Need advice on first build/craigslist bargain dilemma

[Alamoz28]

Hi all, I'm in the hunt for a new PC.

Use from least important: gaming, photo, audio, video
RAID capable: yes 1 and 0 iirc (striping for speed and redundant backup)
Budget: 4k
Items I don't need: KB, monitor, mouse, cd/DVD burner
Caveats: rig needs to be upgradable and would be nice if it lasted at least 4 or 5 years before throwing down again.
On over clocking: I'm a noob in this area so please be gentle, is it worth getting into this? I need reliability first and foremost....are the gains worth it?



So I've been doing my DD, reading and learning, keeping an eye out for bargains and I found this used system.


4500.00$
Monitor: Asus PQ321Q 4k Ultra-HD 31.5" Monitor (3840 x 2160 resolution)
CPU: Intel I7 4930k 6-core processor overclocked to 4.5ghz stable
RAM: 32GB g.skill TridentX RAM clocked at 2400mhz
GPUs: 3x ASUS nvidia GTX Titan 6gb 3-way SLI updated with latest firmware
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster ZxR (best gaming sound card in the industry)
Motherboard: Asus Rampage IV Black Edition (best X79 motherboard) updated with latest firmware
Storage: 1TB Samsung 840 EVO Solid State Drive SSD
Case: NZXT Phantom 630
PSU: EVGA Supernova 1300W 80 plus gold
CPU Cooler: Swiftech H320
Case fans: Noctua NF-A14 and Noctua NF-F12
Optical Drive: Asus 24x DVD-RW
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

Question.......should I? I don't need the monitor but he will not separate......

Aside from component verification, and using the system for a few hours before purchase....what should I be wary of? Guy travels for work and has already bought a sager laptop to game on the road.....so he's selling his baby.

My feeling is this...a five or 600 dollar gamble is one thing.....but this is a serious gamble for no warranties/support.....I mean if everything is copacetic and I can get a fw years out of the system then I think its a great deal....but he has over clocked it......so if I pull the trigger and it craters, I'm at the top of my budget......

It also occurred to me that I could sell the monitor myself to offset the cost......what do y'all think it's worth?

Are there other questions I should be asking myself?

Any tips or things I've overlooked in my assessment?


I'm open to all advice, criticism and suggestions.


Thanks,

Alamo

 

[ohim]

3 titans ? What for ? If you have money to throw out the window give me some also .. i would be so grateful to you so i can put another 8 GB in my system ...You don`t need that GPU power for video editing unless you plan to do science related research or very heavy 3D composing ... GTX 780Ti (SLi for 4k gaming in Ultra settings) will be enough to satisfy your gaming needs while having more than enough power for video editing.

For example in Premiere Pro CC 2014 my GPU is about 50% utilized while editing DSLR 1080 25p video footage with 2 color grading layers (Lumetri from Speed Grade) while my humble CPU is 20% in real time playback ...


In my opinion build your own PC with decent gear and save money. And to be honest something is way off .. what`s with this low price ? Only the monitor and the GPUs go way over the selling price ..

 

[Alamoz28]

Thanks for your input!

unfortunately I do not have a ton of money, I've been saving for almost a year and a half....I knew once I went for it....I wanted to get exactly what I wanted, and most likely water cool it....so at the time I decided on a budget of 4k and started saving.

The price doesn't strike me as too low on principal....used comps seem to run in the 50-60% of new range...it's just that most people want what they paid for....the striking thing is the setup...the fact that the guy used the components he did and is being reasonable ish about their used value. Is that a bad assessment?

Would A dual Xeon server be more forward thinking?

Thing is.....this next build/purchase needs to last me several years....so

I also found this for 3200.00. Which I felt was a bit high but I'm curious....

ROCESSORS:
-Dual Intel E5-2660 (ES) CPU's 2.2ghz each
-8 cores + hyper threading = 32 logical cores
-benchmarked 3 x faster than my work PC with a single i7, Intel CPU
-Cost New: 2 x $1,335 = $2,670
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E show contact info


RAM:
- 64GB PC3-10600R ECC RAM
- Upgradable to 512GB
-Cost New: 16 x 4GB @ $48.00 = $768
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT51264BA1339


VIDEO CARDS:
-Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX550ti 2GB DDR5 video cards
-4 x DVI ports to support quad monitors
-Add another video card for 6 monitors
-Cost New: 2 x $149 = $298
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B006TTQEEW/ref=nosim/7240466-rg2304-00-20?s=merchant


MOTHERBOARD:
-Supermicro X9DRi-F E-ATX mother board
-10x SATA ports for up to 10 hard drives
-great for RAID
-Cost New: $409
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E show contact info


POWER SUPPLY:
- ABS Majesty Series 1100W Modular Rail PSU
-Cost New: Similar items ~ $150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E show contact info


CASE:
-Antec Thor E-ATX Case
-Cost New: $99
http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Gaming-Computer-THOR-V2/dp/B0058P5S9A


MISC:
-HP DVD RW
-Cost New: ~$20

The more I rack my brain over this the more I start leaning toward building....although the system in the op is basically what I'd build, minus fancy monitor and 2 titans.


Again, I'm fairly new to this all thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.