How Would You Build My System?

Greetings everyone.

I'm going to attempt to have my next system built from the ground up, and I'd like some input. I know a bit about computers, but not enough to select all the components, so I thought, "why not ask the experts"?

So, if you're game, head on over to pcpartspicker.com (or wherever else you'd normally go), and build me a system, based on my wish list. And please tell me why you've chosen certain components, so I can understand and learn from this exercise. And, please, keep it as inexpensive as possible. Thanks! :)


Here is my wish list:

Mid-tower
Good (i7?) processor to last a long time
CD/DVD/BD-R/W
10/100/1000 ethernet lan
wireless g/n/ac
8 (up to 32?) Gig RAM
Quiet fans
Decent video card with dual monitor capability
A good power supply (that's not going to die on me any time soon)
Room inside to work on it and expand

I have a Windows operating system to put on it
I have monitors, one with VGA/HDMI and one with VGA/DVI (so, may need adapters?)
I have a newer 2TB internal SATA spinner
I have an external 5TB for system images and backups
I have mouse + keyboard + speaker system
I want 32-bit, but 64-bit capable

Here's what it will be used for:
Office Documents
Desktop Publishing
Web Design
Video Composition
Photography Work (HDR)

I am not a gamer, but it would be nice to know I could play a game on it once and a while, if I or the kid wanted to do that.

Do we have a budget?

essenbe said:

Do we have a budget?

You would bring that up! LOL I've been able to set aside $700 so far.

See if this would work. You choose your DVD/BD drive. The case I have owned and is a good case, but cases are pretty personal and I tend to like Full Tower cases. I just didn't want to register in order to save the list. This should do anything you want to do for a few years. You can go cheaper, but that's not my thing. I try to buy quality parts I know will last. Go with the newest Chipset. It will be supported longer and generally has the best features. The PSU is probably the best brand on the market and is what I have in my rig, The graphics card you could lower the card version and save some money, but stay with EVGA in my opinion. I have that Wireless card in 2 rigs and have never had an issue. The motherboard, well it's Asus and ROG , what else can I say? Seriously, I have owned a lot of boards and I find that the ROG boards are better quality and performance oriented. My opinion, I'm sure others will argue. I have used G Skill for years and I have a little different version in my rig Now. I have had great luck with it, but Corsair, Mushkin and several others are good as well. As with everything else in this list, it's my opinion and I am the one making the list. You could swap boards and CPUs and go X99 if you wanted to. You could go with this card and drop the price a little http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-vi...rd-02gp42951kr

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2rZbMp

I agree with Steve's list, but would add a SSD to it.

Dude said:

I agree with Steve's list, but would add a SSD to it.

Agreed, I wouldn't have a system without one. I just thought you already had one.

essenbe said:

See if this would work. You choose your DVD/BD drive. The case I have owned and is a good case, but cases are pretty personal and I tend to like Full Tower cases. I just didn't want to register in order to save the list. This should do anything you want to do for a few years. You can go cheaper, but that's not my thing. I try to buy quality parts I know will last. Go with the newest Chipset. It will be supported longer and generally has the best features. The PSU is probably the best brand on the market and is what I have in my rig, The graphics card you could lower the card version and save some money, but stay with EVGA in my opinion. I have that Wireless card in 2 rigs and have never had an issue. The motherboard, well it's Asus and ROG , what else can I say? Seriously, I have owned a lot of boards and I find that the ROG boards are better quality and performance oriented. My opinion, I'm sure others will argue. I have used G Skill for years and I have a little different version in my rig Now. I have had great luck with it, but Corsair, Mushkin and several others are good as well. As with everything else in this list, it's my opinion and I am the one making the list. You could swap boards and CPUs and go X99 if you wanted to. You could go with this card and drop the price a little http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-vi...rd-02gp42951kr

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2rZbMp

Whoa, Steve, you just almost doubled Simrick's budget! :) That would be a very nice system, though, and I'd love to build one like it!

I haven't looked into building a new system for a couple of years, so I'm just not up on the parts list.

I would go with an Intel processor, and maybe a Gigabyte mobo.

I built this X99 system a few months ago. I have really slowed down. I used to build 7-10 systems a yesr. I did build my Wife one and my Sister one. I tried to sell Dude my backup rig so I could build another system. But, he wouldn't bite.