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Building a PC

Rod

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Joined
Jan 4, 2001
Messages
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I've decided to upgrade to a new PC, and am planning on building my own this time.  I've been using Macs for a few years now, however feel limited on what I can do, as far as screen size, etc.  Aside from that, Windows finally seems like a stable OS.
 
I'm not a gamer, however I am semi-heavy into graphics and rendering movies. I'm most likely going with the Corsair case: 
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/graphite-series-780t-white-full-tower-pc-case
 
 
 
What do you recommend for a motherboard and processor? 
 
I already know I'll be installing an SSD HD for the OS, and a 4 TB drive.  I haven't decided on the video card yet, however I want something semi powerful, but not overly powerful.  I will most likely get a 27"-32" Samsung LED. 
 
Thoughts?
 
I'd go with a 4K monitor and card to drive it if I were building new right now. Not that there any content, but just working in the higher resolution would be nice.

Generally the i5 is good enough in most cases. I don't remember the number of cores, clock speed of each, memory, etc. but make sure whatever program you're using primarily can use the features efficiently. I was reading an article the other day that said a dual core that was faster per core than a quad would be better for programs that only use one or two cores. Seems obvious once it's said. :)
 
I prefer Asus Motherboards and would probably go with an I7.
 
Rod, I actually build supercomputers for a living, and John and Matt are correct. Here is what I would suggest:
For a high-end system, but not crazy... that will blow the doors off anything you could buy assembled (including the Alienware systems)
Case - Love the one you picked.
Motherboard - ASUS X99-A ATX DDR4 3000 LGA
Power Supply - Corsair CS Series 650 Watt ATX Modular and Efficient Power Supply CS650M
Processor - Intel Core i7-5820K Haswell-E 6-Core 3.3GHz LGA 2011-v3 140W Desktop Processor BX80648I75820K
RAM - Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB Kit (8GBx2) BLS2K8G4D240FSA
Graphic's Card - ASUS STRIX-GTX970-DC20C-4GD5 Graphics Card (note, you could use two of these cards to have the best video editing system on the planet...)
SSD OS Drive - Samsung 850 Pro 512GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-7KE512BW)
Blu Ray Drive - Pioneer BDR-209DBK-KIT 16X Blu-ray Writer Drive + Nero 12
 
This system will be very fast, with plenty of room to upgrade..
 
Rod - I've built two i7 workstations in the last couple months, I'll get you the build lists and my thoughts ASAP.
 
If cost is no object, there is some pretty spectacular hardware you can buy.  What you're going to use it for makes a ton of difference; a graphics artist will have different requirements than a guy running a ProTools recording rig.  My goal was to pick high end parts while staying on the sweet spot of the price / performance curve.  I built one of these for me to use daily at work (sitting in the garage on my bench, in fact), and will build an essentially identical one for a home workstation upgrade later this year.
 
I've also got to say this all my opinion, and my opinion alone.  Bill recommended some solid stuff, can't really argue with any of it.  But, I build a couple dozen workstations for friends every year, so I get to test drive a lot of hardware.  Having said that, this is my current list of good stuff.....
 
Case - The one you picked is fine.  I've used Antec cases in the past but the one you list is great.  They just discontinued my fave case...I have four in my house right this second....;-)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811129066
 
If I had to pick another today, I'd probably look at this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
...but that's just a starting point because I'm so familiar with them.  Corsair makes wonderful cases, to be sure.
 
Power Supply - CORSAIR HX Series HX750 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell Ready
-> I'm not a big fan of modular supplies as they add an extra connector between the supply and load.  I prefer to remove the potential voltage drop / trouble spot.  Some of the rails run reasonably high current.  Every little bit helps, IMHO....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817139010
Thermaltake is another solid power supply company if you stay away from their low end supplies.
 
