New Build $1000-1200 Intel/nVidia
 

Hi everybody,

First of all, thank you a lot for helping me fixing my desktop.
Now I can build my own.

So, here we go. I would like to build gaming desktop with ability to 3d model on the user level (I have GTX570 that I have saved from the previous desktop), I will also use this desktop as a video entertainment equipment to use with HD projector, so I think that the case need to be sort of a "cube box" shaped (I know it's hard to fit parts in it) or maybe something more presentable to be seen in the entertainment center shelf.

It should be Intel based. As you can see I am willing to spend $1-1.2K on it and of course I would like to use latest technology on it, including SSD (to run system and main programs from it) along with HDD 2-3 TB. As far as processor, it seems like everybody say that there's no big difference between i5 or i7, but I still think that i7 is better (just because the number 7 is bigger than 5), correct me if I am wrong. I think somewhere 16-24 RAM, I think they should be paired for better efficiency.
Please let me know if there is something new innovative in the world of technology that I might apply to the rig.
I also don't need to spend money on the Windows software, since I have Home premium edition DVD.

My GTX570 I would like to upgrade for better one maybe like in 1-2 years.

Thank you :D

This comes in right around 1100 bucks, I listed 2 cases that are "cube" style and are roomy enough for a higher end video card. I would encourage you to research more cases, everything else I've researched pretty well I think. I'm also listing both a standard ATX and a micro-ATX motherboard in case you decide on a micro-ATX case.

nMEDIAPC Red Wood Wood/Steel HTPC 8000 ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - Newegg.com

COOLER MASTER HAF XB RC-902XB-KKN1 Black Steel body, Front Mesh, Plastic bezel ATX Desktop Computer Case - Newegg.com

SeaSonic M12II 750 SS-750AM 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Semi-modular Power Supply - Newegg.com

ASUS P8Z77-V LK ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS - Newegg.com

ASUS P8Z77-M Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Newegg.com

Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K - Newegg.com

CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML16GX3M2A1600C10R - Newegg.com

Intel 520 Series SSDSC2CW120A310 - Newegg.com

Western Digital WD AV-GP WD20EURS 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - Newegg.com

ASUS BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Black Blu-ray Burner - Newegg.com

Thank you GLC, I need at least 1 day to process all this :)

I've seen someone built a gaming PC with the same i7-3770K Ivy bridge processor, but insted 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) he (she) had 4.4GHz. How is that possible?

By overclocking the processor. If you want to do that, you will need an aftermarket CPU cooler - either a large air cooler or a liquid cooler.

I don't mind getting a large air cooler. My concern is, if it's going to be louder than stock cpu fan?

Would I be able to overclock it or I have to be an overclocking god to be able to do that?

:)

Overclocking these days is easy, but do you really want to?

A large air cooler shouldn't be louder than a stock fan because the fan is larger. It can move more air while spinning slower.

This is the recommended large air cooler for an Ivy Bridge:

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+ - Newegg.com

Let me ask you what are the cons & pros of overclocking the cpu?

I will let someone else answer that, because I do not overclock.

Cons
* Can shorten the life of the cpu if not done correctly
* Can be unstable if not done correctly resulting in blue screens

Pros
* Nearly free performance
* Some games will see a large fps increase (dayz)
* A great way to learn new things, like what bclk and a multiplier are

Dayz on my rig at stock vs overclocked to 4.6 is about 12fps.

Where can I read or talk to someone professional about how to overclock it properly and what is "dayz" and "bclk"? :)

Dayz is a game.

I generally don't recommend anyone overclock a production computer - I leave that to the gamers and hobbyists. It's like modifying a car for more horsepower. If you make a mistake, you can cause instability and data loss.

Another thing worth noting is that overclocking immediately voids the manufacturer's warranty.

Not any more - otherwise Intel would not have offered that CPU with an unlocked multiplier.

Si it doesn't void the warranty...

It shouldn't void the warranty, but build it STOCK and run it for a while to make sure it's stable before trying to overclock it. Before overclocking, have a current backup of everything. It would be safe simply to enable Turbo which will allow the CPU to run as high as 3.9 all by itself. You also want to enable XMP so the ram will run at 1600.

Ok I will do so, but I definitely have to read some instructions or guide on how to. i don't even know what is XMP :/

I'm no professional but I do have some experience with overclocking. Back in the "old days" what you could do is to Google someone who is overclocking the same processor and motherboard and pretty much follow along with what they were doing. Now enthusiast boards have oveclocking features built into them that make it really easy...and I do mean really easy. These somewhat automated overclocks will never be as high as if you really knew what you were doing and did it manually but they do get pretty high conservative clocks that are less likely to cause instability problems or premature failures...which is what you want anyway.

