$1000 Adobe Machine, Possibly 3D modeling later

roll_right

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Dec 17, 2008
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Parts to Upgrade: Everything, new build

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Micro Center, newegg, amazon, ncix, SuperBiiz, others maybe (except TigerDirect)

Location: D.C. area, two sexy Microcenters nearby

Parts Preferences: Intel

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Additional Comments: Helping my brother out with a build for a computer to be used primarily now with Adobe programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, and Indesign (none professionally...yet). There is also the possibility that he will need to do some modeling for school in the future, he isn't sure though, maybe something like this he says: http://www.flow3d.com/flow3dmp/flow-3d-mp-cfd-hpc.html#FLOW3DMPreqs. I want to get him something right now sans GPU that will be nice and beefy and then if needed later a GPU can be added.

At this point I am trying to figure out what CPU to get him. I am torn between the ivy bridge i5 and i7. He lives near a Micro Center so an i5-3570k would be $190 plus he'd be able to combo that with a mobo. The i7-3820 is $230 but it doesn't look to save any money on mobos (am I reading it wrong?: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/11af08e2#/11af08e2/2). He will not be overclocking anything. So my question is: which to get? The i5 is the better value and I am not sure if he will really need the i7 that much.

Another quickie: Are we entering 16 GB ram territory? He says he has a lot of adobe programs open at once.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Using old POS laptop that isn't cutting it.

I have this so far:

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($84.60 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Corsair Force Series 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 550W ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($129.98 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VE228H 21.5" Monitor ($129.98 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($98.98 @ Outlet PC)
Keyboard: Microsoft 2LF-00001 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($18.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $1077.41

Doesn't exactly account for all discounts, will be closer to budget. PCPartPicker link here: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bIVT
 
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and everything listed i do with an i3 w/o a hiccup so certainly an i7 is overkill.

Draven35

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Nov 7, 2008
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Its going to need a GPU now. Photoshop performance with onboard graphics is going to be pretty dreadful with onboard graphics since Photoshop used OpenGL (and even OpenCL) for a lot of functions these days. I'm also not sure if he can connect two monitors to onboard graphics. He's also eventually going to want to get at least one better monitor, something with better calibration and color response.
 

Jonber1970

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Jul 7, 2012
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All depends on how much money you have to throw at it?
The Asus monitor wont be up to the job proffesionally, i have a 27" ilyama and i think thats crap, looking to get a 27" Dell. you will need a seperate GPU again depending on your budget and screen resolution for 1920 x 1080 i wouldnt bother with anything less than a GTX560. Save some money on the motherboard, you more than likely wont need all the gizmo's on the Asus Extreme. Used to have a wireless mouse and keyboard got fed up with changing batteries every month. I personally dont think the i7 is worth the extra money for your requirements.

Jon
 
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and everything listed i do with an i3 w/o a hiccup so certainly an i7 is overkill.
 
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