First Build - Video Editing/gaming

[PMK94]

I plan to do a new build some time in the near-ish future, geared toward both video production and gaming. My editing program of choice is Sony Vegas Movie Studio (I might upgrade to Pro somewhere down the line, but Movie Studio has worked perfectly fine for me so far, so upgrading is unlikely), and sometimes HitFilm 2 Express. For gaming, I'd like to be able to play most modern games at high-to-max settings.

 

I say "First Build" in the title because, though I've moved components between cases before and installed PCI-e cards and such, I've never installed a CPU into a motherboard, or installed a CPU cooler. So this will be the first full/new build I do.

 

For the case, I'm going to reuse my NZXT Phantom 410. I'm also going to reuse my monitor, an Acer S231HLbid 23", and will probably buy a second one at some point. Ideally, I'd also like to reuse my Corsair TX650 power supply (non-modular version), but if you guys recommend a higher-wattage PSU, I'm willing to upgrade it. I also currently have a Sapphire HD 7850 (the older version with two mini-DisplayPort, one HDMI, and one DVI output), but I'd like to upgrade that in the future as well.

 

My target budget is around $1000-$1200 USD, but I might be willing to go up to $1500.

 

Here's what I had in mind:

 

CPU Coo​ler: Corsair H100i

RAM:  G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600

Storage: Samsung 840 Pro 128GB

Either 2x1TB, or a single 2TB Seagate Barracuda

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium Full

 

And either...

 

CPU: i7-3770k

Motherboard: MSI Z77A-GD65

 

or

 

CPU: FX-8350

Motherboard: MSI 990FXA-GD80V2

 

 

I chose 2 x 8GB for the RAM, just in case I ever need to upgrade to 32GB. Though, since that would require Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, I might stick with the 16GB total and just do 4 x 4GB, if that'd be better/cheaper.

 

For the HDD choice, I've been led to believe somewhere in my research that two separate hard drives (one for games, then one for footage/media/renders) would be a better idea than having everything on a single drive. If that's not entirely the case, I'll go with the single 2TB drive. If having separate drives is better, I might choose a smaller hard drive for my games drive. My internet's fast enough that uninstalling/reinstalling games with Steam wouldn't be a problem if I needed to save space.

 

I'm going to get the full version of Windows 7 so that I can keep using it for any future builds/upgrades/replacements. Currently not a fan of Windows 8.

 

As for the CPU/motherboard choice, this is where my main question with this post comes in: Would the 8350 be suitable for my uses, or should I opt for the 3770k? Also, I'm completely open to alternative motherboard suggestions, if you see anything wrong with my current picks. (Also note that by the time I have enough money saved up for this build, Haswell might be released. Obviously that'll change things a bit, but I'm not sure just how much)

 

I'm also open to alternatives for my other component choices, if necessary.

[Wiggly Jiggles]

Well you could drop down the RAM to 8GB, as games don't use that much, and unless you're making 3D logo's to go in your editing software, its still not needed

 

I'd go for the 3770k and not the AMD CPU

Don't wait for Haswell, but wait for prices to drop: They're drop the prices of other CPU's when Haswell comes out, but there will be better Haswell chpis being made at the time of their release (like buying a brand new car, then realising a better version came out a month later)

[Raptus]

You could drop to 8GB, but since you want the option to upgrade to 32GB in the future you might as well look for a good deal on a 16GB set. 

And as Badja says, wait til the prices drop if you have the patience. 

[WoodenMarker]

Go for 3770k and overclock it to +4.5ghz!

 

Stick with the 8gb sticks of ram. Fewer sticks = Fewer problems.

 

2TB hard drive for storage, 2x1TB if you want to Raid 0.

[XiaoPigs]

I'd stick with 2 X 8GB sticks :) Maybe get 1866 or above RAM.

 

Go with the 3770k better for video editing, games and pretty much everything else in general.

 

I would get two separate drives if possible, just because it's definitely gonna affect performance if you render and game on the same drive.

 

Swap your windows 7 HP for Professional. You might need the additional RAM if you're hardcore rendering all the time and want to add additional sticks.

[PMK94]

Thanks for all the feedback so far, guys. I'll definitely be getting the 3770k, and I'm still probably gonna get the 16GB (2x8GB) of RAM.

 

I also plan to upgrade to a 7970 somewhere down the line. If I overclock the 3770k to 4.5GHz, plus having the 7970, would my current 650w PSU be enough, or should I consider something with more wattage?

[XiaoPigs]

Thanks for all the feedback so far, guys. I'll definitely be getting the 3770k, and I'm still probably gonna get the 16GB (2x8GB) of RAM.

 

I also plan to upgrade to a 7970 somewhere down the line. If I overclock the 3770k to 4.5GHz, plus having the 7970, would my current 650w PSU be enough, or should I consider something with more wattage?

If you plan on getting another 7970, you should probably go for a 750w or higher PSU. Something like an AX750/760 should be enough for your needs. 

[PMK94]

If you plan on getting another 7970, you should probably go for a 750w or higher PSU. Something like an AX750/760 should be enough for your needs. 

I might've mispoken there a bit. I currently have a 7850. The 7970 is going to replace that. I don't plan on doing Crossfire.

[XiaoPigs]

I might've mispoken there a bit. I currently have a 7850. The 7970 is going to replace that. I don't plan on doing Crossfire.

Ah in that case a 650w PSU is more then enough. Just make sure it's not one of those no name brands will do. Corsair and Seasonic are two of the brands that I would probably trust the most.

[PMK94]

Thanks to all who gave feedback. I've decided on this for the final part list:

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/PMK94/saved/1sle

 

[Glenwing]

That looks good.