School me on a budget of $500-600 PC parts
 

I'm looking to replace my aging PC (been using it for more than 6 years). Haven't been keeping up with hardware prices and technologies much.

Need the following:
-CPU
-RAM
-motherboard
-video card

What are your recommendations?

I use my computer for the following:
-Lightroom (a lot)
-Photoshop
-some video editing, in HD
-other misc. internet, email, etc.
-don't game on the PC

Budget is $500-600 tax in.

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if you don't game onboard graphics card is good enough

I'd recommend a 6 core AMD CPU with a 785G motherboard and 4GB of ram (more if you can fit it into your budget). No need for a video card.

In your case, always go for more cores over higher clock speed.

My choice:
Duo2Core E5XXX
2GB for normal user....4GB for heavy user + win7
Motherboard with P45 or Geforce 9300 (I am using J&W JW-N7AS-HD at work)


NOTE: more cores = better, true, assume he uses the same PSU from his old system, dual core is barely enough?

Dual core is a horrible idea, get at least a quad for heavy LR/PS work.

Get at least 4GB of ram or more. 2GB doesn't cut for graphics work anymore. I'm using 2GB of ram, it lags like hell if I'm running other programs along CS3 + LR.

click the link and just remove what you dont need.

I picked up a quad core lap top with a decent nVidia graphics card and 4 GB of ram not too long ago for about $650. If you're looking for a desk top you can get something pre built and within your buget with ease.

I would totally recommend going with a vid card that will let you run duel monitors if you're doing a fair bit of editing, it makes life easier in my opinion (I've got a GeForce 8600 GT and it seems to handle that fine).

That doesn't address his needs at all

why go i3?..with that budget you can get a quad core or the hex core with 4gb of ram and w.e motherboard you want with a on board graphics card. Ati on board graphics now are quite decent.

I think quad cores is quite sufficient, very few programs are able to take advantage of and use more than 2-4 cores efficiently. (link for comparison: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ng,2652-6.html)

I'd say just get a Phenom II x4 CPU (x4 955 is about $160), and a 785G mobo (<$100), get at least 4GB of ram if you are working with large photoshop files.
like others have said, graphic card is not needed if you are not gaming.

use the left over money for a nice case & psu

Definitely need a videocard because I do dual-monitors.

Everything you need $309. But the case is pretty ugly.

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don't know much but I figured photoshop/gaming computers were essentially the same.

Depending on the motherboard you choose, you can get onboard video with multiple display outputs.

the more cores the better, as can seen by Toms Hardware...
ATI cards are more suited for you, since your doing video/graphics type work...

I've never built a PC before, but was thinking of trying it for fun. I read a guide on how to do it and feel that I handle it.

My question is.. does it actually save money compared to buying units made already?

It depends on the price range of your PC. You're never going to beat the $300 Dell factory PCs, but for higher end stuff, it's definitely cheaper to build.

I'm looking at the Phenom II X6 1090T and comparing it to the i7 870, both are similar in price. Which one would you guys go for based on my needs?

If they are similar, definitely go for the 870

But then you'll need a video card for multi monitor.

Reasoning?

It's faster in just about everything, has way better power consumption

but i read somewhere that the x6 is more OC-able?

I highly doubt he'll be OCing