Lightroom-focused build

[sperho]

Hi AnandTech folks!

I'm looking to upgrade from a Intel Core2 Q9550 (OC'ed to 3.6GHz) build to use for general computing with primary heavy lifting duties that include Lightroom 4.1 with a little Photoshop CS6. No gaming focus. I just upgraded my Canon 5D to the 5D MkIII and LR is feeling pretty sluggish with the extra pixels. I don't do any serious video editing - I'll be buying another machine dedicated to that when/if that time comes, so no video editing focus on the re-build, either. I'd like to keep the cost of re-building under $700, if possible, so I'd like to recycle some of my parts from my existing system. I'm in the US. I would build in the next couple of weeks to months.

I currently have the following:

Case: Cooler Master Centurion 5

Power supply: Thermaltake toughpower W0105RU 700W

MoBo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P

8GB RAM: Corsair XMS2 2x4GB

Video: Sapphire Radeon HD4850 512MB 256bit GDDR3

OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-bit

I'm driving two monitors with the Sapphire card: a 24" Dell U2410 (primary, calibrated) and a Samsung 22", running at 1920x1200 and 1680x1050, respectively.

I'm thinking of keeping the case, power supply, and video card and replacing the motherboard, CPU (and cooler, of course), and memory and possibly adding an SSD for OS and Lightroom cache/catalog. I'm considering an Intel 3770K CPU. I wouldn't mind overkilling the mobo a little bit so that OC'ing would be an option when I decide that stock frequencies feel sluggish in a few years. So, the question is what motherboard, memory, and cooler (something reasonably quiet, maybe the Noctua NH-D14?) and keeping the rest. The Photoshop work that I do isn't generally too intensive - I do most of my work in LR, so I'm thinking upgrading video isn't very critical at this time.

I currently have a 4-bay SATA enclosure (music, homevideo storage/serving, and photos all on separate drives with the enclosure running as JBOD and then one bay empty that I pop in a variety of drives for full backups of whatever drive I need to backup) and an internal SATA drive for my OS, and an optical drive, so I use a lot of SATA ports. I'm using a 4 port SATA card that I use a 4X Multilane cable to connect to the JBOD enclosure as well as using all of the SATA ports on the mobo to get the port count that I need. I don't care about having a dedicated audio card, so onboard audio is just fine.

Any thoughts on my video thought process as well as recommendations for accompanying motherboard, memory, and cooler or anything else would be greatly appreciated! Thanks...

 

[sperho]

On the graphics front, I suppose I don't even need to use my 4850 card and I can drive the two monitors using the integrated graphics of the 3770K if using perhaps an Asus P8Z77-V PRO board...

 

[sperho]

Ok...

Thinking this:

Asus P8Z77-V Pro motherboard with free 8GB memory (can always upgrade memory in the future)
Scythe Mugen 3 Rev B cooler
some 256GB SSD for OS + LR cache/catalog
recycled case
recycled power supply

Thoughts?

 

[Ken g6]

That ASUS mobo is generally not worth the price, when you can get an ASRock Extreme 4 for $135, with the same free RAM deal.

You don't happen to live near a Micro Center, do you? They have good deals on processors, and mobo combos that might beat even the current Newegg deal.

Finally, for the SSD, I suggest a Samsung 830.

 

[mfenn]

That ASUS mobo is generally not worth the price, when you can get an ASRock Extreme 4 for $135, with the same free RAM deal.

You don't happen to live near a Micro Center, do you? They have good deals on processors, and mobo combos that might beat even the current Newegg deal.

Finally, for the SSD, I suggest a Samsung 830.

:thumbsup: to this. The mobo+RAM combo plus an i7 3770K should get you out the door, no problem.

The Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge IGPs can handle two displays, so I would definitely recommend ditching the GPU. You (apparently) don't game and so why have that extra power, heat, and noise? Use the DVI output for the U2410 and the HDMI for the Samsung.

 

[sperho]

That ASUS mobo is generally not worth the price, when you can get an ASRock Extreme 4 for $135, with the same free RAM deal.

I currently use all 8 of my existing USB ports for hi-speed readers, camera downloads, phone connection, etc. I was liking the Asus out of the box port options a bit better. I guess I would have to buy a port interface to utilize some of the onboard ports of the ASRock? [on third look, i see that they both have the same number of external ports - I'd have to buy an interface card for the Asus as well to pull some onboard ports to the back...]

You don't happen to live near a Micro Center, do you? They have good deals on processors, and mobo combos that might beat even the current Newegg deal.

I saw that sweet deal and unfortunately, I'm hundreds of miles away from the nearest store. :\

Finally, for the SSD, I suggest a Samsung 830.

That looks like a great price - thanks...

The Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge IGPs can handle two displays, so I would definitely recommend ditching the GPU. You (apparently) don't game and so why have that extra power, heat, and noise? Use the DVI output for the U2410 and the HDMI for the Samsung.

Unfortunately the Samsung only takes DVI and VGA and I want to use the full native res on the u2410, so the HDMI to 2410 and DVI to the Samsung is a nonstarter. Another reason I was favoring the more expensive Asus - more applicable graphics port selection... I could use an HDMI to DVI adapter, but yet another piece of gear to put inline... [edit: on a bit more thought, is there any downside of using an HDMI to the DVI for the Samsung display? glitches, etc?]

