New build [Work + Gaming]

[Newbie2k13]

Hello ladies and gentlemen,
 
I have recently started planning for a new build to replace my current build which is AMD based (AMD PHENOM 965 X4, 4GB RAM, ATI RADEON 5770) which as you can imagine is quite old. I will be using this desktop for both gaming (Games such as Far Cry 3, Battlefield 4) and work.(Video Editing, Software Development etc..) - Multitasking is a very important part of my work. Furthermore, i currently have a Dell E178WFP 17" monitor however, i do plan to buy a bigger monitor (32" or so) in the future (few months). 
 
 
Here is what i have planned so far:
 
Instead of purchasing the new 4th generation processor, i will go for the 3rd generation 3770K which will give me around the same performance when also overclocked. Here is the list of parts that i already have (physically):

• CoolerMaster HAF X Case
• EVGA GTX 570 Graphics Card
• 16GB DDR3 VIPER 3 RAM (2 x 8GB)
• Other case modification equipment + additionals such as keyboard mouse etc

Here is what i need:

• Z77 Motherboard 
• Intel Core i7 3770K processor - Unless you have any alternatives for me.
• New PSU
• Cooling Solution

What i am considering:

• For the motherboard (MSI MPOWER - £142) Reasons i like it: Good Build Quality, Wifi + Bluetooth, OC friendly, supports up to 3 graphics cards (good for expansion)
• For the cooling solution (CORSAIR H100 - £93) Reasons i like it: Value for money, good quality product - read some good reviews about it also.
• For the PSU (Powercool Modular 850W - £59) Reasons i like it: More power for a lower price when compared to others. Also have read some good reviews about it.
• Intel Core i7 3770K (£249)

 

Total: £546 This is a bit high for me right now. I would be willing to buy the cooling solution at a later time. Any alternatives which you can offer to bring the price down would be appreciated. 

 

 

 

Please help me choose the right components for my build. 

Thank you,
A fellow human who is a newbie seeking help.

[Godlygamer23]

Are you considering adding any more 570s in the future? If not, I'd lower the PSU to something like 650 watts.

[Newbie2k13]

I plan to instead upgrade to an ATI graphics card in the future but currently, this 570 is more than enough for me. Also, it should be noted that the maximum cards i would want on a build as of now would be 2, i don't plan to add anymore than that for at least 1-2 years. I have also updated the thread with more information. Also, price of current products: 

• MSI MPOWER - £142
• CORSAIR H100 - £93
• Powercool Modular 850W - £59
• Intel Core i7 3770K - £249

 

Total: £546 This is a bit high for me right now. I would be willing to buy the cooling solution at a later time. Any alternatives which you can offer to bring the price down would be appreciated. 

[Godlygamer23]

What *AMD* card are you upgrading to in the future? Or at least would like to upgrade to?

[Newbie2k13]

What *AMD* card are you upgrading to in the future? Or at least would like to upgrade to?

 

That would be the Radeon HD 7970. 

[Godlygamer23]

Then I'd stick with 850 watt PSU.

[MJOLNITR VIPER]

Is that 32 inch monitor going to be a 2560X1440 or a 1080 because that can make a big difference in choosing a GPU.

 

If you should upgrade anything i would say spend a bit more on the PSU because a bad PSU can cause some problems or fry your system.   

 

Edit: The 7970 will be fine even if running at 1440p

Edited June 5, 2013 by MJOLNITR VIPER

[Newbie2k13]

Is that 32 inch monitor going to be a 2560X1440 or a 1080 because that can make a big difference in choosing a GPU.

 

If you should upgrade anything i would say spend a bit more on the PSU because a bad PSU can cause some problems or fry your system.   

 

2560X1440 resolution. Without the corsair cooling solution, i will be down to £452 and i can purchase the cooling solution at a later time. Any alternatives for the motherboard?

