Need help with building ~$1.5k PC please!

[Randomisationz]

Hello, I'm rather new in PC building. I need recommendations/ comments/ suggestions and stuffs for the new pc I'm gonna get. Any input is greatly appreciated!

The only thing I need is the tower, I have all the other accessories in place. I would like to use it for non-gaming purposes like YouTube 1080p video streaming, watching 1080p movies, basic programming, running softwares such as Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Photoshop. I would also like to have dual screen.

I heard Tradepac has the most competitive price, so I would most likely be getting all the parts there. Price listed below may be from other store for reference since Tradepac price list is always not filled up. I know I should be getting a workstation card like quadro and firepro, but they are too ex and I am not professional.

This is what I have selected so far:
Motherboard + CPU: ASUS Z87-Pro i7 4771 ($731 PC Themes, Tradepac has no 4771)
GPU: LEADTEK GTX680 4096MB DDR5 ($588 Tradepac)(4GB VRAM is recommended for dual screen right?
RAM: Kingston HyperX SE 1600MHz CL9 8GB ($98 PC Themes)
PSU: How much is sufficient?
CPU Cooler: Energy efficient one
HDD: SEAGATE 60GB FORCE GS ($95 PC Themes)(Heard SSD is good for OS installation. Sufficient right?)
Driver: SAMSUNG 24X DVDRW SATA - OEM ($21 TradePac)
Case: Will head down to choose.

Current total: $1533 (excluding building fee)

I feel that the CPU and Graphics card are overkill for my usage. Any input?

 

[royfrosty]

A B board would be a better choice. Go home then quote. Now on mobile.

 

[melovelinux]

A B board would be a better choice. Go home then quote. Now on mobile.

Ummm... I think give him a B board + a i7 non-k will be better. :x

Updated

 

[royfrosty]

1st thing ~ Asus board gtg to save up some cash. You dont need a Z board. It is meant for overclocking. Next is the 4771 and 4770. You cant even feel the difference.

A B board would be suitable for you.

MSI B85m G43 + i7-4770 ~ $487
Kingston Value Ram 2x8gb ~ $162
WD Blue 1tb ~ $81
Plextor M5P 128gb ~ $149
Powercolor 7950 3gb ~ $383
Samsung ODD ~ $21
FSP Hexa 500w ~ $58
Fractal Design Arc Midi or Mini ~ $129
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM ~ $115

Total Cost $1470 w/o OS. With OS $1585.

I recommend you get the Leadtek gtx660 as it has 3 years warranty compared to Palit.

Next is get a good chassis.

OS is optional if you need it.

 

[wuweiz]

Get a gigabyte gtx 760 4GB if you can afford...

 

[Randomisationz]

Hey guys, thank you all for your input! I just realised I don't need Z board. As for H87 vs B85 board, shouldn't I get a H board since I'll be having a SSD? H87 has this Smart Response Technology right?

1st thing ~ Asus board gtg to save up some cash. You dont need a Z board. It is meant for overclocking. Next is the 4771 and 4770. You cant even feel the difference.

A B board would be suitable for you.

MSI B85m G43 + i7-4770 ~ $487
Kingston Value Ram 2x8gb ~ $162
WD Blue 1tb ~ $81
Plextor M5P 128gb ~ $149
Leadtek GTX660 2gb ~ $268
Samsung ODD ~ $21
FSP Hexa 500w ~ $58
Fractal Design Arc Midi or Mini ~ $129
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM ~ $115

Total Cost $1355 w/o OS. With OS $1470.

I recommend you get the Leadtek gtx660 as it has 3 years warranty compared to Palit.

Next is get a good chassis.

OS is optional if you need it.

Thank you so much. Just a few questions. Is 2GB vram sufficient for dual monitor? I upgraded my current PC to Windows 8 Pro recently via here, can I use it on the new PC? Forgot to mention, my current PC tends to heat up real fast as it is placed in a enclosed area with bad air flow, the kind of compartment under table, you get what I mean? Should I get liquid cooler?

 

[royfrosty]

Hey guys, thank you all for your input! I just realised I don't need Z board. As for H87 vs B85 board, shouldn't I get a H board since I'll be having a SSD? H87 has this Smart Response Technology right?



Thank you so much. Just a few questions. Is 2GB vram sufficient for dual monitor? I upgraded my current PC to Windows 8 Pro recently via here, can I use it on the new PC? Forgot to mention, my current PC tends to heat up real fast as it is placed in a enclosed area with bad air flow, the kind of compartment under table, you get what I mean? Should I get liquid cooler?

Liquid cooler is not needed. All you need is a good chassis with proper intake fan and big chassis to give you a good air flow.

Sorry i forgot about the multiple monitor solution you need.

Specs has been amended accordingly

Get the powercolor 7950 3gb. This would help you in your multiple monitor solution. If you wanna save up more you can get it on amazon.

Next is H or B. Go for B. H is more for connecting multiple HDD on RAID. Which probably you wont need it.

 

[Randomisationz]

Should I go tradepac or PC themes to build the computer? Which one is cheaper and in cable laying out?

 

[melovelinux]

Should I go tradepac or PC themes to build the computer? Which one is cheaper and in cable laying out?

Mynextcom and pcthemes if u want to be safe.

Tradepac is cheaper but u need to be smart n stay with what you want. and always check before you go.

 

[Randomisationz]

Mynextcom and pcthemes if u want to be safe.

Tradepac is cheaper but u need to be smart n stay with what you want. and always check before you go.

Thank you!

 

[Randomisationz]

Liquid cooler is not needed. All you need is a good chassis with proper intake fan and big chassis to give you a good air flow.

Sorry i forgot about the multiple monitor solution you need.

Specs has been amended accordingly

Get the powercolor 7950 3gb. This would help you in your multiple monitor solution. If you wanna save up more you can get it on amazon.

Next is H or B. Go for B. H is more for connecting multiple HDD on RAID. Which probably you wont need it.

Are these, Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 and PowerColor Radeon HD7950, good deals? Which is better? I see many variants of HD7950 Sapphire cards, don't know what are the diff, but this is the cheapest.

 

[nippp0n]

Are these, Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 and PowerColor Radeon HD7950, good deals? Which is better? I see many variants of HD7950 Sapphire cards, don't know what are the diff, but this is the cheapest.

The sapphire card you have chosen is a reference design while the Powercolor card is a non reference design.

If I'm not wrong, sapphire has quite a few non reference design. Read up some reviews and you will understand.

Most of the time, reference design is cheaper as it doesn't come with custom cooler and etc.