$400-500 build for multi-tasking interior design software

[warmchords]

Hi all, trying to put together a new build on the cheap for my girlfriend. She's studying interior design and needs something that can multi-task programs like AutoCAD Architecture, RevIt Architecture, Google Sketchup and Photoshop. Trying to keep it under $500 if possible.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Multi-tasking AutoCAD, RevIt, Photoshop CS5, Google Sketchup. Also running Ableton and some video editing software.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$500 (not necessarily including tax and shipping)

3) Where do you live?
Nashville, TN

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, RAM, HDD (1), Mobo, Case, GPU, DVD burner, PSU

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Not re-using anything.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Probably not.

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
19" ...cheap, old LCD. Might be the next upgrade but not right now.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
ASAP

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
USB 3.0 would be nice but not a requirement.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes, Win7 x64

Hopefully this isn't too much to ask within my budget, I'm assuming 6gb of RAM might be required to be safe, and can't skimp too much on the processor. Thanks in advance!

 

[King of Heroes]

Your budget is probably a bit too low. If you raise it to a little over $600 you'd be in a better position. For that much you could put this together:

http://techreport.com/articles.x/20722/2

You could knock the price down a bit by getting rid of the 6850 and replacing it with a half-height budget card. That's assuming you're not going to be doing any gaming on this build (and since you didn't list that, thats probably the case?)

 

[Dangman]

$500 is enough:
$112 - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition CPU
$75 - MSI 870-G45 AM3 AMD 870 ATX Motherboard
$72 - 2 x Patriot PSD34G13332 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$60 - Sapphire Radeon HD 5570 1GB PCI-E Video Card
$61 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$24 - Lite-On iHAS-324-98 24X SATA DVD Burner
$45 - Antec Earthwatts Green EA380D 380W PSU
$40 - Coolermaster Elite 310 case
---
Total: $489 shipped

 

[warmchords]

Thanks guys, this gives me some options. The lady is selling frozen lemonade at Bonnaroo this weekend and keeping the tip jar, so I guess I'll know what my budget is when the festival is over, haha.