pre planning first build

[bill huff]

While my old dimension 4300s is still (knock on wood) alive, I thought i'd begin sorting out ideas for a build. Non gamer , lots of research on the web, some photo work, online school courses etc.
Things I value: Reliability..I HATE it when hard drives drop. Anyone have a feel for the ssd drives?Could I avoid dual drives by using 1 ssd?
Speed... I do not like waiting on the pc to boot and load.
Upgrade-able..I don't know what the future holds but if I'm going to build one I don't want to scrap it in a few years b/c of poor planning on my part.
I'm thinking full size case. oversize power supply by maybe 50%? Mobo..guesing i'll start w/6 g ram of some sort with max of 12? cpu - no clue. hdd -2 with raid 1?/ssd? capacity of 250g. video card compatible w/ photo edit,maybe hd quality monitor,blueray video.
Sooo. I guess brainstorming starts w/Mobo/cpu, and hdd / ssd..
All thoughts and comments are appreciated. Unless the economy turns this will be like Johnny Cash's Cadillac ..One piece at a time!

[glc]

What is your budget? That's where the brainstorming needs to start.

[bill huff]

I'd like to keep it below 1500.00. But if it's more then it will just take longer. Thanks!

[glc]

Does that $1500 need to include monitor, keyboard, mouse, and operating system - and any other peripherals?

[bill huff]

Would need operating system. not monitor etc but want capability at later date to go with hd monitor.current monitor is 17 in dell flat panel lcd. Thanks

[glc]

Okay - then $1400 for the box and its contents?

With respect to SSD, I'd hold off a bit. I'd build now with 2 standard drives - one for OS and apps, and a big one for data. Later on down the road, then get a SSD and replace the OS and apps drive. Reason being - the SATA 6.0 SSD's are just starting to show up, and they are VERY expensive. I'll be recommending a SATA 6.0/USB 3.0 capable motherboard now, for future compatibility. You don't need a high end video card or a monster power supply unless you are a gamer. I don't recommend RAID, keep it simple and use an external drive for backups.

I also do NOT recommend you buy one piece at a time - wait till you can afford the whole thing. If you were to buy RIGHT NOW, this would be my choice:

Case/PSU:
Antec Sonata III 500 Black Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024

Motherboard:
ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131620

CPU:
Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115214

Memory:
2x G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231193

Hard drives:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284

Bluray burner:
LG Black 10X Blu-ray Burner - Bulk SATA Model WH10LS30 LightScribe Support - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136181

Video card:
ASUS EAH5670/DI/1GD5 Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121362

External housing and drive:
http://www.apricorn.com/product_deta...e=family&id=56 (Drive Not Included)
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EARS 1TB 5400 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136490

[bill huff]

Thanks, you are fast! I'll look it all up at home tonight... Guess this market won't stand still long enough to spread out the purchases. Thanks for that heads up!