[Georgia Peach]

Parts here: http://pcpartpicker.com/list/ym4fHN

 

I need a desktop to use for both graphics and audio/video work (minor editing, nothing longer than 15 minutes), and the occasional game (nothing more need-intense than the Sims series, really). I plan on running Windows 7 Pro (64 bit).

 

I've been using a Toshiba laptop for a few years now, and it's running out of both space and oomph for the software I'm using. I'll still use it for the day-to-day email and such, but I'd like the desktop for more intense work.

 

The build I've made is pretty pricey (around $1500), and I'm wondering if I can cut corners and still have a great system. Also, should I wait for the new NVidia GeForce GTX 1060, or continue on with the Radeon RX480? I'm sure either would be enough for my needs, but I'm being advised (by Geeks who are *nearly* as well-informed as the folks in this forum) that games, etc may run better with the NVidia.

 

Thank you!!

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WD Red drives are for NAS, use Black, best, or Blue,  (I favour Samsung drives) depending on software, i.e. Adobe, best performance is with a multiple drive configuration, 3 + drives. > http://www.wdc.com/w...2278-771046.pdf

 

I would wait for the GTX 1060, You could still build and use the iGPU for setting up and testing,

One review, worth reading it all,  > https://www.techpowe...Force_GTX_1060/

Others on this page > http://videocardz.co...tx-1060-reviews

 

I will see if possible to get the price down and still give same performance. 

[iammykyl]

WD Red drives are for NAS, use Black, best, or Blue,  (I favour Samsung drives) depending on software, i.e. Adobe, best performance is with a multiple drive configuration, 3 + drives. > http://www.wdc.com/w...2278-771046.pdf

 

I would wait for the GTX 1060, You could still build and use the iGPU for setting up and testing,

One review, worth reading it all,  > https://www.techpowe...Force_GTX_1060/

Others on this page > http://videocardz.co...tx-1060-reviews

 

I will see if possible to get the price down and still give same performance. 

[Georgia Peach]

Thanks for the reply and the reading material. I'll do some more homework!

[iammykyl]

Not able to get the price down much.   Have speced another configuration for your consideration, will give better performance.

Notes.

The 200r case, max CPU cooler hight is 160mm, the CM evo is 159mm high,  1mm is not enough tolerance, you may not get it in, also has a bad rep for installing, > http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835103099

Changed, closest for performance, price, is the CRYORIG H7, 145mm high. > https://www.techpowe...per_212X/6.html

 

The G1 MBis an enthusiast gaming one, multi GPU and overclocking, Killer™Networks for online gaming, Audio is overkill, unless you want to set up 4//6/7 high quality sound system. 

As your CPU is a non K version, changed to Asrock Extreme4, no performance loss, compare, > http://www.newegg.co...157-675:$$$$$$$

 

RAM changed to higher speed and costs it little less.

 

HDD and disc setup, Adobe PR, will work for other editing software where you can select which directories to use.

250 SSD, OS, Programs, Pagefile,

1TB HDD. Media, Projects./

1TB HDD, Media Catche,

1TB HDD, Preview, Exports,

2TB HDD, User Docs, relocated from C + Backups.

 

Cation.

If installing Windows7, you cannot install using a USB stick connected to a USB 3.0 port as W7 dose not  have the drivers.

Install from CD first and let windows Update find and install the correct USB drivers.  

 

> http://pcpartpicker.com/list/4pnWD8

[Georgia Peach]

Thanks iammykyl, this looks really good. One question regarding the hard drives. If I wanted to use larger drives for media storage and backup, is there any quality loss with the larger 2-3T (or larger) drives? Or is it just with that many drives I'd be in pretty good shape. Silly question, I'm sure, but I've had problems with the higher Tb external drives.

 

GA Peach

[iammykyl]

You are very welcome  

 

​You may have had problems with 2TB+ drives if they were formatted using the MBR scheme and BIOS.   Please read for further details,

> https://support.micr...n-au/kb/2581408

This reply gives some further detail missing from the first link, > http://www.tomshardw...-external-limit

 

 

If I wanted to use larger drives for media storage and backup, is there any quality loss with the larger 2-3T (or larger) drives? Or is it just with that many drives I'd be in pretty good shape. Silly question, I'm sure,

Not silly at all.   No quality loss with larger drives.   There is a slight risk though,   if all your backups were on a 4TB drive, and it went kaput, could be catastrophic. I think you would have to be running a very large installation to warrant such drives.   You could always add too, or swap out a near full drive/s.   You will be pretty good with what is suggested, see how it runs, then decide if you need more/bigger.

