Upgrading a mid-range editing/gaming PC

[12860682321]

So I have a mid-range ($1000) editing and gaming PC that I am planning to upgrade.

 

1. Budget & Location

 

I don't want to spend too much money on the upgrade preferably not spending more than 750 dollars total. Oh BTW I live in Alberta, Canada, so don't worry about the currency conversions, I'm also buying all the upgrades from Canadian retailers too so I don't have to pay for the stupid high duty tax. 

 

2. Aim

 

The point of this upgrade is to have a better editing and gaming rig so I can be more productive at making videos for my gaming channel, Brocanadians http://www.youtube.com/user/Brocanadians. The programs I use is Adobe Premiere Pro CS6, Photoshop CS6, Dxtroy, Audacity and soon to be After effects CS6 and Maya 2013. Plus I might be adding more programs into the mix so I also want this upgrade to be future-proof for the next 2 to 3 years or something like that.

 

3. Monitors

 

I want to upgrade my monitors to at least dual 23 inch 1920 by 1080 IPS monitor, preferably with thin bezels so I could be less distracted from the huge gap between the two screens. I also could be thinking about buying a large 4K monitor when it comes out later on when they become cheaper like 400 dollars or something like that.

 

4. Peripherals

 

I don't need any more peripherals because I already have a really nice mechanical keyboard, mice, Mic, headphones, etc.

 

5. Why are you upgrading?

 

This kinda the same as point 2 but the why I'm upgrading is because I'm doing more and more advance VFX on my videos and soon be using Maya 2013 which is a high end 3D program that is being used by every studios that makes blockbuster movies. I also want my system to be at least presentable on the WAN show build log, so I want to point that out too.

 

Specs of my current system

 

CPU: Intel I7 2700K overclocked to 4.5Ghz stable

Motherboard: Asus P8Z68 V-Pro/Gen 3

RAM: 8GB Mushkin Enhanced Silverline Stiletto 1333Mhz

Video Card: Gigabyte Windforce GTX 560

HDD: Samsung 840 Pro 128 GB SSD (Boot Drive)

          1 TB Hitachi HHD (Mass Storage) 

PSU: XFX 750 Watt XXX Edition Semi-Modular 80+ Silver 

Case: Bitfenix Shinobi Window 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo

Optical Drive: Some cheap LG drive 

Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Strom Trigger Blue Switch Mechanical Keyboard (I love this keyboard)

Mouse: RAT 7

Mic: Blue Yeti (Best USB mic ever in my opinion) 

Monitors: Two crappy VA panels made by HP and some other company

Headphones: KRK 6400 (Advice from a well known DJ)

 

A couple notes

 

Now people who knows CPUs knows that I don't need to upgrade my CPU nor really my motherboard because from my perspective, my CPU and my motherboard is still kicking ass at doing all of my daily needs, including gaming and video editing. I also try using Maya and After effects a bit on my computer and my CPU and motherboard is still handling it fine. The problem I think is that because I use a lot of CUDA enable programs, I think my video card is slowing all of my process down. So for sure I need a new video card, it just what kind? I also really want an audio card because the setup I'm using right now is audio that is being slightly amplified thought my mic. However I have studio grade headphones and I want to use their full potential as studio grade headphones not just to listen by myself without caring for sound. Other then that there is nothing I need to upgrade. Maybe making my rig look more presentable, because I want to show my rig off not only in the forum but also in the WAN show Builds of the Week.

 

Here is my rig so far. Sorry for the noise, I had to use my Galaxy Note 2 Camera which isn't the best camera and my flashlight which kinda makes it worst because it a 100 Lumens Cree LED flashlight.

 

[MetalLobster]

I don't know too much about monitors to recommend you one, but I'll bet that someone will recommend a nice one.

 

You can benefit from having more RAM since you are using Maya and After Effects. SLI is also an option. 

[CoolBeans]

Get a 7970, H100i and clean it up Acer H23HL bid would be good if you don't mind glossy

[WoodenMarker]

How heavy is the stuff you're working on? (Not overall but for each program you mentioned)

For the displays: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-23ea53vp

If you haven't done it already: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/14186-how-to-get-nvidia-cuda-support-in-adobe-creative-suite-6-for-gtx-gpus/?hl=cuda

[12860682321]

I don't know too much about monitors to recommend you one, but I'll bet that someone will recommend a nice one.

 

You can benefit from having more RAM since you are using Maya and After Effects. SLI is also an option. 

I really don't like SLI but I really do need to upgrade the RAM, something like 16 GB would be nice.

[12860682321]

Get a 7970, H100i and clean it up Acer H23HL bid would be good if you don't mind glossy

I would rather have an Nvidia video card because I use CUDA a lot not OpenCL and the H100i doesn't fit in my case, plus really like my air cooling system.