Processor - Intel Core i7-4790K Haswell Quad-Core 4.0GHz LGA 1150 Desktop Processor BX80646I74790K
-> Very fast, very capable, good spot on the price / performance curve
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117369
 
While the processors run cooler than ever, and the OEM HSF is quite good, I put one of these on top of the processor for quiet, capable cooling:
Noctua NH-U14S 140x150x25 ( NF-A15 PWM) SSO2-Bearing ( Self-stabilising oil-pressure bearing ) CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608041
 
Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-Z97X-UD5H LGA 1150 Intel Z97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
-> USB 3.0, fast SATA, latest Intel chipset.  I've really had great luck with Gigabyte so 'if it ain't broke, we're not fixing it'....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813128707
Others brands to consider; Asus, MSI
 
RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-16GXM
-> Don't let the goofy name fool you, this is solid and very fast memory.  I've used lots of different brands in the past, this one is my 'go to' brand anymore.  I won't let a new build leave my bench until it runs Memtest86+ for at least 24 hours, error free.  This stuff rocks.  Get at least 8Gb, 16Gb makes better sense for future proofing your system.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820231568
Others brands to consider; Corsair, Mushkin, Crucial
 
Graphics Card - Believe it or not, my work machine will NOT have a graphics card....I'm using on board graphics.  I don't do any 3D rendering and the on board graphics are pretty amazing anymore.  I'll run two, 24" monitors at 1920 x 1080 with no problems running my CAD tools (again, no 3D).  For home use, I'll definitely want some gaming capable graphics.  For that machine, this is the likely candidate...at least today:
ZOTAC ZT-90101-10P GeForce GTX 970 4GB 256-Bit DDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support G-SYNC Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500362&cm_re=ZT-90101-10P-_-14-500-362-_-Product
Other brands of GTX 970's to consider - Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, EVGA
 
Don't miss this excellent look at graphics cards / price comparison.  Gets updated every month:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html
 
SSD OS Drive - The Samsung 850 Pro Bill recommended is a great drive, and I used one in the ProTools workstation I just built.  However, because of the company I work for, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out this is a pretty fantastic drive (and is the one in my workstation):
Intel 530 Series SSDSC2BW480A401 2.5" 480GB SATA 6Gb/s MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167194&cm_re=SSDSC2BW480A401-_-20-167-194-_-Product
 
Storage drives - Western Digital is the brand I use most.  Their new "Purple" surveillance drives are not the fastest drives you can buy, but they are basically enterprise class drives that don't have an enterprise drive price tag.  Your SSD will take care of the speed concerns, the storage drives need to be reliable.  WD Purple drives are rated for 24/7 read and write....very solid drives.  I put two of these in my workstation; one for working files, and the second for redundant backup:
WD WD Purple WD40PURX 4TB SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822236659
Others to consider; WD Blue are a very solid all around drive (I have them in all our home systems), WD Green is low power and low thermal signature (I have them in my NAS box and my home security camera system), WD black are the fast screamers in platter drives that most of the gamers run.
 
Blu Ray Drive - I don't have a BluRay burner but I do have a BluRay reader:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136268
 
I normally recommend a simple DVD burner, as that's what most of us really need:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151266
 
Probably more info than you wanted, Rod....;-)
 
Thanks guys!

Sid - that looks like a good build. I especially like the video card.

Tom - looking forward to your config.

I'd definitely want to stick with Intel as I've always had really good luck with their procs.
 
I forgot to refresh before posting. :d

Thanks!
 
BBS, you had Ron as soon as you said, "If cost is no object".....
 
PC's and stereo equipment.....yes, I can easily help you spend too much money.  Sorta like cigars..... :laugh:
 
After weeks of dealing with Asus on a warranty issue, I have a new found dislike of Asus.
 
I've been running Gigabyte MoBo's at home in multiple machines, and at work for my workstation and in the lab for several years, now.....no complaints, no plans to change.
 
Just ordered everything from Amazon.  Turned out to be cheaper than NewEgg.  Should be here in a few days! :)
 
Good stuff, Rod...!!  I've been running my i7 now at work for some time....it's a real pleasure to have a nice, fast daily driver....;-)
 
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