[Georgia Peach]

Once again, I am in your debt. I've learned a lot going along.

 

I've taken your build and done a little tweaking (not least due to some parts being available and others not). If you could have one more look I would certainly appreciate it.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/773bhq

[iammykyl]

Parts look pretty good but need to check that the liquid cooling will fit in the case and questioning whether a GTX 1060 would be a better option than the AMD GPU.

Give me a couple of days to research.

[iammykyl]

Gday.

Case, max hight of cooler, 185.3mm.   GPU max length, (top HDD cage installed) 286mm, (top HDD cage removed) 412.5mm, > http://www.enermax.c...=2&lv1=9&no=213

Cooler, 130mm high, no worries on the hight clearance.   Can't find any measurements for RAM clearance.   Advice installing the CPU then install the RAM then test by standing the cooler on the CPU socket making sure the fan is orientated correctly for the case airflow direction. > https://www.arctic.a...reezer-i11.html

 

will post again about the video card choices. 

[iammykyl]

My apologies for the late reply.

RX 480 vs GTX 1060.

For gaming.   From Pro reviews, when a balance mix of games are used, for performance/heat/power,  is just in favour of the GTX.   When testing with DX12 games, and budget,  the RX wins.

Brand loyalty is also a factor in choice.   I think Ansel may develop into a useful too for video game recording, > http://www.tomshardware.com/news/mirrors-edge-catalyst-nvidia-ansel,32264.html 

 

For Pro photo work, the Quadro is still favoured over FirePro.   For Desktop GPUs, photo/video editing.   Nvidia, Photoshop, Vegas, etc, for Cuda, OpenGL, hardware MPE.   

"This article will ONLY cover using NVidia Video Cards with CUDA Acceleration

Even though starting with CS6 you can use AMD video cards with OpenCL, from what other people are saying about using AMD video cards with OpenCL is that they don't seem to provide the performance that a NVidia card does with CUDA acceleration.  At this time I do not have any access to AMD cards, so this article will be about NVidia Video Cards."  > https://www.studio1p...PremiereCS5.htm

 

For your applications I would recommend a GTX 1060.   All the cards would fit the case, with the top HDD cage installed, except the MSI Armor, at 279 mm, fitting may be a bit tight.   Stock everywhere is hard to find.   My choice is the EVGA GTX 1060 SC GAMING, ACX 2.0 > http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814487261

 

[Georgia Peach]

Wow! Once again a lot of information and interesting reading. Thank you for the research.

 

This is sort of what I expected. The NVidia is pretty much standard everywhere I look. As there's no rush for the build, I can wait until they're available again. It's amazing how quickly they're snatched up. I suspect many people are buying them to resell on ebay (for at least $100 over retail).

 

The "final" build is http://pcpartpicker.com/list/tmtsXH

Would you like me to mark this "solved" now or when I complete the build? (no hammers will be involved...)

[iammykyl]

Your are welcome Georgia Peach  

It was the same when the lower end 900 series were released, it will settle down in a couple of months.

 

The final build looks great.   There are often some extra bits to include in a build.   A mini MB speaker, in this build not required as one is included in the case.   SATA cables.  

1 SSD, 4 HDDs, 1 Optical, = 6 cables, - 2 (included with the MB,) = 4 extra required, >  http://www.newegg.co...9-202-_-Product

 

As you intend to install W7 you may have to jump through a few hoops before going ahead.   Please download the MB user manual, read page #44, get back to us with the option you are going to use, > http://www.asrock.co....asp?cat=Manual

 

Official Intel CPU installation video, select Desktop, > LGA 1151.   ignore the water pump install. > http://www.intel.com...stallation.html

 

Best to leave the topic open as although not using a hammer    you still  might get too  and   
,

 

[iammykyl]

Gday.

 

Been a while since we heard from you!!   If you went ahead with the build, how is ti performing?   An update would be appreciated.

 

Thanks. 

[Georgia Peach]

Hi iammykyl!

 

I've been slowly gathering the parts as the price drops and/or they go on sale. The big wait was for the graphics card. That became available a couple of weeks ago (in limited quantities apparently), and I managed to grab one. I'm waiting until my personal life calms down a bit (in a week or so) to get the rest of the pieces and put it all together.

 

Sorry to be so quiet! It's coming along.

[iammykyl]

Thanks for the reply Georgia.

No worries, best laid plans ,,, hope you get it sorted.   I'll bug you again later.

 

Good luck.