$1000 PC for photography

luisico

Distinguished
Apr 23, 2009
3
0
18,510
Hi all, I am looking to build a new computer. This will be the first time I do a complete system, although I have some experience repairing PCs. All comments are welcome, thanks in advance for your help.

Best,
Luis

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: asap, before end Oct

BUDGET RANGE: around $1000

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: photography (lightroom & photoshop), general desktop use

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com, any reputable seller is ok

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: quiet

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (not initially)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
*I would like a quiet PC.
*Would like to leave room for a 2nd gpu upgrade if budget allows.
* Thinking of getting Windows 7 Professional OEM, but might wait a bit and use XP for now.

PARTS:
Antec P183 Black Aluminum / Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129061
$139.99 after rebates

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
$54.99

HIS H467PS1GH Radeon HD 4670 iSilence4 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161288
$82.99 after rebates

Antec TruePower New TP-650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371021
$84.99 after rebates

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303
$94.99

GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128400Intel Core i7-860
$169.99 (-$30 combo with processor) = $139.99

Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214
$289.99


ALTERNATIVES:
MOBO:
ASUS P7P55D PRO LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131405
$169.99 (-$25 combo with processor) = $144.99

I'm very confused between Gigabyte and Asus. I've consider P7P55D and GA-P55-UD3R as well, but for $20-25 I think is worth having the SLI/Crossfire option and firewire.

CASE:
COOLER MASTER Sileo 500 RC-500-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC Body ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119192
Cheaper and smaller, but not so good reviews as the P183. I figured a good case can always be reused.
 

luisico

Distinguished
Apr 23, 2009
3
0
18,510
Hi,

most probably won't add one. But In my work gpu computing is big and I would like to give me the option of getting two nvidia with cuda capabilities in the future if necessary. Te mobo I choosed is only $20 over its brother GA-P55-UD3R, a small price I'm willing to pay.
I don't game.

Thanks
Luis
 

luisico

Distinguished
Apr 23, 2009
3
0
18,510
Thanks for the advice.

Actually, the Seasonic was in my list. It has great reviews, but as you say, pricey. Others in my list were:

$120 Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024
$130 CORSAIR CMPSU-650HX 650W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

with the CP-850 as my second choice due to its pairing with the Antec 183 case. But that's too much power and $45 extra.

I'm not planning on overclocking, but I'm a bit worried about the Foxconn sockets on this mobos. Anybody knows about the warranty given by asus and gigabyte?

Thanks,
Luis