Planning my first PC build: 1080p gaming + Photo/Video Editing

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wirewick

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Apr 14, 2014
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Hello Forum:
I am getting ready to build a PC for everyday use. My most intensive activity at the moment is photo editing and my current machine is holding me back.

My plan is to build a nice computer to run through a 1080p native display (maybe 1440p but nothing more). I don't want to go overboard. My budget ceiling is $1500 though I would be more than happy to save some of that if I can build to me needs for less.

On a gaming note, I don't do much nowadays. I played CS back in the day and I may try some newer games out but I dont need excessive frame rates or resolution capabilities.

I dont know much about computer components but I was looking at a Geforce 750 because it seems to be a good deal. With that, probably a decent i5/i7, 16gigs of ram and an SSD on 64bit Windows 7. Anything beyond that regarding PSU wattage, cooling, case designs etc. is a language I dont speak

Any advice including a more comprehensive build recommendation (Need recommendations for everything) is much appreciated, thanks.
 
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DonkeyOatie
Unless there are threshold limits, CPUs are all about price/performance. The 4790K is 600 Mhz faster than the Xeon; about 17.5%, and costs about $75 more; about 31%. The motherboard I selected is not intended for overclocking, so that cost must be factored in too, and the aftermarket CPU cooler.

The ability to overclock with this sort of system requires a robust PSU, which is included, motherboard, CPU, memory, and CPU cooler. Making this allowance from the start will cost about $150.

mATX will SLI just fine PROVIDED that you have a Z97 board so that you have x8 PCIe connections to the slot for your second card. The H97 board I suggested is only x4 and is unsuitable for SLI. I chose an mATX for maximum case flexibility and it's...
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

Champion
Sep 16, 2014
12,141
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Hello

Some recommendations, like case, are a matter of personal taste. You seem to be on the right track. PCpartpicker is an excellent sandbox.

Here's a possible system, with budget choices in mind (like I'm spending MY money, not yours :) )

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($242.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Team Vulcan 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($124.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($104.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($77.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec GX500 ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($13.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($38.28 @ OutletPC)
Total: $986.13
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-23 10:18 EST-0500

Do you need a monitor? If so, just how good?

Explanation.

The Xeon is a non-overclockable, non-iGPU i7, but cheaper and gives 4 cores and Hyperthreading (four extra virtual cores) Stock cooler is fine.
Good motherboard will go up to 32GB and will handle any single GPU.
Enough memory, at 1600 speed and 9 latency. Can be doubled as a later upgrade.
SSD for OS and apps.
HDD for storage. Only you know how much you need. You can add a couple more.
A good, low power requirement mid-range GPU. You have the budget for any single card you want.
A decent, basic case with good build and heat management. I would not spend more than $50, but there are plenty of choices. To your personal taste.
Power supply is huge overkill, but it's the cheapest best available and semi-modular to help the build. (It's a price choice, not a power choice)
Windows 8.1 is more efficient than 7.
WiFi in case you need it and ODD in case you need it too.
 
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wirewick

Honorable
Apr 14, 2014
43
0
10,530
Thanks much.
To answer your question, yes I will need a monitor. I am thinking 1080p native 27" (I don't like to sit too close to the screen). I haven't done much research yet and my budget is as of yet undeclared.

A few things regarding your build recommendation.
Do you think its worth it to go for an i7 like the 4790k? I don't have current plans to overlock and as of now Id rather not get into complicated cooling setups. I guess I will have to decide if I want something to accommodate that type of setup later on. The Xeon does seem pretty good for the price. I did not see that during my research so thanks for pointing it out.

Also is there any benefit to going to a full size ATX card besides SLI capabilities?

And finally would it be a mistake to go with Windows 7? I don't really like the live tiles and complication that comes with 8/8.1.

Thanks again
 
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DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

Champion
Sep 16, 2014
12,141
1
50,960
Unless there are threshold limits, CPUs are all about price/performance. The 4790K is 600 Mhz faster than the Xeon; about 17.5%, and costs about $75 more; about 31%. The motherboard I selected is not intended for overclocking, so that cost must be factored in too, and the aftermarket CPU cooler.

The ability to overclock with this sort of system requires a robust PSU, which is included, motherboard, CPU, memory, and CPU cooler. Making this allowance from the start will cost about $150.

mATX will SLI just fine PROVIDED that you have a Z97 board so that you have x8 PCIe connections to the slot for your second card. The H97 board I suggested is only x4 and is unsuitable for SLI. I chose an mATX for maximum case flexibility and it's all you need.

Windows 8.1 is more efficient than 7. I'm running it on my new system here and it's one click from the start screen to a Windows 7-like desktop, where I do all my work. I know I can configure it so that it boots to that desktop. I'll do that some day.

There are plenty of good monitors in the $200 - 250 range at that size (I'm using a 26" at about 30" away) an I suggest that you look at IPS for the improved viewing angle. 60Hz+, 5ms or less latency, and brightness 250 or more for a start.
 
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