New Build... Shooting in the Dark

[taylorjes]

So I'm looking to finally pull the trigger on a new build.... I'm a college student and recently my computers have been less than mentionable... I am looking at the following build and need advice...

Intel Q6600
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
Antec EarthWatts 650w

I don't know much about graphic cards and that probably saying too much... I would like to get a good direction for chosing a decent card within the next few weeks... I am an avid console guy (only b/c I've never had a PC worth playing on) and I probably won't have any major uses for a good card up front, however... my wife is aspiring to be a photographer and as of right now she does most of her work on campus in there labs (which probably only beat me out by a bit) I would like for her to be able to do her work on this rig... and I'll probably want to do some gaming when I realize how 20th century my current computer is... well, there you have it... a newbie to guide in the ways of the force... now FIGHT!!!

 

[gkay09]

what is the budget u are willing to spend?

 

[taylorjes]

at the moment I've probably got $150 max... I don't know if I need to spend that??

 

[gkay09]

I assume u are willing to spend $150 on the Graphice right?
If so go for tis...

SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $144.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

 

[taylorjes]

I've heard great things about SAPPHIRE and the reading I've been doing (right now) is leaning me toward Radeon mostly because the bang-for-the-buck is greater... I guess my follow-up question is does my overall setup make sense?? I'll admit that I have little to no experience with building computers I'm more of a software guy and I would like to learn alot... I'm going with intel only because I've read mixed things about amd... thanks for your prompt response

 

[theAnimal]

So I'm looking to finally pull the trigger on a new build.... I'm a college student and recently my computers have been less than mentionable... I am looking at the following build and need advice...

Intel Q6600
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
Antec EarthWatts 650w

I don't know much about graphic cards and that probably saying too much... I would like to get a good direction for chosing a decent card within the next few weeks... I am an avid console guy (only b/c I've never had a PC worth playing on) and I probably won't have any major uses for a good card up front, however... my wife is aspiring to be a photographer and as of right now she does most of her work on campus in there labs (which probably only beat me out by a bit) I would like for her to be able to do her work on this rig... and I'll probably want to do some gaming when I realize how 20th century my current computer is... well, there you have it... a newbie to guide in the ways of the force... now FIGHT!!!

Q9300 is $170 @ microcenter.

What resolution do you use?