Friend's Custom Build!

[Arslay]

My friend currently needs a new desktop:

Uses- Gaming, 3d Modeling, Programming, Lots of Photoshop

Budget- We are looking $1000, less would be nice but he also can go over.

Thoughts- I think that the i7 would be worth it for them. He currently likes the $1000 "Sweet Spot" Build by Fuzzykins.
He has a 2 TB external drive for data and old games+ pics n stuff.

$1000 Build
Case: CoolerMaster Haf 912 $59.99
Power Supply: Corsair TX650 $89.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68X UD-3 $169.99 changed to MSI P67A-C43 $114.99
Processor: Intel i5 2500k $219.99
CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 $49.99
RAM: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage 8GB $84.99
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 $64.99
Optical Disc Drive: Sony Optiarc SATA DVD/CD Burner $19.99
Graphics Card: MSI GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr $249.99
Total: 1009.91 USD


Feel free to mix and match parts from that list to better fit his needs.

[Djinni]

there isn't really much you can downgrade from that to make room in the budget for a i7. maybe drop the aftermarket cooler run the cpu at stock for a while and upgrade the cooler at a later date.
You might be able to save some money on the case, but by my standards (i'm in the UK) that's already pretty cheap. Depending how much Photoshop.. it might be worth getting an SSD and putting adobe on it.

[Fuzzykins]

3D modeling, he's going to want an i7 2600k. 2TB Externals are going to be slow, but if he's only storing pictures and stuff like that, it's not a big deal.

[Arslay]

By the way I may buy him the Gcard or help him out, so just could it as adding a 2600k.

[Djinni]

then yeah sure swap in the 2600k not much else you need to change for anything really....

As much as I hate SSD's Adobe programs take an age to load... so if he uses Photoshop alot, it would be worth it.

[Drunkenvalley]

As much as I hate SSD's Adobe programs take an age to load... so if he uses Photoshop alot, it would be worth it.

Protip: More RAM. Never close Photoshop.

Problem solved!

[Deleted]

If you forgo an SLI Z68 board, stock CPU cooler you can keep within a $1000 budget, without shipping costs.

[vesseblah]

By the way I may buy him the Gcard or help him out, so just could it as adding a 2600k.

Make sure to stick with Nvidia cards, since AMD cards do not have decent hardware acceleration for Adobe programs.

[Wries]

Protip: More RAM. Never close Photoshop.

Problem solved!

In windows 7 with a lot of RAM you can close photoshop all you want. It will re-open quickly again because W7 doesn't throw it away from the RAM unless it's needed for something else.

There is no life-dependency of having Photoshop launching off an SSD. Really I don't know why I installed my CS5 products on the SSD, should've saved the space.

[Quintana]

Building a new system without an SSD seems like a waste to me. At least an 80gb for the OS, programs and a few games.

[Deleted]

Building a new system without an SSD seems like a waste to me. At least an 80gb for the OS, programs and a few games.

To keep most of those components, going with an SSD will put him seriously over budget.

If you play around with the combo deals with Newegg you could bring your budget close to $1000 and keep within spec of most of the parts mentioned above minus the CPU cooler.



Or you could switch the motherboard to this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157252 which saves you 50$ and purchase yourself this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835181011.

[Cavus]

I would recommend using an Asus P8Z68 - V Mobo only maybe 10 bucks more. I've had bad luck with that specific Gigabyte mobo and the Asus (which I currently use) is a beast and can overclock a 2500k to 4.3 with one button and up to 5.2 stable. I would also recommend a EVGA 560 Ti (theres some for $234 that have a free factory overclock). Plus they have a lifetime limited parts and labor warranty which is awesome. Lastly, if you live in the USA, check if there is a MicroCenter near you or your friend. They purposely sell CPUs at a loss hoping that when you go instore to pick it up they will recoup the cost by buying other items. Currently they sell i5s for $179 with all the standard included parts and packaging. These savings might allow your friend to switch to a i7 for roughly $20-$60 over Newegg's i5.

[Bleachy]

If your going with the HAF 912, and a 650 power supply, I'd suggest this combo. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.688423

Will save you a few bucks.
And btw that CPU cooler from the $1000 build is on sale at Newegg for 29.99 so you have a few extra dollars there now too. I don't know about the i7 so much, but that's more up to you, I'd say the i5 is more than enough, but if more games use Hyperthreading in the future then the i7 is the way to go now.

[naadra]

5.2 stable?

[Arslay]

Wow thanks for all the posts, i like that Bundle that bleachy has. Thanks drud for the price update with rebates, wow $100 savings. And that Abdobe things staying in RAM or w/e for fast opening is pretty fricken cool. Nvidia all the way btw.

What do people think about this MOBO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130571 He isn't planning on going SLI so...
Also, i have a 212+ and LOVE it. He is getting one fo sho =P

[Deleted]

What do people think about this MOBO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130571 He isn't planning on going SLI so...
Also, i have a 212+ and LOVE it. He is getting one fo sho =P

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157252 is arguably a better motherboard. I own the standard ATX sized version and have not had any issues with it so far. Given the benefits that the Z68 board brings and at no price premium over that MSI board its a no brainer.

Also since I accidentally deleted my previous response to bleachy, I'd avoid that PSU. You'd make huge savings at the risk of your system becoming unstable over time. It's not a particularly efficient PSU and since you would remain under the budget of 1000 if you downgrade your motherboard, i'd keep the PSU and CPU combo, which saves you an instant $30 anyway!

[Arslay]

Guys, that MOBO is Micro ATX... Isn't their a premium for that or some disadvantage?

[Deleted]

Guys, that MOBO is Micro ATX... Isn't their a premium for that or some disadvantage?

As far as one review goes, there doesn't seem to be any. Source.

[Arslay]

What about the one that I linked, the p67A-c43

[Cavus]

5.2 stable?

Yep. The board can clock it to around 4.5ish on its own with the push of a single button and if you are capable, you can fiddle around in BIOs to get it to 5.0-5.3 stable.

EDIT: This is just personnal experience but there are multiple reviews stating the same or better results:

"... I have changed my overclock from 4.4 to 5.2 back to 4.4 and never hiccuped once...using the OC tuner went straight to 4.4 then 5.2 with manual overclock." - Stone
"...Software is great with auto tuning i was able to get my cpu up to 4.8ghz no problem..." - N/A
"...On auto tune it took my 2600K to 5.2ghz..." - mothow
"...Over clocks a 2600k to 4.4ghz with a flick of a switch..." - Rombryo
" Took my 2600k to 5ghz on the first try." - Mongo
"Overclocked my i5-2500 to 4.6 in two easy steps..." - rstarsky
"...With an i5 2500k I had no trouble overclocking to 4.4 Gh with the automatic overclocking..." - Bill
" I am running with board with an i5-2500K, OC's like a champ!..." - maleficarus
Some were using 2600k's but if you know what you are doing you should be able to reach 5.0 with a 2500k