A few months ago I got a new video card for my home computer, the EVGA GTX-670 FTW. I do a lot of graphics and video work (yeah, I am the lead marketing designer at Newtek) and I wanted to be able to handle the heavy processing. (I also must confess I enjoy a good first person shooter game every once in awhile as well.) So, a good graphics card is high on my list, as well. After installing the new graphics card and drivers, I realized it’s nice … but alas, I was hoping for more.
The last time I replaced my motherboard and processor was a couple of years ago and I really didn’t have the funds to go all out. Right now, I have an Intel i5-650 processor. If you happen to visit www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html, you will find it sitting wayyyy towards the bottom of the list (a sad, lonely, and very dark place). This is a place where writers should find their home. Not a guy like me. Not a designer. I agree … it’s time for an upgrade (swallowing hard, must find way to convince wife)!
I should have begun this blog, sharing that I have been actively using computers (on virtually a daily basis) since 1984 when my Dad purchased our first home computer, the Apple IIe. Moreover, I have been building my own systems since 1992. So, you can understand why I was confident in the computer-building/upgrading task that lay ahead.
One thing was for certain – if I really wanted processing power for graphics and videos, I would need a better processor as well as more RAM. While the Mercury Playback Engine in Adobe AfterEffects (and Adobe Premiere) uses the GPU during the editing process, I would need a newer CPU and significantly more RAM for the rendering of the final product. With that in mind, I was officially on the hunt for that “sweet-spot of a system” that would provide me the most power for my money, as well as position me at-the-ready to accommodate the unknown future of tomorrow’s around-the-corner technology.
The Case
I began thinking, “If I’m going to do this, I’ve got to do it right.” I would never forgive myself if I fell short of anything but a good, clean build. So, then what would be the best approach?
Criteria One: It occurred to me that I would have to begin by looking at new cases. My current case is the Antec Twelve Hundred ATX Full Tower. When I got it, I had just fried 2 hard drives in the previous one, resultant of high temperatures; so I knew to look for something with the most airflow I could find. The Twelve Hundred has great airflow but this computer’s home is the bedroom. Suffice it to say, it has so many glowing blue LED lights, it looks like a CSI team searching for homicide DNA evidence in a dark alley. So that’s it! I needed a case with great airflow and far fewer lights. (In my current model, I actually cut all the power leads to those fan LEDs). What can I tell ya?
Criteria two: Two words, “dust filters.” The Antec case has great airflow with all of its fans, but the dust filters are comparably inadequate. The front of the case has a fan for each of its 3, 3-drive bays. In order to clean the filters, I have to unplug the system, remove the thumb screws to take off the side panel, then unscrew the thumb screws that hold each drive bay, and then carefully slide each bay forward, in order to finally gain access to the dust filter. Yes, this must be repeated three times total. Needless to say, it’s a terrible pain and I will admit that the hassle makes me somewhat negligent in this aspect of necessary maintenance.
Criteria three: Two more words, “drive access.” Like I mentioned before, my current case has 3, 3-drive bays. Awesome. But … the way the manufacturer faced the drives; the power and data plugs are oriented towards the case’s rear. This makes it difficult to hide/conceal the prodigious web of data and power cables located behind the motherboard (as I prefer.) Moreover, each drive is secured into one of the three drive bays by Phillips screws. At the end of the day, it’d be nice if it were easier to swap out drives if/when I need to, and be able to tidy up the cable overgrowth that currently plagues my system.
So, I think I have found my ideal case for this upgrade. It’s the Corsair Obsidian Series Black 650D Mid Tower. I have done my research and it meets our criterion de rigueur (and then some)!
It has superb airflow and no glowing blue LED fanlights. It looks classic and sleek. No gimmicky futuristic lines. Clean. The proverbial James Bond classic black tuxedo of computer cases.
The Obsidian has a 200mm fan to pull cool air over the drive bays and the front of the case sports an easy push-and-release lock for the dust filter. Can I get an “amen?” No more shutting down and unscrewing anything to clean the dust filter. I even discovered this case is raised off the floor, allowing airflow to the case’s bottom for the power supply intake fan. Typically, in my builds, the intake was always pulling in case-warmed air to cool the power supply and exhausting out the back. This one has access to much cooler air sources top to bottom, front to back.
As for drive accessibility, it has four (count ’em) tool-free optical drive bays and up to six side-facing, SSD-ready hard drive trays that provide for plenty of expansion. Now I can route those cables behind the motherboard for a clutter-free case interior. The openings in the case for cable routing are even covered with rubber grommets to protect the cables. Sound the kazoo!
Now for the extra goodies in this case: It’s made with strong, stamped steel parts for increased rigidity, and coated inside and out in a black textured paint. The front panel features a beautiful black-brushed aluminum faceplate. All the interior edges are folded over for a smooth, safe finish.
There’s even a large opening under the CPU for easier access for large third-party CPU coolers. On the top of the case there’s a sliding door that opens to an external hot-swap dock for quick data access. Just slide in a standard or notebook SATA dive and you’re all set! This is a great feature for me as I have many drives with data that just haven’t found their way into my computer for a lack of data and available power ports.
