First build - photo editting

[of413]

Been lurking on and off for years, but finally am about to replace the old Dell. I am looking at getting CS4 for working with my amatuer photography. Also may dabble in home video editting but not trying to build a system with that in mind. Will also do some gaming, but not the high end stuff. Looking for a very good system for good value, not overspending but not cutting it cheap. That said, I'd like to keep it around $900 - exculding monitor.

Here's what I've put together so far from reading other threads and the questions I still have.

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215
Should I consider i7-860?

ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131620
How much should I put into USB3.0 and SATA 6.0Gb/s vs. going with a standard P7P55D?

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231189
I've gathered 1333 vs 1600 isn't a big deal and usually the recommendation seemed to be 1333.

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042

Antec EarthWatts EA-500D Green 500W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371035

I am looking at getting just one HDD to start, but ultimately adding one more (or two to set up RAID? - still feeling my way through that) for storage once I start working with CS4. Is that reasonable or should I start out with a full compliment? I was leaning toward this WD Black for my OS drive, but what would I really be looking at with performance if I went down to a Blue or upto a SATA 6.0Gb/s? What about up to 640GB (other than more space)? I assume the OS drive speed will be more of a factor than the storage drives once I got there.

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

Video Card - not a clue what I need but I feel I don't want to overspend here. I guess I'm looking for one that won't limit too much on game selection that it will run, but not be a high end card. Should I be looking at lower end of the newest series or are older series a fine option, knowing I can upgrade later?

Will round out with Win7/64bit and a basic DVD writer, assuming OEM will be fine.

Thanks,

[glc]

If you can afford it, a Radeon 5770 would give you good gaming performance for the money. It would not hurt to have the SATA 6.0/USB 3.0 for future compatibility. I would use 2 hard drives - a small Black for OS and apps, and a large Green for data. Partition the storage drive so you have a dedicated scratch partition for CS4 or add a 3rd drive.

[of413]

Here's my final parts list. Any problems or other recommendations? Thanks for all the help (mostly from other threads)!!

Comes in at $887, plus a free 4Gb flash drive.

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I5750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215

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

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231189

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

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024

HIS H577FM1GD Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161317

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116754

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289

[Khalil]

1TB for photo editing I recommend, CS4 files tend to be huge and it won't take long to fill a 500GB hard drive, definitely worth the $30 extra.
I build systems for professional photographers on regular basis in Chicago, I always start them up with 2 1TB hard drives.
The hardware you chose will serve you well for a long time.

[of413]

Originally Posted by Khalil 1TB for photo editing I recommend, CS4 files tend to be huge and it won't take long to fill a 500GB hard drive, definitely worth the $30 extra. I build systems for professional photographers on regular basis in Chicago, I always start them up with 2 1TB hard drives. The hardware you chose will serve you well for a long time.

Sorry, forgot to add that to the post. I was following GLC's recommendation for a 'small' Black for OS and apps and later add one (or two) 1TB or one 2TB when I got CS4. Other than the ease of putting it all together at once, is there a concern of adding later once I get CS4?

[glc]

The only concern would be moving what data you already have over to it.

[of413]

Looking at the 1TB drives. Is it fair to assume the SATA 6.0Gb/s is going to be better than the 3.0?

Edited: After googling and seeing some of the test results I added the 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s drive Khalil recommended as a second drive.

[Anomo]

Originally Posted by of413 Sorry, forgot to add that to the post. I was following GLC's recommendation for a 'small' Black for OS and apps and later add one (or two) 1TB or one 2TB when I got CS4. Other than the ease of putting it all together at once, is there a concern of adding later once I get CS4?

I would wait a bit longer, and get the newest CS 5 that is supposed to come out this summer. I was at a seminair where they showed the new features and its amazing.

[gmorrison]

You can actually get CS5 now. I am sad because I already have 4 and can't justify the cost to upgrade. It looks really awesome though.