Quick background...
I'm currently running an ancient system with a 2GHz Athlon (single core), 1GB RAM, you get the idea. I primarily use it for photo editing, I have a Canon 5D and shoot RAW so there is a bit of crunching and it would be nice to speed things up. I'd like to be able to play some games but I'm not hardcore there, I don't play online FPS or RTS or anything, so it doesn't need to be blazing. I would like to be able to play Skyrim but I know how demanding Oblivion was for its time. Just something that will chug along for a few years.
I'd like to spend under $700 including a copy of Windows 7 (OEM, $100). I priced out a system around $550 without OS, based around the Phenom X4 955 Black and Radeon HD 6790. It breaks down something like this:
X4 955 BE: $120
HD 6790: $140
???Motherboard: $65?
2x4GB 1333 RAM: $55
1.5TB 7200RPM HDD: $70
500W PSU: $40 (instant rebate)
???Motherboard: $65?
Case, fans, DVDRW: $70
Obviously there's some fudge factor in there, I don't care what the case looks like, HDD/PSU prices fluctuate, etc. What I really need help with is choosing a motherboard. I was looking at the Biostar A870U3 -- I'd like something with USB3 and 4 memory slots so I can toss in another 8GB if I want later. I just don't know if that one's a good choice, not sure about that brand. I'm willing to pony up a bit more if it's worth it, so any suggestions are welcomed.
I also wonder if the CPU and GPU are overkill. I wouldn't overclock to a level that requires aftermarket coolers, so is the Black Edition wasted on me? I like the L3 cache but would it make more sense for me to save ~$40 and look at the X3's? At this point, any modern system is going to be a huge improvement over what I'm using now. Would it make sense to drop to a cheaper GPU like the 6770 or even 5670?
I'm ready to pull the trigger very soon, I just need to sort out the details.
I'm currently running an ancient system with a 2GHz Athlon (single core), 1GB RAM, you get the idea. I primarily use it for photo editing, I have a Canon 5D and shoot RAW so there is a bit of crunching and it would be nice to speed things up. I'd like to be able to play some games but I'm not hardcore there, I don't play online FPS or RTS or anything, so it doesn't need to be blazing. I would like to be able to play Skyrim but I know how demanding Oblivion was for its time. Just something that will chug along for a few years.
I'd like to spend under $700 including a copy of Windows 7 (OEM, $100). I priced out a system around $550 without OS, based around the Phenom X4 955 Black and Radeon HD 6790. It breaks down something like this:
X4 955 BE: $120
HD 6790: $140
???Motherboard: $65?
2x4GB 1333 RAM: $55
1.5TB 7200RPM HDD: $70
500W PSU: $40 (instant rebate)
???Motherboard: $65?
Case, fans, DVDRW: $70
Obviously there's some fudge factor in there, I don't care what the case looks like, HDD/PSU prices fluctuate, etc. What I really need help with is choosing a motherboard. I was looking at the Biostar A870U3 -- I'd like something with USB3 and 4 memory slots so I can toss in another 8GB if I want later. I just don't know if that one's a good choice, not sure about that brand. I'm willing to pony up a bit more if it's worth it, so any suggestions are welcomed.
I also wonder if the CPU and GPU are overkill. I wouldn't overclock to a level that requires aftermarket coolers, so is the Black Edition wasted on me? I like the L3 cache but would it make more sense for me to save ~$40 and look at the X3's? At this point, any modern system is going to be a huge improvement over what I'm using now. Would it make sense to drop to a cheaper GPU like the 6770 or even 5670?
I'm ready to pull the trigger very soon, I just need to sort out the details.
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