The Processor
Ok, my search for the right computer case is over. Now, which CPU is the best choice for me? Well, what is it that I am after (gotta be honest with myself here)? I want the best speed for the money and I want something that I probably won’t have to worry about upgrading in the next 2-3 years. I already looked at Intel’s i7-3770K processor or their latest i7-4770K processor. The differences that I’ve read about so far have been that the latest version is leaner and more efficient, but there’s only a marginal bump in performance against the i7-3770K. Where the 4th generation sees a considerable performance increase is with its built-in graphics processor. That being said, I already intended to use my own discrete video card – so that’s not such a serious consideration for me. That being said, the price difference isn’t too significant. So, why not treat myself. This way, (if I pull the trigger on the 4th generation processor) I definitely won’t have to worry about lacking for features and abilities for several more years. Lock me in for the additional $30 and lock me in for the Intel i7-4770K Quad Core Processor! CPU coolers, here I come!
The CPU Cooler
I know the Intel processors come with their own stock CPU cooler. I think that if I’m going to build a system of this caliber, I should invest the extra $35 on a good CPU cooler to protect my investment. After the research, I have decided to go with the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. It has great customer and publication reviews. I’m on a roll now!
The Motherboard
Now this is where the plot thickens. There are just so many motherboards out there.
I work in an office full of technical people and while polling the topic I garnered a bevvy of responses.
“I prefer MSi, they are the best.”
“I have built 100’s of computers using GIGABYTE motherboards, they are the best!”
“ASUS boards are the most reliable.”
Okay, that was helpful … not. There was no clear-cut choice. So, I began thinking back to what I really am planning to use this machine for and ultimately what’s most important – to me. Graphics, video editing, lots and lots of storage, and “some gaming” (shhhh) are the real key factors.
I thought to begin by examining some of the less expensive boards and reviewing their features. Many were underwhelming. Am I really going to get this awesome case with great expandability, a state of the art processor, and then compromise on a motherboard that won’t take advantage of this processor’s abilities?
I don’t think so. (Keep it down – wife may be listening)
I’m in deep now. But you know what … Go big or go home! (This is me justifying the cost to myself – a part of the process I highly recommend.)
Ok, no turning back now. My focus shifts to the bad boys on the motherboard circuit. I look into the ASUS Sabertooth Z87 ATX. Yeah, I said it. Sabertooth. It’s quite a beast for $259.99. Then there is also the less expensive MS Z87-GD65 for $187.99. And finally, I explored the GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-UD5H for $219.99. To be honest, trying to compare all the bells and whistles of each of these boards wasn’t easy. Each one has its own merits. I wanted durability, features, and if you don’t remember … expandability. I have made my decision. And in my circumstance there really was no other way to go. My choice was clear … the GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-UD5H and I are about to become very close friends. Perhaps I succumbed to their great marketing, but so what if I did? I liked what I saw.
Could it have been their “Ultra Durable 5 Plus” that “…ensures best-in-class cooling, durability and lifespan?” Possibly. Or was it their “Ultra Safe – GIGABYTE UEFI DualBIOS?” Yeah. Could have been that as well. Or was it the “The Ultra USB3+ boasting ten USB 3.0 ports” that looked so promising? The fact is that this motherboard has more features than most luxury cars do these days. I’ll be able to charge my iPad and Samsung Galaxy S3 three times faster while being plugged into this computer’s USB ports (of which doesn’t even have to be turned on at the time!) Actually, the feature that really did it for me was the 10 SATA3 ports. Now I’ll have power and data storage. I’m thinking I have reached geek nirvana at this point. So many goodies in one package! Who’s the Jedi now?
The RAM
Okay, this one proved a bit easier. Why? Well, to be honest, the online store I ordered from had a combo special! I’m getting G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB. It’s DDR3 1600. It has great reviews and now a discounted price! Can you say, “win, win?” I think ‘ya can.
The Power Supply
After doing some copious research (and you know I did), I learned quite a bit about the difference in power supplies. Of course I wanted to have enough power for my new components, my existing video card, and HDD’s, but I also wanted it to be modular. If you are unfamiliar with what modular power supplies are, they provide you with the ability to only have the cables that you need and use to be coming from the power supply. This reduces the cable clutter. (Stoked!)
It turns out that I have been rescued from the deluge of different power supplies available. Is that? What? It is? IT IS! Another combo deal, what do you know? Wait. Hang on for a sec … Honeyyyyy, I found another specialllll! Cool, back, thanks.
When I decided on my new Corsair Obsidian 650D, the store offered a combo with the Corsair HX Series HX750 power supply. It’s very quiet and very energy efficient. I have found that power supplies are a “relatively” lesser priced component in a system and pretty easy to replace. This one comes with a 7-year warranty and there are many good reviews.
I checked the pricing between Amazon.com, Fry’s Electronics, Newegg.com, and TigerDirect.com. The winner? Newegg.com! Take a bow. That’s all she wrote. The new upgrade components are ordered and my deliveries should arrive tomorrow. When it’s up and running, I will check in with all of you (yes, I will provide pictures … no autographs, please). Oh, and wish me luck!