Build for Web Designer

[MakinItMine]

Hello, I have been looking around for a good deal on a computer and thought I'd check out about what a computer would be to build for what I need and so decided to see if it'd be worth building it, just cause I think it might be fun...but anyways I do a ton of web designing and editing with Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 and I am going to end up be using a majority, if not all the Adobe Creative Suite (Web edition, I think) and would need something that would be able to handle all of that...I generally use multiple programs at the same time (photoshop/dreamweaver, flash/dreamweaver, flash/photoshop, etc.)....anyways so yeah what would be your suggestions for what I'd need? I'm really having a tough time with the motherboard/cpu/memory and all that jazz.....anyways thanks for the help in advance!

EDIT: oh yeah I want my budget to remain at or below $1500 with room for a monitor & OS. I already have a keyboard & mouse

[MakinItMine]

Ok so here's my crack at it (please give me any and all input on the specs on this build as this is my first time attempting this and have almost no idea of what I'm doing haha)

Case: COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case-
PSU: Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 Power Supply-
CPU: AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core Processor Model HD960ZWCGDBOX-
Motherboard: ASUS M2A-VM AM2 AMD 690G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard-
Memory: Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5K2/4G-
Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card-
Monitor: Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor-
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive-
Optical Drive: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T-
Sound: HT OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card-
Cooling: Swiftech H20-220-APEX-GT CPU Liquid Cooling Kits-
Speakers: Logitech X-530 70 watts RMS 5.1 Black Speaker System-

[The Wise Monkey]

Check out the recommended specs in my sig. :)

[RickyTick]

Ok so here's my crack at it (please give me any and all input on the specs on this build as this is my first time attempting this and have almost no idea of what I'm doing haha)

Case: COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case-
PSU: Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 Power Supply-
CPU: AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core Processor Model HD960ZWCGDBOX-
Motherboard: ASUS M2A-VM AM2 AMD 690G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard-
Memory: Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5K2/4G-
Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card-
Monitor: Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor-
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive-
Optical Drive: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T-
Sound: HT OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card-
Cooling: Swiftech H20-220-APEX-GT CPU Liquid Cooling Kits-
Speakers: Logitech X-530 70 watts RMS 5.1 Black Speaker System-

Welcome to the MySuperPC Forums.

Does your above list fall within your budget?

[MakinItMine]

yes that does fall within my budget....it came out to like $1300......just below my $1500 budget....but like I said if there's anywhere in there I can improve or whatnot or if I forgot anything or anything let me know....I really want to get a good deal

[RickyTick]

Ok so here's my crack at it (please give me any and all input on the specs on this build as this is my first time attempting this and have almost no idea of what I'm doing haha)

Case: COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case-

Cases are usually just a personal preference. If you like the way it looks, then that's all that matters. As far as functionality, this one seems to be fine.

PSU: Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 Power Supply-

Consider a Corsair HX620 Power Supply. Modular cabling is so much easier and cleaner. Look at this review.
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/13271

CPU: AMD Phenom 9600 Agena 2.3GHz Socket AM2+ 95W Quad-Core Processor Model HD960ZWCGDBOX-

I know its nearly double the price, but the Intel Q9450 is a superior processor. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115042

Motherboard: ASUS M2A-VM AM2 AMD 690G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard-

And obviously for an Intel Processor, you'll need a compatible motherboard.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131295

Memory: Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5K2/4G-

So then this ram matches the motherboard.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

Video Card: EVGA 512-P3-N861-AR GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card-

Nice choice. Price is reasonable and performance is great.

Monitor: Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor-

Don't know much about that particular monitor. I'm kinda partial to Samsung.

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive-

Terrific choice. Plenty of storage, and nearly as fast as a 10,000rpm drive.

Optical Drive: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T-

Fine choice.

Sound: HT OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card-

Since I always use a headset, I just use the mobo's onboard sound. This seems like overkill to me.

Cooling: Swiftech H20-220-APEX-GT CPU Liquid Cooling Kits-

What the heck is this for? Liquid cooling? Are you kidding?

Speakers: Logitech X-530 70 watts RMS 5.1 Black Speaker System-



You didn't mention anything about using this for gaming, so I'm not sure why you'd want the liquid cooling, or the sound card. If you are into a little gaming, then this thing will be just fine.

