Help me build a computer

[beardedwalrus]

I need to build a computer, VGBA. Hopefully some of you tech gurus can help me out. What I'm looking for is a system that can run most games with decent settings on a 1920x1080 monitor, and also have enough power to handle things like multi-track recording, video encoding, things of that nature. It's primary function will be for music creation. I don't know how many of you are familiar with the process of using DAW software, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that once you start piling on a ton of different tracks with VST effects laid over them, you need a bit of juice for everything to run without a hitch. Much more juice than the shitty Pentium 4 rig I'm barely getting by with now. So my budget is somewhere between $700 and $800, but I guess I could get close to $850 if I absolutely have to. I think I know about what I need, but I figured I would run it by you guys and see if you think anything looks off.

By the way, I already have a hard drive and a fairly powerful PSU so don't think I forgot those

BUILD IDEA 1
Optical drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151236
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139008
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161389
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231416
OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986
CPU/Motherboard combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.775229

Total Price (Tax+Shipping) is around $750

BUILD IDEA 2
Optical drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151236
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139008
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161384
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231416
OS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116986
CPU Fan/Heatsink: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065
CPU/Motherboard combo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.777349

Total Price (Tax+Shipping) is around $850

Do you think the $100 difference is worth it? I think Build 2 would be better in the long run.

[beardedwalrus]

bumplol

[slimd1995]

You should spend less money on the CPU and more money on the GPU. It's a good idea to spend the same amount on each.

[Spiderpig24]

The i5-2500k is probably the best processor you can get for the price at the moment, I have it and it's amazing. I would highly recommend it. I also have a 6850 with 8GB of RAM, and I can run BF3 on ultra settings and get between 40-45 FPS (Sometimes in the 50's) with ease. I am however going to let you know that if you want that CPU cooler to fit in that case, you better be planning on cutting a whole in the side.

[beardedwalrus]

I am however going to let you know that if you want that CPU cooler to fit in that case, you better be planning on cutting a whole in the side.

Are you sure about that? From what I've read, the 400r has space for the biggest coolers out there due to the bevel on the side panel.

[Spiderpig24]

Are you sure about that? From what I've read, the 400r has space for the biggest coolers out there due to the bevel on the side panel.

I'll have to look at the measurements, but I know once you have the motherboard in and you account for the standoffs, the cooler will be at least 6 more inches.

Edit: At 8.1" wide it may be enough for that to fit, giving your motherboard about 3/4" of room just to be safe. You should just a little over 1" left once it's installed, but I would recommend putting this component in last because you won't be able to get to very much else.

Edit 2: One thing that I know you will not have room for is RAM sticks that have heat spreaders, such as the Vengeance ones due to the Hyper 212. They really don't do anything anyway as it's mostly all for looks, so I wouldn't really worry about getting RAM with them.