$3000 First Computer Build

[hthorntonp7]

This is my first time building a computer and I was wondering if all the compenents I have chosen are compatible and if you guys have any other suggestions.

Approximate Purchase Date: December 2012

My budget is $3000 without mail in rebates and after shipping (automatic discounts are great!).

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Multimedia editing/viewing, High multitasking, Internet, Document processing

I need a monitor; I currently have a laptop.

I need an OS, preferebally Windows 7 (not planning to switch to Windows 8 after looking at reviews, preview, etc.).

My preferred website for parts is newegg.com

My location is close to Salt Lake City, Utah

I will most likely do no overclocking at the start, but then later on (probably after warranty is up) I will do high overclocking.

I would love SLI or Crossfire but would not like to cut the budget for it in another spot.

My preferred monitor resolution is 1920x1080 or better.

Additional Comments: Needs a window with lots of lights, bling, etc. preferrably quiet, needs to be "future-proof"

Here is a link to a document of the parts I have already chosen:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N_ibOglQBiwNyBQkkYiH7IS1iosDn9mJTd304Za0Dxc/edit

Here are the links to each individual part on newegg:

Spoiler

Case: NZXT SWITCH 810 White CA-SW810-W1 Steel / Plastic ATX HYBRID Full Tower Gaming Computer Case $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146088

PSU: SeaSonic X-SERIES X-1050 1050W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151110

Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V DELUXE LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $279.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131818

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770K $329.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7Q-16GBZM $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231537

Graphics Card: PowerColor AX7970 3GBD5-M2DHG Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $449.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131452

Storage:
SSD (Main Storage): Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148443
HDD (Data Storage): Seagate Barracuda XT ST32000641AS 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148506

Sound Card: ASUS Xonar DGX 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Express x1 Interface Gaming Audio Card $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132052

Blu-ray Drive: ASUS Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135247

Water Cooling for CPU: CORSAIR H100 (CWCH100) Extreme Performance Liquid CPU Cooler $114.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181017

Monitor: Asus VK278Q Black 27" 1920x1080 2ms Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Webcam 300 cd/m2 10,000,000 :1 (ASCR) $319.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236101

Keyboard and Mouse: Logitech Wireless Combo MK260 920-002950 Black 8 Hot Keys USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse $28.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126197

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium $179.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716

Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Student 3-User $129.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116856

Media Player: CyberLink PowerDVD 12 Ultra $76.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832117020

Maintenance Software: TuneUp Utilities 2012 - 3 User $34.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832818007

Mouse Pad: BELKIN F8E089-BLK Mouse Pad $2.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826999010

Blue LED Fans (6): AeroCool Shark 140mm Black Edition 140mm Blue LED Case Fan $16.49 ea - $98.94 total
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835129058

Blue Cathode Lights (2): LOGISYS Computer CLK12BL2 12" DUAL COLD CATHODE KIT - OEM $7.78 ea - $15.56 total
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811994001

Xbox 360 Controller Receiver: White Wireless Gaming Receiver for Microsoft XBOX 360 PC $13.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1GK0F31778


TOTAL without shipping: $3026.23

Thanks for all the feedback/help! It is all greatly appreciated!

 

[TheBigTroll]

read my quote

ok now this is all you would need
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/irEg

-has overclocking and SLI capabilities
-got a IPS instead of a faster TN monitor given better image quality always beats speed
-no need for extra fans. even then id get different fans
-you can get a windowed version of my case if you would like
-spend more than 10 bucks on a mousepad or dont use one
-xbox controller on a pc defeats the point of having a pc in my opinion
-no need for a sound card. onboard sound is good enough for 90% of users
-if you want a blu-ray drive go ahead. just note that dvds are dying out
-the switch 810 is a good case, but you definitly dont need the space
-h100 is extremely loud. putting aftermarket fans on them reduce performance and in the end cost double the amount for a noctua nh-d14. yes it looks bad but performs awesomely
-you dont need the wattage

 

[g-unit1111]

I'd personally put all that software in a separate budget - and if you pay a bit more for the BD-R player it should come with Cyberlink - no need to pay $75 forit, and no need to pay $35 for Tune Up either. I wouldn't spend the money on the extra fans until you know how many mounts your case has, and the extra lights and mouse pad aren't needed either.

