PC build for review

[vwcrusher]

Hi All,
I have spec'd out a system primarily for still photography, but it may be used for some gaming as well.
I chose Intel vs. AMD...not sure about that.
Also, haven't picked out a video card, although I am leaning towards the Geforce 650.

Any suggestions or guidance is appreciated.

here is the build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kxru

 

[zared619]

I only have a couple suggestions, other than that, it looks like a good build.

First, I would ditch the MSI board for an Asrock, Asus, or a Gigabyte. Asrock makes the cheapest ATX H77 board out there and its good quality
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Motherboards%20-%20Intel-_-ASRock-_-13157302&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

Second, I think that you should get a little beefier graphics card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127687&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102999&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards

I'm not sure how much VRAM you would need. I would do some research of your image rendering software and see what it recommends.

The 7770 is around the same price as the 650, and it is a much better card. The 7850 is obviously much better than both, but it also costs an extra $80 or so.

I don't have anything against Nvidia cards, they just don't have anything worth looking at in the mid $100- $200 price category. The 650ti is about the same price as a 7850 with 1GB of VRAM, and the 7850 is much better.

Anyways, hope that helps.

 

[vwcrusher]

Thanks for the suggestions: A couple of follow up questions:

- do you think the case I have chosen will have enough air flow?
- any comment on AMD vs Intel?
- The HDD I chose has 6GB/sec I/O; how important is that versus one that is 3?

Again, thanks.

 

[zanedragonknight]

I've revised your build a bit. Here's the revised edition:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/l44z

I'll go over the changes, and the reasons behind them.

The i7 3770 is ONLY different from the 3570k in that it has more hyperthreading, which will only help you if you're doing heavy visual effects or editing. For gaming, or still photography, the 3550k should be more then enough. An overclocked 3550k can match a 3770 anyway.

I saved you $80 there, which I spent on a better motherboard. I don't know why you prefer a Micro-ATX, but the Gigabyte G1 Sniper is the best one I could find in that price range. It'll even allow SLI/Crossfire in the future without space problems.

Changed the memory for no reason other then I prefer Corsair and have no experience with Patriot. As long as it's DDR3 1600, it's all your system needs, so pick what you like (remember to read reviews about everything you buy though!).

I've had issues with Seagate (my external HDD's disk head broke for no reason, as did a friend's) so I switched it for Western Digital. Again, this is just my personal preference, pick what you like.

OCZ Vertex 4 unchanged.

Changed the case to the much much better looking Storm Enforcer. I'm getting one myself, and I highly recommend the case for both airflow, expansion capability, and sheer good looks.

Use this website to calculate how much power you need. I think you should get 650W to be on the safe side, but that's just me. You need 700W for Crossfire/SLI in the future, though.

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

No change to optical drive.

You asked about the 650, but the 7770 is in the same price range and faster. It can be overclocked to blow right past the 650 with ease, and you can buy another in the future for Crossfire without spending too much.

[HOWEVER, I recommend you consider upgrading from micro-ATX. Why do you want a micro-ATX board anyway?]

Benchmark:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/536?vs=681

Review of card (I chose the XFX card):

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Roundups/Sapphire_XFX_HD_7770/

You'll want to do a lot more research, though. Don't just take my word for it; read reviews, check out videos, and keep reading those benchmarks until you're absolutely sure you have what you want. Message me if you need any help.

Good luck with your build!

 

[zanedragonknight]

Thanks for the suggestions: A couple of follow up questions:

- do you think the case I have chosen will have enough air flow?
- any comment on AMD vs Intel?
- The HDD I chose has 6GB/sec I/O; how important is that versus one that is 3?

Again, thanks.

Only just saw this after making my post.

1. Honestly, the Antec didn't seem to have too many options. One of the reasons I recommend the Enforcer.

2. I chose Intel for the processor. They're simply dominating most corners of the market. AMD for GPU against Nvidia, though. The 7770 tops the 650.

3. There are two major speed categories for HDDs; 6Gbps, and 3Gbps, which are basically the max speeds. Realistically, they never ever go that fast, though 6GGbps tends to go a noticible bit faster then 3Gbps being newer and more advance.

 

[vwcrusher]

Hmmm, given your suggestion....please keep in mind the major use of this machine will be still photography, that is photoshop. More specifically, when editing its very important to see the changes made when the slider is moved; quite frustrating to have to wait and readjust, etc, etc.

