New Gaming/DAW Build

[Sinnerx96]

It's about time to finally upgrade after building my first pc about 4 or 5 years ago with the help of this forum.
That build went very smooth after lots of research, and I've done a bit of research for this one as well. Not only checking here, but also Audio sites to make sure there are no problems there. Anyway, on with it

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
It will be used as a Digital Audio Workstation (Recording, Mixing, Mastering), some Video Editing, and a lot of Gaming (Mostly FPS. Crysis 2, Bioshock Series, Far Cry 3, COD Series, BF3, Splinter Cell series, Counter Strike GO, etc)

2. What YOUR budget is.
Under $2,000.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA. All from Newegg.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
Not really a fanboy. No biases.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Yes. I intend to reuse;

CASE: Cooler Master Stacker 832 w/ 7 Yate Loons
PSU Corsair HX620
Monitor: Samsung 226BW S Panel (for now).
HDDs: I also have a few large HDDs (2-1tb Caviar Blacks, 2tb Caviar Black, Samsung SpinPoint, etc) for storage and audio. So I'm good with storage.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I will be mildly overclocking. Probably more so as time goes on.

8. What resolution will you be using?
1680x1050 until I upgrade my monitor. Probably soon. Just need to find a bigger one with similar input lag specs as mine.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Ordering within the next couple days.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?
Windows 7 Pro 64

*

Here's what I've decided on;

CPU: Intel i7 3770K
Pretty sure the hyperthreading will help with the DAW and Video work.

***MOBO: ASUS P8Z77-V Pro
Change to this Motherboard because of Free Ram and -$20 bundled with Windows 7 Pro 64

***RAM: G.Skill Ares 1600 8gb (2x4gb)
Changed to this RAM because it comes FREE with my motherboard choice.

***GPU: ASUS GTX 680-DC20-2GD5 DirectCU II
Changed to this GPU because of low noise

OS Drive: Samsung 830 Series 128gb SSD
Anyone think it's worth the $100 to splurge on the 256gb? I can afford it. Just not sure if needed with all the storage space I have. The big programs will be Windows 7 Pro 64, Cubase 6, Reaper, A few games at a time, Adobe Premiere Pro, and not much more big ones.

Cooler: Noctua NH-D14

Keyboard: CM Storm QuickFire Rapid

Mouse: Logitech G400

Still researching low noise fans.

That's about it. Thanks, guys.

 

[Big Roger]

If you want a DAW, my advice would be to make it quiet.
So with that in mind I'd possibly look into a very high quality heat sink and then attach a couple of very quiet, high perfomance fans. I'm wanting to upgrade my Scythe and Nexus fans on my Megahalems to a NoiseBlocker or Gentle Typhoon Scythe range so I'm currently in the process of working out what to spend the odd 20 quid on right now...

For me the 'silence' of my computer is more important than the cooling, expecially considering I'll be doing a moderate over clock in the future and will still have an adequately cooled system with well chosen quiet fans dotted about my case. A Fractal Design R4 is on the cards for me soon to add to the sound deadening of my system, too.

The Samsung 830 is great and has adequate space for me. I have been using a lesser sized drive for years with Windows installed to it and the few programs I need, with games on a separate drive. Doing it this way allows two drives to work simultaneously and therefore the access times for the drives are most efficient.

With SSDs it's not an issue but when I weighed this up, I decided that 128GB was enough for Windows 7 (down to about 95GB) Cubase +many plugins, ARMA and DCS World and a few other bits and pieces leaves me with 62 GB free. I will in future buy a 256GB SSD for all games, by this point they will be even less money. So, for now, I would save the money and just go for the 128GB drive. I'm sure it will be fine. For DCS World I really benefit from the load times being nice and quick but when it comes to ARMA, well, bah it ain't much different tbh. So if you want to use specific games on that drive so as not to take up a load of space then I'd say that's the best thing to do.

i7 versus i5.

Well, I think there are benefits of HT, well I know it. For me, though, it just wasn't really worth the extra cash. Depends on the amount of work you can do now, what software you use and whether it'll benefit from it. I was making work on a Quad Core Q9550 that was overclocked to 3.4 fairly easily and it was doing what I wanted pretty well. I use a lot of plugins but I also record piano and vocals and guitar. Real time input and monitoring with effects was always working fine for me so I knew that the benefits of i5 3570K would be beyond what I really require. Different horses for different courses.

The G400 will be fine, I just upgraded/sidegraded to this from my G5. Prefer the optical mouse over laser, my G5 skipped a lot in CS GO and I eventually got sick. It also reminds me of my MX518 which I gave to a mate about 4 years ago...Always gonna be a good thing.

Cant comment on the keyboard.

Do you really need 16GB? I was tempted to get 16Gig but I just thought there is no point. 8GB is enough for audio work and for games, well maybe one day soon we'll need more than 8GB but for now I just don't think there's any need.

