First Desktop in 9 years

[SacrosanctFiend]

So, I've been a laptop-only user for the past 7 years and haven't built a desktop in 9. Obviously, I'm a bit out of touch with the latest technology and would love for the AT crew to help me out with the new desktop I've decided to put together.

The PC will be used for mostly work (involves light photoshop use; mainly office suite, web, and e-mail) with moderate gaming on the side. I will need to have dual monitors simply because of the multitasking involved. Looking to spend somewhere around $1500-$1800, buying parts in the US with no brand preference. As stated, my current desktop is very old so I will not be utilizing any current parts.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mfenn]

Should the price of monitors and OS be included in the budget? Also, can you define "moderate gaming" (examples of games would be great)?

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Should the price of monitors and OS be included in the budget? Also, can you define "moderate gaming" (examples of games would be great)?

Good call. Monitors, yes. OS, I already have. By moderate gaming, I means games like Civ 5 and Dragon Age, with a desire to play DAO2 when it is released, but I don't have to play at the highest graphic settings, medium-level graphics is fine with me.

 

[mfenn]

Sounds good, here's a build:

i5 760 + ASUS P7P55D-E LX combo $299 AR
G.Skill DDR3 1333 4GB $62
Radeon 6870 $240
Mushkin Callisto 60GB $118 AR
Samsung F3 1TB $55 Apromo
LG DVD Burner $18 Apromo
Corsair 650TX $80 AR
Antec Three Hundred $60
ASUS VH242H $170 ea. AR Apromo $340
Total: $1272 AR Apromo

You could certainly spend more, but I don't think it's necessary to accomplish your goals.

 

[Sp12]

I like the above build with the caveat that you may want an IPS (even if it's e-IPS) monitor for light photoshop. Depends on how important the outputted image is.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Since when is a 6870 a "moderate gaming" card or, a match for "medium-level graphics?"

 

[mfenn]

Since when is a 6870 a "moderate gaming" card or, a match for "medium-level graphics?"

When the build is already well below the OP's price range even with that 6870.

 

[jaydeee]

your build looks good!

 

[FishAk]

OS, I already have.

What OS do you use/will have?

Also, are you not reusing any parts? Because, while mfenn's build is good, it doesn't include any type of backup. If your data is worth more than $0.05/Gb, you should include some backup storage.

And... comming from a laptop, you may miss having a card reader, or a battery backup. Unfortunately, the Three Hundred case doesn't have an external 3.5" slot for a card reader. Perhaps the blank for the 5.25" slot could be modified to accommodate one.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

What OS do you use/will have?

Also, are you not reusing any parts? Because, while mfenn's build is good, it doesn't include any type of backup. If your data is worth more than $0.05/Gb, you should include some backup storage.

And... comming from a laptop, you may miss having a card reader, or a battery backup. Unfortunately, the Three Hundred case doesn't have an external 3.5" slot for a card reader. Perhaps the blank for the 5.25" slot could be modified to accommodate one.

I'll be running Windows7 Professional. Don't have any parts to reuse, and I do have a 1TB external that I currently use as a backup.

Can you recommend a good case that would have slot for a card reader?

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[FishAk]

The Roswill Destroyer is a little shorter, and not as wide, but it weighs 5Lb less. I personally like the Three Hundred more, with it's 140mm top fan instead of the 120MM one of the Destroyer.

In the photos, look at the adapter plate the Destroyer uses for the 3.5" ext. bay. Perhaps it's possible to cut out the 5.25" blank on the 300 like that.

 

[mfenn]

The Roswill Destroyer is a little shorter, and not as wide, but it weighs 5Lb less. I personally like the Three Hundred more, with it's 140mm top fan instead of the 120MM one of the Destroyer.

In the photos, look at the adapter plate the Destroyer uses for the 3.5" ext. bay. Perhaps it's possible to cut out the 5.25" blank on the 300 like that.

No custom modification necessary!

 

[FishAk]

No custom modification necessary!

In this case, even with the Antec $22 more, including the adapter, I think I would prefer it. With the 140mm top fan, and the option for 2 X 120mm front fans, you could get good airflow without much noise with some quiet fans. I doubt the stock fans in either case are very quiet, and would need changed if someone is going for quiet.

 

[DaveRana]

Can somebody recommend some quiet 120mm fans?

 

[mfenn]

Can somebody recommend some quiet 120mm fans?

Pricey, but incredible.

 

[DaveRana]

Pricey, but incredible.

wow nice. I got impatient and ordered a couple of Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E earlier today..

 

[mfenn]

wow nice. I got impatient and ordered a couple of Scythe S-FLEX SFF21E earlier today..

No worries, the S-FLEX's are good as well.