2D Art and Design / Gaming Build

[nvercrst]

Hi All,

This is my first time building a PC from scratch. I have modified and upgraded numerous systems for myself and friends, but never build one from the ground up. I do 2D art and design; Photoshop painting (usually with ALOT of layers) and photo manipulation, Illustrator and After Effects.

I plan on purchasing the CS6 design suite soon, and want something that will work well with that. I know this build is probably overkill for the design stuff, but I also do a fair amount of gaming, and want a system that will be good for that as well.

Here is what I have started putting together on PC Part Picker:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/t2XD

CPU: Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($499.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H80 92.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($87.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth X79 ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($314.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Corsair Force Series GT 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($206.04 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($294.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 800D ATX Full Tower Case ($259.92 @ Mac Connection)
Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro M 1000W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($158.07 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)

Total: $1989.85

I'm trying to keep the build around $2000, but am open to any suggestions. Thanks!

 

[PANZER4]

Closed loop watercooling...while your at it, go the whole way. Either that, or get an NH-D14. The thing with those water coolers is they barely match a good air cooler, such as said D-14, which will generally cost a fair bit less.

 

[butremor]

Your build could do a few changes

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($499.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek Dark Knight II SD1283 Night Hawk Edition 89.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X79-UD3 ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($216.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($96.00 @ B&H)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($184.95 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($359.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.71 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1835.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-18 05:19 EST-0500)

 

[Wisecracker]

Spend $1,100

You don't really need a i7-3930K, s2011, 32GB of RAMs, a 1000w PSU, or a $260 case.

 

[nvercrst]

Wow! Thanks for the input guys, it's awesome to get feedback so quickly.

I guess my reason for so much RAM is that Photoshop, form my understanding, does not make the best usage of the GPU and relies mostly on RAM. Designer friends have told me you can never have too much RAM for Photoshop...

I also originally picked the 800D case for its space and setup for water cooling. I read that it was not the best for air cooled systems, but with the suggestions I may hold of on the liquid cooling for now.

butremor, Thanks a ton for suggesting those changes! I guess I really don't need a 1000W PSU, and I like the Antec case, it seems to have the same setup for power supply and cable management that I liked on the 800D.

 

[chugot9218]

2d art and design is not going to be that intensive, do not buy a coolermaster PSU, that is my main recommendation. Also, be aware that the 800D is massive, my 600D is called a mid-tower but it is definitely not. I find the sabertooth to be overpriced/hyped, and 32gb RAM is still going to be overkill for you imo. I also would not go for the 3930k, I'd stick with the i7-3770k or even the i5, but I do not know all your purposes, you may need the processing power.

 

[nvercrst]

OK thanks for all the tips! Here is my revised build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($499.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek Dark Knight II SD1283 Night Hawk Edition 89.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-X79-UD3 ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($216.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($184.95 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($359.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.71 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1669.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-19 00:01 EST-0500)