I know I am off but here is my budget build

[tomsop]

Main uses will be photoshop, Lightroom, and office suite/browsing applications - no plans yet on any serious 3D gaming. No plans on overclocking.

I like MFenn's mid range configs but I wanted something cheaper and did not need the overlocking potential. I felt like I was just picking random parts for the PSU, RAM, case and only reason for the particular SDD was it is on sale. I picked that particular CPU model because it is cheaper and does not take a serious hit on benchmarks for getting an I5.

I think I may have gone overboard on the GPU but was not sure so I took Mfenn's suggestion but may only need a 1GB psi? If I do add 3D games it would be Starcraft II and maybe SKyrim - that is about as intense as it would get with gaming.

Look forward to your critiques. I am looking at purchasing something in about a month - thanks, Tom.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($56.15 @ Mac Connection)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 60GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($77.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($184.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($52.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($42.39 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional (OEM) (32-bit) ($139.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $810.01
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-18 17:40 EST-0500)

 

[tomsop]

One quick question - confused about whether to get 32 or 64 bit build of OS 8. Also realized I picked wrong version - don't need professional - I need the cheaper one.

Also, I have a HD that I intend to reformat and use for storage - it is 1TB but will use the SSD for the OS and photoshop, etc. Thanks.

 

[mfenn]

You definitely want a 64-bit version of Windows 8 and you most likely don't need the Pro version.

What is your budget? I'm going to assume ~$800 since that's what your current build comes out to.

Do you have a MicroCenter nearby? The $150 price on the 3470 is in-store only.

Given $800 for a budget gaming/general use PC with OS and no MC, here's what I would do:

i5 3350P $180
Biostar TZ77B + free 8GB RAM $100
7850 2GB $180 AR
840 120GB $110 - 60GB is just not enough
Lite-ON DVD Burner $18
Seasonic S12II 520W $60
Corsair 200R $50 AR
Windows 8 64-bit $100
Total: $798 AR

 

[Torn Mind]

32-bit OS can't recognize more than 4 gigs of RAM. With the 8 gigs in your system, you'll need the 64-bit version.

Are you near the Microcenter? Because that i5 deal is in-store only.

You can edit your posts.

 

[Sleepingforest]

mfenn's build is solid, but it is geared towards gaming rather than photo editing. Since that seems to be the OP's primary usage, I would go with something like this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($233.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI B75MA-P45 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($61.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($72.25 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($101.85 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.17 @ Amazon)
Total: $796.20
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-18 21:25 EST-0500)

More threads for the photo editing, and it has a basic GPU both for powering the monitor and helping with some Photoshop features (only in CS6, I think, outside of add-ons for CS5).

 

[mfenn]

mfenn's build is solid, but it is geared towards gaming rather than photo editing.

More threads for the photo editing, and it has a basic GPU both for powering the monitor and helping with some Photoshop features (only in CS6, I think, outside of add-ons for CS5).

1GB of VRAM is a no-go for Skyrim, which the OP specifically mentioned. That is why I put in the 7850 2GB.