- Nov 13, 2012
- 8
- 0
- 10,510
Hi all,
I'm embarking on my first adventure in computer building. I'm learning what I can, but I could use advice, criticism, and cries of "Oh, dear god! What are you doing?" to steer me in the right direction.
You folks seem incredibly knowledgeable, and I'd love to have your input.
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Approximate Purchase Date: I plan to buy this week or early next. While buying during Black Friday makes sense, I don't have the option of waiting, unfortunately.
Budget Range: My budget has a little flex room, but I'm aiming for approximately $1300-1500 after rebates and shipping costs.
System Usage: I'm building this machine for two uses: gaming (after ten years of laptops, I'd love to play something like Skyrim on high-end settings with postprocessing, for example), and for heavy photo-editing with Photoshop and Lightroom as well as graphic design work with InDesign and Illustrator.
Are you buying a monitor: No. I have one.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, I need to buy an OS. However, I figured I'd so using student discounts unless someone knows where to get a good deal on Windows 8.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I am familiar with Newegg but open to alternatives, of course.
Location: I'm near Chicago, Illinois, U.S. However, I don't have any way to get to Chicago, so my ordering will likely have to be online.
Parts Preferences: I'm open to suggestions. Intel preferred.
Overclocking: Probably.
SLI or Crossfire: Probably not, unless there's a clear benefit for me given my system usage above.
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080.
Additional Comments: I'd like a quiet(ish) PC. Software: Lightroom, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator. Games: Skyrim, Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, and a plethora of older games. What else to tell? I kind of like nifty cases, and that may be a tendency someone should quash if it's for my own good.
Why Are You Upgrading: I've been using a laptop for ten years. I can't do much of anything on it. Because I love to learn about technology, it's time to build something myself.
-------------------------------------------------
Although I've looked around, I haven't seen many builds that stress both gaming and graphic design, so that's an area of curiosity for me. Here's what I've got, if it's at all helpful as a starting place.
PCPartPicker List
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.29 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($518.49 @ Newegg) [$20.00 mail-in rebate]
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.59 after shipping @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Base Total: $1287.54
Mail-in Rebates: -$20.00
Shipping: $34.75
Total: $1302.29
-------------------------------------------------
So that's what I've got. Thanks again for any criticism and suggestions.
I'm embarking on my first adventure in computer building. I'm learning what I can, but I could use advice, criticism, and cries of "Oh, dear god! What are you doing?" to steer me in the right direction.
You folks seem incredibly knowledgeable, and I'd love to have your input.-------------------------------------------------
Approximate Purchase Date: I plan to buy this week or early next. While buying during Black Friday makes sense, I don't have the option of waiting, unfortunately.
Budget Range: My budget has a little flex room, but I'm aiming for approximately $1300-1500 after rebates and shipping costs.
System Usage: I'm building this machine for two uses: gaming (after ten years of laptops, I'd love to play something like Skyrim on high-end settings with postprocessing, for example), and for heavy photo-editing with Photoshop and Lightroom as well as graphic design work with InDesign and Illustrator.
Are you buying a monitor: No. I have one.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes, I need to buy an OS. However, I figured I'd so using student discounts unless someone knows where to get a good deal on Windows 8.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I am familiar with Newegg but open to alternatives, of course.
Location: I'm near Chicago, Illinois, U.S. However, I don't have any way to get to Chicago, so my ordering will likely have to be online.
Parts Preferences: I'm open to suggestions. Intel preferred.
Overclocking: Probably.
SLI or Crossfire: Probably not, unless there's a clear benefit for me given my system usage above.
Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080.
Additional Comments: I'd like a quiet(ish) PC. Software: Lightroom, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator. Games: Skyrim, Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, and a plethora of older games. What else to tell? I kind of like nifty cases, and that may be a tendency someone should quash if it's for my own good.
Why Are You Upgrading: I've been using a laptop for ten years. I can't do much of anything on it. Because I love to learn about technology, it's time to build something myself.
-------------------------------------------------
Although I've looked around, I haven't seen many builds that stress both gaming and graphic design, so that's an area of curiosity for me. Here's what I've got, if it's at all helpful as a starting place.
PCPartPicker List
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.29 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 680 2GB Video Card ($518.49 @ Newegg) [$20.00 mail-in rebate]
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black/White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.59 after shipping @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Base Total: $1287.54
Mail-in Rebates: -$20.00
Shipping: $34.75
Total: $1302.29
-------------------------------------------------
So that's what I've got. Thanks again for any criticism and suggestions.
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