1st Build - Photo Editing, Some Gaming and Video Editing

[Tdub4]

Hello all...long time lurker, first time poster - as well as first time builder. I have always purchased Dell, HP etc. but not happy with what I am seeing as off the shelf options so thought I would give this a shot. I have been reading enough to be dangerous and slightly confused but that usually doesn't stop any of my other DIY projects

Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as possible - ready to go

Budget Range: $1000 or less

System Usage from Most to Least Important: 1) photo editing (use Photoshop Elements but considering upgrading to CS5), 2) "some" gaming - most games on PS3 but my kids have gotten a games in the past (Lego Universe) and could see them getting others that could require a little more than average reqs....other than that flash games, 3) would like to do some video editing although I dont have an hd video camera yet and have used MSFT Movie Maker in the past for some basic home movie type stuff - I would not anticipate this getting much bigger than that although could see a need to do conversions from a DVD to iPad format, and finally 4) surfing

Parts Not Required: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS) - keyboard, mouse, monitor is ok for now but could upgrade (have Samsung SyncMaster 2233sw), I do have the Spyder 3 express for color calibration

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: open...there is a Micro Center nearby, but could use Amazon or NewEgg if better

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: Would be partial to Intel CPU - the rest is open

Overclocking: Almost certain this would be a no....dont think I would get into this, but also dont want to pass up the "K" version in the event I would like to pursue it later

SLI or Crossfire: Not unless there is a reason I would need this


Thanks in advance!

 

[Why_Me]

That board down below has the new PCI-E 3.0 slots for the new generation vid cards. This build allows you to add another one of those cards later on in the future for SLI and it allows you to over clock.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240 $79.99 FREE SHIPPING
COOLER MASTER Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1 Black SECC / ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ATX PS2 / EPS 12V (optional ) Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049 $94.99 - $69.99 after mail-in rebate FREE SHIPPING
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 $129.99
ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354587 $279.99 (walk in special only)
Core i7 2600K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065 $27.99 FREE SHIPPING
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186 $57.99 FREE SHIPPING
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 $59.99 FREE SHIPPING
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118039 $19.99 FREE SHIPPING
Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model AD-7260S-0B - OEM

Total: $750.92 *not including rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127594 $239.99 - $219.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

or...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130604 $249.99 - $224.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68%20Extreme3%20Gen3 <---- a better look at that ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3

*** Single card version of that build. No second card later on...just switch out the mobo and psu.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251 $119.99
ASRock Z68 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371047 $58.99 FREE SHIPPING
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-520 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

 

[Tdub4]

Thanks Why_Me....I had a couple of questions:

1) If I do not intend to do overclocking initially (and quite possibly not at all) can I assume the Hyper212 can be added later when/if I do that or are you recommending doing it regardless? Are there any other changes that I would consider if I never get around to the overclocking?

2) Will I see a noticeable improvement over an i5-2500k using the i7-2600k for what I will be doing? I have seen those that argue both sides but curious on your thoughts (or any others)

Thanks again.

 

[aznshinobi]

1) The H212+ can be added later. He's just doing it now since your CPU would run cooler & quieter under load
2) Not really. Your description of video editing doesn't require HT, and PS5 Elements I'm assuming it is not professional photography as apposed to hobbiest? If so, then the 2500(K) would be sufficient for your usage. Do you plan on doing lots of layers and such? Or do you just plan on doing minor retouching. In my opinion, the benefits of HT in PS5 isn't worth the $100 unless it's professionally. Even then, I run my 955 (3.6ghz)+12GB of DDR3 1600 D Just upgraded) and it's sufficient.
Long story short, the 2500 is enough.

 

[Tdub4]

Thanks aznshinobi...you are correct that PhotoShop Elements is more for a hobbiest as oppose to the full PhotoShop version included in CS5. That being said, it does have many features that are similar including layers which I will utilize when I make posters of my kid's sports teams/action shots. I could upgrade to PhotoShop eventually but still toying with that idea. And the video editing is still just smalll video clips I put together to share with family/friends for now...that could grow but 50/50 at this point. Sounds like the i5-2500k could meet the requirements though.

