ATX Case
$105 - Fractal Design Define R4 with Window Arctic White ATX Case
$105 - Fractal Design Define R4 with Window Titanium Grey ATX Case
$110 - Fractal Design Define R4 with Window Black Pearl ATX Case
$110 - Fractal Design Define R4 Arctic White ATX Case
$110 - Fractal Design Define R4 Titanium Grey ATX Case
$110 - Fractal Design Define R4 Black Pearl ATX Case
$110 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$119 - Corsair Carbide Series 500R ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001BK Black ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR Black Finish w/Green Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$120 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-002OR White Finish w/Red Trim Full Tower ATX Case
$130 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White ATX Case
$130 - Lian Li PC-7HX Black Aluminum ATX Case
$140 - Antec P280 ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Obsidian Series 550D ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Arctic White ATX Case
$140 - Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Gunmetal Black ATX Case
$144 - Silverstone RV03B-WA ATX case
$160 - Silverstone TJ04B-EW ATX Case
$160 - Thermaltake VN300M1W2N Chase MK-1 ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600TM ATX Case
$162 - Corsair Obsidian Series 650D ATX Case
$178 - Silverstone RV02B-EW-USB3.0 ATX case
$180 - Corsair Special Edition White Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02S ATX Case
$230 - Silverstone FT02B ATX Case
$240 - Silverstone FT02S-W-USB3.0 ATX Case
$245 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW ATX Case
 
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Ok sounds good! I was going to game on the asus 2560x 1440 I would like to eventually like to get 2 more within a year or so
 
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