Looking for critique of current build

[apple314]

Looking to do my first build in more than 15 years and, alas, a lot has changed. Would love any advice you have to offer on the below specs.

Approximate Purchase Date: Would like to be finished by the end of the summer
Budget Range: $2000 w/ accessories & software
System Usage from Most to Least Important: photo editing large files (Photoshop, Lightroom), some gaming (Civ5, Portal2), web browsing, movies/TV/DVR, word processing)
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, floppy, monitor (although may add a 2nd) , Win7 64, backup 1.5TB & 500GB HDD, Blu-ray writer)
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: amazon, newegg (not picky)
Country of Origin: USA (CA)
Parts Preferences: Intel chipset
Overclocking: Maybe (I’ve never overclocked, but am interested in trying)
SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (not sure if this is necessary for my needs)
Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050
Additional Comments:

Here’s what I’m currently considering:
Photoshop Extended CS5 ($200 I’m a teacher so I can purchase the teacher edition, amazon)
Lightoom 3 ($80 teacher edition, amazon)
Spyer3 Elite Monitor Calibrator ($197 amazon)
Wacom Intuos Tablet ($182 amazon)
CPU: i7-2600K ($325 amazon)
Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GBx2 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 ($74 newegg)
PSU: Antec EA-750 ($80 amazon)
MB: GIGABYTE Z68X-UD3H-B3 Intel Z68 Motherboard ($170 amazon)
Boot/Program HD: Corsair Performance 3 128GB SATA III SSD ($200 newegg)
Data HD: WD Black 1.5TB 64MB cache SATAIII HDD ($110, amazon)
Case: Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition with Docking Station ($70 newegg)
Card reader: Lexar Professional USB 3.0 Dual-Slot Reader ($35, adorama)
Total: $1923

So is there anything here that seems way out of line/overkill/underkill? The obvious possibility to me is the lack of a video card (w/ the current setup I’d either use the onboard video or my ancient GeForce 6800). I currently have a Dell 2005FPW 21” monitor and have also considered upgrading/adding a second monitor for photo editing, but would obviously need to cut back somewhere else or spend more $$ if I went in that direction. I realize that the fact that I’m spending close to $700 on accessories and software makes this a midrange build, but I’d like to go the sandybridge route as I’ve heard great things about SB and Photoshop.

 

[geekapproved]

There is no onboard video on Z68.

The graphics are on the cpu die.

Everything looks pretty solid. That psu is overkill, but if you plan to run SLI/Xfire later on with decent cards, you'll need it.

 

[apple314]

Thanks GeekApproved. I see what you're saying about the graphics, although I'm not sure I understand what this means in terms of a setup (I'm assuming I can just run a monitor from the graphics on the cpu, yes?) Also, would it be better to install my old video card (GeForce 6800)? Spend $80 on a budget card? Am I being stupid not to increase my budget so the video matches the rest of the system?
And yes, I realized the PSU was overkill, but wanted to futureproof (and it's a good deal on the 750W).

 

[JackNaylorPE]

You're at $495 for the MoBo / CPU combo. This Asus P8P67 Pro / 2600k is $25 cheaper at $470
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660716

For your applications, I'd want lower CAS memory.
$125 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226201

Corsair Force 3 SSD's are their latest and greatest but under a recall.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/corsair-force3-recall-120gb-ssd,12893.html

Suggest Vertex 3 as alternative, they gate 500 MBps read / 510 MBps write as compared with performance 3's 410/210
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227706

Given the usage, I'd suggest the Barracuda XT HD's
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=708&Itemid=60&limit=1&limitstart=10

For a hard drive, the Barracuda XT series offers the best performance available from a 7200 RPM mechanical storage device.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=Barracuda+XT&x=0&y=0

I use these card readers if ya'd like something to compare to:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820176016
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820314001

 

[julzfromsa]

I would def step up from UD3 to a UD4.

 

[geekapproved]

Yes you can run the monitor from the motherboards output which comes from the cpu.

I would think the 6800 would be better than the cpu graphics.

 

[jjb8675309]

yeah for such a nice system you should at least do it a little justice and throw a 6850 in it

 

[apple314]

Jack, thanks for the comments. A few questions/comments...

You think the Z68 MB isn't worth the extra $25? Also, if I go with a P67, doesn't this mean I need to get a video card (or use my old GeForce 6800)?

Hadn't been paying any attention to CAS. Thanks for the heads up, although I think I'm going to stick with what I have b/c of cost. Something to keep in mind for future upgrades. If I add memory later can I add lower CAS memory as long as it's the same speed as the original 2?

Thanks for the heads up about the Corsair recall. I think I will follow your suggestion, even though it's $70 more.

I'll think about the HDD although, again, you're twisting my arm to spend more money

Thanks for the links to the card readers. I'd actually prefer something internal, but was attracted to the USB3 speed of the Lexar (although at this point I only have 1 60mb/s UDMA CF card that would take advantage of the faster reader).

 

[geekapproved]

You cannot use the on-cpu graphics with a P67. You need H61/H67/Z68.

You'll never notice the difference in the Cas, but lower is better.

 

[apple314]

Best answer selected by Apple314.