My current home comp is getting just a bit too old... heck, I haven't used the floppy drive in at least 7 years and I'm tired of being harassed by archeologists. :tongue.gif: So I'm looking to purchase something a little less decrepit.
I've figured out that I've got between $1500 and $2000 to spend, though I'd prefer to stay on the lower end of that range. I'd really like something that has the potential longevity of my old comp (it's going on 10 years old). Easy future upgrades is also a huge plus.
I also don't feel like building it myself this time around so I was looking at the options on sites like Cyberpower and Newegg for prebuilt machines.
I'll be using the computer for:
Photo / Video Editing
Gaming
Minimal 3D work
Basic stuff like browsing the web, E-mail, and office stuff.
EDIT: Switched to Ibuypower, changed some components around. Total price with shipping (and some extra things) is $1773.
Customized from the Gamer Paladin D858 build, if anyone would like to see the parts offered and maybe advise me on better options or other things it would be handy to have.
Case ( CoolerMaster HAF 932 Full Tower Gaming Case - Black ) Processor ( Intel® Core™ i7-2600K Processor (4x 3.40GHz/8MB L3 Cache) ) Processor Cooling ( Liquid CPU Cooling System [SOCKET-1155] - [Free Upgrade] Standard 120mm Fan ) Memory ( 8 GB [4 GB X2] DDR3-1600 Memory Module - Corsair or Major Brand ) 1 x Video Card ( NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 - 1.5GB - EVGA Superclocked - Core: 797MHz - Single Card ) Motherboard ( [SLI] ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 -- 2x PCI-E 3.0 x16 ) Intel Smart Response Technology ( SSD Cache - 40 GB Intel 320 Series ) Primary Hard Drive ( 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 32M Cache, 7200 RPM, 6.0Gb/s - Single Drive ) Optical Drive ( 24X Sony Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive - Black ) Power Supply ( 850 Watt -- Thermaltake TR2 W0319RU ) Operating System ( Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + Office Starter 2010
__________________Old Version__________________
So far, I've come up with this at Cyberpower, with a price range of around $1900 (shipping included):
CASE: CoolerMaster Storm Trooper Full Tower Gaming Case w/ 200mm Fan, Integrated Fan Controller, Front USB 3.0 & X-Dock, and Easy Carry Handle
2x VIDEO CARDS (SLI): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB 16X PCIe Video Card (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
SSD (Intel Smart Response Technology Caching): 40 GB Intel 320 Series SATA-II 3.0Gb/s SSD - 200MB/s Read & 45MB/s Write HDD: 1TB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache Power Saving 5900 RPM HDD
POWERSUPPLY: 1,000 Watts - Thermaltake TR2 RX Modular 80 Plus PSU - PN: TRX-1000M
CD: Sony 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive
CASE FAN: Maximum Enermax 120MM Case Cooling Fans for selected case (Maximum Silent Operation) (1,000 RPM Black Color with No LED Enlobal Magnetic Barometric Bearing 17 dBA)
FAN: Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA) (Dual Enermax Enlobal Silent High Performance 120MM Fans (Push-Pull) )
OS: Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit Edition)
I'd love advice on further dropping the price or on ways to significantly increase the power of the machine. And I'd be desperately grateful to be told if I've chosen something wrong.
Also, should I consider overclocking?
Thanks to all who took the time to read this. Much appreciated!
Eh 1000w is like super overkill a good 750 or 850 would be all that you need, and I would get 2 Gtx 580s in SLI since you have like 2 grand to spend :/
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Build your own. If you aren't sure, look up video tutorials (I recommend the one by HardwareCanucks).
I'm pretty sure most anyone can handle it.
We forumers will do the hardest part: finding the best components.
I did consider it and have done so for a few builds years ago; found it to be a lot of fun back then, and it looks like the components are even easier to put together now.
Currently though... In the time it'd take me to put it together (especially with my fumble fingers and a household terrorized by inquisitive dogs and kids), I could take on another small project and earn more money than I'd save by building it myself. I'd rather put the free time on enjoying the computer itself.
But I most definitely understand where you're coming from with that advice; to be honest, it's the smarter thing to do when looking to get the most power for the money. :smile.gif:
A 1000watt PSU sin't really needed for just 2 560ti's, it's a bit overkill unless you plan on upgrading a lot in the future.
