In Stage 1, but still thinking...

Budget:
$3000-ish, $3500 max.

Expectations:
Double monitor for now, expand to larger, higher quality ones later.

Usage:
WoW, Starcraft II, ESO, amateur video editing

Special Needs:
As with my last two systems, I'd like it to be 4-5 years before I can no longer use "Ultra" settings on current games.

As my 7-year-old system seems to be giving me a new problem every other month, it's definitely time to get a new one. After fussing over this for a couple weeks, I've placed an order for the system listed below. Thing is, I'm still a bit ambivalent about a couple things and since it's only in Stage 1 and there's still time to do something about it, I thought I'd ask here.

So first, I've been switching between the 1000W Corsair HX1000i power supply - with it's nice buffer for future expansion potential and good reviews for efficiency - and saving $150 by going with the 750W EVGA SuperNOVA (750 B1), then replacing it later if the need arises (Future SLI, perhaps.) All or nothing on this one, I don't want to take half measures. Is the 750 B1 decent enough to last, or is it just barely adequate now and will be over its head with just a couple new add-ons? (Soon to add: the hard drive listed below, and probably the BD burner salvaged from my previous computer)

Second, I've been impressed by what I've read about Seagate's hybrid SSHD drives, so I've ordered my system with only a 250Gb SSD, figuring to add a 2TB SSHD right away once I get it (since it's not already on DS's options list) Anyone have any thoughts on this scheme?

Finally, any other thoughts would be welcome. I don't mind poking the price a bit higher if it's worthwhile (yes, I have some "bling" in the mix here, so "worthwhile" can be stretched a little)

Saved Ticket #: 1403849

Specifications:
System Configuration:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Digital Storm Apollo (White)
Exterior Finish: - Standard Factory Finish
Trim Accents: - Standard Factory Finish
Processor: Intel Core i7 5820K 3.3GHz (Six-Core) (Unlocked CPU)
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-X99-SLI (Intel X99 Chipset) (Up to 4x PCI-E Devices)
System Memory: 16GB DDR4 2800MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series
Power Supply: 750W EVGA SuperNOVA (750 B1)
Expansion Bay: Internal Digital Media Card Reader (Black)
Optical Drive: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x) (Internal)
Storage Set 1: 1x SSD (250GB Samsung 850 EVO)
Storage Set 2: - No Thanks
Storage Set 3: - No Thanks
RAID Config: - No Thanks
RAID Card: - No Thanks
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Graphics Card(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB (ASUS Strix Edition) (VR Ready)
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
HPC Processor: - No Thanks
Extreme Cooling: H20: Stage 2: Corsair H100i GTX - 240mm Radiator Liquid CPU Cooler
HydroLux Tubing Style: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
HydroLux Fluid Color: - Not Applicable, I do not have a custom HydroLux liquid cooling system selected
Cable Management: Premium Cable Management (Strategically Routed & Organized for Airflow)
Chassis Fans: Standard LED Performance Fans (Blue) (Up to 6 Fans)
Internal Lighting: Digital Storm RGB LED Lighting System (Requires Thermal Management Control Board & Software)
Airflow Control: Digital Storm Thermal Management Control Board & Software
Chassis Mods: - No Thanks
Noise Reduction: - No Thanks
LaserMark: - No Thanks
CPU Boost: Standard Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Automatic Overclocking
Graphics Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not overclock my video card(s)
OS Boost: - No Thanks, Please do not tweak the services on the operating system
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-Bit Edition)

The EVGA 750 watt B1 supply is a bronze efficiency with a 5 year warranty. Also semi modular, meaning the mobo cables are hard wired and the rest plug in. I would opt for the other 750watt, or the 850 watt for more headroom. For the added $34 you get a fully modular, Gold efficiency with a 10 year warranty.    The b1 is good enough, however.   Check with DS about the other 750 specs. It's not fully spec' but in the past , the G1 , I believe.



Edited by bprat22 - 23 Apr 2016 at 3:59am

Thanks for the replies.

You all raise a very good point - in my last two systems, I've never felt held back by my processor; it was always the GPU, then the RAM, that needed upgrading to squeeze another year or two of life out of the systems. That said, though, with the prices being pretty similar (based on my web searching I see component price comparison is close to equal (higher-end boards aside)), why choose the seemingly less powerful and less expandable Z170/6700k over the X99/5820k?
(Now, DS's price is about $185 higher for my current X99 build than an otherwise equal Z170 rig, so I am definitely considering this change and rolling it into something else - but I am curious about the reasons.)

Better efficiency, longer warranty power supply sounds good; no need
for considering a second card anytime soon (if ever), agreed; larger SSD... okay, looking at this one to see what I like best. Good stuff, I'll definitely be making some tweaks to this order.

Regarding Windows 7: My current rig is on Vista (wasn't broken, so I never changed it). For years I've heard nothing but good about 7 but very little good about 10 since its release (and nothing good at all about 8 - but that's beside the point). Granted, much of the loudest Win10 squawk was in the first few months as bugs were being worked out. Aside from this, I have concerns with back-compatibility with some of my older software, and I'm intending to set up a dual-boot with 10. Since 7 is getting to be harder to come by and DS offers it, I figure on getting it now, then add (not upgrade to) a copy of 10 later.

- Sean F.

i was a W7 die hard myself (skipped 8 and 8.1 on my personal rigs) and had a hard time jumping on board with W10 despite all of my buddies telling me it was great.  i'm glad i waited, but with the ne Aventum build i decided to go with W10.  i haven't had many issues with it, certainly no serious issues.  i don't use a lot of really old programs, but every direct x 9 game i have runs fine.