First Build - $400-$450

[crackermo]

Hello everyone,

This will be the first time I build a PC and I need some advice as to what parts to buy for the build. I do not game much and I my main goal is to build something that can do photo processing efficiently (Lightroom editing, photo transferring etc) , browse the net - nothing extraordinary.

Currently I have an LG monitor with a 1360x768 resolution if that makes any difference, and I also have keyboard, mouse, speakers etc.

I am looking for the following:

Processor
Motherboard
RAM
HDD
Optical Drive/DVD Burner
PSU
Case
Graphics card if possible.

Thanks everybody in advance!!

 

[tenaciousk]

This is slightly over budget. But if you can find a good deal on RAM or a Harddrive somewhere on the right day. it should bring the price down a little.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($122.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Smart Tracer 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.46 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card ($50.97 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $456.34
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-03 07:36 EST-0500)

 

[tenaciousk]

Here is a AMD option

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A6-3650 2.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($78.77 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI A55M-P33 Micro ATX FM1 Motherboard ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($49.30 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($72.04 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card ($50.97 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.21 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $434.20
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-03 07:51 EST-0500)


however i would like to add with the amd build it is kind of dated technology with the fm1 motherboard. with the intel build you should be able to upgrade easily if you want to.

 

[crackermo]

This is slightly over budget. But if you can find a good deal on RAM or a Harddrive somewhere on the right day. it should bring the price down a little.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($122.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Smart Tracer 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.46 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card ($50.97 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $456.34
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-03 07:36 EST-0500)

Wow thanks for the great looking build! Just wondering,would be fine if I used a Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD instead? Also, what's the difference between the Gigabyte and Sapphire GPU because they are both the same price, and would there be a vast improvement with a 7750? Thanks.

 

[e_X]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($91.80 @ Compuvest)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.00 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.60 @ Compuvest)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($96.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $440.36
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-03 11:14 EST-0500)

This build is in your price range if you do mail in rebates. Also it will all you to upgrade to the steamroller processor when it comes out since it uses the am3+ socket

 

[tenaciousk]

Wow thanks for the great looking build! Just wondering,would be fine if I used a Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD instead? Also, what's the difference between the Gigabyte and Sapphire GPU because they are both the same price, and would there be a vast improvement with a 7750? Thanks.

Yeah switching the HD would be fine. the 7750 is quite a bit more powerful then the 6670. So if you can afford it. It would not hurt.

 

[envy14tpe]

Start with a FX-6300. Forget dual core! Overclock AMD.

 

[crackermo]

Best answer selected by crackermo.