Photographers First System

[Shooter84]

I have started acquiring parts for my new computer build and am just looking for oversight. Ill give you a little background. I am a professional photographer looking for a system that will run Photo editing software with ease and be able to handle what I throw at it. So far my part list is as follows.

Thermaltake ArmorPlus(Armor+) VH6000BWS CASE - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133056

CROSSHAIR IV FORMULA 890FX MOBO -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131644

CORSAIR|CMPSU-750TX 750W RT PSU -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103913

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145312



I purchased the PSU with the intent of buying a I7 but ended up going with AMD will this power supply still work? Also what video card would you suggest for someone like me (money really isn't an issue but I don't need anything for gaming just something with the best bang for the buck)

Also I know I'm going to so with 2 ssd for my main programs and then a few (3-4 x 2tb) hdd for all of my storage. But is their anything else I need that I am passing up (other than the obvious cables, cpu fan, heat sink...)

Like I said I'm not a gamer I just need a system that will run some cumbersome photo editing software. Am I on the right track?

This is my first build and my first post so I appreciate any help and apologize if I did this in the wrong way or in the wrong forum.

 

[michxymi]

What's your budget? Screen Resolution? Do you want to O/C? SLI or Crossfire?

 

[Shooter84]

Budget isn't an issue but It needs to be justifiable for what I'm using it for.
I'm really just starting this build so their are a few things I need to research before I decide and that's why I'm here. As far as overclocking I'm not sure I do however want the ability to if needed/wanted in the future. I'm running off of a flat screen LCD and a desktop monitor which both have a resolution of 1920 x 1080. As far as SLI or Crossfire I'm not sure. I haven't done the research to choose one way or the other. Any suggestions would help though.

 

[michxymi]

Suggestion is coming in a moment!

 

[ko888]

If you're using Adobe Photshop / CS4 or later get a CUDA enabled NVidia GPU graphics card like the GeForce GTX 550 Ti or GeForce GTX 560 Ti.

One question is why didn't you build a Intel Sandy Bridge system?

 

[Shooter84]

Ill look into the NVidia. As for the CPU I thought the six cores would be better for me than four. Was I wrong for thinking that? Like I said this is my first attempt at this so I am still looking for options.

 

[michxymi]

Antec One Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129098

XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) 550W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

bundled with:

GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3P-B3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660720

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996776
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226099

MSI N550GTX-Ti Cyclone OC GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127573

Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CW080G3K5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167047

2 x SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

~1000$ With MIR..In this build maybe 550ti is overkill..Photoshop 90% of the times uses more the CPU than the GPU..For sure it will do the job though!

 

[Glenn Hogan]

I have started acquiring parts for my new computer build and am just looking for oversight. Ill give you a little background. I am a professional photographer looking for a system that will run Photo editing software with ease and be able to handle what I throw at it. So far my part list is as follows.

Thermaltake ArmorPlus(Armor+) VH6000BWS CASE - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133056

CROSSHAIR IV FORMULA 890FX MOBO -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131644

CORSAIR|CMPSU-750TX 750W RT PSU -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145312



I purchased the PSU with the intent of buying a I7 but ended up going with AMD will this power supply still work? Also what video card would you suggest for someone like me (money really isn't an issue but I don't need anything for gaming just something with the best bang for the buck)

Also I know I'm going to so with 2 ssd for my main programs and then a few (3-4 x 2tb) hdd for all of my storage. But is their anything else I need that I am passing up (other than the obvious cables, cpu fan, heat sink...)

Like I said I'm not a gamer I just need a system that will run some cumbersome photo editing software. Am I on the right track?

This is my first build and my first post so I appreciate any help and apologize if I did this in the wrong way or in the wrong forum.

I just built (almost) a Z68 intel 2600k system to run Lightroom 3.4 for photo processing and storage. Adobe folks said first lots of RAM then fast HDs, then a good processor with good speed. As 2D processing is used, I want to OC the onboard GPU on the 2600K and see if it will speed LR. The SSD worked when I used it to run LR 3.3 and to store process albums. The difference was very noticeable. That system was a PhenomII 4 core. I can get ~ 1.5 GHz more from the Z68 chip and I used 16 GB of DDR3 1600 to speed the SSD. I used the MuGEn huge cooler to help with OC - most of this build idea is from Tom's last 2 $2,000 builds minus the video cards. If the onboard video is sufficient, I will look at a PCIE based SSD with ~700 MB/sec speeds and buffer the RAID 10 from 4 2TB Hitachi's with the 120 GB SSD; if results are poor, I will get one Radion 9850 instead. Used a good, solid PC Power and Cooling power supply to assist with stability with OC.

I want to keep this system lean with few programs except for photos so as to avoid fouling the registry. Still need the 4th HD. Am installing Win 7 Pro now and system drivers. Good luck with your build.

Glenn Hogan

 

[cwu]

Photoshop CS4 & up from what I'm aware of maximizes 4 cores & is cpu intensive vs gpu intensive. Best bang for your buck will be the I5-2500k, however since price isn't an issue, an I-7 2600k will give you the best cpu speed if you're not going to over clock off the bat (these 2 chips are also really easy to overclock).

