First Time PC build: Final Compatability Check

[mesopotamian]

After a long, hard search, it is time to bite the bullet and make my final decision regarding a first time custom pc build. The purpose of this thread is to make sure that all of my component selections are fully compatible with each other so I can finally pull the trigger with my purchase. You can also view the previous discussions I have had on this forum with the following links.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=351281&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=350995&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=354075&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=33&post=359553&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

Approximate Purchase Date: This system must be assembled by the end of this month or the very start of August. That said I am looking at ordering the parts before the weekend is over if possible

Budget Range: $2400

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Game Creation (I plan on starting with modding PC games and using other beginner level tools), graphic design, high performance gaming

Are you buying a monitor: Yes

Do you need to buy OS: Yes, the software I plan on running also requires the professional version of Windows 7

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Location: United States

Parts Preferences: none

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: I am aiming for 1920x1200 as this is the maximum I can go due to budget constraints.

Additional Comments: This system must be able to comfortably run most games at max settings at 60fps. I will also be running the following software:
Adobe CS6 Design & Web Premium (especially Photoshop & Illustrator)
Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite Student programs including, Maya, 3D Studio Max, Softimage, Mudbox and Sketchbook Designer
Pixologic Z-Brush
Microsoft Office

I also want to know if there are any changes that can be made to this system to allow for cost savings without compromising the functionality, performance, expandability of the system. I had strongly considered Sandy Bridge-E but in the end rejected it as a result of the higher cost of the needed components. I also do not believe I require a professional card as I am a beginner. On top of that, a professional card would push the cost of my system way over budget.

Current component selection

CPU: Intel Core i7 3770k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master RR-H612-20PK-R3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103106&Tpk=Hyper%20612%20PWM
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V Pro
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131819
Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 16GB Dual Channel Kit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226314
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840&Tpk=Seagate%20Barracuda%20ST1000DM003%201TB
SSD: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe MX 120GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226318&Tpk=Mushkin%20Enhanced%20Chronos%20Deluxe%20MX%20120GB
Optical Drive: ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon 7970 OC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102982
Monitor: Dell Ultrasharp U2410
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824260020&Tpk=Dell%20Ultrasharp%20U2410
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 500R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010
Power Supply: SeaSonic Platinum-860
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151111&Tpk=SeaSonic%20Platinum-860
Keyboard: Microsoft Sidewinder X4 Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109191&Tpk=Microsoft%20Sidewinder%20X4%20Keyboard
Mouse: RAZER Abyssus
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153056
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992

 

[TheBigTroll]

do the programs you use support OpenCL? if they do, get this

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cHSJ

if it doesnt, get this

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cHT0

the v7900 beats the quadro 4000 in most apps but firepro cards dont support CUDA while the quadro cards do

 

[obsama1]

I would recommend a Crucial M4/Samsung 830 SSD. They are very reliable, and very fast.

 

[Temile]

Are you left-handed? If not, you might consider a different mouse. It's a good one, but not a great one.

I love the X-860 psu (it is powering the machine I'm writing this from), but since you say you are on a budget, a 620 will just as well:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

Even with crossfire you could game with it. Here's a 2011 system (more power):

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1834/11/

But far be it for me to discourage you. That X-860 is like a jewel box.

 

[mesopotamian]

do the programs you use support OpenCL? if they do, get this

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cHSJ

if it doesnt, get this

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cHT0

the v7900 beats the quadro 4000 in most apps but firepro cards dont support CUDA while the quadro cards do

The issue I have with pro cards, is if I really require them for the level of work I will be starting with. I will mainly be working with modding PC games at the start. There is also the issue of game performance as this system must be used for both gaming and graphics work.

 

[TheBigTroll]

pro cards are just for work and gaming cards are just for games. they dont do well in each others territory

for games, id get a asus gtx670. keep in mind that gaming cards suck at work apps. geforce cards are pretty decent at work

 

[obsama1]

The 7970 is a great in-between card. It's just as good as the 680 with the latest driver update(Catalyst 12.7) and it beats even 690 at compute.

