Tweek My Configuration-Multimedia & Gaming-Quiet

[explorerlyon]

Please tweek my build. I am a novice and welcome your suggestions. I have no idea what video card to choose. Am I missing anyting? Are these parts compatable?

Use: Home pc for photo editing (lightroom), video editing (Adobe Premiere Elements), some gaming (minecraft). The only game my son plays on the PC now is Minecraft. I could see him wanting to play more games in the future. I have never overclocked but willing to give it a try.

Priorities: PC must be quiet and look stylish. I chose the micro case because this will sit on the desktop and I prefer something smaller. Did I mention quiet!

Already Have: Crucial SSD 256mb sata III and two WD 640gb hdd, Windows 7 pro x64, keyboard & mouse.

Budget: Under $1,000. I would spend more if there is a good reason to. Would love to spend less.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ExK2

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($93.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $848.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-19 11:58 EST-0500)

 

[excella1221]

Looks good to me. Won't personally change anything anymore unless your son suddenly decides to play graphic-intensive games, though on that note, the 7850 should still perform fairly well and there are only a few games it'll have trouble handling.

 

[explorerlyon]

For RAM, am I better off with 2x8=16 or 4x4=16? Does it make a performance difference?

 

[g-unit1111]

For RAM, am I better off with 2x8=16 or 4x4=16? Does it make a performance difference?

Not really. If you're going to do photo editing I'd suggest an NVIDIA 660 over a 7850. You will benefit more from the added CUDA and Phys X hardware acceleration. Otherwise everything looks good.

 

[explorerlyon]

Not really. If you're going to do photo editing I'd suggest an NVIDIA 660 over a 7850. You will benefit more from the added CUDA and Phys X hardware acceleration. Otherwise everything looks good.

Thank you. Do you have a suggestion on which brand card for the NVIDIA 660? Prices seem to range from $220 - $300 for the various 660s.

 

[g-unit1111]

Thank you. Do you have a suggestion on which brand card for the NVIDIA 660? Prices seem to range from $220 - $300 for the various 660s.

Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130826

Or this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127699

 

[excella1221]

For RAM, am I better off with 2x8=16 or 4x4=16? Does it make a performance difference?

No noticeable performance difference, but I'd get the 2 DIMMs if I were you. More room for upgrades and space in the case in general, and less chances of sticks failing(though unlikely).