[12860682321]

How heavy is the stuff you're working on? (Not overall but for each program you mentioned)

For the displays: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-23ea53vp

If you haven't done it already: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/14186-how-to-get-nvidia-cuda-support-in-adobe-creative-suite-6-for-gtx-gpus/?hl=cudaIt 

 

It depends on what definition heavy means to you. If you want, check on my gaming channel on youtube, Brocanadians http://www.youtube.com/user/Brocanadians and that will tell you how heavy I'm using each program. 

[CoolBeans]

I would rather have an Nvidia video card because I use CUDA a lot not OpenCL and the H100i doesn't fit in my case, plus really like my air cooling system.

Oh ok then 770 and Dark Rock Pro 2

[WoodenMarker]

It depends on what definition heavy means to you. If you want, check on my gaming channel on youtube, Brocanadians http://www.youtube.com/user/Brocanadians and that will tell you how heavy I'm using each program. 

How much of the editing/rendering is reliant on After Effects compared to the other programs you use? I ask because it's the only Adobe program that uses CUDA and can't use OpenCL.

[MetalLobster]

I really don't like SLI but I really do need to upgrade the RAM, something like 16 GB would be nice.

 

You can either add 8GB of the same RAM (or similar, but it wouldn't look too good if you want to show it off) or get a 16GB of new, faster RAM. I'd recommend just adding 8GB of the current RAM and use your savings towards a new GPU or sound card.   

 

Have you thought of using a push-pull configuration for your Hyper 212 EVO?  

[12860682321]

How much of the editing/rendering is reliant on After Effects compared to the other programs you use? I ask because it's the only Adobe program that uses CUDA and can't use OpenCL.

I'm going to start using the program more often because I have a music video coming up and I'm going to use both Maya and After Effects, and if you have seen one of my update video here with the link and time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy-yCCW2QZM&t=3m40s. This has been done in Maya and that how complicated by renders will be.

[12860682321]

You can either add 8GB of the same RAM (or similar, but it wouldn't look too good if you want to show it off) or get a 16GB of new, faster RAM. I'd recommend just adding 8GB of the current RAM and use your savings towards a new GPU or sound card.   

 

Have you thought of using a push-pull configuration for your Hyper 212 EVO?  

I was thinking of push-pull with Noctua fans but I got no idea which ones.

[12860682321]

Oh ok then 770 and Dark Rock Pro 2

Now what about the sound card because I want better sound.

[MetalLobster]

I was thinking of push-pull with Noctua fans but I got no idea which ones.

 

That's good, but it might eat into your budget if you are getting new monitors and GPU. 

 

Maybe just keep the current fan and stick another one on the back? 

[WoodenMarker]

I'm going to start using the program more often because I have a music video coming up and I'm going to use both Maya and After Effects, and if you have seen one of my update video here with the link and time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy-yCCW2QZM&t=3m40s. This has been done in Maya and that how complicated by renders will be.

Hmm, I personally use Premiere instead of After Effects for putting maya batch renders together--easier imo.

The onyl thing to change in your build is to just add 8GB more ram. I'd say wait for the 9000 series to come out before getting a new gpu.

I was thinking of push-pull with Noctua fans but I got no idea which ones.

Not really worth it.

Now what about the sound card because I want better sound.

What audio set up do you have?

[CoolBeans]

Now what about the sound card because I want better sound.

Anything from Asus that fits your budget but if you don't have a headset don't bother

[12860682321]

Hmm, I personally use Premiere instead of After Effects for putting maya batch renders together--easier imo.

The onyl thing to change in your build is to just add 8GB more ram. I'd say wait for the 9000 series to come out before getting a new gpu.

Not really worth it.

What audio set up do you have?

My audio setup is a sound from my computer to my USB mic which I think amps the signal a little bit which is then sent out put to my headphones which are my KRK 6400.

[12860682321]

Can someone also tell me a good case to my system in because I want my system to be on the WAN build logs, I don't mine modding the case a little but not too much. I just want a case that is quiet and not to gaming flashy, remember this is an editing rig also.

[WoodenMarker]

My audio setup is a sound from my computer to my USB mic which I think amps the signal a little bit which is then sent out put to my headphones which are my KRK 6400.

A cheap but decent amp should help the headphones a bit. Head over to the Audio section for some more in depth help.

Can someone also tell me a good case to my system in because I want my system to be on the WAN build logs, I don't mine modding the case a little but not too much. I just want a case that is quiet and not to gaming flashy, remember this is a editing rig also.

Define R4 Windowed.

[12860682321]

Now one more thing, I want to show my Rig on the WAN build log and I want some ideas on how I can pimp out my rig. Now I know for sure that I'm going to use the Define R4 as a upgraded case so I want ideas for that kind of case.