~$500 First Build (Micro ATX): "Jack of all trades, master of none"

I'm looking to build a PC based around the "Jack of all trades, master of none" figure of speech. I'm planning on using this PC for some personal projects that require audio recording, video editing, and minor graphic design, while at the same time I'd like to keep my options open for very minor gaming down the line. This may come across as naive or quixotic, but I'm well aware that within this price range, I won't end up with a PC that performs like a beast at any one of these tasks, let alone all of them. I'm just looking for a build that can perform decently for my various needs, while still fitting within my limited budget. I think it's possible

Approximate Purchase Date: This weekend.

Budget Range: ~$450 ideally, but up to $500 if needed.

System Notes:

• My audio interface uses FireWire (it's an M-Audio ProFire 2626), so I'll need a PCIE FireWire card I believe right?
• At some point I'll want another optical drive to burn more CDs/DVDs, but one is fine for now, though I'd still like the case to have two 5.25" drive bays for when I eventually do buy another drive.

 
System Usage from Most to Least Important:

• Audio recording (Pro Tools M-Powered 8, Reason)
• Video editing (Final Cut Express)
• Graphic design (Photoshop and Illustrator CS5)
• Very minor gaming (Steam: Super Meat Boy, TF2, possibly Mass Effect and Civ 5 down the line whenever I get a graphics card.)

• Mouse - Logitech Wireless Mouse (not sure what kind, it has a nano receiver)
• Speakers - I mostly use headphones and for mixing I'll be using my band's monitors.
• Monitor - Dell 2209WAf (DVI and VGA)
• OS - Windows Vista (Thinking of getting Windows 7, or should I just wait for Windows 8 at this point?)

 
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: www.newegg.com

Country of Origin: USA
 
Parts Preferences: AMD (mostly to keep price down since it's less expensive than Intel I believe?) None!
 
Overclocking: Maybe
 
SLI or Crossfire: No
 
Monitor Resolution: 1680 x 1050

Since you're doing recording and stuff you might want a bigger HDD. I don't know anything about the file sizes and stuff you're dealing with, but doubling the size of your drive for $15 seems like a good idea.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185

Just a suggestion, I'd recommend theRosewill R-101/102 case for $29.99 over the apex, because of the better fans


If you think you'll be gaming, consider getting an i3-2100 and a HD6790

Do you think I'll end up needing 650w? I used this PSU calculator and I got around 350w after adding in a Radeon HD 5770. I know it's a mistake to skimp out on the PSU, but I'm not sure if I'll ever utilize 650w when I think about it. Would the Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W for $49.99 work?

I did read in a Tom's article that an i3 is really good for gaming (I forget which article though), but would I benefit more from 4 cores when rendering video and recording than if I only had 2? Or does it not really work like that?

^ The i3 2100 is a good gaming build CPU as games still do not take advantage of all 4 cores (stupid console porting). But video creation is dependent on cores in some cases. I use the 955 and Premiere Pro is pretty useable, but still uses all 4 cores. I would suggest getting the 2400 over the 2100 in video creation any day.

Not only that, Photoshopping also likes the quads.

Me too! Unfortunately the 450 puts the build just under $600, which is out of my price range

Then quads it is!

Thanks for the article! Yah, I'm definitely thinking the i5 now with the rosewill. I'm honestly not sure what graphics card I want



I've updated the build to reflect all your suggestions, thanks so much! The only thing left is trying to fit the 450 or another card in somehow...

Would a 5450 be decent enough until I could get something like the 450 later on? I'm not too concerned about gaming right now, although would a 5450 not work so well with video/graphic editing?

Oh, I didn't realize that was a possibility, awesome! Thanks so much for the help, I'm pumped

Will do!

Have you come across this board....http://www.msi.com/product/mb/890GXM-G65.html It's expensive but is pretty much the dog's nipples when it comes to mATX boards atm.... (i didnt read the full thread so sorry if this post is lyk "doubleyoo-tee-eff mayte O_o" )