Photo & Video Editing Overhaul for Photographer Comments/Advice

cknwaves

Reputable
Jan 8, 2015
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I'm in the U.S.running a 5-7yr old build in need of a serious overhaul. My primary use is photo editing (LR5 and PSE 11). I also edit personal DSLR and GoPro Hero3+ video in Sony Vegas 11 Platinum. I enjoy games but this would be tertiary.

Budget: around $799. I'm looking to make purchases in the next week or so to get any kinks ironed out before work picks up in late February.

I do not plan to replace my OS, monitor, or case anytime soon. PSU only if necessary.

I'm looking for longevity, stability, and ability to upgrade around the motherboard/CPU setup in the future. I don't care about pretty lights or color coordinating components. I don't overclock but I may in the future (with the 4790K on turbo, 4.4GHZ should feel blazing fast compared to now).

I'm looking at a mid-range NVIDIA GPU with no intention of using SLI.

CURRENT setup:

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium (up to date)
Motherboard: Asus P5N-D
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.6GHZ (E6750)
CPU Cooling: RocketFish Universal Cooler for LGA 775
Memory: Hyper X 4x2GB DDR2 1066
GPU: PNY GeForce 8600GT overclocked 512MB DDR3
HDD: WD Blue 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0
Monitor: (1) 19" Westinghouse 1280x1024 LED
PSU: Ultra ULT-VX 700W (2yrs old)
Storage: 1.5TB, 3TB, & 4TB External WD MyBooks (all USB 3 but motherboard only supports USB 2)
Case: an Ultra mid-tower ATX (sorry, no clue on the model) with two front USB connectors

I would like to apologize in advance for not providing links. I originally had them but I kept getting a "enter a 3 word title" (even though I did) and it wouldn't let me post. I read the thread about number strings in the body possibly triggering it so I removed the links.

UPGRADE for photo and video editing:

Motherboard: Asus Z97-AR ($149.99 @ TigerDirect)

CPU: Intel Core i7 4790K ($338.75 before $20 rebate @ Outlet PC)

CPU Cooling: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO ($36.75 before $8 rebate @ Outlet PC) Just saw a post on here about similar options other than this.

Memory: G. Skill Ripjaws X series 2x8GB DDR3 2400 ($139.99 @ Newegg)

GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 750Ti Superclocked 2GB GDDR5 128bit ($149.99 before $20 rebate @ Newegg)

In a month or so I plan to add a SSD to run OS and programs.

Total Cost after mail-in rebates: $767.47

I'm not stuck on the Asus Z97-AR but feel I should go with the Z97 chipset. If you are aware of something around the same price point but performs better for my needs, I'm all ears.

Future upgrades would be a larger case, a new psu, and a liquid cooling system when I decide to overclock.

Thank-you in advance for taking the time to give your thoughts! I do appreciate it.