Need input on my next system

[yseany]

It's been a while since I've built a computer but I think it is time for a new setup. I currently have a 5-6yr old computer (P4 with 7800GT) and thought about just upgrading, but figured it would probably be more worthwhile and cost efficient down the road if just built a new system.

To answer the questions...
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
In order of priority, Lightroom 3, CS5, Gaming, Web/emails.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I'd like to keep it between $800-$1000, after said and done (lower the better).

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
USA. Los Angeles, CA

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.
Looking to buy CPU, RAM, PSU, SSD, Heatsink, DVD burner, case (if possible), and maybe video card.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
WD Raptor HD, possibly the 7800GT, and possibly my current Coolermaster full tower case.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Most likely not.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Dual 24" at 1920 x 1200

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within the month.

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.
Crossfire or SLI support, USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s

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

Right now, this is what I was thinking. I know it may be an overkill for my photo editing, but I like the option of being able to run a few games. I've paying PS3 mostly now, but there's a few FPS that I would love to lay on the computer.
CPU/Mobo
$409.43 from Microcenter - 2600K with ASUS P8Z68-V LGA

Video
Need suggestions. I was thinking for the time being of reusing my 7800GT and upgrading to a better video card later.

Ram
$54.36 from Newegg - G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2

SSD for OS and Lightrooom/CS5 plus game when needed
$179.99 from B&H or Adorama - Crucial 128 GB M4 SSD

Heatsink - I would like the option of OC'ing to be open and I like the idea of keeping electronics as cool as I can.
$78.72 from Directron - Noctua NH-D14
or
$80.02 from Directron - Themalright Silver Arrow
or
Should I go with an all in one watercool setup like Corsair H100 or Antec KÜHLER H2O920? I'm hoping for something relatively quiet.

Case
I need a suggestion for a sub $100 case

PSU
Need suggestions. When I built my current computer, I remember Enermax being the big kid on the block, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

Current total without Case/PSU/Video card - $722.50

 

[Forceman]

You can save a bundle on the CPU cooler by going with the Hyper 212+, which offers plenty of performance for an overclocked 2600K.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

As for PSU, I'd go with a Corsair unit; the TX650 V2 is a good choice:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

Video card is a tougher call - depends a lot on what games you would want to play. The 6870 is probably a good choice at $150, or you could step up to the 6950 at $215 for more performance. If you prefer Nvidia the 560 is about $160 and the 560 Ti is also reasonable at $200 - but it depends how much performance you want to pay for.

 

[yseany]

You can save a bundle on the CPU cooler by going with the Hyper 212+, which offers plenty of performance for an overclocked 2600K.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

As for PSU, I'd go with a Corsair unit; the TX650 V2 is a good choice:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

Video card is a tougher call - depends a lot on what games you would want to play. The 6870 is probably a good choice at $150, or you could step up to the 6950 at $215 for more performance. If you prefer Nvidia the 560 is about $160 and the 560 Ti is also reasonable at $200 - but it depends how much performance you want to pay for.

Thanks! Looking at the Hyper 212+ reviews, it seems like a good bang for the buck cooler! For the PSU, I just looked up my current one and it is the ENERMAX ELT500AWT LIBERTY ATX, would this be sufficient for reuse?

as for the video card, i don't have a preference for Nvidia or AMD, is there a benefit of one over the other for particular applications?

 

[plugwash]

I'm not an expert in photo editing stuff but unless some of your processing steps can keep more than four threads active you are likely to be just as happy with the much cheaper 2500K

 

[yseany]

I'm not an expert in photo editing stuff but unless some of your processing steps can keep more than four threads active you are likely to be just as happy with the much cheaper 2500K

i initially considered the 2500k but with the microcenter bundle, it was just $65 more for the 2600k; so i figured it should be worth the cost.

 

[Dangman]

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
USA. Los Angeles, CA

Since you live in CA, I highly recommend getting as much of your parts as possible from Amazon.com as Newegg charges tax to CA residents. Amazon.com generally has free shipping on their parts so that does make up for the slightly higher prices.

WD Raptor HD, possibly the 7800GT, and possibly my current Coolermaster full tower case.

Which Coolermaster case?
Which Raptor drive?

Depending on how old that Raptor is or what version you have, it may be a good idea to get a brand new hard drive. There are a ton of regular consumer grade drives that outperforms many of the older Raptor drives and usually has 90% of the performance of the newer Velociraptor drives. This drive is what I'd recommend as a replacement:
$60 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Video
Need suggestions. I was thinking for the time being of reusing my 7800GT and upgrading to a better video card later.
.....
as for the video card, i don't have a preference for Nvidia or AMD, is there a benefit of one over the other for particular applications?

Adobe software do take advantage of Nvidia's CUDA technology, found on every single new Nvidia card out now. So you should be looking at a Nvidia card. I recommend the GTX 560 Ti at a minimum for your resolution.

Ram
$54.36 from Newegg - G.SKILL Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2

At %65 shipped, not worth it, even with the SD card. I recommend this Kingston RAM instead:
http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Tech...I0IE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1316834274&sr=8-3

Case
I need a suggestion for a sub $100 case

I recommend these:
$50 - NZXT Source 210 Elite ATX Case
$50 - Cooler Master HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 ATX Case
$80 - Cooler Master CM690 II Advance ATX Case
$90 - Cooler Master HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case

If you want to pay taxes however:
$70 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K58W ATX Case
$70 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K56 ATX Case
$90 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case
$100 - Lian Li PC-7B Plus II ATX Case

PSU
Need suggestions. When I built my current computer, I remember Enermax being the big kid on the block, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

This PSU will handle most single GPU configs:
$85 - Corsair 650TX V2 650W PSU

If Crossfire and/or SLI is a huge possibility, then I recommend these PSUs:
$110 - Corsair 750TX V2 750W PSU
$135 - Corsair 850TX V2 850W PSU

For the PSU, I just looked up my current one and it is the ENERMAX ELT500AWT LIBERTY ATX, would this be sufficient for reuse?

Not really. It's old, of not that great quality, and doesn't have enough amperage on the +12V rail.

 

[yseany]

thanks Danny! Any suggestions on which GTX 560 Ti card?

 

[Deleted member 88227]

I'd go with the 2GB model for 1920x1200 monitors.

$249.99 - EVGA GeForce GTX 560 Superclocked 2048 MB