New build, primary computer

[habanero]

My wife and I have been living off of a 6 year old laptop and a netbook with no other computers. We love photography, but editing photos is more than painful! I used to be a gamer, but that proved difficult with only a laptop! I would like to be able to play something like Skyrim with decent graphics and frame rate, but that's not a must-have!

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Photoshop, light gaming, Web browsing
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
about $650 (no taxes in Oregon)
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.

Salem, OR
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, MOBO, case, optical drive, PSU, GPU
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
keyboard, mouse, speakers
6) Will you be overclocking?
No
7) 7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
24 in. 1080p (yet to purchase, but on a separate budget)
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Now
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
USB 3.0, SATA 6Gb/s
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yeah Windows 7 64–bit Pro


Other considerations: Space is restricted so would prefer an mATX build (specifically case depth must be 17 inches or less.

 

[Deleted member 88227]

$185 - Intel Core i5 3470 CPU
$100 - Asus P8H77-I Intel H77 mITX Motherboard
$35 - SAMSUNG 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
$80 - Hitachi GST Deskstar 7K1000.D HDS721010DLE630 (0F13180) 1TB
$110 - Silverstone SG05-B-USB3.0 mITX Case with FSP SFX 300W PSU
$140 - XFX CORE Edition FX-777A-ZNF4 Radeon HD 7770 GHz

Should be $650 shipped.

 

[gkg101]

I'd get a cheaper PSU, somthing like $50 Antec, and put the savings into a better GPU

[edit] oh, I overlooked the case/psu combo, so nevermind
[edit] but is 300 w psu enough

 

[wtourist]

SG05 CASE FSP 300W SFF Power Supply is a good match.
An inexpensive power supply will not be SFF.
Though I prefer the Seasonic SFF,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151063

Generally small form factor costs extra (I5 3570K $215)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504
Motherboard mATX Asrock Z77 Pro4-M (+$117.55 = $332.55)
Samsung 1600 RAM (+$35 = $368)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147096
1 TB HDD did not see Toshiba on sale (WD BLACK 1 TB + $102 = $470)
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digit...ie=UTF8&qid=1355189493&sr=8-1&keywords=WD+HDD
WD Blue 1 TB $79 (- $23 )
Fractal Design Mini $80 ($550)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352011
Fractal Design Core 1000 $46.98 (-$33)
Power Supply Corsair CX430 $45 before $20 rebate ( $595)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
Rosewill Capstone 450 $60 (+15)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066

And leave $15-30 for Optical Drive, I usually go $16-18 for one on sale. ($615)
Video card 7770 is about minimum for gaming
HD 6670 DDR3 is about $65 though
saving $23+33 on case and HDD IS $56 for video card

 

[Deleted member 88227]

wtourists build is not a good choice.

The CPU is over priced due to the OPs not wanting to overclock, therefore you'll see no performance increase between the 3470 and 3570k, unless you intend to overclock the 3570k above 4Ghz.

Due to quality reasons and uncertain warranty terms, AsRock is not a good choice in motherboards, hence why the ones who recommend most builds here don't recommend them.

That hard drive is of older technology than the hard drive I posted, therefore the hard drive I posted is not only faster but also cheaper.

That case is deeper than 16", therefore it will not suit the OPs requirement of having a case with 17" or less depth.

While Corsair PSUs are generally good, the CX430 is not a good design by them and thus we never recommend it for any builds.

Additionally, that Rosewill PSU is a descent PSU, just over priced.

 

[habanero]

Thanks guys, quick question for Skillz: The GPU's specs state a minimum requirement of a 450 watt PSU, is it good to be using that 300 watt model?

 

[Eureka!]

Power specs are usually very overrated. You'll be fine with a 300W.

For what the OP wants, I'm not sure an i5 is even necessary. Could go for a FX-4130 or a 955 AMD build, same cost but quad-core performance where it's needed, and enough performance for gaming.

FX-4130 + mATX motherboard is $90 at microcenter, if you live close enough to one to just pick it up.

 

[E4g1e]

Thanks guys, quick question for Skillz: The GPU's specs state a minimum requirement of a 450 watt PSU, is it good to be using that 300 watt model?

As many of us stated, the "450 watt" minimum PSU requirement is a CYA measure to account for the many crappy PSUs that cannot handle more than about 60 percent of their full 450-watt rating.

 

[DejaWiz]

CASE
Rosewill Line-M (USB 3.0 ports up front!)
$45

GPU
MSI 7850 2GB (2 free games)
$200

PSU
PCP&C Silencer MK-III 500W
$70

RAM
Patriot 8GB DDR3-1600 1.5V
$38

ODD
Lite-On DVD Burner
$18

HDD
Hitachi 7K100.D 1TB (single platter!)
$80

CPU + MoBo
i3-3220 + Asus P8Z77-M Pro
$248

TOTAL: $699 shipped

Rebates: $40

GRAND TOTAL: $659 shipped

 

[Deleted member 88227]

Thanks guys, quick question for Skillz: The GPU's specs state a minimum requirement of a 450 watt PSU, is it good to be using that 300 watt model?

Yeah you'll be fine. As others said, it's just taking into consideration the shitty PSUs that people might buy.