As far as GPU, go Nvidia if your applications/plugins use CUDA.

ex. http://www.digitalanarchy.com/beautyPS/main.html

I'm figuring any current Nvidia GPU will do the trick. Some current lower priced GPU's that's not listed so far from the comments.

EVGA GTX 550 - $144.99 before rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625&cm_re=gtx_550-_-14-130-625-_-Product

EVGA GTX 560 -$194.99 before rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130661

Tom's Hardware did an article on CS5 which might be helpful in your decision.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/adobe-cs5-cuda-64-bit,2770.html

I recently built a system for $2000 that does photoshop (large file textures/normal maps) & rendering apps really well, but I also game. Since you won't game, you can def save the cost on the mid to higher end GPU price.

P.S. Yes the 750watt psu will be more than enough.

 

[Shooter84]

Is the AMD Processor going to be sufficient? I have just always used AMD so thats what I went with.

 

[cwu]

AMD currently has nothing that can match the speed of Intel's Sandybridge. AMD's Bulldozer is around the corner, but there are no benchmarks of any kind as of yet & speculation of release date for Bulldozer is July ~ August. Read something that they need better silicone in order to increase the speed to match Sandybridge - which is not a good sign for AMD. I do hope that Bulldozer does well, as competition is good for us consumers. If you need to build a system now, i5-2500k or i7-2600k is where it's at. If you can wait a supposed 1~2 months for Bulldozer, do that if you want AMD. I wouldn't bother getting their current chips since their new architecture is just around the corner.

 

[ko888]

An Intel i7-2600K paired with a Z68 chipset motherboard that supports Intel's Core Built-in Visual Features ( i.e. Intel Quick Sync Video, Intel InTru 3D, Intel Insider and LucidLogix Virtu ) and an nVidia GeForce GTX 560 Ti is what I would currently suggest.

The i7-2600K's Hyper Threading will help.

 

[Shooter84]

Does anyone know if the Bulldozer will plug into the AM3 socket?

 

[Shooter84]

I have been running a good old HP e9120f which has a AMD Phenom II X4 910—a 2.6GHz quad-core processor for a few years now. My mother board just took a poop so I'm in need of a computer. I'm not looking for a monster setup just something that will work WELL. I have already purchased the motherboard from newegg. Is it worth it to take the time to send it back wait for my refund and buy the Intel motherboard. If it is I will do it I'm just wondering If its really going to be worth the hassle or if I will be satisfied with the upgrade? Not doubting you guys just want to make the right decision.

 

[cwu]

Based on Asus's 990FX Sabertooth mobo set to be released June 7th, it is an AM3 socket. So the answer looks like a Yes.

http://news.softpedia.com/newsImage/Asus-Sabertooth-990FX-Motherboard-for-AMD-Bulldozer-Processors-Gets-Pictured-6.jpg/

Either way, imo, you should be returning & looking for a new mobo.

If you really like AMD & want to stick with them, the 990FX mobo is made for AMD's next architecture & you can plop in a Bulldozer when it's out & is phenom II compatible.

If you want the best speed NOW for heavily cpu dependent apps ex. photoshop, p67/z68 sandybridge mobos are the way to go. We just won't know how bulldozer will stack up till it's out & release dates are still unknown. It's been delayed before & it seems it might be slightly delayed again as it's supposed to be released in June.

GL with the build either way you go

 

[ko888]

Does anyone know if the Bulldozer will plug into the AM3 socket?

AM3+ is the safer bet.

AMD has stated that not moving from AM3 to AM3+ would prevent certain Bulldozer features from functioning. AMD has not specified which features are affected yet.

 

[Shooter84]

If I'm returning my old Motherboard what new Motherboard would you suggest for the i7-2600K with the 1333 (16gb) ddr 3 memory I have.

 

[cwu]

If you are sticking with AMD, the 990FX motherboards are starting to roll out ~1 week of time.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131736&Tpk=990fx




If you are going with intel, like ko888 stated, z68 mobo is worth it for the small increase of price from a p67. These are all solid mid-range mobos for z68

ASrock z68 extreme4 is back in stock $189.99 (sale/price drop) (was sold out quickly & I missed out on it) the pro version (non sli) is sold out now so didn't link.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157250&cm_re=asrock_z68-_-13-157-250-_-Product

GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3P-B3 $169.99 (sale/price drop)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128493&cm_re=z68-_-13-128-493-_-Product

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO LGA 1155 $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131730&cm_re=z68-_-13-131-730-_-Product

If you don't care for z68 video editing features ASrock p67 extreme4 or pro are very popular budget mobos (I use the ASrock p67 extreme4 & love the EUFI that replaces the standard BIOS setup)

ASrock p67 extreme4 $159.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229&cm_re=asrock_p67-_-13-157-229-_-Product

ASrock p67 pro3 $119.99 (sale/price drop) if you don't care for sli
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157230&cm_re=asrock_p67-_-13-157-230-_-Product

 

[Shooter84]

Thanks for your help guys

 

[ko888]

My recommendations :

ASUS P8Z68-V PRO LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard for $209.99

or

GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard for $169.99

 

[Shooter84]

Best answer selected by Shooter84.