Looking to upgrade EVERYTHING - Hardware & Software

Well since I finally got hired I figured it's time for me to upgrade everything. With some help (screaming) and suggestions (insults) from the ever lovable Rilez, I've got a current WIP list of new components. This build is mainly used for games, modeling and animation with XSI and blender, and photoshop. As it stands, I'm pretty sure I can reuse the PSU, hard drive, and memory from my old build in the new one. Budget: ~$1400 max -- Native resolution = 1440x900 x2 [B]New Build:[/B] [B]Case:[/B] Corsair Carbide 400R - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139008[/URL] or Antec 300 Illlusion - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066[/URL] [B]CPU:[/B] Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072[/URL] [B]GPU:[/B] nVidia GTX 670 2GB - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130787&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards[/URL] [B]Motherboard:[/B] ASUS P8B75-V - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131835[/URL] [B]HDD-2:[/B] Western Digital Black 1TB @ 7200rpm - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533[/URL] [B]Mouse:[/B] Logitech G700 - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104377[/URL] [B]Keyboard:[/B] Microsoft Sidewinder X4 - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109191[/URL] [B]Microphone:[/B] Logitech Desktop Mic - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836111601&name=Microphones[/URL] [B]Current Build:[/B] [B]Case:[/B] Cheap-ass piece of shit, must be replaced immediately - No Link [B]CPU:[/B] AMD Phenom II X4 955 @ 3.6ghz - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808[/URL] [B]GPU:[/B] Ati Radeon HD 5850 1GB - No longer listed on Newegg. [B]PSU:[/B] CoolerMaster Silentpro MS600w - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036[/URL] [B]RAM:[/B] pqi 8GB(2x4) DDR3 - Also no longer listed on Newegg. [B]Motherboard:[/B] BIOSTAR A880G+ - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138283[/URL] [B]HDD-1:[/B] 320GB Western Digital Blue @7200rpm - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236040&Tpk=WD3200AAJS[/URL] [B]Mouse:[/B] GIGABYTE MS-6900 Optical @3200dpi - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826146020[/URL] [B]Keyboard:[/B] Microsoft ComfortCurve 2000 - [URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109149[/URL] The only things I haven't covered yet are speakers, a set of headphones, and a new monitor. Current price is $1,100, and I have no problem throwing down another $200-$300 if need be.

I would suggest getting the Corsair case, mainly due to the fact that it has more fan slots, so if you were interested in something like the H100 cooler, you can mount that on the top properly. If you're interested you can probably fit an SSD in there for your windows and main programs, as you'll see a massive performance boost too. However you need to be a bit more specific about your memory requirements, and are you going to be needing a cd drive? :S

CPU: [url]http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i5-3570K-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B007SZ0E1K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350834305&sr=8-1&keywords=i5+3570k[/url] ($220) Mobo: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293&name=Intel-Motherboards[/url] ($135) Memory: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233202&name=Desktop-Memory[/url] ($40) GPU: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102982&name=Desktop-Graphics-Cards[/url] ($400) Case: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129181&name=Computer-Cases[/url] ($45) HDD2: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&Tpk=Spinpoint%20F3[/url] ($85) Keyboard: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201040[/url] ($90) Definitely go mechanical Mouse: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826153072&name=Mice[/url] ($45) Total: $1060 If you want to fit in an SSD, that mic you have plenty of room to do so.

He's going to take advantage of Nvidia's CUDA, he said he uses programs like Photoshop etc.... - He might as well go with a 670. (Nice build though Evilan)

[QUOTE=d3v1n816;38126122]He's going to take advantage of Nvidia's CUDA, he said he uses programs like Photoshop etc.... - He might as well go with a 670. (Nice build though Evilan)[/QUOTE] Woops, missed that part. Definitely keep the GTX 670 in the build then.

I recommend the build Evilan posted. He didn't seem to include the CPU heatsink so I recommend a [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065]Hyper 212[/url] on the low end or a [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608018]NH-D14[/url] on the high end. Granted the CPU he listed includes a stock heatsink I recommend to steer away from it at all costs especially with your budget. You can also afford a nice sized SSD for Windows and your programs while using your new HDD as a secondary internal storage. Do you also have a copy of Windows you can reuse? Also I noticed this: [QUOTE=Mombasa;38124960]As it stands, I'm pretty sure I can reuse the PSU[/QUOTE] What model PSU are you using? I cannot stress the importance of this component. Also note for the miscs he posted. If you ever do plan to go ahead and buy a mechanical keyboard then I personally recommend a Cherry MX brown variation as a nice all rounder. Mice are also subjective but the deathadder is a decent mouse despite it coming from Razer. If you do consider to upgrade your monitor then you should go 1080p since it's the standard now, or considering your budget you could even go with a true 120hz 1080p monitor. All things considered, as massive as your budget is, how much of your budget are you really considering of using?