If you don't like my Intel suggestions, thats cool. The AMD processor and motherboard you listed are really good components too. You may also consider an ATI video card. The 4850 is really a great "Bang for the Buck".

I didn't add up the prices of the things I suggested, so that might play a factor in you're decisions too.

Hope that was somewhat helpful. Let us know what you think.

[MakinItMine]

yeah I chose the case cause I really persoally liked it....also I have been into the intel stuff but heard good things bout amd so thought I might give it a shot, but don't know if I'd be missing out on a lot or not by going the amd way....however after looking at the parts you mentioned it looks to be a bit above the high end of my budget there....the monitor I just tried to get a pretty good sized one without going too overboard on price.....and yeah I agree about the sound and stuff being a bit overboard cause yeah I won't be using this for gaming

[MakinItMine]

Ok so I did a little tinkering today and this build with an OS puts me at $1190.88, $1170.88 after rebates....here's a more Intel set-up that is still within my budget:

Case: COOLER MASTER Mystique RC-632S-KKN1-GP Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case-
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9450
Motherboard: ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
Memory:G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK
Monitor:SAMSUNG 920NW Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive-
Optical Drive: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T
Speakers: Logitech X-530 70 watts RMS 5.1 Black Speaker System

k so am I missing anything on these builds? Like any kind of cooling or w/e?..

Oh yeah this Intel centered set-up ends up at $1391.89, $1321.89 after rebates...


so would this build be worth the extra $150? Also again any improvements/comments/suggestions/whatever is greatly appreciated

[RickyTick]

You didn't list a video card, so I assume you're sticking with the 9600GT which is an excellent choice.

[RickyTick]

I know it seems like I keep pushing higher priced things at you, but you wouldn't believe the difference between a 19" monitor and a 22". It's HUGE! :D

Take a look at this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001268

After rebate its only $269. That's only $70 more than your 19 inch.

[MakinItMine]

oh yeah I was sticking with the 9600...

and that monitor does look do-able at only $70 more...thanks!

[zburns]

For a good short write up on what is needed in a Photoshop monitor, go to www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-073-SA. This is a expensive monitor that you will prob not consider, but the article tells you a lot about what is required, namely the "NTSC color gamut standard" or the Adobe RGB color standard.

From another forum, I quote (re Samsung 2253BW): "It is not a great monitor for color reproduction since TN panels are 6-Bit for speed. They only have a true color depth of 262,144 colors, as opposed to an 8-Bit IPS or VA based display which has a real depth of 16,777,216 colors. But then again for a decent monitor for both color reproduction and gaming, you will end up paying twice as much."

Another good web site is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RGB_color_space. Explains color gamut and Adobe RGB standard.

If you go to the Dell Online Store and look up the Dell 20" and 24" Ultrasharp Widescreen monitors and their respective specs, you will see a spec for 102% and 110% meeting of the NTSC color gamut standard for the 20" and 24" Ultrasharp monitors. The Dell widescreen 22" spec does not mention NTSC color gamut standard. Roughly $300 to $600 for the Dell 20" and 24" Ultrasharp.

The Samsung specs for the lower cost 20, 22 and 24 inch monitors do not mention NTSC color gamut. Includes the 2253BW and the 245BW (my monitor -- its an excellent monitor but I would not use it for Photoshop).

As a general rule, 20 and 24 inch monitors have better resolutions and therefore better contrast than 22 and 26 inch monitors-- all other considerations equal. You can compare resolutions and determine that a 20" or 24" monitor will definitely provide a sharper picture than a 22" or 26" monitor. If the picture is sharper, then the contrast is better. This rules out 22" and 26" monitors for Photoshop use in my opinion.

The NTSC color gamut standard seems to be a specification I would hang my hat on for a quality Photoshop monitor. The very expensive Samsung model in the first link has a NTSC color gamut of 123% (unheard of accd to the article).

Seems to me that if you are going to spend hours with Photoshop, that the monitor color accuracy is a very necessary requirement to accurately go from color input from your source to an output that represents reproducible true colors. Your monitor is the key to your system performance.

The only monitors I have seen with relatively low cost that mention color gamut in their specs are the Dell 20" and
24" Ultrasharp mentioned above. You might check out Gateway or LG for color gamut specs.

This is a semi-complex subject. Any questions from anyone, let me know and I can provide alternate or easier to understand explanations.

zburns