$1000, Non-Gamer, Photograph/Video PC

[rhit_co]

Approximate Purchase Date: Tomorrow/This Week

Budget Range: $1000-$900 (Before / After Rebates)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Surfing the Internet, Photographs, Watching movies

Parts Not Required: Monitor - I have an ASUS|LED 23.6" 2MS VE247H RT

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com & NCIX.com (I'm planning on getting an Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB at NCIX.com since they are only $200 right now and then everything else at Newegg.)
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57962&vpn=BX80623I52500K&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1012

Country: USA

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Maybe, Sure why not

SLI or Crossfire: Not planning on it, I'm not into games but the ability to expand is nice

Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080, ASUS VE247H (Already Own)

Additional Comments: I currently use a laptop for everything and desperately need another computer to anchor the family's virtual universe. I'm getting a new DSLR camera and am planning on doing a lot of photography with some video editing to go along with it.

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Here's my shopping list so far.

Processor
Intel Core i5 2500K Quad Core Unlocked Processor LGA1155 3.3GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB
http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=57962&vpn=BX80623I52500K&manufacture=Intel&promoid=1012
$199.99

MOBO
ASRock Z68 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813157250
$174.99

Case
Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition with Docking Station (NewEgg Exclusive) SECC / Mesh ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811133183
$84.99 ($59.99 After Rebate)

Memory
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL9D-8GBXM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820231476
$79.99

PSU
OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Modular High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandybridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817341017
$69.00 ($44.00 After Rebate) + $5.99 Shipping

Optical Drive
ASUS Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16827135247
$57.99

SSD
OCZ Vertex 3 VTX3-25SAT3-60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820227737
$94.99 ($74.99 After Rebate)
(I'm planning on running Windows from the SSD)

HDD
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822148697
$139.99

CPU Fan
ZALMAN CNPS9500 AT 2 Ball CPU Cooling Fan/Heatsink
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16835118003
$39.99 + $3.99 Shipping

OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
$99.99

I haven't picked out speakers/mouse/keyboard yet.

Totals: $1041.00 Before Rebates
$ 971.91 After Rebates
+ $9.98 Shipping

 

[g-unit1111]

If you're not gaming you don't need a 2500K. You also don't need the heat sink either. If those are your primary functions you could get by with an i3-2120 or even a Pentium Dual Core G640. You could even get by with an AMD A8-3850.

Try something like this:

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 - $59.99
PSU: Seasonic S12II 620W - $69.99
Motherboard: Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3 - $121.99
CPU: 3.3GHz Intel Core i3-2120 - $119.99
RAM: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 - $39.99
SSD: Samsung 830 64GB - $109.99
HD: 2TB Samsung Ecogreen F4 - $159.99
Optical: Asus BD Burner - $57.99
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 - $139.99
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium - $99.99

Total: $974.01

 

[kajabla]

Meh. I'd stick with the 2500K. It'll last a good long while, especially overclocked.
A $35 Hyper 212 EVO would outperform the Zalman.

You do need a graphics card. You'll need something that can handle video editing.
Switch to a $40 430W PSU to dredge up some money: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034
and get a 6790, $115 after rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131397

 

[1foxracing]

What software do you plan on editing with? If you are using Pro version of Photoshop (CS5 NOT Elements) and Premiere Pro keep the i5 2500K and consider the i7 2600K. I would also recommend 16GB of RAM as well, both programs will use as much RAM as you can through at them.
However if you are purchasing a entry level DSLR and just plan on shooting JPEG's instead of RAW files in auto mode then editing in Picasa I would downgrade to a i3 or AMD system.

 

[kajabla]

I don't think you can fit in a 2600K on a budget like this.

 

[somekidxd]

He doesnt need a GPU, in fact, $1000 is overkill for a computer that doesnt game. The Intel 520 series look pretty promising, can give it a try.

 

[Why_Me]

@ the OP. You don't need a vid card, just use the HD 3000 graphics that comes with that 2500K...which is a steal btw for $200. Also skip that Asrock board you have up there seeing how it's meant for dual vid cards...so no need to spend that kind of money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279 $104.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=Z68%20Pro3%20Gen3 <----- there's a better look at that board and all the goodies it offers.

 

[kajabla]

Video editing, no?

 

[rhit_co]

Thanks for everyone's input so far. I agree with a lot of what's been said. First off, I think I want to stay with the 2500k. I know its overkill for a non-gaming machine but I think since we're getting the debit card out in the first place, this is where I want to spend money, and $200 is a steal on it. Here's a revised build list.

Case: Thermaltake V9 BlacX Edition - $84.99 ($59.99 After Rebate)
PSU: Seasonic S12II 620W - $69.99
Motherboard: Asrock Z68 Pro3 Gen3 - $104.99
CPU: 3.3GHz Intel Core i5-2500k - $199.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL9D-8GBXM - $79.99
SSD: Samsung 830 64GB - $109.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD7500AALX 750GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $89.99
Optical: Asus BD Burner - $57.99
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium - $99.99

Total: $872.91

Let me know what you think. I think I can rely on the graphics capabilities of the 2500k for the time being and upgrade to a dedicated GPU in the future if I need it. I've got some external memory so I scaled down the internal HDD for now with the thought that I'll add some memory down the road when drives are cheaper.

I haven't got to the software I'll be using yet.

I'm looking at a SONY alpha NEX5NK/B for a camera.