 

[mesopotamian]

Are you left-handed? If not, you might consider a different mouse. It's a good one, but not a great one.

I love the X-860 psu (it is powering the machine I'm writing this from), but since you say you are on a budget, a 620 will just as well:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

Even with crossfire you could game with it. Here's a 2011 system (more power):

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1834/11/

But far be it for me to discourage you. That X-860 is like a jewel box.

According to the eXtreme Power Supply Calculator I would need a higher wattage power supply If I decide to do multiple graphics cards and/or overclock my CPU in the future. Neither decision is definitive. That said I am more comfortable with the X-860, that said I would appreciate any other suggestions. However, I am pressed on time to get this system finished so I cannot really do any more research.

 

[mesopotamian]

Again, the main thing I need to know here everyone is if my selected components are fully compatible with each other. If anyone can outright tell me if that is the case with any other suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[TheBigTroll]

750w is more than enough for 2 way crossfire or sli

id only get 850w psu s if i was running a older 2way sli setup

dont use psu calculators. they arent very accurate

 

[azeem40]

7970 works well on a 750W PSU. Those calcs don't account for everything.

 

[mesopotamian]

7970 works well on a 750W PSU. Those calcs don't account for everything.

What would be a good 750W PSU then that can handle my current component selection?

 

[azeem40]

The TX750 V2, XFX PRO750W.

 

[TheBigTroll]

my psu: XFX XXX 750W.

its semi-modular and 80+ silver.its also made by seasonic. currently 112.99 at us.ncix.com i think

 

[TheBigTroll]

you will need the modularity

the only flaw i find on the xfx xxx 750w is that it gives you 2 8pin CPU power connectors which is a pain since i dont use it and the 550D doesnt have the best cabling

 

[mesopotamian]

What about this power supply from Seasonic?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087

 

[TheBigTroll]

thats even better. get it before the promo code ends

 

[mesopotamian]

No one has yet answered me directly if there any compatibility issues with my component selection. That said I am going to assume that they are compatible. The only thing that I am changing so far is the PSU with 750W Seasonic

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087

 

[obsama1]

It's all compatible. Otherwise, we would have said, haha.

 

[Temile]

All compatible. Sure you don't want the X-860? It's only $40 more. I was recommending one where you would save $110.

 

[TheBigTroll]

he wont be needing the extra wattage. 80+gold is more than enough efficency.

 

[mesopotamian]

I am doing this last minute, but I need to know for certain. Since I discovered the PC Part Picker website and have become willing to shop around for the lowest prices on components, I have quickly decided to give a Sandy Bridge-E system a second look given the advantages it would have such as the ability to support higher amounts memory in quad channel configurations, and support for up to six core processors. I must note however, that I will be starting with a quad-core SB-E chip then later upgrade to a six core SB-E or Ivy Bridge-E CPU if need be. Both features might be of benefit for system usage (with the exception gaming which will not benefit). Its a little more money and puts my system a bit over-budget but it might be worth it. I will most likely stick with the Ivy Bridge system I have configured, but I would like to know if this Sandy Bridge-E system has good selection of components that are compatible, and if there are any changes that can be made. I would also like to know if Sandy Bridge-E is worth it or play it safe and stick with Ivy Bridge as I need to make my decision rather quickly due to the time I have left.

Here is the link for the system configuration using Sandy Bridge-E

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cLJU

 

[obsama1]

There is no quad-core Sandy Bridge E. If you live near Microcenter, the 3820(hexacore) is ~$230, and you get $50 off the motherboard. It will be faster, and the two extra cores will help if you're multitasking.

 

[mesopotamian]

There is no quad-core Sandy Bridge E. If you live near Microcenter, the 3820(hexacore) is ~$230, and you get $50 off the motherboard. It will be faster, and the two extra cores will help if you're multitasking.

Is the power supply I selected for this system overkill, or adequate?

 

[obsama1]

860W is more than enough. Maybe a bit too much.