I have a i7-2600k clocked up to 4.8 Ghz just by installing a massive heat sink, changing the multiplier and increasing the voltage a little.

1. CASE: COOLER MASTER Storm Scout SGC-2000-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Newegg.com

2. PSU: SeaSonic]Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more! M12II 750 SS-750AM 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Semi-modular Power Supply - Newegg.com

3. MOBO: ASUS]Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more! P8Z77-V LK ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS - Newegg.com

4. CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K - Newegg.com

5. RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML16GX3M2A1600C10R - Newegg.com

6. SSD: Intel 520 Series SSDSC2CW120A310 - Newegg.com

7. HDD: Western Digital WD AV-GP WD20EURS 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - Newegg.com

8. Optical: ASUS BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Black Blu-ray Burner - Newegg.com

9. GPU (I have decided to sacrifice GTX 570 for the fixed pc) Pleas recommend good video card like ASUS GTX660 TI-DC2O-2GD5 GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - Newegg.com
or should I go with something higher? For that matter I can sacrifice SSD.



Please take a look and tell me if I can go ahead to order everything. Some parts have 2 options, please tell me which one would accommodate better, not just for this build but for the future upgrade also.

Thank you.

P.S. I think discounts and or savings on most of the parts are expired, so I don't know if I should pick the other ones, which has some savings on 'em.

Thank you David

EVGA 02G-P4-3664-KR GeForce GTX 660 Ti FTW Signature2 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - Newegg.com

EVGA 02G-P4-2678-KR GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - Newegg.com

If you give up the SSD, I wouldn't use that WD AV drive for a primary drive, I'd use a Black.

Thank you,
P.S. GOtta go, I might not be able to order all of this this week, savings will expire. Gosh...:) I might need to recreate the part list again to get some savings/discounts of course with your recommendations again.
Sorry for wasting your time.

You are not wasting our time, that's what we are here for. Bring this thread back up when you are ready to order the parts and we can review exact choices. However, if you can, I'd order the ram today, prices just keep going up.

I would definitely keep the SSD, just let us know your final choice between the 660 Ti and 670 cards.

Best Graphics Cards For The Money: April 2013 - Best Graphics Cards For The Money, April Updates

Please note that at the present time, the 660 Ti is not the best gaming card in its price class, but the 670 is in its price class. However, if your productivity software can take advantage of CUDA processing and does not take advantage of AMD's equivalent, this will help lock in your choice.

I'd also consider ordering the video card sooner rather than later, it looks like the increase in ram prices is also affecting higher end cards.

The rest of the components should safely be able to be deferred for a bit.

EDIT - if you have a Microcenter near you (you don't if you are in Florida) or have a friend/relative anywhere near one, you can get an i7-3770K for $230. This is a $100 savings. This is in-store only, they do not discount it on-line.

Ok, so I don't need to create another thread, right? Regarding GTX 660 ti. I watched comps of gtx 570 vs gtx 660ti. they were showing that even gtx 660ti can't get most out of the games like Crysis, Metro and some others.

I don't have anybody close to Microcenter. I have buddy in Bouldur, CO and the one store I see is in Denver, CO. NO biggy.

OK. I have bought RAM sticks just now as you are suggesting. :)

Denver is not that far from Boulder - worth asking him/her. Even if you pay for his/her gas and shipping and the sales tax you would be ahead.

No need to start a new thread, just keep this one updated!

You have to draw the line somewhere - even $1000 video cards can't get EVERYTHING out of some games. Read the whole article I linked to get the most for your money. In my opinion, anything much more expensive than a GTX 670 is a waste of money unless you are going to go whole hog and spend $1000 and don't CARE about value.

I see the difference in price for 660ti vs 670 is like 100% vs 125%, but what about performance. I think performance would be slightly higher for 670, but no more than 110% of 660ti.

From that article, last page:

ok :).

I'll let this thread go down until I'll be ready to order parts.

Take care GLC

HI,

I am back :). I am putting my fixed desktop for sale now and willing to order parts for a new build as described in the topic. I am pretty much satisfied with all the parts that you, GLC recommended, but I am not sure which Video card I will use yet. I would like to leve space in PSU wattge for gpus variations GTX 570 - Gtx 690. I know, I know it's big difference, but is it possible to pick PSU which would serve either or without wasting too much wattage in case i will go with something like GTX 570 or GTX 670.
If it's not much trouble could you please create a new list of parts according to discounts/savings, it might save me $25 - $100 :).

I will choose case on my own, I can at least do that :).

Thank you:D