Yup yup, chose the 1000 watt for potential future upgrades. That, and on this particular build many of the lower watt options were actually more expensive than the 1000, and on those that were significantly lower, I got scared away by some iffy reviews.
The other one I was considering was the 850 Watts - Corsair CMPSU-850TXV2 80 Plus Power Supply - Quad SLI Ready - a good 50 dollars cheaper, too. I only went with the 1000 because I'll probably add in some more drives down the road and didn't want to worry about power.
Eh 1000w is like super overkill a good 750 or 850 would be all that you need, and I would get 2 Gtx 580s in SLI since you have like 2 grand to spend :/
Hehehe, if I could get 2 580's that didn't cost about half my budget, I'd love too. Sadly, I think two of them may be a bit out of my range, unless I'm really missing a good place to buy them. And the 560ti seems like a fairly good card.
I was considering spending a bit more and upping the 560's ram to 2 gigs each. But I honestly have no idea if it would be worth it.
Heck, I'm still debating on going for SLI right off the bat. I'd have no trouble grabbing another card and popping it in down the road, but I know how I like to procrastinate and by the time I decided to go for it, the same card would probably be impossible to find.
Suffice it to say, I have absolutely no intention of buying from Alienware.
I tried to put together a computer similar to the one I've listed below and ended up paying around $2000 for a significantly crappier computer. Really limited options on the whole. And their service plans were hilarious, especially the option to pay $90 more to speak with someone you can understand.
But that's all okay, because YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR OWN WALLPAPER, OMGWTFBBQ!
For people who build their own systems, I can only imagine how huge the price and customization difference must be.
Anyhow, made some changes.
Switched to Ibuypower, changed some components around. Total price with shipping (and some extra things) is $1773.
Customized from the Gamer Paladin D858 build, if anyone would like to see the parts offered and maybe advise me on better options.
Specs in spoiler:
Case ( CoolerMaster HAF 932 Full Tower Gaming Case - Black ) Processor ( Intel® Core™ i7-2600K Processor (4x 3.40GHz/8MB L3 Cache) ) Processor Cooling ( Liquid CPU Cooling System [SOCKET-1155]-ARC Dual Silent High Performance Fan Upgrade (Push-Pull Airflow) ) Memory ( 8 GB [4 GB X2] DDR3-1600 Memory Module - Corsair or Major Brand ) 1 x Video Card ( NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 - 1.5GB - EVGA Superclocked - Core: 797MHz - Single Card ) Motherboard ( [SLI] ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 -- 2x PCI-E 3.0 x16 ) Intel Smart Response Technology ( SSD Cache - 40 GB Intel 320 Series ) Primary Hard Drive ( 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 32M Cache, 7200 RPM, 6.0Gb/s - Single Drive ) Optical Drive ( 24X Sony Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive - Black ) Power Supply ( 850 Watt -- Thermaltake TR2 W0319RU ) Operating System ( Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + Office Starter 2010
If you pay attention to the forums, you would know your budget is like a gold mine to the kids here.
My suggestion is to get a real life friend, who knows computers, and actually go to a store and buy the parts either all at one store, or a multitude.
Also, if this is your first build the smell, and feel of new hardware, is indescribable; as you stated, you dont want to have the hassle to built it, well, give your friend $50; or buy something with the left over for him. Just to have the parts physically in front of you is a feeling that again, cant be described.
I'd recommend the i5-2500K honestly, the only real difference between the i7 and the i5 is hyperthreading which most games can't use anyway. :wink.gif: You'll save about 100 bucks.
And like others have said, definitely build it yourself or have a friend do it for you, you'll get better parts and save a ton of money that way.
Looks decent. Get the XFX 850w PSU though, I'm not too sure about thermtake ones. Almost identical price too, so you might as well.
