best build under $1200 (bang/buck)

[edaniux]

greetings...=)

I recently came across some money doing some freelance work and I wanna build me a decent PC with it. I'll mainly be doing graphic design, video editing, 3d modeling/rendering, but I also want something in which I can play Crysis 3 in 1080p(single display) with decent FPS.

I made up 4 possible builds, and would very much appreciate your thoughts on them:
(I live in Ecuador so all the prices here have been added a 5% tax)

Unchanging Parts:
- case: Fractal Design Define R4 = $ 84.00
- PSU: Thermaltake Smart 750w = $ 81.00
- Cooler: Corsair H80i = $ 88.20
- SSD: Samsung 840 250gb = $183.75 ----->Total= $436.95

Option1:
- CPU: AMD FX-8350 = $204.40
- MoBo: GB GA-990FXA-UD3 = $144.90
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16gb= $125.67
- GPU: EVGA GTX 760 2gb = $262.50
U.P. = $436.95
Total = $1174.42

Option2:
- CPU: Intel Core i5 4670K = $251.21
- MoBo: MSI Z87 GD45 = $157.50
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16gb= $125.67
- GPU: MSI GTX 660 2gb = $204.75
U.P. = $436.95
Total = $1176.08

Option3:
- CPU: Intel Core i5 4670K = $251.21
- MoBo: MSI Z87 GD45 = $157.50
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8gb = $ 78.00
- GPU: EVGA GTX 760 2gb = $262.50
U.P. = $436.95
Total = $1186.16

There is also one more possibility, with a 120gb SSD instead of 250gb, and I can jam a GTX 770 in this one with only 8gb of RAM, but maybe it's worth it.

Option4:
- CPU: AMD FX-8350 = $204.40
- MoBo: GB GA-990FXA-UD3 = $144.90
- RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8gb = $ 78.00
- GPU: MSI GTX 770 2gb = $420.00
- SSD: Kingston 120gb = $ 94.50
Other Parts = $253.20
Total = $1195.00

The last and also possible option is that I did everything wrong and these builds suck, in which any suggestion you make will be most welcome, keeping in mind that the total of parts you find must not exceed $1140, because 1140+5%(tax)=$1200...

In any case I would be extremely grateful if you give me your opinion. Cheers!

 

[c4capricorn]

I am a "Intel" guy so my suggestion is for you to go with option 3 with slight modification.

1- You can replace the 750w PSU with a 650w and save some money.

2- For the case, i'd go for CM Storm Scout 2.

3- Ram is ur choice, u can get 16gb or 8gb. for 16gb, buy 2x8gb Vengeance, 143$ at newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233246

3- For the cooler, the H80i is a waste for your money. Better get a Phanteks TC14pe. It is the best bang for your buck and will eat the h80i in terms of performance. If you want to go for CLCs, better to go for a H100i but i'd go for the phanteks.

4- I would suggest to go with a 120gb SSD for your OS since win 7 will consume at max 25-35gb. installing games on SSD is not very efficient. better buy a good HDD for same money. Dont go for Kingston SSDs, instead go for crucial or Corsair's neutron series. they are better in terms of performance.

 

[refillable]

I think my closest one would be Option 4. Although the PSU and the SSD can change. The PSU can be cheaper because you don't need that much of a power. Because RAM prices goes up, SSD Prices also goes up. I think it's not very efficient to buy a 120GB SSD these days. So I will suggest a 60/90GB one and you should also add an extra HDD for space.

I can't suggest you with those parts because prices may differ at your place but I hope you can find your parts yourself.

 

[rp_dxn]

Its so funny the TS clearly states/post "unchanging parts" yet other viewers are suggesting the psu and case to be replaced 😀

Anyway, since you are building a rig mainly as a "workstation", i suggest you must have an i7 4770k, hyper threading is very useful in those apps (video editing, rendering etc.) $340
For the video card, 760 will do. $263
Now for the mobo, you can actually get the cheaper gigabyte ga-z87mx-d3h. $115
Any ram will do, just get any 8gb ram from corsair and g-skill $80

 

[edaniux]

I picked the 750w PSU beacuse I plan on getting SLI later on and wanted to be able to do that without stressing it. I like this case beacuse its not flashy and it has noise suppressing foams and great airflow anyway.

Now do you guys really think that 8gb of ram is enough for what I intend to do? cause I read in another post that even 16gb can sometimes cause trouble when rendering 3d models.

HDD and optical drives I already have, therefore not included here.

 

[edaniux]

Its so funny the TS clearly states/post "unchanging parts" yet other viewers are suggesting the psu and case to be replaced 😀

Anyway, since you are building a rig mainly as a "workstation", i suggest you must have an i7 4770k, hyper threading is very useful in those apps (video editing, rendering etc.) $340
For the video card, 760 will do. $263
Now for the mobo, you can actually get the cheaper gigabyte ga-z87mx-d3h. $115
Any ram will do, just get any 8gb ram from corsair and g-skill $80

It's okay, I tagged them as unchanging because they were the same for every option except 4. So feel free to make any suggestions there as well. I know the i7 4770k is better than the 8350, but is it $150 better?

Thanks for the mobo suggestion I already changed it. =)

 

[refillable]

4770k is not really $150 better... But always buy the best one you can get.

16GB is more recommended though... but you have to kinda sacrifice SSD. But you can always buy an SSD next time.

 

[c4capricorn]

If u plan to SLI later, than go for 750w. Ram is your choice. If u will render 3D models, go for 16gb or +. for SSD, as for now the a 80-120gb is sufficient.

 

[edaniux]

4770k is not really $150 better... But always buy the best one you can get.

16GB is more recommended though... but you have to kinda sacrifice SSD. But you can always buy an SSD next time.

Ok how about between these two: FX 8350 + GTX 770 or i7 4770k + GTX 760? Which of these pairs would give better performance? Given that the 770 is about $150 more than the 760, it would balance. What would you suggest? What would you prefer?

Another way to put it is: Decent CPU + Beast GPU / Beast CPU + Decent GPU?

 

[c4capricorn]

In your line of work, you require beast for both of cpu and gpu. I would suggest to save a little on any component and go for the beast cpu+beast gpu configuration. perhaps it wont hurt if u boot ur system through an hdd for some time till you save enough cash to buy a decent 120gb or above SSD. but only if i were you

 

[refillable]

Ok how about between these two: FX 8350 + GTX 770 or i7 4770k + GTX 760? Which of these pairs would give better performance? Given that the 770 is about $150 more than the 760, it would balance. What would you suggest? What would you prefer?

Another way to put it is: Decent CPU + Beast GPU / Beast CPU + Decent GPU?

If I were you I would buy the 8350 plus the 770 (Decent CPU+Beast GPU). Why? Because I searched around tom's hardware and found out that 770 is needed to play Crysis 3 @1080p High settings if you want the fps hovering around 50-60 fps (760 will hover 35-45) As far as I remember. However, Modeling/Rendering performance on those CPUs won't differ that much anyway.

If you worry about the performance in Gaming, they won't really differ honestly. For games like Crysis 3, a well-threaded game performance of the CPUs don't differ that much. Read this for further details. If you're playing badly-threaded game like skyrim it will certainly differ (as far as I know).

So here is my final config for you:

Spoiler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113284
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131874
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127741
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147188
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146068
Total $1208 (~$1200)

Prices my differ, but shouldn't go above $1250. You may well change parts yourself.

Although yes, BEAST CPU+GPU is always the best option, but sometimes you have to buy the computer now :lol:.