1500-1800$ Performance/Gaming rig. Quiet.

[chickenwing]

Hi guys, I've been lurking this forum for a while and I'm read to build my first pc ever. I want the pc to be quiet too. I will use it for postgresql databases management and some photoshop and minor video editing. Then some moderate gaming.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

A: See intro.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

A:1500-1800 $cad

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

A: Canada

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU.

A: www.ncix.ca
www.newegg.ca
www.directcanada.ca
www.amazon.ca

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

A:No pref

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

A: no, complete new build

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

A: I'll try a 4.5ghz overclock cause im a n00b

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

A: 1920 x 1080

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

A: ASAP

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

A: Yes windows

And I came up with that by reading a lot of reviews.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($285.90 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($68.99 @ Computer Valley)
Motherboard: MSI Z77 MPOWER ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($174.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Samsung 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($19.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Samsung 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($19.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Samsung 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($19.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Samsung 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($19.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($209.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($294.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($119.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($141.99 @ Computer Valley)
Total: $1576.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-26 22:45 EST-0500)

Waiting for your tweaks suggestions guys, thank you very much

 

[1b0b1]

I would suggest that you go for (8 x 2GB) Memory and drop the power supply to 650w, it will be more than enough for you.

 

[Sleepingforest]

I agree with 1b0b1 on both the memory and the PSU. If you fill up all the RAM slots now, it will be much more expensive to upgrade in the future. Try something like this Patriot 2x8GB RAM ($64 with shipping). You can safely use the 650W Rosewill Hive ($90 with shipping). Additionally, you can drop the motherboard down in price safely to an Asrock Extreme3 ($142 with shipping). That motherboard is coupled with a $40 promotional giftcard right now, so if you buy the parts in two batches, you can save $40.

Those $100 in savings can go towards a better graphics card. This HIS IceQ 7970 is only $375 with shipping, and is a noticeable step up from a 7950.

When you say "complete new build," do you also mean new keyboard, mouse, and monitor? The 23" (58cm) ASUS VS239H-P is a reasonable 1920x1080p IPS monitor with a low enough refresh rate for gaming. It's $174 after a $10 rebate. I'm a fan of mechanical keyboards, so I'd recommend the Rosewill MX Brown Keyboard. The one I linked to is illuminated and has nice keys for both typing and gaming (I'm typing on the unilluminated one right now). The cost is an ugly point: $150 after shipping. However, I find that a good keyboard is generally worth the money. You can save $40 off that by going with the unilluminated MX Black keyboard, which has a little more resistance ($110 after shipping). I don't know much about mice, on the other hand. I generally just get the cheapest black one available.

 

[1b0b1]

If you are more into designing (graphic design, Photoshop...) than gaming, you should go with Nvidia. Otherwise, there isn't any much difference between both, so select what is most preferable to you.

Also, are you sure you want to go with the i7 ? you'll benefit from the hyper-threading feature only if you're using video editing/rendering softwares a lot. However, If it's normal use, from time to to time, I say, save some money and go with the i5, you won't be sacrificing anything related to the performance.

I am sure that most of the guys agree with me on this one.

 

[fread2281]

Here's a modified list with the above recommendations, but you could also get a cheaper mobo:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($285.90 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($68.99 @ Computer Valley)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($209.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($359.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: Corsair Professional 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.25 @ DirectCanada)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Canada Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($141.99 @ Computer Valley)
Total: $1478.06

 

[Sleepingforest]

I'm thinking since he put database management, photoshop, and video editing BEFORE gaming that he'll benefit from 16GB and the i7. Fread's build is solid; just switch his RAM for the sticks I suggested earlier (it'll cost you like $30-35 more).

 

[1b0b1]

I agree with you about the extra memory part. But regarding the cpu, it depends on how much is he going to use the hyperthreading tech available in the i7.. its up to him to decide that.

One questiin though, if an average user perform some video editing from time to time, and not that extensive editing, will he really notice any difference between the i5 and i7? I honestly doubt that. Of course the hyperthreading is not only for video editing but depending on this case here, that's my opinion.

 

[chickenwing]

Sorry guys no i do not need keyboard monitor and mouse.

As for the i7, I thought it would be a bit more futureproof and I have the money for it so why not ?

Can really downgrade to i5 if u guys say its really not worth it

Thanks a lot

 

[1b0b1]

If you see yourself working on softwares that requires high cpu utilization, then for sure, go for the i7. However, if it is more for gaming and slight software work that won't utilize the full potential of your cpu and use the hyperthreading tech, then go for the i5. We can only suggest, but you have to decide what will you be mainly focusing on once your computer is up and running. I myself went witht the i7 since i plan to do a lot of video editing and rendering wich will be a peace of cake for the i7 but a problem to the i5.

Can you mention some of the softwares that you will be most likely working on ? Maybe then we can have a clear idea about what you actually need, the i5 or the i7.

And as sleepingforest mentioned, you should consider getting an extra ram, go for the 8x2 gb corsair vengeance or the kingston hyperx or the patriot viper ( which am not familier with) but make sure that they will fit under you heatsink, you might need a low profile ram so that it doesn't collide with it.

 

[mfenn]

When you say "postgresql databases management," do you literally mean management of Postgres databases or do you mean actually running the databases on this machine?

 

[mfenn]

And as sleepingforest mentioned, you should consider getting an extra ram, go for the 8x2 gb corsair vengeance or the kingston hyperx or the patriot viper ( which am not familier with) but make sure that they will fit under you heatsink, you might need a low profile ram so that it doesn't collide with it.

Standard profile should work fine. Note that Corsair's marketing machine has taken to calling standard profile DIMMs "low profile" (example). True low profile looks like this.