Does that alter any suggestions?

 

[mohit9206]

OP your original build is very bad.
since when did photoshop require an i7-3770 ?
16gb of ram? why ? cant 8gb do the same job ?
H77 mobo ? again why ?
gtx650 ? thats fine but i would rather get 7750.
also why a 650 watt psu ? what for ?
also why a hi end case if your main usage is photoshop ?

 

[vwcrusher]

Thanks for the reply...perhaps you did not notice part of my original post, "but it may be used for some gaming as well."

 

[zared619]

zane did a pretty good job answering your questions about the case, cpu and HDD.

 

[squirrelonfire]

I would get OC 7870 way faster than 650 and cheaper. And yes change the mobo to asus or gigabyte.

 

[vwcrusher]

I've revised your build a bit. Here's the revised edition:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/l44z

I'll go over the changes, and the reasons behind them.

The i7 3770 is ONLY different from the 3570k in that it has more hyperthreading, which will only help you if you're doing heavy visual effects or editing. For gaming, or still photography, the 3550k should be more then enough. An overclocked 3550k can match a 3770 anyway.

I saved you $80 there, which I spent on a better motherboard. I don't know why you prefer a Micro-ATX, but the Gigabyte G1 Sniper is the best one I could find in that price range. It'll even allow SLI/Crossfire in the future without space problems.

Changed the memory for no reason other then I prefer Corsair and have no experience with Patriot. As long as it's DDR3 1600, it's all your system needs, so pick what you like (remember to read reviews about everything you buy though!).

I've had issues with Seagate (my external HDD's disk head broke for no reason, as did a friend's) so I switched it for Western Digital. Again, this is just my personal preference, pick what you like.

OCZ Vertex 4 unchanged.

Changed the case to the much much better looking Storm Enforcer. I'm getting one myself, and I highly recommend the case for both airflow, expansion capability, and sheer good looks.

Use this website to calculate how much power you need. I think you should get 650W to be on the safe side, but that's just me. You need 700W for Crossfire/SLI in the future, though.

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

No change to optical drive.

You asked about the 650, but the 7770 is in the same price range and faster. It can be overclocked to blow right past the 650 with ease, and you can buy another in the future for Crossfire without spending too much.

[HOWEVER, I recommend you consider upgrading from micro-ATX. Why do you want a micro-ATX board anyway?]

Benchmark:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/536?vs=681

Review of card (I chose the XFX card):

http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Roundups/Sapphire_XFX_HD_7770/

You'll want to do a lot more research, though. Don't just take my word for it; read reviews, check out videos, and keep reading those benchmarks until you're absolutely sure you have what you want. Message me if you need any help.

Good luck with your build!

Zane,
Honestly, choosing the micro-ATX was an oversight....can you suggest an alternative?

I did choose the i7 as I will be doing some heavy processor-intensive photo editing, but if I end up gaming it certainly won't hurt.

I agree with your power supply suggestion.....can you recommend an alternative?

Regarding graphics card, would this be an alternative (slightly less expensive)?
MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB (PN R7770-PMD1GD5)

Again, thanks

 

[zared619]

I would get OC 7870 way faster than 650 and cheaper. And yes change the mobo to asus or gigabyte.

There is a huge difference between the 7870 and the 650. You can't even compare them.

 

[mohit9206]

There is a huge difference between the 7870 and the 650. You can't even compare them.

maybe he meant the 660

 

[zanedragonknight]

Zane,
Honestly, choosing the micro-ATX was an oversight....can you suggest an alternative?

I did choose the i7 as I will be doing some heavy processor-intensive photo editing, but if I end up gaming it certainly won't hurt.

I agree with your power supply suggestion.....can you recommend an alternative?

Regarding graphics card, would this be an alternative (slightly less expensive)?
MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB (PN R7770-PMD1GD5)

Again, thanks

To be dead honest, you need to shell out a little more on your motherboard.

ATX boards have hit a bit of a deadzone in the $160 price range. By that, I mean the only product really available is the ASRock Extreme 4, which I'm strongly against, for a variety of reasons. Is it possible for you to spend a little more? Upgrading to the Asus P8Z77-V Pro (around $200) would be brilliant, it's a terrifically solid board with no performance cut down, and lots of room for upgrades. Honestly, as the nervous system of your computer, the component without which NONE of your other components could work, the mobo ought to have a bigger budget.

