Building a Custom Desktop for Music Production - Please help! (w/ Specs)

[KCreed6]

I am building a desktop for music production in the next week. I will be using FL Studio 11. I have picked out my parts below but had a few questions before I pull the trigger and buy it all and begin building it.

Here are the current parts I have picked out:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD4H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($159.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($162.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($100.00 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 650 1GB Video Card ($87.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($122.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($82.99 @ Mwave)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: AOC e2752Vh 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($199.99 @ Best Buy)
Monitor: AOC e2752Vh 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($199.99 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Mouse: Cooler Master CM Storm Xornet Wired Optical Mouse ($16.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1720.81
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-10 10:33 EDT-0400)

1. How are these parts overall?
--- Is the hard drive set-up a good one? I want to run my OS, FL Studio, and my current project in FL Studio on the SSD.
--- Is the video card too little/too much for my purposes? No gaming or video editing, just running 2x 27” monitors (with DVI).
--- Any other parts you would change?
--- I plan on using an external audio interface for the sound card. Would you recommend getting an internal sound card too for any reason?
2. Compatibility
--- Do you see any compatibility issues?
--- Will everything work well together?
3. Noise Reduction
--- Will this be a quiet system?
--- What can I do to make it even quieter?
--- Should I buy additional case fans or anything?
--- Please nothing too complex (like manual liquid cooling systems, etc.)

*This is my first time building a computer, so please keep everything simple.

Thank you all for your help! I am really looking forward to getting your answers!
Kyle

 

[ImPrettyIrish]

1:a-The HDD/SSD are perfectly fine.
b-If you aren't doing video editing or gaming you don't really need that much. I would recommend getting like a 7450 or something like that.
c-well I just changed one
d-An internal sound card isn't really necessary. If you have a good enough microphone i.e. Blue Snowball, you shouldn't need one.

2.a-I don't see anything wrong with this build.
b-Yes, everything will work well.

3.a-The case has sound dampening foam built into it so yes it is quiet. It is also made out of steel.
b-Make it even quieter? I suppose putting a blanket over it but I wouldn't recommend that.
c-You shouldn't need to. Nothing is going to get too hot.

 

[Seeking Solace]

Looks to me like a very nice build.
From my (considerably novice, and so would need validating) view, I would question a few things based on your description:

You could probably save a bit of money with a cheaper mobo, I've heard good things about the ASRock Z87 Extreme 4, for example. (When I get round to my build, I'll be trying it out)
I think the k version of your chosen i5 is mostly for Overclocking capabilities, I'm of the mind that it's worth the price difference to leave in, in case you ever feel like overclocking. Otherwise you could probably save some money going with the i5-4670 CPU.

I don't know how intensive your music production will be, but you wouldn't need 16GB of RAM for Gaming, so if you aren't video editing you might save some more money cutting down to a 2x4GB memory deal.

Again with your SSD, I don't know how much space your music projects will take up, but you could save more again with a 120GB SSD, if you are going to use the HDD for everything else.

When I get round to my build I'm looking at the same case as you chose also, been reading good things about it. Being new at looking at builds myself, I can only REALLY see cost saving suggestions for you, and it would be very simplistic. I do hope I'm not wrong, though I welcome correction from more experienced members and at the very least hope I help you, KCreed.

 

[ImPrettyIrish]

By the way, I love that guitar on your picture.

 

[KCreed6]

Thank you both for such quick and helpful responses! And I love that guitar as well! I just bought it (after years of debating buying it) and it will be here today actually – I can’t wait.

A couple follow up questions for both of you.

ImPrettyIrish:
1. Do you have a link to the 7450 somewhere for a good price? (I can’t find it on PC Part Builder is all). Will I save money buying this instead of the 650 ($87.99)? Will either of these make more noise than the other? Any other noteworthy differences between the two?
2. Do you have any specific blanket recommendations for this noise muffling? (Kidding).
3. Do you play guitar and/or do music production?

Seeking Solace:
1. Any disadvantages to the ASRock Z87 instead of the current motherboard I have selected? I looked up the ASRock Z87 and it looks pretty solid as well. What are the notable differences between the two (besides $40)?
2. Agreed on the RAM and SSD being a little bigger than needed, but I figured I might as well get the extra since I think the price differences were not too bad at the moment, but I will consider moving down still if I decide to save some money. So thanks!

 

[Seeking Solace]

Thank you both for such quick and helpful responses! And I love that guitar as well! I just bought it (after years of debating buying it) and it will be here today actually – I can’t wait.

A couple follow up questions for both of you.

I googled the 7450 (Radeon GPU), and it looked to be outdated 2 years ago, which is maybe why you couldn't find it. I can't speak for Irish but maybe it was a mistype?
Link to a 7850 from Asus (PCPartPicker
I'll wait to see Irish's explanation of it since I'm eager to learn more myself.

1. Reading the reviews for your mobo it looks like there's a lot of hype from owners, I'd possibly consider it for my build if I wasn't curious/excited/anticipating trying out ASRock. I remember reading good things about Gigabyte MoBos in general so looks to me, in my novice view, to be a good choice. Especially for Overclocking and navigting the BIOS if you're in for that. One review even mentioned good spacing with regards to placement of the GPU.

From what I'm seeing of ASRock, it looks like they split from Asus (I could be missing something here) so they still have an early rep, I still intend on checking out the Extreme 4 however. If you're set on the Gigabyte, by no means let me dissuade you from it.

2. The RAM, I think you could almost definitely do with just the (2x4):8GB Though if you can afford it, can't see the hurt in the extra ooomph to your SSD.

 

[KCreed6]

Thanks again - I really appreciate the help. I switched down to 8GB of RAM.

Do you have any recommendations of sound cards with firewire that I could use? I will likely be using an external audio interface that uses firewire. What is the best way to build this into the computer?

 

[Seeking Solace]

I'm afraid not, I still have a lot to learn on that front.

I would say that it LOOKS like the GPU you chose would need slightly different cables for each monitor you connect.
I'm not sure about it but I think you'd be connecting one monitor via HDMI/mini HDMI and one via DVI-I Dual-Link or something like that. If that's the case make sure the monitors can do it.

I'd really like someone to double check this as I'm still exploring this stuff.

 

[ImPrettyIrish]

It was a mistype. If you want you can get the 7750. or the gtx 640
Otherwise enjoy your new PC!