New builder needs help on a new build

[phase315]

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Occasional Gaming but mostly for Photoshop, Illustrator, and a bit of video editing.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

$1000

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Prefer Intel but I am pretty open, I have not built a computer in 8 years or more.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

None

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

Yes I have but there are a ton of threads and I don't know what is the best setup for myself.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

If the cpu is fairly simple to overclock, I am willing to try it.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

Hopefully 1080p

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

The next couple of months (feb-mar)

Note:

I have been out of the computer/hardware world for years and have not kept up with the times. Please bear with me, as I will be asking a lot of questions. I am planning to run dual monitors, as I will be designing a little and will require the extra display.

 

[Davidh373]

$1k is more than enough, give me a moment to get a build list arranged.

 

[Davidh373]

Case + PSU - $94.95 +9.99 (Antec 300 430)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-065-_-Product

CPU - $224.99 (i5 2500k)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-072-_-Product

Motherboard - $134.99 + $7.56 (Gigabyte UD3H)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-461-_-Product

RAM - $76.99 (GSkill ValueRAM 1333MHz 1.5V)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-422-_-Product

GPU - $129.99 (ASUS GTS 450)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-415-_-Product

SSD - $114.99 (OCZ Agility 2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-542-_-Product

HDD - $59.99 (Samsung F3 1TB)
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpo...5390299&sr=8-1

Optical - $16.99 (Samsung DVD-RW)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136177

Total: $871.71

 

[phase315]

Thank you so much for the lightning fast response, Davidh373.

If I were willing to go a little up to $1200, would you recommend a i7 2600k and better GPU?

I am only saying this to possibly "future-proof" myself a little longer.

 

[mnewsham]

if you had the money go with another 8Gb of RAM maybe if you are doing a lot of photo and video stuff and possibly a GTX 560 when it releases.

 

[fffblackmage]

Case + PSU - $94.95 +9.99 (Antec 300 430)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-065-_-Product

CPU - $224.99 (i5 2500k)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-072-_-Product

Motherboard - $134.99 + $7.56 (Gigabyte UD3H)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-461-_-Product

RAM - $76.99 (GSkill ValueRAM 1333MHz 1.5V)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-422-_-Product

GPU - $129.99 (ASUS GTS 450)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-415-_-Product

SSD - $114.99 (OCZ Agility 2)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-542-_-Product

HDD - $59.99 (Samsung F3 1TB)
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpo...5390299&sr=8-1

Optical - $16.99 (Samsung DVD-RW)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136177

Total: $871.71

Awesome build. :thumbsup:

The Samsung F3 1TB is $55 after promo code on newegg. Or did you recommend buying from Amazon, because they might have better packaging?

Thank you so much for the lightning fast response, Davidh373.

If I were willing to go a little up to $1200, would you recommend a i7 2600k and better GPU?

I am only saying this to possibly "future-proof" myself a little longer.

I don't think the i7-2600K is any more "future-proof" than the i5-2500K. Just take a look at the last generation. Both the i5-750 and i7-950 got outperformed by the i5-2500K and i7-2600K.

 

[Davidh373]

The Samsung F3 1TB is $55 after promo code on newegg. Or did you recommend buying from Amazon, because they might have better packaging?

I made the mistake of not checking newegg. The ONE time I don't newegg has the better price

I don't think the i7-2600K is any more "future-proof" than the i5-2500K. Just take a look at the last generation. Both the i5-750 and i7-950 got outperformed by the i5-2500K and i7-2600K.

'Tis true. Save the $75.

 

[phase315]

Thanks for the input guys.

I live in CA, which means Taxes from NewEgg. Maybe Amazon is a better option for me.

Should I wait until Jan. 25th for the GTX 560?

 

[Davidh373]

Thanks for the input guys.

I live in CA, which means Taxes from NewEgg. Maybe Amazon is a better option for me.

Should I wait until Jan. 25th for the GTX 560?

If primary usage is Photoshop and video, you won't need anything more than a 450, but the 560 would be best if you play a considerable amount of games.

EDIT: Does Amazon not have tax there? I would think taxes would be more off amazon since prices are (often) higher.

 

[phase315]

I will probably start playing Diablo 3 once it is released...if it ever gets released.

Amazon does not charge taxes here in CA, which is why I prefer to purchase most of my electronics off Amazon. Newegg is probably less than 15 miles away from me but yet they still charge for shipping, when I can easily drive over there for pickup.

 

[Davidh373]

What is the tax rate?

 

[phase315]

Tax rate in CA is 9.75%

 

[Davidh373]

Case
http://www.amazon.com/Antec-Three-Hu...5395280&sr=8-1

PSU
http://www.amazon.com/Antec-EA-430D-...5395303&sr=8-3

CPU
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-2500K...5395035&sr=8-1

Mobo
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel...5395059&sr=8-1

RAM
http://www.amazon.com/G-Skill-Ripjaw...5395121&sr=1-1

GPU
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-P...5395179&sr=8-1

SSD
http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-Technology...5395208&sr=8-1

HDD
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpo...5395239&sr=8-1

Optical
http://www.amazon.com/Lite--LightScr...5395253&sr=8-1

Total: $934.88

Total of Newegg build with tax: $956.70

So yes, you would be better off ordering off amazon .

 

[mfenn]

Thank you so much for the lightning fast response, Davidh373.

If I were willing to go a little up to $1200, would you recommend a i7 2600k and better GPU?

I am only saying this to possibly "future-proof" myself a little longer.

David's build looks damn good to me, and I wouldn't bother trying to future proof. If you do, you'll end up spending a bunch of money up front for minimal performance gains. A better plan is to save that $200 for an upgrade in 2 years.

Oh, and Diablo 3 will probably be out right around that time.

 

[phase315]

@Davidh373 Amazon is out of stock for the 2500k =/

@mfenn You have a point.

I read on slickdeals people are going with the i2500K and Asus P8P67 for $299.99 combo deal. Would I be able to OC with the gigabit MB? (btw I mean simple, beginners OC'ing)

 

[mfenn]

I read on slickdeals people are going with the i2500K and Asus P8P67 for $299.99 combo deal. Would I be able to OC with the gigabit MB? (btw I mean simple, beginners OC'ing)

Yes, you can overclock with either the P8P67 or the GA-P67A-UD3.

 

[phase315]

Thanks guys, I decided to wait til the 25th and see what happens with the GTX 560

 

[BoomerD]

If primary usage is Photoshop and video, you won't need anything more than a 450, but the 560 would be best if you play a considerable amount of games.

EDIT: Does Amazon not have tax there? I would think taxes would be more off amazon since prices are (often) higher.

Amazon doesn't charge sales tax for California sales...yet. (of course, you ARE supposed to report all such sales and pay the appropriate sales tax to the BOE.)
http://www.boe.ca.gov/pdf/pub79b.pdf

Tax rate in CA is 9.75%

Actually, that depends on where you are. I'm in NorCal and pay 8.375%