 

[sperho]

Another question: I have an OEM copy of Windows on my current build - am I going to have to bite the bullet and buy another copy for the new CPU/mobo combo?

 

[DSF]

Another question: I have an OEM copy of Windows on my current build - am I going to have to bite the bullet and buy another copy for the new CPU/mobo combo?

Legally, yes.

In practice I have heard of people reusing the install disc and calling Windows up to reauthenticate. When you boil it down I'd say that's dishonest even if MS reactivates it for you.

 

[sperho]

Legally, yes.

In practice I have heard of people reusing the install disc and calling Windows up to reauthenticate. When you boil it down I'd say that's dishonest even if MS reactivates it for you.

Thanks - I'll purchase another copy...

 

[sperho]

This is what I've selected. Any comments before I sleep on it and possibly hit buy Sunday evening?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($314.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($216.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64-bit) ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $876.81
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-09-08 21:45 EDT-0400)

I reckon that I'll be able to sell my exisiting mobo and CPU for about $200-250 total so that should bring the net cost down a bit...

 

[Ken g6]

Are you sure you need Win 7 Pro instead of Home Premium? If you are sure, try bundling it with the mobo for $20 off. If that removes the free RAM, then try Amazon for $130 instead. (There are similar discounts on Home Premium available the same ways.)

Also, you don't need an aftermarket cooler until you're ready to overclock.

 

[sperho]

Yes - need Professional to backup to a NAS... I was going to buy it from Amazon - (I limited the prices for Newegg only on the PCPartPicker dump). Also, I'm going to be bundling the mobo to 8 GB memory (saving ~$40) and then buy an additional 8 GB for when I run LR and PS simultaneously with large files looped between them. If 16 GB ever gets tight for that kind of work, I'll have the option to upgrade beyond that with Professional...

I may drop the cooler - wasn't sure if this one took a back plate, which would be less painful to install from the get-go than tear everything apart when I OC in a few years. Do you know if this one takes a back plate? [edit: found the manual. yes, it has a back plate.] I also couldn't find sound level specs on the stock cooler, so I thought that the aftermarket cooler might be a little more efficient, thus be a little quieter, which I'm in favor of. I hate a roaring computer sitting next to me!

 

[mfenn]

Unfortunately the Samsung only takes DVI and VGA and I want to use the full native res on the u2410, so the HDMI to 2410 and DVI to the Samsung is a nonstarter. Another reason I was favoring the more expensive Asus - more applicable graphics port selection... I could use an HDMI to DVI adapter, but yet another piece of gear to put inline... [edit: on a bit more thought, is there any downside of using an HDMI to the DVI for the Samsung display? glitches, etc?]

HDMI and DVI use the same video signalling, so a DVI to HDMI cable or adapter will work fine for the Samsung.

Another option that avoids the use of adapters is to get a DisplayPort capable Z77 board like this Biostar TZ77XE4.

 

[sperho]

I went ahead with an HDMI to DVI cable and stuck with the ASRock board. The trigger on "buy" has been pulled! Thanks for all of your help folks!

 

[FMX]

Have you considered the Retina MBP's? I know they are super pricey but they are amazing - and really help you appreciate those extra pixels. You didn't mention a budget so I figured I'd chime in.

 

[sperho]

Have you considered the Retina MBP's? I know they are super pricey but they are amazing - and really help you appreciate those extra pixels. You didn't mention a budget so I figured I'd chime in.

I have, but their pricey nature alongside the extra costs I would incur to upgrade my photo storage/backup solutions is just more than I want to pay right now. My wife may get an iMac for video editing at some point and I may get to play around with various things to see how much my fear of the extra $$$ is justified. I guess for now I'll stick with PC...

 

[FMX]

I hear ya. The switching costs can definitely be high. I envy the 5d mk3 in general - I have a 7D that I have fallen out of love with - I just don't like crop anymore haha.

 

[sperho]

Total bummer for sure. I used to have a Mac about 15 years ago and when I had to sell for compatibility reasons, I literally cried. Thank goodness for the decent stability of Windows 7 and the Adobe/Apple spat - it's really helped with them supporting PCs with their photo stuff.

The 7D is a nice machine, but if you don't love crop... I like FF because that's what I was used to having shot lots and lots of 35mm film. When I made the switch to digital, I bought a 10D and couldn't WAIT for an "affordable" FF camera to come out. I waited about a year after the 5D came out before I bought one and was in love. That is until the MkIII came out with its awesome AF system. The speed of the camera is nice too, but you're probably used to that with the 7D...

 

[sperho]

Does anyone have any idea if I'll have any problems running a Netflix HD stream to my 24" monitor with the integrated graphics of the 3770K?

 

[Ken g6]

You'll have no problems with Netflix, at least within the computer. People do that with Celeron G530s all the time, which have about 1/3 the integrated graphics power.

 

[sperho]

You'll have no problems with Netflix, at least within the computer. People do that with Celeron G530s all the time, which have about 1/3 the integrated graphics power.

Thanks... Whew! I watch Netflix all the time at the computer!

 

[sperho]

The parts came yesterday. I saw. I built. It's awesome! Lightroom flies! SSDs are amazing. Thanks again everyone...

 

[mfenn]

:thumbsup: Glad you like it!