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Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New Build > [Solved] First Time Build for Photo Editing (<$1200)

[Solved] First Time Build for Photo Editing (<$1200)

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New Build [Solved] First Time Build for Photo Editing (<$1200)

Best answer from QuietPC.

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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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parts I've already acquired for this build:

CPU - Intel i5 2500k
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115072

RAM - Kingston HyperX Blu 16GB (4x4GB) 240 Pin DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820104231

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Parts I probably will get for this build:

Hard Drive - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185

SSD - Crucial M4 128GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148442

Power Supply - SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817151096

CD/DVD Drive - ASUS 24x DVD/CD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135204

---------------------

Parts I'm trying to decide on:

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
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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.

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