Intel Core i7 (4th gen) build for gaming and programming

[AVSEQ]

Hi guys,

I'm going to upgrade my current system. I'm looking for a core i7 based configuration. Here's the Questionnaire.

1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run? (Stupid answers like 'gaming' or 'office work' will not work. Be exact. Which games? Which applications? Avoid the word 'et cetera.')
Ans: The main applications I'll run is Visual Studio (for Windows Phone and Windows 8 development) and SQL Server. I'll also need to run the phone emulators (requires SLAT in processors).
I play mostly shooters and adventure games (first/third person) like Wolfenstein The New Order, Watch Dogs, Batman Arkham Origins, Tomb Raider, Battlefield 4, Assassins Creed, Crysis, Far Cry (the list goes on) at 1920x1080.


2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.
Ans: Overall budget is 50K (for processor, RAM, motherboard and cabinet). Can be extended by 4-5K.

3. Planning to overclock?
Ans: No.

4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?
Ans: Windows 8.1 Pro

5. How much hard drive space is needed?
Ans: I already have a Seagate 3TB HDD.

6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention which screen size and resolution do you want. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, again mention the size and resolution of monitor you have.
Ans: I have a Dell 21.5' monitor (1920x1080).

7. Which components you DON'T want to buy or which components you already have and plan on reusing?
Ans: Components I already have and will reuse:
HDD: Seagate 3TB 7200.14
Graphics Card: Sapphire 7870 GHz Edition
PSU: Cooler Master 650W
Monitor: Dell 21.5' 1920x1080
UPS: APC 1100VA
Keyboard, Mouse, Headphone, DVD drive

8. When are you planning to buy the system?
Ans: Within a week or two.

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
Ans: I assembled my previous desktop. I'll do it this time as well.

10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?
Ans: I'm from Mumbai. I'll buy from Lamington Road or Flipkart, whichever is cheaper.

11. Anything else which you would like to say?
Ans: I plan to use my upgraded rig for next 2-3 years. So please suggest a configuration that lasts long.
And thanks for your taking your time.

 

[bssunilreddy]

Intel Xeon E3 1245 v3 -19000, (Core i7 = Xeon E3 1245 v3)
Gigabyte H87-D3H -9000,
Corsair Vengeance 16GB(4GBx4) 1600Mhz -11200,
Corsair Carbide SPEC-03 -4700,
Corsair GS700 -7500,
Cooler Master 120mm 3 Blue LED fans -(550x3)=1650,
Cooler Master 140mm 2 Blue LED fans -(700x2)=1400.
TOTAL -54,450.

Add some fans like 2 x120mm Blue LED fans,(Front Intake)
2 x140mm Blue LED fans,(Top Exhaust)
1 x120mm Blue LED fan,(Rear Exhaust)

Replace that Cooler Master PSU with the above mentioned Corsair PSU.Ok.

 

[nomad47]

Intel Xeon E3 1245 v3 -19000
Gigabyte H87-D3H -9000,
Corsair Vengeance 8GB(2x4GB) 1600Mhz -5800
Corsair Carbide SPEC-03 -4700,

I suggest you sell your GPU and with the extra money get a R9 280x

Note: I have mentioned Xeon as you want an i7 rig. Else I would have recommended a i5 and use the spare cash on an even better GPU.

 

[rijinpk1]

what is the exact model of the psu?? if it is the extreme power plus or older gx series, better sell it off and get seasonic s12ii 620.
selling of the 7870 might yield you 11k approximately which makes your budget 66k. try to get the following.
Intel Xeon E3 1245 v3 -19k
gigabyte b85m d3h - 5.5k
kingston hyperx blue 8gb x1 - 4.7k
sapphire r9 290 tri -x - 32.8k
corsair 400r - 5.5k

 

[bssunilreddy]

what is the exact model of the psu?? if it is the extreme power plus or older gx series, better sell it off and get seasonic s12ii 620.
selling of the 7870 might yield you 11k approximately which makes your budget 66k. try to get the following.
Intel Xeon E3 1245 v3 -19k
gigabyte b85m d3h - 5.5k
kingston hyperx blue 8gb x1 - 4.7k
sapphire r9 290 tri -x - 32.8k
corsair 400r - 5.5k

+1 to this.Good Config and suggestion rijinpk1.
Add some fans to cool the cabby.

 

[AVSEQ]

Thanks guys.

What's the difference between Intel Core i7 and Intel Xeon? Just curious. I cannot see the latter at Flipkart or eBay.
Also why change the PSU? I don't remember the model no exactly, bought it 3.5 years ago.
Is there any difference in 2x4GB and 1X8GB RAM sticks? (performance wise)

I bought the 7870 when Crysis 3 came out (DirectX 11 only). Just realized that it has been 1.25 years. Man I'm getting old so fast!!!
How about NVIDIA?

 

[rijinpk1]

xeons run cooler and at lower voltages and are designed for 24 hrs continuous usage and is more stable since it is more intended towards workstation/server builds... performance is identical to the i7 (depends on core clock. given e3 1245 v3 is identical to i7 4770.). Xeons are able to be used in multi-socket motherboards also. and what more, it is cheaper than i7. i7 4770 itself is selling for 21-22k and not worth the money spend.
*www.theitdepot.com/details-Intel+Xeon+E3-1245+V3+3.40GHz+Processor_P21367.html
the model no of your psu is important. if it is the extreme power plus /older gx series or the like, hey are really bad. better get a good psu.
nvidia's equivalent to r9 290 is gtx 780. you yourself check the prices.

 

[AVSEQ]

Got it. Thanks.

 

[ico]

Keep HD 7870. Still very very potent. Buy a new card when the next generation comes out.

 

[AVSEQ]

Keep HD 7870. Still very very potent. Buy a new card when the next generation comes out.

That's exactly what I had in mind. However, Watch Dogs is giving me 20-25 FPS in low settings.

 

[ico]

That's exactly what I had in mind. However, Watch Dogs is giving me 20-25 FPS in low settings.

that is because this game needs 3GB of video memory if playing in "Ultra". Exception.

 

[bikramjitkar]

That's exactly what I had in mind. However, Watch Dogs is giving me 20-25 FPS in low settings.

Watch Dogs is pretty poorly optimized for PC, especially AMD GPUs. The 7870 is still good enough for 1080p.