Need some input on my (potential) new $2000 gaming build.

Approximate Purchase Date: Within a month

Budget Range: 2000

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming >> Music Production

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, speakers, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Tigerdirect.ca, newegg.ca, newegg.com (have to get it shipped to a US address across the border)

Country: Canada

Parts Preferences: Always had Intel processors, been using an Nvidia gtx 260 for the past three years.

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080


So I'll likely be ordering the computer from a local computer shop that has a good reputation (both my brother and I have purchased rock solid gaming PCs from them in the past), but from the time I purchased my current rig from them until now, it seems they've put a bigger profit margin on the builds.

I got a quote for $CAD 2099 (not even sure if that includes tax or not?) ($US 2016)

These are the specs I was given:

Intel i7-2600K Boxed
MSI Radeon HD 7970
Asus P8Z68-V/GEN 3
Kingston 8GB DDR3 1600Mhz
Corsair HX850 850W PSU
Cooler Master HAF 932
OCZ Synapse 128GB SSD SATA 3
Seagate 1TB 7200rpm
LG 22x DVD-RW
Cooler Master Hyper 212+
$2099
2yr In Store Warranty if we build, no extra charge.

I've just got a few questions regarding the build:

1. Is the 2600K worth it over the 2500K? I'll be using it for gaming, but I mess around with recording/music production in DAWs (I personally don't think this is enough to warrant the upgrade).

2. I know it's only ~10 reviews, but I noticed the OCZ Synapse got some bad reviews on newegg. Has anyone had any experience this drive? I noticed it was a cache drive, meaning that only 64 GB is allocated to storage, the rest is used for caching "hot" data. Is there any benefit/downfall of using a cache SSD instead of a standard one? Should I be getting something like the Crucial M4?

3. I've heard something about there being issues with Sandy Bridge CPUs and using a higher end PCI sound card for music production, can anyone elaborate on this? Also, is there any real reason to get a good sound card other than this? (I've got a nice set of headphones that would benefit from a nice amp, apparently some soundcards have built in amps).
3. I feel like $2099 is a bit much for this build. I was able to build the same/similar computer on iBuypower as well as make a shopping cart with all the components on newegg for around ~$1900. I feel like it would be rude to walk into the PC shop and ask if they can "lower the price" or something to that effect, but I do think $2099 is a bit high.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

1. I agree, even the i5 is more than fine for 99% of people for audio.

2: Since you have a high budget, surely it would be best to just get a larger SSD and have your OS and all your programs on it rather than going with a cache drive. The Crucial M4 is nice, the Samsung 830 is good too. It's just as reliable (if not more so) and faster, It's a bit more expensive though.

3: This isn't something I'm aware of. If you're even semi serious about recording though I would imagine you would want an audio interface. This is effectively an external sound card with inputs for MIDI and mics etc.

4: That build looks a bit pricey to me too, if you're happy to build your own I would do it that way.

850W seems like waaaaay more power than you need too, especially if not going Crossfire. 550W+ would be fine.

That case is a dust Magnet, pick up a Silverstone Raven RV03 or RV02 usb 3.0
Drop the Kingston ram and pick up some G.skill Snipers 1600 Kit @1.5v
Your PSU is excellent the HX series is still the best
Drop the Seagate and pick up a SamsungSpinPoint F3 1TB

I would try to go for the SSD. They really make a big difference in your day to day activities and I would imagine your audio software would benefit from it as well. It doesn't need to be huge, a 120Gb to put your most used programs should more than take care of your needs.

I'm actually a junior studying mechanical engineering, so I completely understand what you mean about not having a lot of time. However, it doesn't need to be built in one sitting. Taking an hour or 2 off one of your weekends for 2-3 weeks would be more than enough time to build it, even for a beginner.

If you do decide to go prebuilt (I wouldn't) I would definitely bring it up. That's a lot of money you would be spending, no harm in trying to cut off a few more bills.

And yes, that is an outstanding PSU. It should more than take care of your needs.

You would do much better for yourself by going to newegg...

CPU Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
$229.99 +FREE s/h
CPU Cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
$29.99 +FREE s/h
Motherboard Asus P8Z68-V/GEN3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
$179.99 +$4.99 s/h $184.98
Memory G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
$46.99 +FREE s/h
Hard Drive Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
$139.99 +FREE s/h
Case Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced ATX Full Tower Case
$149.99 -$20.00 +FREE s/h $129.99
Power Supply Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
$119.99 -$20.00 +FREE s/h $99.99
Optical Drive LG GH22NS90B DVD/CD Writer
$15.99 +FREE s/h

Total $877.91

That price is not including the 7970 of course, because newegg is currently sold out, but you can just order that somewhere else. The savings would be considerable over the $2035 you quoted.

btw i based my post from grand _admiral's post since he actually had a good deal on his post, but well if you want just tone down some items too it's worth it for your money, even with your money you can grab a i7 3930k system i posted one just yesterday too

I don't think the i7 3930K is necessary, he will see a very small improvement over the i5-2500k for 3x the price. Also 8GB RAM really is more than enough.

I see the point you are trying to make though, building it himself on Newegg looks like it will save a fortune.

A build that i think is good for $2000 is
i7 3820 - Not out yet but should be $290. Comes out Feb 12th so not long to wait

AsRock Extreme 7 LGA 2011 -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157284 - $260

GSkill 8gb Ram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231325 - $60

Rosewill Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147107 - $90

HD 7950- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102962 - $450

Crucial SSD- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148442 -$180

Corsair PSU- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139021 - $105

Seagate 1tb- harddrive- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148840 - $125

Corsair H80- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835181016 - $95

LG Blu-Ray player- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136239 - $80

Total: 1735 with out rebates

Basically everything , besides the 7950, is better on this rig and its cheaper. There even room for a 7970 in the budget but I don't think it's needed. But you should probably wait until Ivy Bridge and Keplar comes out to see what those have to offer.

http://www.newegg.ca/

^ it's total is less then $2k.get speakers and all other stuff for your music production thing