You DON'T NEED the i7. TRUST ME. JUST. NO.

I swear, you're blowing up $80 for no reason at all. Seriously, that processor will not help you at all. At. All. Just. No.

Get the i5 3750k, overclock it, bingo presto you have a i7.

http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m

OR

http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/antec-power-supply-hcg750

Depending on whether you're getting crossfire in the future. If you are, get the second. If you're not, get the first.

The MSI is very... meh. It doesn't strike me as interesting or exciting, a card that's any different from the stock card. It's cooling system is inelegant, at the very least, and it provides less performance then the XFX or the Sapphire. Get the stock, the XFX, or the Sapphire. I haven't seen the Gigabyte, so I'm not sure about it.

Anything else?

 

[vwcrusher]

To be dead honest, you need to shell out a little more on your motherboard.

ATX boards have hit a bit of a deadzone in the $160 price range. By that, I mean the only product really available is the ASRock Extreme 4, which I'm strongly against, for a variety of reasons. Is it possible for you to spend a little more? Upgrading to the Asus P8Z77-V Pro (around $200) would be brilliant, it's a terrifically solid board with no performance cut down, and lots of room for upgrades. Honestly, as the nervous system of your computer, the component without which NONE of your other components could work, the mobo ought to have a bigger budget.

You DON'T NEED the i7. TRUST ME. JUST. NO.

I swear, you're blowing up $80 for no reason at all. Seriously, that processor will not help you at all. At. All. Just. No.

Get the i5 3750k, overclock it, bingo presto you have a i7.

http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/antec-power-supply-hcg620m


OR

http://pcpartpicker.com/ca/part/antec-power-supply-hcg750

Depending on whether you're getting crossfire in the future. If you are, get the second. If you're not, get the first.

The MSI is very... meh. It doesn't strike me as interesting or exciting, a card that's any different from the stock card. It's cooling system is inelegant, at the very least, and it provides less performance then the XFX or the Sapphire. Get the stock, the XFX, or the Sapphire. I haven't seen the Gigabyte, so I'm not sure about it.

Anything else?

Ok, 3750K it is.

Regarding motherboard, is there something inherently wrong with this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157302&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Motherboards%20-%20Intel-_-ASRock-_-13157302&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

I also found this lower cost Asus...seems about the same.....yes?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131820

I see the two power supplies you suggested; is there something wrong with this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-Power%20Supplies-_-Antec-_-17371049&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

I don't know exactly what you are comparing the 'stock card and msi'......btw, I will not crossfire.

tnx again!

 

[zanedragonknight]

Ok, 3750K it is.
Ok, 3750K it is.
OK, 3750K IT IS.

I'm going to hope that's a typo, and you meant to type 3570k.

Regarding motherboard, is there something inherently wrong with this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 38566&SID=

I also found this lower cost Asus...seems about the same.....yes?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131820

I see the two power supplies you suggested; is there something wrong with this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 38566&SID=

I don't know exactly what you are comparing the 'stock card and msi'......btw, I will not crossfire.

tnx again!

The first one is a definite no. It's an older board, last gen in fact, so it lacks a lot of support for modern components. The pro 4 was an alright board when it was launched, but is too outdated for today.

The second one, the Asus P8Z77 V is similar to the pro, but lacks a couple extra features.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jjenf0z8bo

^ Explains all the differences.

The PSU you've linked in is 750W. I think you need 620W:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059&name=Power-Supplies

By stock card, I meant the normal AMD 7770 card, the one that Radeon itself builds and sells. MSI or Sapphire or Gigabyte would mean that AMD sold the rights to these companies to "reproduce" the card, i.e., add their own custom fans and overclocking capacity and stuff.

It's like buying two different college textbooks for the same subject; they have the same material, and the same reading content, but its presented differently and both behave differently. (Sorry, can't think of a good analogy).

If you're not crossfiring, then I assume you will buy a brand-new card to replace the 7770 in the future? In that case, shouldn't you take the most powerful card you can afford right now? That would be the 7870 by the way. Just saying, it's smarter to spend as much as possible right now, so that your computer's practical lifespan is extended to 6 or so years.