Thanks for the advice on the PSU. Much appreciated. And a quick semi-related question... Is modular worth putting a bit of extra cash on? I don't particularly care about what it looks like inside the case as long as there's good air flow and it's easy to tell which wires go where. I may not build my own, but I probably will be in there to do upgrades down the road.
anyhow, you should build your own computer. hell, for that budget you could one of those super overpriced Sandy Bridge E series i7s (although they are horribly expensive: somewhere around the neighborhood of $600 - $1k, and will soon be outdated when Ivy Bridge gets released :/)
but seriously, build your own computer. you'll save money, you'll know what you're putting into your computer, and you get a much larger range of choice and best of all, NO PRELOADED CRAPWARE.
i think that last feature alone is reason enough for one to build their own computer :tongue.gif:
Hehehehe! Oh yes... Bloatware Hell. My first consideration was the bloatware - I dealt with it on two of my previous machines and I swore NEVER to purchase from a company that abuses it. Most was super easy to get off, but one company had installed a trial version of Norton that hogged my limited system resources, seemed impossible to remove completely, and which caused some serious stability issues. I had to reformat and install the OS from a different source than what the company provided.
Ibuypower/Cyberpower apparently gives you a clean system. I could even choose the option for no OS installed at all.
It's tempting to see how the Ivy Bridge does, but with Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales coming up... I really don't want to miss out on some of the better deals. And The I7 2600k should hold me for a good long time.
I'd recommend the i5-2500K honestly, the only real difference between the i7 and the i5 is hyperthreading which most games can't use anyway. :wink.gif: You'll save about 100 bucks.
This is where I'm kind of undecided. I see amazing reviews for the I5 - if this comp would be for just gaming, I'd switch to it in a heartbeat.
However, this comp will be for work first and foremost - most of which deals with photo editing. Currently, a good number of processes in Photoshop will make use of the hyperthreading - but not all of them. And honestly, right now, I'd probably see more of a performance increase by upping my RAM to 16.
Mostly, I decided to go with the I7 in an attempt to "future proof" the machine for a bit in case programs did start to make more use of hyperthreading.
Say I did go with I5... would it be easy or even possible to upgrade the processor at a later date without having to buy a new motherboard and such? Is there a good chance there'll be processors my motherboard can accommodate?
if you want to future proof it, wait till ivy bridge comes out. it will be proably 3x cheaper than the Sandy Bridge E i7-3960X, but probably be better :wink.gif:
...but on the other hand, the 2600k is amazing, and will probably outlast the latest AMD Bulldozer, so it's a great (but pricey) choice too.
in fact, i say jump on it. i THINK newegg's doing a promotion: buy a 2600k, and get a free copy of Battlefield 3!
EDIT: aww looks like the promotion is over :/
Awww, no Battlefield 3. Oh well. I still get Batman Arkham City and Just Cause 2 for free - but neither will probably be played, because...
SKYRIM (the reason I don't think I could wait until Ivy Bridge comes out. :biggrin.gif: )
Also, just wanted to say thanks to everyone who replied with info and suggestions. Really appreciate it.
Check out my 1600 computer build. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2e1p
These were very carefully selected after TONS of research, and yes i made the concious choice to go with AMD phenom II x6 rather than intel.
I've figured out that I've got between $1500 and $2000 to spend, though I'd prefer to stay on the lower end of that range. I'd really like something that has the potential longevity of my old comp (it's going on 10 years old). Easy future upgrades is also a huge plus.
I also don't feel like building it myself this time around so I was looking at the options on sites like Cyberpower and Newegg for prebuilt machines.
I'll be using the computer for:
Photo / Video Editing
Gaming
Minimal 3D work
Basic stuff like browsing the web, E-mail, and office stuff.
My monitor has a resolution of 1920 x 1080.
__________________Newest Version__________________
EDIT: Switched to Ibuypower, changed some components around. Total price with shipping (and some extra things) is $1773.
Customized from the Gamer Paladin D858 build, if anyone would like to see the parts offered and maybe advise me on better options or other things it would be handy to have.