 

[aznshinobi]

Yeah, the 2500K would be good enough for even normal PS5. I've got PS5 now and I generally edit RAWs in LR3.4 and PS5.5, the 955 still performs well and it's supposed to be way behind the 2500K in performance. So.... yeah. I also do some premiere 5 editing and although I run into a bit of kinks (lagging with rendering) I haven't tested my system with my new 8gb+4gb yet. So it could be different. I'd think that Vegas would have less system demand than Pr5.

 

[Tdub4]

Another question, in researching the parts that why_me suggested above I was curious about the case...

Are there some specific features of that case that make it more ideal than others? I ask because I am not sure I like the look of it but if there are things that make that stand out for my config that's fine. Just curious how flexible you can get with the case as it relates to the parts.

Any thoughts?

 

[Why_Me]

Another question, in researching the parts that why_me suggested above I was curious about the case...

Are there some specific features of that case that make it more ideal than others? I ask because I am not sure I like the look of it but if there are things that make that stand out for my config that's fine. Just curious how flexible you can get with the case as it relates to the parts.

Any thoughts?

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3038 <----- more on that case "optional fans" on that link, width, length, etc...

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=19&product_id=2919 <---- CM HAF 922 > this case has even better cooling, with the option to add more fans...again check the specs. It cost more than the Storm Enforcer by $20 on newegg.

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?category_id=19&product_id=2912 <--- case worth looking at

 

[aznshinobi]

I guess Why_Me assumed professional editing. As for the case, the Enforcer has USB3, which is one of the few that offers it.

 

[Tdub4]

Ok guys, I have acquired nearly all of the pieces for my build. I did make some changes from Why_Me's suggestions but did take the advice on the other pieces (thanks Why_Me). I put an asterisk next those items that have changed.

First here is where I am as far as parts (any feedback on issues/concerns would be appreciated - not too late to exchange):

**Mobo - Asus P8Z68-V Pro (Micro Center had a bundle for this and the i5-2500k that was slightly higher than the ASRock with i5 chip - so I went this way)

**CPU - Intel i5-2500k

COOLER MASTER Storm Enforcer

**Corsair HX750W Power Supply - after researching, I liked the modular PSU and reviews (definitely a jump in price from the Antec High Current Gamer)

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus

**Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM - (found these on sale locally but they are not the low-profile)

Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner

MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II GeForce GTX 560 Ti

My updated questions:
I originally did not like the look of the case but after seeing it in person, I changed my mind. I got it home and found it is too large for the area I wanted to put it (I know "measure twice cut once"). I have a couple of work around options that arent great, but could work. Does anyone have any ideas on a lower profile case that will work with these components and still provide ample space for air flow? The primary location I am hoping for is located under a desk in a CPU tower compartment (with walls on either side), so it may not be a good place to put it anyway do to the enclosure. In that case I will keep the Enforcer and opt for the workarounds.

2) In doing my research, I have changed my perspective on some things as I have learned about the latest/greatest. I am now wondering about an SSD for a boot drive and use the Samsung as my data drive. Curious if anyone has thoughts on that with this mobo and/or if not the SSD, considering using 2 mechanical hdd (one for boot and other for data) or lastly partitioning the Samsung for a similar set up (boot/data). I realize my budget changes with this but like the idea of separating OS from data. Any thought here?

Thanks again for your help guys.

 

[Tdub4]

Best answer selected by Tdub4.

 

[Tdub4]

Well I got the computer put together this weekend and so far so good. Thanks for the help guys, I used the components listed in my last post but your guidance got me going the right direction to make my choices. I did figure out why low profile RAM is better once I got the CPU cooler installed. It worked out though. Now I have questions to post in the monitor forum. Thanks again!

 

[aznshinobi]

NP!