New Work/Game Station (~$4k) Need 2nd Opinions

[Mikhail_N]

Yo so I'm looking into building a new all-around desktop within the next few weeks for recording (For tracking bands), video editing (Adobe Premiere, etc.), gaming, and simulations/calculations. My current desktop is way outdated, and my one working monitor is barely hanging in there so I need a complete revamp (including new monitors) since I'm currently living off of my Toshiba Satellite A505-S6040. I'm willing to sink ~$4k since I do almost all of my work on my computer.

Approximate Purchase Date: Before June 2013

Budget Range: ~$4k

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Recording, audio processing, gaming, video editing, photo editing, simulations (MATLAB)

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg & Amazon

Country: USA

Parts Preferences:

The current parts I have selected (with Newegg prices) are as follows:
CPU: Intel Core i7-3930k 6-core (3.2 GHz) [$569.99] @ newegg
Mobo: Asus Rampage IV Formula LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA III ATX [$369.99] @ newegg
GPU: Asus GTX680-DC2-4GD5 Geforce GTX680 4GB PCIe3 [$569.99] @ newegg
Sound: M-Audio Delta 1010-LT PCI Digital Audio Studio System [$170.00] @ Amazon
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB DDR3 SDRAM 2133 [$124.99] @ newegg
SSD (OS): Intel 520 Series Cherryville SSD 240GB SATA III [$259.99] @ newegg
HDD: Toshiba PH3200U-1I72 2TB 7200 RPM SATA III HDD [$109.99] @ newegg
PSU: Corsair Professional Series HX 850 Watt ATX Modular 80 Plus Gold [$159.99] @ newegg
Optical: Asus Black Blu-Ray Burner SATA BW-12B1ST [$79.99] @ newegg
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0596 130mm Frio Advanced CPU Cooler [$56.99] @ newegg
Case: Azza Genesis 9000B Full Tower Case, Black [$159.99] @ newegg
Subtotal = $2631.90
Monitors (3): Asus VG248QE 24-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor (1920 x 1080) [$299.99 x 3 = $899.97] @ newegg

Extras:
nVidia 3D Vision 2 Wireless Glasses Kit [$129.99] @ newegg
Logitech C920 HD Webcam [$84.99] @ Amazon

Total = $3746.85

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No (Unless it turns out I really need to for some reason)

Additional Comments: The Delta sound card is being used for inputs in conjunction with a Mackie 1642.
And yes 6 cores vs the higher clock speed of the 3770k -- folks over at Adobe the 6 cores wins under Premiere and AE (http://forums.adobe.com/message/4727581.
Ideally, I would also like a 4th monitor with accurate color reproduction.
Not sure about the mobo, but I think it should be fine for everything I'm stickin to it...

Opinions, suggestions? I do have some concern over cooling...

- Mikhail

Edit: Reliability is the most important aspect for me and my work.

 

[Sleepingforest]

You're paying way too much for everything, to be honest (particularly the mobo, RAM, SSD, PSU, GPU, case, and Bluray). Exactly how much did the 3930K win by in the trials run by folks over at Adobe? With a budget like that, I would go for really nice monitors rather than shaving a second off each edit.

Furthermore, if you're doing simulations and calculations, you shouldn't overclock. That means going with a Xeon or a non-K X79 processor. Nowhere in your usage does it seem like Bluray playback would be a factor. There are much cheaper webcams in the world--I doubt anyone will care if you show up in 1080p vs 480p. 3D technology isn't quite mature enough to merit the purchase of those glasses--3-monitor surround will give a similar effect. The PSU is a really awkward wattage; 2 card SLI/CFX uses 750W, while three cards is going to be around 900-950W. I'd do something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1240 V2 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($260.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($135.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($224.55 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($359.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell U2713HM 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($699.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell U2713HM 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($699.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Dell U2713HM 60Hz 27.0" Monitor ($699.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $3446.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-18 22:15 EST-0500)

Plus a monitor stand for the monitors (unless your desk is large enough) and a $30 webcam. Possibly a second 7970 if you want to play on all three monitors at once (though because of glitchiness with three monitors and 3D, you might want to stick to one monitor).

