New build for web designer help

[marvollo]

My friend wants me to build a new computer. He uses 3 monitors and does web design from home easily 8-10 hours a day. He uses adobe photoshop, and dabbles with 3d rendering and would like to get into gaming. He often multi tasks with netflix in the middle of projects for breaks.

He already has 2 nice samsung 24"lcd monitors and would like 1 larger main ips display

He already has 2-1tb hdd and would like to have a way to have 2 new 2 tb hdd added 1 for main and the other to back up his work. I know he needs a ssd as speed is very important

I know he would like to have 16-32 gigs of ram, Intel processor.
I am an amateur builder and would like to utilize the set up to use every bit of $1500-$1600
Also any specifics on setting up hd's and raid, order as i am new.
He already has windows 7 premium, is it worth it to update?

I need the system to need very little maintenance and he is not tech savy other than with his professional. So not sure about overclocking and what not.

 

[ronintexas]

Here would be a good start:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/z04I

I only included 1 2TB drive (you can easily order 2) and 16GB RAM (if he really wants 32GB, just order 2). I did not include the monitor, as that could be costly....

Stick With Windows 7 Premium.

For a home setup, to keep it simple, I wouldn't use the raid setup, without going to a true RAID controller - it is only software RAID, and won't give a huge performance gain. Use something like SynchBack to backup the data (you can setup real-time synch to backup files almost real-time).

With what he is doing - I wouldn't overclock it much, Photoshop/3d rendering will utilize the processor/graphics card.

As for gaming - he may want a stronger card....I would suggest asking gamers for the opinion on the cards.

 

[camohanna]

I dont see the point in a p67 chipset.. No need for 1866mhz ram.. you dont have a k edition so you cant overclock....stronger card then a 7970? its basically the best single gpu card...

You will want professional if you want to utilise more then 16gb of ram

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/z0hT
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/z0hT/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/z0hT/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($73.74 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($107.95 @ Mac Connection)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($419.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.98 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($135.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1377.57
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-22 16:07 EST-0500)

If he wants 32gb of ram, order another 2x8gb kit and same for the hdd, just buy another one.

 

[ikaz]

Also you mentioned that he wants a 3rd IPS monitor is that sperate from the $1600 budget because it not then you should first find out what monitor he is going to buy the come back with the revised amount. Since being color correct should be important to a graphic designer.