The speed of the RAM might be an issue and you will benefit from faster speed, but as far as I can recall, the 1600 speed RAM was about the best price performance before you start seeing the benefits from anything higher spec soon after tail off quite substantially. It ain't all that expensive, though, DDR3 so...I'd probably make sure, more than the amount of RAM, that you have the lower CAS latencies you can get. Hmm, if you do get a higher speed RAM I'd be more inclined to possibily underclock it and try and run with tighter timings. What do you think?

Personally I stear clear of AMD. Also think on a 22 inch monitor for the res you will be using it's also over kill. If you do go that route, I would try and find out how loud the thing is when idle.

 

[DSF]

If you plan to get a big cooler I would get RAM that does not have those huge (and unnecessary) heatspreaders/fins. It's also not necessary to spend $90-100 for quality cooling. There are great options in the $25-60 range.

Edit: And as far as the Sabertooth, which features specifically do you need? $200+ is a lot to spend on a motherboard, although since your case is windowed at least you'll see the cute but pointless thermal armor.

 

[mfenn]

If you plan to get a big cooler I would get RAM that does not have those huge (and unnecessary) heatspreaders/fins. It's also not necessary to spend $90-100 for quality cooling. There are great options in the $25-60 range.

Edit: And as far as the Sabertooth, which features specifically do you need? $200+ is a lot to spend on a motherboard, although since your case is windowed at least you'll see the cute but pointless thermal armor.

:thumbsup::thumbsup: to all points.

Cooler: Corsair H100 or Noctua NH-D14
I know the Noctua is the safer bet with less to worry about. But I've dealt with a huge Tuniq Tower LED for a few years in my current system, and it would sure be nice to not have a huge piece of metal in the way. I'd be able to use the 4th fan on the case cage door that won't fit with the TT also. Noctua would probably be quieter, but H100 would look sleeker and take up way less space. Hmmm.

If you want a cooler that doesn't take up a lot of space, you're barking up the wrong tree with an H100. It is absolutely MASSIVE. Also, I didn't see any 240mm radiator mounting locations on the Stacker 832, but admittedly that is just from looking at Newegg photos.

At any rate, I recommend sticking with a standard 120mm cooler like the Mugen 3. It is very quiet unless you go for a ridiculous OC, but such an OC is kind of counterproductive for a DAW.

 

[Cerb]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
It will be used as a Digital Audio Workstation
(...)
CASE: Cooler Master Stacker 832 w/ 7 Yate Loons

NO. That absolutely defeats the point. That case is for listening to your fans and coils buzzing. And, 7 fans? Seriously, nobody needs 7 case fans. 3 is generally stretching it.

Silverstone and Fractal Design make some nice quiet cases, Antec still makes a couple, and I forget the quiet Corsair model number. You don't want much in the way of unobstructed vents, and damping material is a plus.

Here's your best starting point:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/Case_Basics_and_Recommendations

Don't bother with Yate Loons, either. Your budget is high enough is that you can afford Slipstreams, Gentle Typhoons, or NoiseBlockers. NBs I haven't tried, only know by reputation. Gentle Typhoons are good for pushing a decent amount of air without making too much noise. Low-RPM Slipstreams can be made practically inaudible, and I love them, but moving a lot of air is not their forte.

Cooler: Corsair H100 or Noctua NH-D14

D: at the Corsair monstrosity. The Noctua would be fine, just expensive. I'd get a Scythe Ninja. Yeah, it's big, and it'll be a little harder to install than the Mugen, but it takes to slow moving fans very well. Also, installation is a one-time problem.

RAM: G.Skill 1866 Ripjaws X 16gb (2x8gb)

Eh...I'd just get the low-profile Samsung sticks everybody's been buying, lately, with no decorative aluminum.

You then need to decide whether fast game performance, or not hearing the PC as you record or monitor, is more important, as it concerns cooling the case and video card. Up to about a Radeon 7870 you might be OK, provided you get a MSI or Asus with a big cooler that has big fans. A 7970 simply won't run quietly.

 

[Sinnerx96]

...

Do you really need 16GB? I was tempted to get 16Gig but I just thought there is no point. 8GB is enough for audio work and for games, well maybe one day soon we'll need more than 8GB but for now I just don't think there's any need.
...
Personally I stear clear of AMD. Also think on a 22 inch monitor for the res you will be using it's also over kill. If you do go that route, I would try and find out how loud the thing is when idle.

I hope you don't mind that I did a little snipping to your post so i can respond to you and the other posters in a more efficient manner. For example, I'll address the quiet issue in a bit.

I'm pretty sure 8gb would be fine. I just figured why not since it's really not much more money.