[Newbie2k13]

Also, how much power do i really need? Maybe i can go for a more expensive power supply from a reliable provider such as Corsair if i don't need 850W.

[MzCatieB]

can i just say this:

AMD graphics card = good for gaming

Nvidia = good for gaming and work

 

i suggest going for a Nvidia card instead of an amd cause u will benefit massively from CUDA computing with the software you are using.

if you are a freelancer or in a company or even as a hobby, the worse possible thing to do is waste time rendering footage for a vid using the CPU it takes SOOOOO MUCH LONGER with a cpu than it does with CUDA.

personal experience:

Rendering a scene in 3D 250 frames to do at 100 passes at 1080p on CPU took 18 3 days to render, using CUDA from an Nvidia card, same scene 250 frames 100 passes in 4k only 2 hours.

 

consider an Nvidia if your are using video editing software, CUDA is a god send and a massive time saver.

[Newbie2k13]

can i just say this:

AMD graphics card = good for gaming

Nvidia = good for gaming and work

 

i suggest going for a Nvidia card instead of an amd cause u will benefit massively from CUDA computing with the software you are using.

if you are a freelancer or in a company or even as a hobby, the worse possible thing to do is waste time rendering footage for a vid using the CPU it takes SOOOOO MUCH LONGER with a cpu than it does with CUDA.

personal experience:

Rendering a scene in 3D 250 frames to do at 100 passes at 1080p on CPU took 18 3 days to render, using CUDA from an Nvidia card, same scene 250 frames 100 passes in 4k only 2 hours.

 

consider an Nvidia if your are using video editing software, CUDA is a god send and a massive time saver.

 

Thank you for your response. I will be sticking with the 570 then for now. :)

[Newbie2k13]

As i mentioned earlier; with the 3770K, GTX570, 16GB DDR3 RAM, 5 LED FANS, H100 Cooling solution etc, how much power do i need in total to also allow overclocking up to 

? If i don't need 850W, i can go with the Corsair builder series "OCZ ZS Series 750W" which would be £69.

[WoodenMarker]

As i mentioned earlier; with the 3770K, GTX570, 16GB DDR3 RAM, 5 LED FANS, H100 Cooling solution etc, how much power do i need in total to also allow overclocking up to 

? If i don't need 850W, i can go with the Corsair builder series "OCZ ZS Series 750W" which would be £69.

A 650w should be plenty.

 

Edit: Are you sure you want to get a 3770k? It's not like you need to push a powerful graphics card so the overclocking won't be too important. To get many threads, you could go for a much cheaper alternative: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/13s7H

[Newbie2k13]

A 650w should be plenty.

 

Edit: Are you sure you want to get a 3770k? It's not like you need to push a powerful graphics card so the overclocking won't be too important. To get many threads, you could go for a much cheaper alternative: http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/13s7H

 

Thank you for the reply. A change of plan, i noticed that the price is very close to 3rd generation i7 so i went with a Haswell setup. Checkout the following:

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/13yYS

 

Do you think that will work well? I'm still looking for a good motherboard.

[WoodenMarker]

Thank you for the reply. A change of plan, i noticed that the price is very close to 3rd generation i7 so i went with a Haswell setup. Checkout the following:

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/13yYS

 

Do you think that will work well? I'm still looking for a good motherboard.

You could grab a cooler. Either an h100i or NH-D14 dependingif you want water or air cooling.

The motherboard you chose is fine. Overclocking isn't as reliant on the motherboard for Haswell. It's more about luck of the draw with the chips.

That psu is still overkill. 

[Newbie2k13]

You could grab a cooler. Either an h100i or NH-D14 dependingif you want water or air cooling.

The motherboard you chose is fine. Overclocking isn't as reliant on the motherboard for Haswell. It's more about luck of the draw with the chips.

That psu is still overkill. 

 

I will go with the h100i once i plan to overclock. I've decided to wait some time to see if there are any better motherboards i can get at a similar price.

Thank you for your suggestions.