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First time builder. Photo editing/gaming rig $600-700 maximum

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Approximate Purchase Date: This week or next week. Depending on cost. May buy it all at once, or over buy each part over the course of 1-3 weeks.

Budget Range: $600-700.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mainly photo editing (photoshop), some video editing, photo storing and gaming. I'd like to be able to run something like Battlefield 3 on it. Even if the settings are only around medium.

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, speakers, mouse, monitor.

Preferred Website for Parts: Newehh really.

Country of Origin: U.S.

Parts Preferences: by brand or type: Not gonna be super picky. If it fits my budget then awesome. This is my first build so I'll save my preferences 'till later.

Overclocking: No. I'll probably blow up my PC.

This is the build I'm looking at. Its kind of a modified build of what geng recommended.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

EVGA 01G-P3-1556-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) FPB 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Model #:01G-P3-1556-KR
Item #:N82E16814130625
Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$149.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible ...
Model #:CMPSU-650TX
Item #:N82E16817139005
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy

$119.99 -$30.00 Instant $89.99


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK
Model #:F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK
Item #:N82E16820231180
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy

$46.99


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:RC-912-KKN1
Item #:N82E16811119233
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy

$59.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD5002AALX
Item #:N82E16822136795
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$62.99


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
Model #:M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3
Item #:N82E16813131646
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Mail in Rebate Card
Note (Add)
$119.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
Model #:HDZ955FBGMBOX
Item #:N82E16819103808
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$139.99

Subtotal: $669.93

I guess my biggest request is. Will it work (I'm a complete idiot with computers), what can I cut out if needed, will this do the things I want, what should I add slash/swap to be the best build for me.

Thanks.

More about : time builder photo editing gaming rig 600 700 maximum

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Heres how id do it, but many would go the phenom 955 route with your budget.

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119233
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate
$59.99


SPARKLE SX560T1024D5MH GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Item #: N82E16814187136
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate
$249.00
$229.00
1

Sparkle Gift - Red Riding Hood Movie Ticket
Item #: N82E16800997059
Return Policy: VGA Replacement Only Return Policy
-$19.99 Saving
$19.99
$0.00


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL
Item #: N82E16820231274
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$44.99


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
$99.99


Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817371044
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822152185
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$25.00 Instant
-$15.00 Combo
$159.98
$119.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400
Item #: N82E16819115074
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
BIOSTAR TH67+ LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813138296
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
-$15.00 Instant
-$17.00 Combo
$294.98
$262.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

Subtotal: $816.93
Shipping: $0.00

PSU11APRIL Discount From Promo Code -$8.00
EMCKFJA38 Discount From Promo Code -$6.00


Grand Total: $802.93
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Awesome. Thanks for the the setup. I'll keep looking everything over and considering things. I can probably get windows 7 with a student discount so that'll knock the price down.

Really appreciate the help!

Changed some components to lower price but have a better gpu. Or go with a similar priced nvidia if hardware acceleration would help but the extra money saved can go towards a better card than the 550.

  • LITE-ON DVD Writer - Bulk - Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support - OEM
  • COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
  • SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
  • ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
  • SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
  • Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...
  • G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK
  • AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
    TOTAL: $632.76

    Edit: Here's an SB build.

  • LITE-ON DVD Writer - Bulk - Black SATA Model iHAS224-06 LightScribe Support - OEM
  • COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
  • SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
  • GIGABYTE GV-N460OC-1GI GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
  • Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...
  • G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK
  • ASRock H61ICAFE LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
  • Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52400
    TOTAL: $697.94

    • i5 2400 + Asus H61 $250: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...
    Xigmatek 500w 80+ Brnze $45: (Not including $20 MIR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
    Samsung F3 1TB $55: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
    Patriot G2 8GB DDR3 1333 $85 (Not including $15 MIR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
    Lite-On DVD Writer $21: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
    Rosewill Destroyer $50: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
    Sapphire 5850 $145: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
    Total: $651

    This is the build you want, I'm telling you right now from the stand point of a heavy PS5 user and PTGui user. It has WAY more CPU power than an AMD 955 (I currently have one) and WAY more memory power than 4GB (obviously) which is good for finally creating an HDR or stitching Panorama or just general rendering even archiving which is saving a file, to me those are really important in an editing computer. The 5850 is good enough that it'll last you for gaming, I also use that.

    i5 2500K vs 970: The 2500K is basically the 2400 in benchmarks, there will be no difference except clock rate, to compensate I switched 955 for the 970 : Look at the PS4 benchmarks specifically, just destroyed.
    http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/186?vs=288

    5850 vs 460 768mb (550 Ti<460 768mb "ripping you off for the 550 Ti):
    http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/295?vs=315

    AMD are weeks away from releasing the new Bulldozer cpu's

    Some Mb manufacturers are already selling AM3+ boards that will run the next generation Bulldozer processors . If I was buying AM3 now then definitely get one of these boards . Gigabyte are selling "black socket" boards so there can be no confusion

    Since games are gfx card limited and rarely cpu limited how about a cheap quad core fore the time being ?
    A Phenom 840 or athlon quad will do everything you need

    Amazing, simply amazing. I really appreciate everyones input and suggestions. The crappy thing about being so new is I don't know which build to choose. I'll probably end up purchasing the parts tomorrow. I guess my only question is if I'll be to run most games with these setups (I imagine I will.).

    Just wanted to say thanks a ton.

    Edit: One last question. (I'll probably have more). Should I just get windows XP for now (maybe wait for windows 8 or something) or just pull the trigger and get Windows 7 (and should I get 32bit or 64bit).
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