As far as the AMD 7970Gz, I don't have a preference. It just seemed like the most future proof for a while. The monitor will be getting upgraded soon to at least 1920 x 1080. The noise can be a little of a concern, I guess. This will be used for lots of gaming, though. I might be able to deal with some noise. I've been dealing with it for a while.

Thanks for the help, man.

 

[Sinnerx96]

If you plan to get a big cooler I would get RAM that does not have those huge (and unnecessary) heatspreaders/fins. It's also not necessary to spend $90-100 for quality cooling. There are great options in the $25-60 range.

Edit: And as far as the Sabertooth, which features specifically do you need? $200+ is a lot to spend on a motherboard, although since your case is windowed at least you'll see the cute but pointless thermal armor.

I'll probably get low profile ram. Thanks for that. The ram is probably the area where I'm least up to date and least informed. I just need to decide on if I want to go with technically unsupported 16gb (2x8gb) according to the ASUS QVC, or just get 8gb and deal for now. I just find it odd that Asus doesn't support 2x8gb.

As for the cooler, I've decided against the H100. The complaint about the size of the Tuniq(and Noctua) I made was a bit unfounded. It doesn't really get in the way. I just thought it would look neater with the H100, but as another poster mentioned, I'm not even sure I can mount it. I don't mind spending more on something like the Noctua NH-D14. I also plan on spending on some really nice quiet fans throughout.

As for the Sabertooth; I'm just making sure I get a mobo/cpu bundle that is known to work well for Audio at Audio forums. They recommend sticking to combinations that are known to work and have low DPC latency, which a motherboard will contribute to. The Asus P8Z77s are known to have low DPC latency. It was down to the Asus P8Z77-V LE Plus or Sabertooth for the number of USB3, eSata, and PCIe ports. The LE Plus has one less PCIe and 2 unneeded PCI ports. The Sabertooth has an extra PCIe and extra eSata that might come in handy (One PCIe will already be taken by my TI FW Card for my MR816), Intel Lan, and it does look cool. I guess it is a bit much to spend another $85 on that. But, I was already well under my budget. I could go either way.

Thanks, man.

 

[Sinnerx96]

NO. That absolutely defeats the point. That case is for listening to your fans and coils buzzing. And, 7 fans? Seriously, nobody needs 7 case fans. 3 is generally stretching it.

Silverstone and Fractal Design make some nice quiet cases, Antec still makes a couple, and I forget the quiet Corsair model number. You don't want much in the way of unobstructed vents, and damping material is a plus.

Here's your best starting point:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/Case_Basics_and_Recommendations

Don't bother with Yate Loons, either. Your budget is high enough is that you can afford Slipstreams, Gentle Typhoons, or NoiseBlockers. NBs I haven't tried, only know by reputation. Gentle Typhoons are good for pushing a decent amount of air without making too much noise. Low-RPM Slipstreams can be made practically inaudible, and I love them, but moving a lot of air is not their forte.

D: at the Corsair monstrosity. The Noctua would be fine, just expensive. I'd get a Scythe Ninja. Yeah, it's big, and it'll be a little harder to install than the Mugen, but it takes to slow moving fans very well. Also, installation is a one-time problem.

Eh...I'd just get the low-profile Samsung sticks everybody's been buying, lately, with no decorative aluminum.

You then need to decide whether fast game performance, or not hearing the PC as you record or monitor, is more important, as it concerns cooling the case and video card. Up to about a Radeon 7870 you might be OK, provided you get a MSI or Asus with a big cooler that has big fans. A 7970 simply won't run quietly.

I would really like to reuse that Stacker. I already have it, and I've been using it without the noise being an issue. I don't plan on using 7 fans. I was just listing what I had. I fully plan on buying some really nice quiet fans like you mentioned to use in the case and for the noctua if needed. Thanks for that. I think with the quieter fans, the noise level should be fine. It will be quieter than it is now. I have a separate control room and live room. I've been dealing with the noise in the control room, so I don't mind the trade off for better gaming. Keep in mind that I have a really nice ADK Pro Audio Laptop that I use for location recording, and even home recording/mixing. It is definitely adequate for most things I do. This PC will be another option. Especially when I want to get crazy with pluggins and VSTis.

I'm definitely not set on the 7970GHz, though. It is probably a little overkill for my current monitor, and I should look into a GPU that's a little quieter. I'll check out the Nvidia 670 and 680.

I appreciate the help.

 

[Sinnerx96]

I made a few changes.

-Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V Pro
It comes with free ram and -$20 bundled with Windows 7 Pro 64.

-RAM: G.Skill Ares 1600 8gb (2x4gb)
Comes free with motherboard.

-GPU: ASUS GTX 680-DC20-2GD5 DirectCU II
Changed to this GPU because of low noise.

-Probably going with the Noctua NH-D14.