 

[Torn Mind]

The thermal paste disadvantage is only relevant when overclocking. The TIM between the CPU die and integrated heatsink is supposed to handle the CPU at stock. You have to delid the processor to change that TIM anyway and in no way, shape, or form will it affect performance.

Overclocking is NOT the way to go if reliability is your top priority.

You motherboard is overkill regardless. The ASUS P9X79 PRO will probably give you pretty much the same stuff as the Rampage Formula. You can compare the Newegg spec sheet and the ones on ASUS' official site. Or this Gigabyte motherboard.

I do not know whether X79 is worth it or not for you; I'll let the experts talk.

 

[Mikhail_N]

I'm trying to keep the option of SLI available, which is not possible with that mobo, and nVidia cards are the only way to go for Adobe software. But I might look more into Xeon processors... though I would like to be able to OC if/when I need it (and I'd like to have 2011 vs 1155). I do need hyperthreading, so i5s are out. Plus I do need BR burner (I do need a way to burn BR disks for clients even if I'm at home instead of the office). If I ran two GTX680s SLI would 750W cut it? I went with the 850W cuz I'd like to have a little more than the bare minimum should I run SLI. I've also heard of people having issues with 3TB hard drives, which is why I went 2TB, though I'm not sure if there's any real issue?

 

[Sleepingforest]

In that case, go with a Asus PZ77V-LK from Microcenter ($110 AR), which goes to 2 way SLO. On the graphics side: trust me, you don't want to go with a 680; they're basically blowing $100 just because you can. there are some 670s that come clocked by default as high as a 680, for goodness' sake.

Now, a 670 has 2 six pin PCIe power connectors from the PSU in addition to it's PCIe slot; each of those can carry 75W max. That means that each 670 is only 225W max. Two of those and a 80W Xeon is only 530W. Add in the drives, fans and LEDs up front for another 10-20W max. That's only 550W.

Basically, a 750W PSU is giving extra room. Lots of extra room.

 

[Torn Mind]

750 watts is enough for SLI'ing two 670s. Power consumption is going down every generation these days.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/380138-33-power-consumption
The guru3d review and techpowerup review have the most compelling evidence.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Agreed. My proof is taken straight from the Guru3D article. Here's one directly talking about 2-way SLI needs.

 

[tynopik]

video editing? just at a guess you'll want at least 2 HD (source and target) and maybe the option to take a ton more ram

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=E5-1650

 

[_Rick_]

A few notes:
Screenwise, I am currently looking at options, and I'm not sure that going with three cheap wide-screen screens is the way to go.
My current favorites for value and good color are either three Eizo S2100s in portrait mode, or that NEC 30" and a NEC 20" in portrait mode next to it. The latter may be better for video work.
Either gives you great screens, while blowing through about 2-3k dollars.

As many others here, I am not convinced by the 680. Given that you plan to use some Adobe filters, a 580 might be a better starting point, as it has better compute capabilities, especially if you are interested in double precision arithmetic (Matlab!). Alternatively, you could wait and see how the price of the Titan card develops. That would still be a better deal for you, than an SLI of 680s.

And the most important point I'd like to make: Get at least another couple of hard disks. If you don't have a NAS set up, and you desire reliability, then going for a RAID 1 for your storage is a sensible choice. You might even consider that option for the SSD. By going for two different brands, you can make sure that a single fault will not impact your system beyond unplugging the faulty device and sending it off.

If you want additional reliability, consider going for a quad core Xeon and a C216 SuperMicro board, with ECC RAM. I would say, more so than the extra cores (except if you dump 2 grand on a 150W octacore Xeon), the benefit of X79, is that you get to install 64GB of RAM. Now if 32GB is memory starving you, then go for X79/C202/C204.

 

[DSF]

I also think that for any of this discussion of specific parts to be relevant you need to firm up your build date a little more. "Before June 2013" is a huge window in the computer parts world. Your build will without a doubt look different in places if you actually wait that long to build.

 

[mfenn]

My first thought is that you should not dump $4K into a machine based around consumer-grade parts. Either spend $1500 and upgrade in 2 years or spend $4K but get enterprise quality parts.

My second thought is this:

I also think that for any of this discussion of specific parts to be relevant you need to firm up your build date a little more. "Before June 2013" is a huge window in the computer parts world. Your build will without a doubt look different in places if you actually wait that long to build.