Need advice on a graphics card for my first build!

[jakethesnake21]

Ok, so I'm building my first gaming rig on a pretty small budget of 700 bucks. I really don't want to go over that price of 700 but if I must I suppose I shall. I've been doing a lot of research on different builds with a budget and so far newegg has been pretty good with the combo deals for cutting prices down on individual parts.

Here is what I have so far, I'm just stuck at what video card I should use.

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $17.99

NZXT Source 210 S210-002 White w/Black Front Trim “Aluminum Brush / Plastic” ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $39.99

Logitech K120 Black USB Wired Standard Keyboard - $13.99

CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9B - $24.99

ASRock H77M LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - $84.99

Samsung by Seagate Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ/ST500DM005 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

+
CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139027 - both HD and PSU are combo deal of $129.98

Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120

+
CORSAIR CWCH60 Hydro Series H60 High Performance Liquid CPU Cooler - both CPU and CPU liquid cooler combo deal of $172.98

all of this together comes to a toal of $507.44 (including shipping).

My question is what kind of graphics card should I get. I am looking to do some work in photoshop/video editing. Nothing too serious just something to do on the side. I also want a computer that can handle Skyrim at pretty good settings, doesn't have to be performing perfectly just enough to play comfortably in most high end games.

I chose the Intel I3-2120 over a cheaper amd processor because I figured Intel is the way to go if I plan on upgrading later. I also read that it runs cooler.

So far the evga gtx 560 looks affordable at $189.99. I've never built a computer before so I'm not too sure. I was considering the gtx 550ti but I've read that I should probably just cough up a little more for a better card that will last me longer.

Any suggestions on my build, or what graphics card I should be looking into would be greatly appreciated.

 

[carlosb]

A gtx 560 (non-ti) should do very nicely for skyrim. However your cpu looks short on performance if you're planning on heavy video editing and also the fact that skyrim is very cpu demanding. I'd say it meets expectations but i'd go for a better performing ivy bridge one, since they also have quick sync.

 

[dudewitbow]

the liquid cooler is EXTREMELY unnecessary. in a budget build, air cooling is all you need unless you have a cpu that can be overclocked, then you may need a dedicated cooler

 

[jakethesnake21]

So the gtx 560 is a good pick?

Since the liquid cooler is uneccesary, what do you recommend?

Also, should I push for a Intel-I5?

 

[Unolocogringo]

The stock cooler will be fine. Unless you live in the desert with no air conditioning.
Spend the money saved on a better cpu or video card.
With the money saved on the cooler maybe a I5 2400 or 560TI viodeo card would be possible.
If you really want to upgrade the cooler an inexpencive Cooler master 212 will keep every stock CPU nice and cool with almost no noise for about $30.00 US.

 

[jakethesnake21]

I live in Las Vegas hehe, I have air conditioning but sometimes at night it gets really hot.

 

[carlosb]

So the gtx 560 is a good pick?

Since the liquid cooler is uneccesary, what do you recommend?

Also, should I push for a Intel-I5?

The gtx 560 is a good pick, but like the others said: scrap the cooler and push for a better cpu. Afterwards if you feel your cpu is getting too hot, then you can always buy something like the coolermaster hyper 212+.
My reccomendation for a cpu is the Ivy Bridge 3450. Ivy Bridges have Quick Sync which help when doing things like video conversion. This cpu should be the equivalent to the i5-2400 and is faster by a little bit.
Hope it helps
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116506

 

[jakethesnake21]

Ok I changed up the cooler/CPU for the Ivy Bridge 3450. Now I have to decide on a graphics card.

Are there any other cards besides the gtx 560 that would fulfill my needs at a cheaper price?

 

[dudewitbow]

Ok I changed up the cooler/CPU for the Ivy Bridge 3450. Now I have to decide on a graphics card.

Are there any other cards besides the gtx 560 that would fulfill my needs at a cheaper price?

Nvidia Wise from 100-250(super clocked varients lie slightly above the original):
550ti(120)<gtx 460(130)<gtx 560(180)<Gtx 560ti(220)=GTX 480(230)<Gtx 560ti448(290)[though newegg has a open box msi 560ti448 for 225$ atm]<low end gtx 570 models(300)

AMD wise from 100-250(OC varients lie slightly above original):
6770(115)<7770(135)<6850(150)[note the gigabyte is 160 with a 12% off deal at the moment]<6870(180)<6950(sapphire has one atm at 200)<7850(250)

Nvidia tends to have more stable cards and drivers, some models running hotter than others and tend to have a bit more support in games, and has the ability to become a physx card, AMD's crossfire scales better, tends to overclock better(especially the 7k series) and include free copies of dirt 3/showdown

example of AMDS 6870 and Nvidia's gtx 560 here which explains the statement where i said that some games prefer nvidias card over amd in certain situations pretty well, even though the 6870 has a good start through crysis, and metro 2033, 2 of the most demanding games graphics wise.

 

[carlosb]

The 560 is more than enough for your needs. If you want to go for a lesser card like the 550 ti then go for it. I would go for the the 560 since it has cuda and amd doesnt. Nvidia is also more stable with its drivers