[QUOTE=GreenDolphin;38130360] What model PSU are you using? I cannot stress the importance of this component. Also note for the miscs he posted. If you ever do plan to go ahead and buy a mechanical keyboard then I personally recommend a Cherry MX brown variation as a nice all rounder. Mice are also subjective but the deathadder is a decent mouse despite it coming from Razer. If you do consider to upgrade your monitor then you should go 1080p since it's the standard now, or considering your budget you could even go with a true 120hz 1080p monitor. All things considered, as massive as your budget is, how much of your budget are you really considering of using?[/QUOTE] You didn't read the second half of his post. 1. He has a CM Silent Pro 600W psu, easily one of the more reliable brands out there. 2. He needs a set of speakers 3. A new pair of headphones 4. He also needs another 1440x900 monitor. Otherwise, definitely add a Hyper 212 EVO to the build to cool the cpu. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099&name=CPU-Fans-Heatsinks[/url] Also, you might want to consider an i7 Mombasa, instead of the i5 you and I both linked. The i7 gives the added benefit of hyperthreading which will be beneficial to some of the programs you are using. It's about $100 more but the speed it offers you might be worth it. [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501&name=Processors-Desktops[/url]

I completely misread that on my part. For headphones I highly recommend the [url=http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-RPHTF600S-RP-HTF600-S-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B004MMEI8W]Panasonic HTF-600[/url]. By far one of the best $30 headphones you can get if you have a $80 budget.

Sorry about the slow reply, posted this thread before work. @GreenDolphin & Evilan - As it turns out, one of my current monitors is going to a family member, so I'm probably going to need another one, size really doesn't matter as I wont be using more than one at a time for each program (don't care for Eyefinity or the nVidia alternative). @GreenDolphin - All of my current budget is available, I don't necessarily need to blow it all, but I will if I must (doesn't hurt to save a little though). @Evilan - Not sure how much of a performance increase Hyperthreading will provide, and I'm not certain that my skill level with these programs will make full use of said benefits. Same with CUDA, although I'm getting the 670 for different reasons (not happy with AMD's drivers and support, thought I might give nVidia another shot). @Ruzza - I'm actually thinking about changing that to a 550R or 550d, and I was considering an SSD, but I wasn't sold on the usefulness of it. No I don't believe I will need a DVD/BR drive.

I've heard plenty of great things about the 550D, other than the fact that it's quite pricey. Good on the 670, and if you're really just using those programs as hobby, I wouldn't bother with the time saved versus spending $100 extra, the i5 will suit you fine. A 64gb SSD is a good idea for a boot drive, get a Samsung 830 64gb. Monitor is whatever you like pretty much, stick with ASUS for good quality 1080p panels under $180, but if you want an entry level IPS, the LG IPS235V is very nice as well.

[QUOTE=Mombasa;38133218]@Ruzza - I'm actually thinking about changing that to a 550R or 550d, and I was considering an SSD, but I wasn't sold on the usefulness of it. No I don't believe I will need a DVD/BR drive.[/QUOTE] Unless you're watercooling I would recommend against getting an expensive case. Antec, Cooler Master, Rosewill, NZXT and BitFenix make great mid-sized cases that are less than $100 or even $60.

If you are looking to save a bit of money, then I highly recommend any BitFenix and the NZXT Source series.

[QUOTE=Mombasa;38133218] @Evilan - Not sure how much of a performance increase Hyperthreading will provide, and I'm not certain that my skill level with these programs will make full use of said benefits. Same with CUDA, although I'm getting the 670 for different reasons (not happy with AMD's drivers and support, thought I might give nVidia another shot).[/QUOTE] Alright, get an i5 3570k then. They are the Ivy Birdge version of the i5 2500k, a little faster, runs a little hotter, and it scales better with overclocking. Also, please don't take this the wrong way, but AMD makes great graphics cards and in recent years they have had reliable drivers and support from their manufacturers. This argument is older than Nvidia makes their products with woodscrews and it is just as false.

Well don't get me wrong, I love my 5850 to this day, but so far I've heard that nVidia has better drivers that allow more direct control over the GPU with more features to go along with it (driver enabled SSAO, better anti-aliasing, etc). I don't really have a huge problem with AMD, I just figured I'd give the 670 a go.

[QUOTE=Mombasa;38133796]Well don't get me wrong, I love my 5850 to this day, but so far I've heard that nVidia has better drivers that allow more direct control over the GPU with more features to go along with it (driver enabled SSAO, better anti-aliasing, etc). I don't really have a huge problem with AMD, I just figured I'd give the 670 a go.[/QUOTE] If you were to purchase an SSD, you will see massive gain in performance, your computer will start up and shut down faster, everything will boot much faster too. I would suggest this SSD because it's a good build and seems like it has great reviews on it too: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147163&name=Internal-SSD[/url] Good luck.

Thats not bad, I'll definitely get that. All I have to do now is swing by the headphones thread, and figure out what kind of speakers I might need. Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone.