~ $1000 Photoshop/design computer

[ndaman]

My wife is a graphic designer, her old Dell just isn't going to cut it anymore. We'd like to get her a new system for her design work. We probably won't do very much gaming on it, certainly no new or fancy games, but we would want this to be able to run some decent games as well. Anyway, on to the proper format:

Approx. Purchase Date: Next couple of weeks

Budget Range: ~$1000 (build shown is $1100, looking to trim that down)

System Usage: Photoshop, possibly video editing, light gaming

Parts not required: none, we'll need to buy the whole thing

Preferred websites: amazon or newegg

Additional comments: I've built and overclocked a computer before, I'm not really afraid of anything in that regard, but I am out of the loop and I want to make sure I'm not getting something overkill in one area and not good enough in another.

CPU: Phenom II X6 1090T ($229)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FVI2KQ/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Motherboard: ASRock 890fx Deluxe 3 ($149.99)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003M0P4VA/ref=ord_cart_shr

Monitor: ViewSonic 22-inch LED ($159.00)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003HFCDLY/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Case: Sonata Elite (93.99)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NLX1LK/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Graphics Card: Radeon HD 5670 (79.99)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033WSDNS/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

PSU: Antec EarthWatts 650W (69.99)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HEZFZO/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

HD: Western Digital 1TB Caviar Green (62.99)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002U1N95K/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Memory: 8 GB (2x4) G Skill DDR3 1333 (89.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

Optical Drive: Samsung Blu-Ray (69.99)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0032XJDJ6/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Keyboard: Microsoft Curve 2000 (15.93)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009ZBRS0/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Mouse: Logitech optical mouse (12.46)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RHV46U/ref=ord_cart_shr

Speakers: Logitech 17W 2.1 (27.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014

Total: 1063.09 ( shipping)

We have amazon prime, so most of the shipping will be free. Anyway, let me know if this looks good, un-balanced, or overkill. Thanks!

 

[Maziar]

Welcome to the forums!
The specs are great
The only thing that's worth the change is the case IMO.
Get Cooler Master HAF 932(if you need a full tower case)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&cm_re=cooler_master_HAF-_-11-119-160-_-Product
Or HAF 922(If you need a mid-tower case)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197&cm_re=cooler_master_HAF-_-11-119-197-_-Product
Both of them have better airflow than the one you originally chose.

 

[ndaman]

Thanks for the reply! I went with the Sonata Elite based almost entirely on looks, (this computer is going to be mostly for my wife). Is there a case with good airflow that has more of a smooth look like the Sonata? Also, how much would the Sonata airflow hurt me in this system? Thanks for the input!

 

[Maziar]

I'm not sure about their quality but i don't think its a top notch brand such as Thermaltake or CoolerMaster.
Thermaltake V9 is also good
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133074

 

[jaguarskx]

My wife is a graphic designer, her old Dell just isn't going to cut it anymore...

Monitor: ViewSonic 22-inch LED ($159.00)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003HFCDLY/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Wow, you wife is a graphics designer and you wanna buy a cheap LCD monitor using a TN panel? TN panels are known for inaccurate colors and poor viewing angles.

 

[ndaman]

Hehe, I know nothing about monitors, I thought I was going with something good with the LED back-lights. I'm not set on that size either, I don't really know how big of a monitor she'll need. Any recommendations for a better monitor that isn't too much more?

 

[mosox]

Some other good case:
http://www.amazon.com/LANCOOL-PC-K58W-STEEL-TOWER-RETAIL/dp/B00305MB54/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1290715646&sr=8-1-catcorr

This monitor is better
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=usl=en&cs=19&sku=320-9270

Better HDD
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-Cache-Desktop-HD103SJ/dp/B001U3S5S0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1290715403&sr=1-1

mobo
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Socket-CrossFireX-Motherboard-GA-880GA-UD3H/dp/B003KISY5M/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1290715915&sr=1-6

Better get it from newegg because of the combo deals and mail rebates for instance a combo with a cheaper CPU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.543298

 

[ndaman]

Thanks for the great tips! I did a quick update on Newegg and came up with this:

Case: Lian Li lancool PCK85W (79.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112238

Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor (159.99) **Is this any better than the other? The Dell Monitor was about double the price, how much of a difference will it make?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236100

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD5670 (79.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102871

Speakers: Logitech S-220 17W 2.1 (27.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121014

Memory: G-Skill 2x4 GB (89.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

Optical Drive: Samsung BLU-RAY Combo drive (69.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151199

PSU: Corsair 650W ATX 12V (*combo, see next)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.556746

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint 1TB 7200 RPM (139.98 combo w/ prev.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.556746

Keyboard/Mouse Combo: Microsoft Curve 2000, Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical (23.98)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.540770

CPU: AMD Phenom II x6 1075T (combo)
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-880GA (294.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.543298

Total: 980.43 (shipped, plus $50 MIR, and a $20 gift card)

How's that? I really appreciate all the great tips, any suggestions on a monitor? The one here is pretty cheap, I'd like to keep it under $250, but if I understood the necessity a bit better, $320 for that Dell Monitor wouldn't be too bad.

 

[ndaman]

I've been trying to do some research on monitors, is this one any better?
http://www.macmall.com/p/6262305?dpno=8235357&source=MWBgooglebase

 

[mosox]

Does she need 8G of RAM?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277
Skip the blu ray, you can get later a better one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.548322

Bigger monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236095

For the games a HD 5770 or at least a 5750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102873
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102859&cm_re=hd_5750_sapphire-_-14-102-859-_-Product


LE: Nope, it's open box, get a regular TN panel if that's your budget, Asus are good.

 

[ndaman]

Best answer selected by ndaman.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar