photoshop/light gaming computer build

[daysdarkness]

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Mostly Photoshop (I already own) and limited video editing (but it will be full scale work bringing out no stops) and limited gaming (that is possibility to play high scale games at medium or better quality.) limited virtual machines, and extensive web use.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
I don't want to spend more than $1000 (less would be preferable, but it's not an issue), taxes are not included.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible
United states, Indianapolis, Indiana.

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.
case, Psu, cpu, mobo, gpu, ram, fast HDD (for booting)

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
My laptops hard drive and my external storage hard drive.
2 monitors (I'll be getting new ones, but I don't know when or what), mouse, keyboard, optical drive, speakers,

6) Will you be overclocking?
if I do, it will be very lightly, but even that is unlikely, i'd like my computer to be quite-silent, but no overheating, anywhere, ever. at all. plus.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
it's 17 or 19 inches, I can't remember the resolution though, it's not widescreen.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
over the summer at some point

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.
I'd like a good set of features, but I don't know enough about motherboards to say anything specific. (I was looking at the asus z68 deluxe motherboard, but they seem expensive)

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
windows 7 ultimate, 64-bit


EDIT:
Here's my current idea for a build, it costs a little too much,

Case: Tempest Evo $99
RAM: Corsair vengeance 16GB (4 X 4GB) $96
WD 1 TB HDD Caviar Black $140
SSD: 64 GB $100 (running as Cache) (use that or get another for Boot and programs? maybe?)
CPU: i5 2500k $220
Mobo: p8z68 Deluxe $180 (or should I go with the P8z77?)
GPU: 500 level series? 600? 400? no clue: this is, of course the GTX series
PSU: I had Kingwin lazer M series, but I don't really care (Modular is nice though)

and if I spent and extra $200 for other things (better mouse, better keyboard, cpu cooler, lock, etc...) what would you guys recommend?

 

[Dangman]

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
over the summer at some point

You're planning way too early. Our parts recommendations tend to change monthly and sometimes even weekly. Whatever parts we recommend may become out of date, overpriced, out of stock, or outdated in as little as a month let alone 3 to 4 months from now. So if you want an up-to-date build list, ask for advice when you're 2-3 weeks away from buying the PC.

With that said, there are a few issues with your build even if you were buying today:
- That Tempest isn't too great considering that it's relatively cramped.
- That WD 1TB drive is not worth the money considering that Seagate, Samsung, and Hitachi have significantly faster 1TB drives that cost less than that WD 1TB.
- The CPU and mobo are gonna be out of date by the time you buy since their replacements, the Core i5 3570K and Z77 motherboards are already out.
- Don't bother with a cache. Just install the OS on the SSD.

 

[daysdarkness]

That's true.
But I suppose I wanted to know what sort of parts should i look for, how high up the scale, and for how much money. I have a difficult time not getting the best of everything (well in a range) and spending an extra 500 dollars. I want to know where I should cut back and upgrade later, and what I should take when I start the build.

 

[Dangman]

That's true.
But I suppose I wanted to know what sort of parts should i look for, how high up the scale, and for how much money. I have a difficult time not getting the best of everything (well in a range) and spending an extra 500 dollars. I want to know where I should cut back and upgrade later, and what I should take when I start the build.

Well like I said, can't really give you an accurate set of specific hardware recommendations so far in advance. Especially on the RAM, SSD, hard drive, and video card as those are a bit more volatile in pricing than other parts.

With that said, the two places I can see where you need to cut back on is the motherboard and CPU. From your answer to question 9, I don't see any reason for you to get a mobo that costs more than $130 outside of general price rises. Unless you can figure out exactly what you need, you would probably be fine with a good $100 motherboard. As for the CPU, since overclocking isn't a major plan for you, no reason to spend the extra money for the Core i5 2500K or 3570K when the Core i5 2400 or 3470 will fit your needs just as well.