You also don't need the sound card as the onboard audio on your motherboard will work fine. I wouldn't pay the money for the H100 - it's the very low end of the liquid cooling spectrum. If you're going to use liquid cooling do the real thing or not at all. Go with a strong air fan like a Noctua D14 instead. And you can use Open Office for free instead of paying $129 for Microsoft Office.

The last 7 or 8 items on that list are all things you don't need to spend money on as you can really get most for free or come with the drive, etc.

 

[kajabla]

OK. You can save a ton of money here without sacrificing any performance.
-Swap the motherboard for one in the $160-$180 range, or even a nice $130 ASRock Z77 Extreme4. It'll do everything you need.
-Get a far cheaper, far lower wattage PSU. A good 650W box is plenty (yes, plenty) for two 7970s. Get a gold-rated one—why not?
-If you don't have a surround sound setup, drop the sound card. It doesn't sound any better than integrated sound, as far as I can make out. Nobody's ever been willing to do a side-by-side comparison and prove me wrong, anyway.
-Drop that DVD and Tuneup junk. You can get free apps for both of those purposes.
-Switch your Windows to an OEM version. It's $80 cheaper.

+1 to troll's suggestions. You can definitely drop the H100 for a Noctua, a Scythe Mugen 3 or a Hyper 212 EVO.

 

[hthorntonp7]

I was planning on not using the stock fans on the H100 and using 4 fans for the push/pull on it. Is this better or would a Noctua still be better? The Switch 810 has plenty of room for the h100 with push/pull. Also, I chose the motherboard because it has wifi which I will need for at least the time being. Is it worth going with this motherboard or should I go for a cheaper one and get a wifi addon? Thanks for insight on the Blu-ray drive and software. I am now going to get the LITE-ON Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Internal 12x BD Combo Model iHES212-08 LightScribe Support instead at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106451 for just $80 which comes with software! I am going to drop TuneUp and I have already checked the specs of the case and it can fit the 6 extra fans including the ones it comes with. Microsoft Office is required for my school because my teacher does not accept any document thats not from that exact version. (I know, stupid right?) The other stuff like the lights and receiver are just a couple of cool things I want and would like to have just to fancy it up a bit. I already own a high quality surround sound system so I think the sound card will be worth the money. If not that monitor, which do you recommend? And what fans would get instead of the ones I chose? I prefer blue LED but I guess I can live without them. Thanks for the advice so far and all more would be immensely appreciated!

 

[TheBigTroll]

1: push pull h100 costs you around 140 dollars. double of that of a d14 and only 5-7c cooler
2:the z77-v pro has wifi just like the deluxe.

 

[hthorntonp7]

1: push pull h100 costs you around 140 dollars. double of that of a d14 and only 5c cooler
2:the z77-v pro has wifi just like the deluxe.

Alright I had no idea the d14 was that good for the price! I will definately go with that then. And okay thanks I will also go with the pro version! Thank you so much for such quick replies!!

 

[kajabla]

Note that you can keep going in that direction with very little loss of performance. I believe the $50 Mugen 3 is within a couple of degrees of the Noctua.

 

[hthorntonp7]

Does anyone have a link to benchmarks for heatsinks? I would like to check some out

 

[hthorntonp7]

I feel like the Noctua would be a better choice as it is quieter and moves more air. I know its more money but I feel it is the best deal and I think I'm going to go with that. The Mugen 3 doesnt have very good reviews so I am nervous with going with that choice.

 

[mastrom101]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/isBs

http://www.razerzone.com/ca-en/store/razer-sphex $15
Office for $150
$45 worth of lights and Xbox accessories


$2677

Some changes I made:
I found an 850 watt PSU for the same price as the 750 watt. This should allow you to do a tri-CF if ever desired.
Swapped to a better SSD.
D-14 Cooler
Dropped the sound card and replaced it with an amazing motherboard with killer onboard sound.
Removed a lot of fans
Opted for better peripherals. You know have gaming equipment rather than office equipment.
OEM Windows.

You're getting better performance for cheaper...

Enjoy your build!

 

[TheBigTroll]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/isBs

http://www.razerzone.com/ca-en/store/razer-sphex $15
Office for $150
$45 worth of lights and Xbox accessories


$2677

Some changes I made:
I found an 850 watt PSU for the same price as the 750 watt. This should allow you to do a tri-CF if ever desired.
Swapped to a better SSD.
D-14 Cooler
Dropped the sound card and replaced it with an amazing motherboard with killer onboard sound.
Removed a lot of fans
Opted for better peripherals. You know have gaming equipment rather than office equipment.
OEM Windows.

