Approximate Purchase Date: Next Couple of Days (Feb 10 - 14)
Budget Range: Less than $1200 before rebates
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Photoshop 2D work, Lightroom editing, Internet browsing, Burning DVDs, Watching and downloading video, Listening to and downloading music
Parts not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers, Monitor
Preferred Websites for Parts: Open to anything. I've mostly been using Newegg.com. I also have a Microcenter nearby.
Country: USA
Parts Preference: None
Overclocking: No
SLI or Crossfire: No
Monitor Resolution: 1440x900
Additional Comments: I've been going off of advice and part reviews that are clearly geared for gamers. Since this machine will be geared towards editing 2D media and I will not be doing any gaming on it, I want to make sure everything will go together to make a fast and powerful photo editing machine.
Motherboard - All the research I do seems to be geared towards gaming. I don't care about overclocking and I'm not even getting a graphics card. I do know I want to be able to utilize the Graphics capabilities of the Intel i5 2500k and want a Z68. I want something capable and reliable. If needed I'll spend more money on a good one, but I don't want to throw money away at something I don't need. For sure, I want to stay under $220. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Internal Card Reader - It's important for it to be fast and reliable since I'll be using it frequently (one or more times a day). I'm having trouble finding any research on these. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place. If you have any links to reviews for these guys or suggestions for parts, that would be awesome.
Case - I know most will work as long as they're big enough, I've just been indecisive.
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Any thoughts or suggestions on the overall build would be appreciated as well as suggestions for the motherboard or internal card reader.
Thanks!
Message edited by xenonreturns on 02-10-2012 at 06:35:31 AM
Case: Toms readers like this case for the price:
Update
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm ...
Model #:CHALLENGER
Item #:N82E16811147153
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$59.99 -$5.00 Instant $54.99
Z68 mobo's increase in price based on feature sets. Here is a lower end cost board...you can go to a couple of hundred
Update
ASRock Z68M/USB3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
ASRock Z68M/USB3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Z68M/USB3
Item #:N82E16813157270
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock
Note (Add)
$94.99 -$10.00 Instant $84.99
Internal card reader: I've never had good luck with any of those I've tried so can't make a good suggestion.