- Nov 13, 2012
- 8
- 0
- 10,510
Hi all,
I'm embarking on my first adventure in computer building. I'm learning what I can, but I could use advice, criticism, and cries of "Oh, dear god! What are you doing?" to steer me in the right direction. 😉 You folks seem incredibly knowledgeable, and I'd love to have your input.
-------------------------------------------------
Approximate Purchase Date: I plan to buy this week or early next. While buying during Black Friday makes sense, I don't have the option of waiting, unfortunately.
Budget Range: My budget has a little flex room, but I'm aiming for approximately $1300-1500 after rebates and shipping costs.
System Usage: I'm building this machine for two uses: gaming (after ten years of laptops, I'd love to play something like Skyrim on high-end settings with postprocessing, for example), and for heavy photo-editing with Photoshop and Lightroom as well as graphic design work with InDesign and Illustrator.
Are you buying a monitor: No. I have one.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, I need to buy an OS. However, I figured I'd so using student discounts unless someone knows where to get a good deal on Windows 8.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I am familiar with Newegg but open to alternatives, of course.
Location: I'm near Chicago, Illinois, U.S. However, I don't have any way to get to Chicago, so my ordering will likely have to be online.
Parts Preferences: I'm open to suggestions. Intel preferred.
Overclocking: Probably.
SLI or Crossfire: Probably not, unless there's a clear benefit for me given my system usage above.
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080.
Additional Comments: I'd like a quiet(ish) PC. Software: Lightroom, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator. Games: Skyrim, Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, and a plethora of older games. What else to tell? I kind of like nifty cases, and that may be a tendency someone should quash if it's for my own good. 😉
Why Are You Upgrading: I've been using a laptop for ten years. I can't do much of anything on it. Because I love to learn about technology, it's time to build something myself.
-------------------------------------------------
Although I've looked around, I haven't seen many builds that stress both gaming and graphic design, so that's an area of curiosity for me. Here's what I've got, if it's at all helpful as a starting place.
PCPartPicker List
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.29 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($518.49 @ Newegg) [$20.00 mail-in rebate]
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.59 after shipping @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Base Total: $1287.54
Mail-in Rebates: -$20.00
Shipping: $34.75
Total: $1302.29
-------------------------------------------------
So that's what I've got. Thanks again for any criticism and suggestions.
I'm embarking on my first adventure in computer building. I'm learning what I can, but I could use advice, criticism, and cries of "Oh, dear god! What are you doing?" to steer me in the right direction. 😉 You folks seem incredibly knowledgeable, and I'd love to have your input.
-------------------------------------------------
Approximate Purchase Date: I plan to buy this week or early next. While buying during Black Friday makes sense, I don't have the option of waiting, unfortunately.
Budget Range: My budget has a little flex room, but I'm aiming for approximately $1300-1500 after rebates and shipping costs.
System Usage: I'm building this machine for two uses: gaming (after ten years of laptops, I'd love to play something like Skyrim on high-end settings with postprocessing, for example), and for heavy photo-editing with Photoshop and Lightroom as well as graphic design work with InDesign and Illustrator.
Are you buying a monitor: No. I have one.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, I need to buy an OS. However, I figured I'd so using student discounts unless someone knows where to get a good deal on Windows 8.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I am familiar with Newegg but open to alternatives, of course.
Location: I'm near Chicago, Illinois, U.S. However, I don't have any way to get to Chicago, so my ordering will likely have to be online.
Parts Preferences: I'm open to suggestions. Intel preferred.
Overclocking: Probably.
SLI or Crossfire: Probably not, unless there's a clear benefit for me given my system usage above.
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080.
Additional Comments: I'd like a quiet(ish) PC. Software: Lightroom, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator. Games: Skyrim, Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, and a plethora of older games. What else to tell? I kind of like nifty cases, and that may be a tendency someone should quash if it's for my own good. 😉
Why Are You Upgrading: I've been using a laptop for ten years. I can't do much of anything on it. Because I love to learn about technology, it's time to build something myself.
-------------------------------------------------
Although I've looked around, I haven't seen many builds that stress both gaming and graphic design, so that's an area of curiosity for me. Here's what I've got, if it's at all helpful as a starting place.
PCPartPicker List
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.29 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($518.49 @ Newegg) [$20.00 mail-in rebate]
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.59 after shipping @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Base Total: $1287.54
Mail-in Rebates: -$20.00
Shipping: $34.75
Total: $1302.29
-------------------------------------------------
So that's what I've got. Thanks again for any criticism and suggestions.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram