Photo edit/gaming rig

[bd6]

Hello,
I'm looking to build a system to do photoshop photo editing and some gaming. I'd like to stick to the AMD line up for budget reasons. I only need:
1. processor
2. MB
3. RAM
4. Power Supply
I can figure out the rest. Would like to stick within ~$400 (negotiable) for these components.

Plan on installing W7 64 bit, would prefer to have 8GB+ of RAM.

Usually order from Newegg, open to other vendors if they have as good a service and cheaper...

thanks!

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Getting quality components with 8GB of RAM at your budget isn't going to happen. Here's some component suggestions:

AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103702

GIGABYTE GA-770TA-UD3 AM3 AMD 770 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128419

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.381925 $198.98 - $10.00 MIR (CPU + motherboard combo)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303&cm_re=g.skill_ddr3_1600_cas_7_4gb-_-20-231-303-_-Product $119.99

Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371020&cm_re=antec_550-_-17-371-020-_-Product $89.99 - $20.00 MIR

Total - $408.96 - $30.00 MIR's

You haven't really given us enough information to make good suggestions. It's really hard to recommend a PSU without knowing what GPU it's going to be powering and what the future requirements of the system are. It would help a lot if you would give us all the information in the "How to ask for new build advice" sticky.

 

[bd6]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (e.g.: this week (the closer the better))
- Within next Month, can wait if new tech coming to reduce prices
BUDGET RANGE: (e.g.: 600-800) Before / After Rebates
- As stated, would prefer to pay ~$600 (added 2 components), but to add, if it costs more to do it right - 6GB+ of RAM costs more than this, it's negotiable.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (e.g.: Folding@Home, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies) :
-Gaming (RTS & FPS - maybe not crysis level) and >=CS4 gaming and editing used equally.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS) **Include Power Supply Make & Model If Re-using**
-Same as before:
1. Processor
2. MB
3. RAM (will most likely pick off certified RAM list, but open for suggestions)
4. PS: Looking more for manufacturer fav's, I understand it must be mated to the graphics card.
5. Case, I'll add case, curious what's out there.
6. Graphics card - $100-150 range, prefer Nvidia
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (e.g.: newegg.com, ncix.com -- to show us selection & pricing) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: (e.g.: Grand Fenwick)
-As stated, NEWEGG.

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Biostar mobo with a 24" LCD and full tower case)
-prefer ASUS MB, but seems like Gigabyte has somewhat of a following here, open for suggestions.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes / No / Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes / No / Maybe
-not a huge fan of OC'ing. So 'maybe'.
MONITOR RESOLUTION: (e.g.: 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200)
- I have a 24" samsung, on it's native res. I believe its 1920x1080
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC)
-$400 was/is a hope.
-Graphics with AMD system, is there yet any benefit to using an ATI card with an AMD system? Otherwise, would prefer nVidia.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You could use the components I suggested above and buy two of those RAM kits. If you add this GPU the total would be $708.94 - $30 MIR's.

ZOTAC ZT-X26E3KM-FSP GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500160&cm_re=gtx_260-_-14-500-160-_-Product $179.99

 

[bd6]

What's the deal with USB 3.0? Are there any MB's that have it? When should we expect it, should one wait for it?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The motherboard I suggested above supports both USB 3.0 and SATA 6Gb/s.

 

[bd6]

wow. missed that on first scan.... not sure how now that I reviewed it again...
great pick! [:mohsentux:7]

 

[bd6]

One more thing, anyone have problems with Antec power supplies and caps blowing still?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Nope, Antec are some of the best PSU's available now. The new TP series are excellent. No quality worries there!

 

[bd6]

Thanks for the excellent advice.

I'm looking at the RAM certification list, not trying to check you, just curious what configurations they back up and seeing this:

"DDR3 2200 (downgrade to DDR31866 Only support DIMM3,DIMM4)"

Guessing DIMM3,DIMM4 means they only suggest installing in those RAM slots...
But downgrade to DDR3 1866? I'm guessing they want you to set it in the bios to be 1866? Will there be a future bios upgrade to allow to run at 2200? What/why/when is going on here?

 

[bd6]

I have a configuration question.

I have a firegl v7600 workstation card. I'd like to install it on a separate install as the nvidia card you suggested.

So when I want to do solid modeling, I run one OS install, when I want to game or photoedit, I run a different OS install.

Is this possible, and what MB would allow me to do this? I can repost as a separate thread if necessary.