My First Build - based On Intel i3 2125

[Guest]

Hi
This is my first attempt at building a computer. Would appreciate any advice you can offer.

Approximate Purchase Date: Cyber Monday
Budget Range: $600-$800) After Rebates
System Usage : Photo editing, Video editing Surfing the internet, watching movies
Parts Not Required: Hard drive,CD/DVD drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS(Win 7 Home Premium), wireless NIC
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, Micro Center, Amazon
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: by brand or type: INTEL CPU,everything else is up in the air.
Overclocking: No.
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor/Resolution: Samsung SyncMaster 205BW,Optimal Resolution is 1680x1050
Additional Comments:
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What I have come up with so far:

Intel Core i3 2125 LGA 1155 - $70 when bundled with a mobo
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0376494

ASUS P8Z68-V LX LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Mobo - $120
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0371775

G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) - $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424

OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Modular High Performance PSU - $39
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018

Rosewill Challenger Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

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The Apps I use most often:
Windows7 - Ultimate
Norton Security Suite
Corel Paintshop Pro X4 - photo editing
Adobe Photoshop - photo editing
Picasa 3 - photo cataloging/editing
Roxio Creator - Video editing/Music editing/MP3 creation

 

[cutebeans]

It's pretty good for the price but I would get i7-2600 sine you have a micro center near you. 😀

You will really see the performance difference.

 

[Guest]

It's pretty good for the price but I would get i7-2600 sine you have a micro center near you. 😀

You will really see the performance difference.

Do I need to upgrade the mobo and/or the psu if I do that?

 

[cutebeans]

No. 😀 Are you going to get a GPU?javascript: validform(this);

 

[Guest]

No. 😀 Are you going to get a GPU?javascript: validform(this);

Not initially. I want to see how far I can go without one. Probably will need one later on.

 

[penclrtist]

I think the mobo bundle only applies to the i5 2500k cpu.
I would get the Gigabyte combo for $220 if I was you. You cant beat that deal anywhere and for graphics and video you will want the extra horsepower.
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/33e9daac#/33e9daac/27

Another case option if you want is the Xion Predator for $55 after $25 rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811208036&Tpk=xio%20predator

There are a lot of memory sales off and on right now. You just have to catch them. Some examples:
Frys - Kingston HyperX 1600mhz 2x4 $25 after rebate + $2 ship
http://www.frys.com/product/6516823?site=sa:adpages%20page:6
Outlet PC Crucial Ballistic 1600mhz 1x4 $15 + $3 ship
http://www.outletpc.com/re7775.html#axzz1eNpdvpt9

Another option for you... refurbished HP Pavilion i3 2100 $350
http://www.colocomputer.com/copy-of-hp-pavilion-p6770t-i3-2100-2-generation-intel-3-1ghz-4gb-ddr3-750gb-hdd-wifi-n-bluetooth-win-7-home-desktop-pc-factory-refurbished/

CPU chart - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-overclocking,3052-5.html
GPU chart - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fastest-graphics-card-radeon-geforce,3067-7.html

 

[Guest]

You were right about the mobo bundle so I took another look and revised my build.

Approximate Purchase Date: Cyber Monday
Budget Range: $600-$800) After Rebates
System Usage : Photo editing, Video editing Surfing the internet, watching movies
Parts Not Required: Hard drive,CD/DVD drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS(Win 7 Home Premium), wireless NIC
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, Micro Center, Amazon
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: by brand or type: INTEL CPU,everything else is up in the air.
Overclocking: No.
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor/Resolution: Samsung SyncMaster 205BW,Optimal Resolution is 1680x1050
Additional Comments:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What I have come up with so far: (Revised Build)

Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 - $120 when bundled with a mobo
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO LGA 1155 Z68 ATX Intel Motherboard - $209
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364206

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) - $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233144

CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC PSU - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Apps I use most often:
Windows7 - Ultimate
Norton Security Suite
Corel Paintshop Pro X4 - photo editing
Adobe Photoshop - photo editing
Picasa 3 - photo cataloging/editing
Roxio Creator - Video editing/Music editing/MP3 creation