You're getting better performance for cheaper...

Enjoy your build!

he is going to end up with a huge bundle of cables at the bottom of his case

 

[hthorntonp7]

Is the RAM I picked worth the money or should I go with one that has worse CAS Latency? And is the ASRock z77 extreme9 really worth the money??

 

[Xlerator]

NH-D14 Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=468UMxue8KA

I was able to overclock my cpu to 4.6 with Noctua.
My Temps: Idle:34-47c Load:57-62c They are also dead quiet.
And some ppl were able to get 5.0 Ghz.
Also its an huge heatsink.
I saw you talk about Switch 810.
I have that case too, Its awesome case!
Future proof, and lots of room to work with. Fits motherboard of all standard sizes
Micro-ATX to Full Size. Even supports E-ATX.
I RECOMMEND NH-D14 and SWITCH 810

 

[TheBigTroll]

Is the RAM I picked worth the money or should I go with one that has worse CAS Latency? And is the ASRock z77 extreme9 really worth the money??

go with what i suggested and you will be golden. and no, just get a z77-v pro over the extreme9

 

[hthorntonp7]

NH-D14 Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=468UMxue8KA

I was able to overclock my cpu to 4.6 with Noctua.
My Temps: Idle:34-47c Load:57-62c They are also dead quiet.
And some ppl were able to get 5.0 Ghz.
Also its an huge heatsink.
I saw you talk about Switch 810.
I have that case too, Its awesome case!
Future proof, and lots of room to work with. Fits motherboard of all standard sizes
Micro-ATX to Full Size. Even supports E-ATX.
I RECOMMEND NH-D14 and SWITCH 810

Someone suggested the Fractal Design Define R4 for the case. It's a mid tower which would work better for my desk of course but the Switch 810 is future proof as you said. What do you think I should go for?

 

[hthorntonp7]

go with what i suggested and you will be golden. and no, just get a z77-v pro over the extreme9

Alright Ill go with the z77 pro. As for the memory its reviews aren't very good. Is the Adata a good choice or would another company that costs more be better? (Id rather spend more and get good memory than get bad memory)

 

[mastrom101]

Alright Ill go with the z77 pro. As for the memory its reviews aren't very good. Is the Adata a good choice or would another company that costs more be better? (Id rather spend more and get good memory than get bad memory)

CAS 9 is more than fine. Personally the motherboard is up to you, but if you were thinking about a sound card than the extreme 9 is definitely worth it.

 

[hthorntonp7]

Getting the Z77 pro and an Asus sound card would still be a lower price than the extreme9. The questions is how do the two sound cards compare? (the asus and extreme9)? For the memory would the Adata he recommended be better or should I get a CAS 9 Ripjaws such as the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568? Is a modular power supply worth the extra money? And how certified is good for a power supply? Gold? Bronze?

 

[TheBigTroll]

asus video card? i only suggest the msi power edition.

you wont tell the difference between cas 9 and cas 11 ram just saying.

my 80+ silver xfx xxx is more than enough.

 

[hthorntonp7]

asus video card? i only suggest the msi power edition.

you wont tell the difference between cas 9 and cas 11 ram just saying.

my 80+ silver xfx xxx is more than enough.

If I do SLI/Crossfire will 750W be enough or should I get the 850W version? And sorry typo. Meant sound card.

 

[hthorntonp7]

Is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824176232&Tpk=ips a better monitor than the Asus one?

 

[TheBigTroll]

as i said, the 750w is more than enough

id still stick with the asus panel given it does have a slightly faster response time. 8ms is sometimes too slow for games.

 

[mastrom101]

Getting the Z77 pro and an Asus sound card would still be a lower price than the extreme9. The questions is how do the two sound cards compare? (the asus and extreme9)? For the memory would the Adata he recommended be better or should I get a CAS 9 Ripjaws such as the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231568? Is a modular power supply worth the extra money? And how certified is good for a power supply? Gold? Bronze?

Both set ups will have excellent sound, but with the extreme9, your getting a much better MOBO with way more features that overclocks better.

Ripjaws

Stay with the Asus monitor

Modular isn't really needed.

Bronze is fine unless you're extremely concerned about saving power.

 

[hthorntonp7]

Alright, so far I have gotten my setup to this:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/iF33
Plus $250 of others (Microsoft Office, Fans, Accessories, etc.)
How is that? Any suggestions?