Processor ( Intel® Core™ i7-2600K Processor (4x 3.40GHz/8MB L3 Cache) )
Processor Cooling ( Liquid CPU Cooling System [SOCKET-1155] - [Free Upgrade] Standard 120mm Fan )
Memory ( 8 GB [4 GB X2] DDR3-1600 Memory Module - Corsair or Major Brand )
1 x Video Card ( NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 - 1.5GB - EVGA Superclocked - Core: 797MHz - Single Card )
Motherboard ( [SLI] ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 -- 2x PCI-E 3.0 x16 )
Intel Smart Response Technology ( SSD Cache - 40 GB Intel 320 Series )
Primary Hard Drive ( 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 32M Cache, 7200 RPM, 6.0Gb/s - Single Drive )
Optical Drive ( 24X Sony Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive - Black )
Power Supply ( 850 Watt -- Thermaltake TR2 W0319RU )
Operating System ( Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + Office Starter 2010
__________________Old Version__________________
So far, I've come up with this at Cyberpower, with a price range of around $1900 (shipping included):
CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-2600K 3.40 GHz 8M Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 (All Venom OC Certified)
MOTHERBOARD: * [CrossFireX/SLI] GigaByte Z68X-UD3H-B3 Intel Z68 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ Lucid Virtu Intel Smart Response Technology & 7.1 Dolby Home Theater Audio, GbLAN, USB3.0, 4x SATA-III RAID, 2 Gen2 PCIe, 3 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI (All Venom OC Certified)
MEMORY: 8GB (2GBx4) DDR3/1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Module (Corsair XMS Gaming Memory with Heat Spreader)
2x VIDEO CARDS (SLI): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB 16X PCIe Video Card (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
SSD (Intel Smart Response Technology Caching): 40 GB Intel 320 Series SATA-II 3.0Gb/s SSD - 200MB/s Read & 45MB/s Write
HDD: 1TB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 8MB Cache Power Saving 5900 RPM HDD
POWERSUPPLY: 1,000 Watts - Thermaltake TR2 RX Modular 80 Plus PSU - PN: TRX-1000M
CD: Sony 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive
CASE FAN: Maximum Enermax 120MM Case Cooling Fans for selected case (Maximum Silent Operation) (1,000 RPM Black Color with No LED Enlobal Magnetic Barometric Bearing 17 dBA)
FAN: Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA) (Dual Enermax Enlobal Silent High Performance 120MM Fans (Push-Pull) )
OS: Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit Edition)
I'd love advice on further dropping the price or on ways to significantly increase the power of the machine. And I'd be desperately grateful to be told if I've chosen something wrong.
Also, should I consider overclocking?
Thanks to all who took the time to read this. Much appreciated!
Contest hosted for Steelfeathers' Enchanted Pack
Eww that's so over priced..
I'm pretty sure most anyone can handle it.
We forumers will do the hardest part: finding the best components.
You's dumb.
I see you like bright lights and shiny cases eh? No alienware :smile.gif:
Damn it.
Just ****ing damn it.
Get the **** out of the CTS section.
Yes, yes I am mad.
We have been having a huge influx of bad advice do to people like you.
I did consider it and have done so for a few builds years ago; found it to be a lot of fun back then, and it looks like the components are even easier to put together now.
Currently though... In the time it'd take me to put it together (especially with my fumble fingers and a household terrorized by inquisitive dogs and kids), I could take on another small project and earn more money than I'd save by building it myself. I'd rather put the free time on enjoying the computer itself.
But I most definitely understand where you're coming from with that advice; to be honest, it's the smarter thing to do when looking to get the most power for the money. :smile.gif:
Yup yup, chose the 1000 watt for potential future upgrades. That, and on this particular build many of the lower watt options were actually more expensive than the 1000, and on those that were significantly lower, I got scared away by some iffy reviews.
The other one I was considering was the 850 Watts - Corsair CMPSU-850TXV2 80 Plus Power Supply - Quad SLI Ready - a good 50 dollars cheaper, too. I only went with the 1000 because I'll probably add in some more drives down the road and didn't want to worry about power.
Do you have any particular recommendations?
Hehehe, if I could get 2 580's that didn't cost about half my budget, I'd love too. Sadly, I think two of them may be a bit out of my range, unless I'm really missing a good place to buy them. And the 560ti seems like a fairly good card.
I was considering spending a bit more and upping the 560's ram to 2 gigs each. But I honestly have no idea if it would be worth it.
Heck, I'm still debating on going for SLI right off the bat. I'd have no trouble grabbing another card and popping it in down the road, but I know how I like to procrastinate and by the time I decided to go for it, the same card would probably be impossible to find.
Contest hosted for Steelfeathers' Enchanted Pack
What the hell, terrible idea.
Oi, moderator, janitor, we could use a little help over here, oi.
Ah that's right. They don't exist.
Leave. Now.
I tried to put together a computer similar to the one I've listed below and ended up paying around $2000 for a significantly crappier computer. Really limited options on the whole. And their service plans were hilarious, especially the option to pay $90 more to speak with someone you can understand.
