Workstation Build

[vlanctot]

Hi I am building a workstation that will primarily be used for editing digital (RAW) images. I won't be gaming much on this build, only browser games and maybe skyrim in my spare time.

In order of importance: RAW image editing > netflix/prime streaming > web browsing > skyrim

I will be using mostly Adobe Lightroom and some Photoshop, but want a system that will be quick in LR moving lots of pictures around etc. I am using a dual-core laptop at the moment and it is too slow for what I need, but gets the trick done for the time being.

Here is the build I came up with, my budget is $1000 tops. The build I came up with is more, only because I included the monitor with it.

I am looking for suggestions to be more cost effective while not sacrificing performance. I didn't include a CPU fan/heatsink, but is it necessary? I won't be overclocking much, if any.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.93 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($101.87 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($196.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech MK520 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1255.66
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[manofchalk]

That is actually fairly well made, no issues whatsoever with it. You'v done your research.
Only thing I would add is a 212 EVO or something similar so you can overclock that 8350.

To reduce price here's what I would do.
Swap the HDD to this Seagate Barracuda.
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351401525&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=Seagate+Barracda
Or this 2TB Seagate that costs the same as the 1TB WD.
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-ST2000DM001-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal/dp/B005T3GRN2/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351401525&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=Seagate+Barracda

Downgrade the PSU to this XFX 550W. It will still be enough for this rig (just dont try Crossfire/SLI)
XFX 550W, 80+ Bronze. $70 ($10 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013&Tpk=xfx%20550W

Its cheaper to get a 2x8GB kit than a 4x4GB kit of RAM. Though you will have a slightly higher CAS latency (very small performance loss)
G.Skill Ares 16GB (2x8GB) 1600Mhz CL10 1.5v. $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231558
Also give you better upgradability later (though you will need Win Professional to use 16GB+ of system memory).

 

[Kamen_BG]

Hi. I made you a much better build that is also very future proof.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3820 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: EVGA 151-SE-E777-K2 EATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($25.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.93 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($101.87 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.08 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VS239H-P 23.0" Monitor ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($91.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech MK520 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1230.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[excella1221]

That is actually fairly well made, no issues whatsoever with it. You'v done your research.
Only thing I would add is a 212 EVO or something similar so you can overclock that 8350.

To reduce price here's what I would do.
Swap the HDD to this Seagate Barracuda.
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal-ST1000DM003/dp/B005T3GRNW/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351401525&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=Seagate+Barracda
Or this 2TB Seagate that costs the same as the 1TB WD.
http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-ST2000DM001-Barracuda-3-5-Inch-Internal/dp/B005T3GRN2/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1351401525&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=Seagate+Barracda

Downgrade the PSU to this XFX 550W. It will still be enough for this rig (just dont try Crossfire/SLI)
XFX 550W, 80+ Bronze. $70 ($10 rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013&Tpk=xfx%20550W

Its cheaper to get a 2x8GB kit than a 4x4GB kit of RAM. Though you will have a slightly higher CAS latency (very small performance loss)
G.Skill Ares 16GB (2x8GB) 1600Mhz CL10 1.5v. $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231558
Also give you better upgradability later (though you will need Win Professional to use 16GB+ of system memory).

+1 to this.
Here's a CL9 though http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231606&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Also, you can save ~$50 if you get the 8320 instead. It's easily overclockable anyway.

 

[vlanctot]

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I will make those minor adjustments and probably just get Win7 Pro, so I don't have to worry about upgrading that later.

 

[vlanctot]

Best answer selected by vlanctot.