New Build. Compatibility?

The GPU is for games. As far as Photoshop goes, to test it for benchmark purposes you can run a scripted action from inside Photoshop.

I saw one where an entire retouch only gained 4 seconds between q9400 and i7920. Games use more GPU than Photoshop uses CPU. Dual gtx260 with q9550 seems like a good compromise, but only because of my budget limit.

Photoshop will fly with q9550. Games will fly with 2x gtx260. Sounds good on paper at least.
 
The I7 and I5 are a "ton" better on paper, but in application, they practically go hand in hand. Especially on something like photoshop, Which I believe only uses 4 physical cores anyways. And for gaming, the Q9400 is plenty enough.

For the GPU, ehh. Get a single GTX 260 Core 216 and call it a day. Pick up an Evga 750i or 780i and some DDR2 DC with the bonus possibility of SLI later. Then get yourself a nice 650 watt PSU - OCZ makes a nice one, so does Corsair. Grab a 7200 drive, Then top it off with a stylish midtower and some case fans.

Unless you intend to get real hardcore, I'd stay away from boards like the FTW series; They have some extra enthusiast overclocking features which cost a small amount more, but aren't necessary.
 
This is it guys. 4 days in the making. I present, for your reviewing pleasure, the $1500 i7-optimized Build:

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD3R ATX - $450 combo with cpu
CPU: i7 920 Nehalem - $450 combo with mobo
GPU: 2x GTX260 - 2x $195
PSU: Thermaltake W0116RU 750W SLI Ready - $110
HDD: 2x WD Caviar Green 500GB 32MB - 2x $57
RAM: (3x 2gb) OCZ Obsidian DDR3 Tri Channel - $120
CPU COOLER: Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 - $37
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 - $140
OS: Vista Home 64bit (Free Win7 upgrade) - $110

Total: $1471 -$95 MIR

Please help me get these last few questions squared away, and let me know if you find any problems with the build. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!! :D :D :D

- Is the RAM compatible with the mobo?
- Is the PSU compatible with the card and mobo?
- Will the cooler fit the mobo and case?
- Does it matter if the HDD doesn't say 7200rpm (doesn't list rpm at all).




UPDATE -- Probably Final Build

Different mobo, HDD, and PSU ;)

MOBO: MSI X58 Pro-E LGA 1366 X58 ATX - $190
CPU: i7 920 Nehalem - $280
GPU: 2x GTX260 - 2x $195
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W SLI Ready - $140
HDD: 2x WD Caviar Blue 500GB 7200rpm 16mb - 2x $57
RAM: (3x 2gb) OCZ Obsidian DDR3 Tri Channel - $120
CPU COOLER: Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 - $37
CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 - $140
OS: Vista Home 64bit (Free Win7 upgrade) - $110

Total: $1521 -$80 MIR

- Is the RAM compatible with the mobo?
- Is the PSU compatible with the card and mobo?
- Will the cooler fit the mobo and case?
- Will 16mb cache be fine on HDD?
 
For The Record

Budget Gaming/Photoshop Monster: $1500 i7 SLI Build

MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R --- $450 combo with CPU
CPU: i7 920 --- $450 combo with mobo
GPU: 2x EVGA GTX260 --- 2x $195
PSU: Corsair TX850 --- $140
HDD: WD Caviar Black 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB --- 2x $70
RAM: (3x 2GB) OCZ Obsidian DDR3 Tri Channel PC3 12800 --- $120
CPU COOLER: Scythe MUGEN-2 --- $37
CASE: Cooler Master HAF 932 --- $140
OS: Vista Home 64bit OEM (with free Win7 upgrade) --- $110

TOTAL: $1527 -$95 MIR

- Mobo does support x16 SLI.
- Dual HDD because Photoshop uses scratch disk.
- WD because it had less negative reviews than Samsung.
- 850w PSU for overclocking: SLI gtx260s, i7 920, and 6GB DDR3 TC RAM with potential for overclocking 16GB RAM.
- OEM OS because I'm poor.
- Thanks everyone SOOOOO much for patience and free help!!! I love you guys.
- Hope you like it as much as I hope I will ;):D
 
There is really no point in going LGA 1366 unless you're going for one of the extreme editions. An LGA 1156 platform will be $150-$200 cheaper and the i7 860 performs better than the i7 920 whilst consuming less power. The i5 750 is the best deal IMO @ $200.

CPU: Core i5 750
Motherboard: Gigabyte P55 UD3R
Memory: 2x2GB DDR3 1600

I'd recommend waiting for the HD 5800 series and using your old GPU for the moment. A single HD 5870 should perform at least as good as the GTX 295 for $400.

If you don't want to wait, go with HD 4870 CF for $250. It will perform just as well as the GTX 260 SLi setup.
 
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