-Still researching which low noise fans to use. Newegg doesn't have any Gentle Typhoons. Looking into what else newegg has, and noiseblockers.

Thanks guys.

 

[Reversed]

You should look into the GigaByte GTX 670 3x WindForce, it's really quiet and more then enough performance at your resolution. Even if you would upgrade your monitor to 1920x1200 it would still be great. It's also a great overclocker and once overclocked, it comes close to most of the GTX 680's.

You could save yourself some cash here and invest that money into a better monitor.

And if you feel that the performance is not cutting it in 2-3 years, you can always go SLI.

 

[Cerb]

I have a separate control room and live room. I've been dealing with the noise in the control room, so I don't mind the trade off for better gaming.

OK, that changes things. With no more info, I was assuming a worse scenario, closer to the 'prosumer' with everything crammed in one room. In that case, just some nice fans aught to be OK. Looking more at the case, I'd try one exhaust, and two front-side fans, with the 2 rear-most side fan holes blocked off (masking tape on the inside works really well, and can be removed later).

I can't say the NoiseBlockers wouldn't be awesome, but the Slipstream PWM are hard to wrong with, and your selected mobo has plenty of PWM fan ports.

 

[Big Roger]

Good choice on the V Pro board, I use it and it was among other reasons the main choice due to its reportedly low DPC latency.

 

[Sinnerx96]

You should look into the GigaByte GTX 670 3x WindForce, it's really quiet and more then enough performance at your resolution. Even if you would upgrade your monitor to 1920x1200 it would still be great. It's also a great overclocker and once overclocked, it comes close to most of the GTX 680's.

You could save yourself some cash here and invest that money into a better monitor.

And if you feel that the performance is not cutting it in 2-3 years, you can always go SLI.

Thanks for the help. I was actually thinking about that. Although, I have been reading that the Asus DirectCU II is most likely quieter than the Windforce. And since there's no difference in noise from 670 to 680 and I'm well under budget, it's still up in the air which I go with.

The reason I'm not upgrading the monitor just yet is not because of cost. I can afford it now. It's mostly that I need to do more research. I've been spoiled by the super fast response and almost zero input lag of my 226BW S panel. I want to make sure I get a monitor with a similar response and lag. More research to be done. Thanks again.

 

[Sinnerx96]

OK, that changes things. With no more info, I was assuming a worse scenario, closer to the 'prosumer' with everything crammed in one room. In that case, just some nice fans aught to be OK. Looking more at the case, I'd try one exhaust, and two front-side fans, with the 2 rear-most side fan holes blocked off (masking tape on the inside works really well, and can be removed later).

I can't say the NoiseBlockers wouldn't be awesome, but the Slipstream PWM are hard to wrong with, and your selected mobo has plenty of PWM fan ports.

I'm sorry about that. I should've provided more info. I really appreciate the suggestions. I will definitely try that. I've also been reading through the link you posted earlier. I'm excited to try this stuff out.

I will probably get some slipstreams for now and play it by ear from there. I can always try noiseblockers later. Thanks, man. I really appreciate the help.

 

[Sinnerx96]

Good choice on the V Pro board, I use it and it was among other reasons the main choice due to its reportedly low DPC latency.

I would have preferred another PCIe or so, an eSata or two would've been nice, and I wont have any use for the PCI slots. But the free ram and bundle deal with W764 put it over the edge for me. It's certainly a popular board at all the audio sites. I could've got the same deal for the P8Z77-V, but it's probably worth the extra $18 for the fan controller alone. Thank you for your help.

 

[Cerb]

I will probably get some slipstreams for now and play it by ear from there. I can always try noiseblockers later. Thanks, man. I really appreciate the help.

Note that the PWM version is a unique one, and that the other 3 or 4 models are plain 3-pin.

 

[mfenn]

I made a few changes.

-Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V Pro
It comes with free ram and -$20 bundled with Windows 7 Pro 64.

-RAM: G.Skill Ares 1600 8gb (2x4gb)
Comes free with motherboard.

-GPU: ASUS GTX 680-DC20-2GD5 DirectCU II
Changed to this GPU because of low noise.

-Probably going with the Noctua NH-D14.

-Still researching which low noise fans to use. Newegg doesn't have any Gentle Typhoons. Looking into what else newegg has, and noiseblockers.

Thanks guys.

The P8Z77-V Pro is still to expensive for what it is. There are plenty of mobos on Newegg with the free RAM promotion.

It seems like your main concern is DPC latency and Anandtech has a fairly comprehensive graph comparing motherboards in that regard. While the Pro does quite well, the difference between a 60ms score and a 100ms score doesn't matter unless your buffers are ludicrously tiny (which they won't be with good recording gear). With that in mind, you should grab the ASRock Z77 Extreme4, which still qualifies for the free memory and $20 Windows 7 Pro combo.