New build recommendations - Lab computer

You do NOT need a gaming graphics card for image processing .
It is true that some elements of some image editing suites can support gpu acceleration of image processing , but these are very specific instances .
Also ditch the gaming case . No need for all that air flow and the noise is intrusive in office/lab situations

The core of your build does make sense though

2400
z68 mb [ consider m-ATX since you dont need the expansion slots and it will save you power and money ]
2 x4 gig of 1600MHz RAM running at 1.5 volt [ maybe 4 x4 gig ]
2 x hard drives for RAID 1 data redundancy
gts 450 graphics card
Antec SONATA IV Computer Case/ 620W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
quiet, sturdy, quality

Outlander - thank you for your reply.

Im going to have to look into this more. I think you might be right about the image processing. I'll find out what specific software they're using.

Here's what I have so far:

EVGA SuperClocked GeForce GTX 560 (Fermi) 01G-P3-1461-KR Video Card
Item #:N82E16814130661
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
$199.99

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Computer Case
Item #:N82E16811129066
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
$69.99

Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #:N82E16820148441
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
$144.99
$109.99

ASRock P67 EXTREME4 GEN3 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813157265
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$169.99
$154.99

PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II PPCMK2S650 650W Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817703026
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$109.99
$89.99

Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
Item #:N82E16819115074
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$189.99

Asus VH238H Black 23" Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/Speakers
Item #:N82E16824236117
Return Policy: Monitor Standard Return Policy
$209.99
$179.99

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820145345
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$59.99
$49.99

LG DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH24NS70
Item #:N82E16827136236
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$18.99

Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #:N82E16822136283
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$79.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 32-bit
Item #:N82E16832116989
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
$139.99
1

Kensington PocketMouse K72406US Black Wired Optical Mobile Mouse
Item #: N82E16826125165
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

Kensington K72357US Black Wired Keyboard
Item #: N82E16823155044
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$11.00 Instant
-$5.00 Combo
$42.98
$26.98
Grand Total: $1,310.87


I own an antec 300 case already, but wanted the illusion for myself. I was going to swap them. However, I think the only difference is the LED fans, which I can add on my own anyway. I think you might be right about the case though. Its probably too big and too noisy. I could swing the extra cost of a nicer case in the build, especially if its quieter and smaller.

Im not sure on the mobo... and don't know much about the differences between them.

There seem to be a number of builds on this thread at the 1000 price point or so. Based on responses to these threads, i've created this build.

Windows 7 is $10 cheaper on amazon.

The keyboard/mouse is a combo deal on newegg.

The graphics card you show is ~80 cheaper or so. But its probably several steps down in performance, no? I guess if the software doesn't use the graphics card, then it really doesnt matter. Might as well save the $$.

I added an SSD to the build thinking that it would speed up load times for key apps. I should have said that *all* data will be stored on the university's managed file server. Only OS and apps on the local PC. Otherwise I'd go with your suggestion and do a raid 1 setup.

Otherwise...?

Thanks again,
-Matt

I like the antec 300 a lot , and have seen it used as a quiet case by removing the fans.
But you do have the 560 included so maybe just set them to low .

Definitely use a Z68 motherboard . That allows you to use features like quick sync , and to have a graphics card

Outlander,

Thanks again for the advice. I might swap to the case you recommend based on size and noise.

I wasn't clear on the Z68 mobo's so swapped to the ASRock Z68 Pro3. Its cheaper too.

Thanks again,
-Matt