But that's all okay, because YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR OWN WALLPAPER, OMGWTFBBQ!
For people who build their own systems, I can only imagine how huge the price and customization difference must be.
Anyhow, made some changes.
Switched to Ibuypower, changed some components around. Total price with shipping (and some extra things) is $1773.
Customized from the Gamer Paladin D858 build, if anyone would like to see the parts offered and maybe advise me on better options.
Specs in spoiler:
Processor ( Intel® Core™ i7-2600K Processor (4x 3.40GHz/8MB L3 Cache) )
Processor Cooling ( Liquid CPU Cooling System [SOCKET-1155]-ARC Dual Silent High Performance Fan Upgrade (Push-Pull Airflow) )
Memory ( 8 GB [4 GB X2] DDR3-1600 Memory Module - Corsair or Major Brand )
1 x Video Card ( NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 - 1.5GB - EVGA Superclocked - Core: 797MHz - Single Card )
Motherboard ( [SLI] ASRock Z68 Extreme4 Gen3 -- 2x PCI-E 3.0 x16 )
Intel Smart Response Technology ( SSD Cache - 40 GB Intel 320 Series )
Primary Hard Drive ( 1 TB HARD DRIVE -- 32M Cache, 7200 RPM, 6.0Gb/s - Single Drive )
Optical Drive ( 24X Sony Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive - Black )
Power Supply ( 850 Watt -- Thermaltake TR2 W0319RU )
Operating System ( Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium + Office Starter 2010
Contest hosted for Steelfeathers' Enchanted Pack
My suggestion is to get a real life friend, who knows computers, and actually go to a store and buy the parts either all at one store, or a multitude.
Also, if this is your first build the smell, and feel of new hardware, is indescribable; as you stated, you dont want to have the hassle to built it, well, give your friend $50; or buy something with the left over for him. Just to have the parts physically in front of you is a feeling that again, cant be described.
And like others have said, definitely build it yourself or have a friend do it for you, you'll get better parts and save a ton of money that way.
Goldmine to the Alienware trolls.
asus maximus iv extreme-z
8gb 1600 corsair vengeance
2TB seagate barracuda xt
msi 1.5GB gtx 580 lightning 2x SLI
thermaltake toughpower 1050w
nzxt phantom
corsair H100 extreme cpu cooler
should cost around $1900
Hehehehe! Oh yes... Bloatware Hell. My first consideration was the bloatware - I dealt with it on two of my previous machines and I swore NEVER to purchase from a company that abuses it. Most was super easy to get off, but one company had installed a trial version of Norton that hogged my limited system resources, seemed impossible to remove completely, and which caused some serious stability issues. I had to reformat and install the OS from a different source than what the company provided.
Ibuypower/Cyberpower apparently gives you a clean system. I could even choose the option for no OS installed at all.
It's tempting to see how the Ivy Bridge does, but with Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales coming up... I really don't want to miss out on some of the better deals. And The I7 2600k should hold me for a good long time.
This is where I'm kind of undecided. I see amazing reviews for the I5 - if this comp would be for just gaming, I'd switch to it in a heartbeat.
However, this comp will be for work first and foremost - most of which deals with photo editing. Currently, a good number of processes in Photoshop will make use of the hyperthreading - but not all of them. And honestly, right now, I'd probably see more of a performance increase by upping my RAM to 16.
Mostly, I decided to go with the I7 in an attempt to "future proof" the machine for a bit in case programs did start to make more use of hyperthreading.
Say I did go with I5... would it be easy or even possible to upgrade the processor at a later date without having to buy a new motherboard and such? Is there a good chance there'll be processors my motherboard can accommodate?
That outer case design is... it's SEX. I hope it's as functional as the Coolermaster HAF, because I'm in love.
Contest hosted for Steelfeathers' Enchanted Pack
Awww, no Battlefield 3. Oh well. I still get Batman Arkham City and Just Cause 2 for free - but neither will probably be played, because...
SKYRIM (the reason I don't think I could wait until Ivy Bridge comes out. :biggrin.gif: )
Also, just wanted to say thanks to everyone who replied with info and suggestions. Really appreciate it.
Contest hosted for Steelfeathers' Enchanted Pack
Check out my 1600 computer build.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2e1p
These were very carefully selected after TONS of research, and yes i made the concious choice to go with AMD phenom II x6 rather than intel.