With my MBP dead and dying, I'm looking to to build a Windows box based on either 4690(K) or 4790(K).  The main purpose of the machine will be for editing photos under Lightroom/Photoshop and gaming.  I'm hoping to make it as future proof as possible (not that it's really possible) within the budget.

 

Can anyone here suggest a build/parts list for $1000 (including CPU)?  I already have a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and SSD.

 

Thank you for the help.

 

EDIT - And I'm not doing Hackintosh - I don't need this to be more work and it needs to be.

Edited September 27, 201411 yr by Salt Peanuts

I'll try to get you specific ideas later tonight, but if you are interested in gaming, the NVIDIA GTX 970 is THE card to get right now.  For the performance it brings, it's price is a no-brainer.  I just got an ASUS Strix version.

^ I see that it's out of stockjist about everywhere, not to mention it'll eat more than a ⅓ of my budget.

If you are intending to game a lot, it is probably worth 1/3rd of your budget.  The MSI variant is being delivered Monday for me (hopefully!). It is a difficult price point, but I'd go I5 4690, 16gb (look to upgrade to 32gb when you can) of name brand ddr3, Asrock, Asus, or Gigabyte (or maybe something else, don't know) z97 motherboard, seasonic, evga, or corsair 500+ W PSU, and maybe a fractal case. 

^ I see that it's out of stockjist about everywhere, not to mention it'll eat more than a ⅓ of my budget.

 

Yeah, it is an expense, but let's put it this way: waiting an few seconds to a minute or two more for rendering is a lot less noticeable over the long haul compared to shitty frame rates on games if you reallocate more towards the GPU rather than CPU.  The second you mention gaming in a computer setup, you automatically just added 200-500 bucks to your bottom line.  You will stick with that 970 for a long time unless you ever jump into 4k gaming.  It's worth it to get one when they go back in stock.

 

Simone's future husband is pretty much on the money with the parts list:  i5 or so, 16GB RAM (value name brand stuff, and do 2 sticks of 8GB for upgrades sake), middle end ASUS or MSI mobo, name brand PSU (500-600 watts).  Case is up to you.  Antec or Fractal make pretty good, decently priced ones.

Thanks for the suggestions. I just remembered there actually is a Microcenter 30 minutes away, so I can get a better price on at least cpu and motherboard, assuming I'm willing to drive to Boston.

Well, the Microcenter is an evil, evil place and I'm sorry for my wallet.

This sounds promising.  Would like, if my quota of likes per day didn't appear to be 0.

Well, the Microcenter is an evil, evil place and I'm sorry for my wallet.

 

You got that right.  Whaddya get?

Went in there with the full intention of grabbing a 4690 and a motherboard. Came out with a 4790K and ASRock Z97 Extreme4. In my defense, with their cheaper pricing and bundle pricing available with 4790K/Extreme4, the cost of was same as it would've been had I bought a 4690 with a similar motherboard anywhere else. If anything, Lightoom will run much better.

They were, predictably, out of GTX 970 cards. I've a feeling I'm going to end up putting this thing together without a GPU, assuming I can decide on other parts.

Woohoo, same cpu/mobo as I recently picked up.

Edited September 29, 201411 yr by cetoole

I liked that it offered more USB ports than the competition. I hate dealing with USB hubs. Oh and the dash of blue is nice.

Good combo.  That ASRock is chock full of Nichicon 12k caps - very cool.  And damn, newegg and Amazon are flat out of 970s right now.  If you can hold on and get one soon, it will be worth it.  If you absolutely cannot, get a good deal on a 780, but the 970 is just the better long term deal.  Sorry for sounding like a 970 monger.

^ I'll just deal with the Intel integrated gpu until I can find one.  

Puget Sound says that they have 2 EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX in stock.  Price is $366.47. See here.

I'd stay away from EVGA's ACX cooler (and their 970's in general).  Poor cooling, fan noise, and sub par voltage components/layout compared to competition.  Based on what I have read, you want Gigabyte, ASUS, and MSI this time.  EVGA is not what it used to be, unfortunately.

 

In case you are curious:

 

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1835399

 

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1834613

Edited September 29, 201411 yr by roadtonowhere08

Any thoughts on SeaSonic S12G-650 PSU?  It's non-modular (hell, the last time I built a computer there were no such thing as modular PSU) but seems to be built well with quality components.

 

Now to find cheap decent case.

That PSU is fine if you don't care about modular cables (though the hardwired cables on that particular unit are flat and way better than sleeved rounded ones).  Seasonic is consistently good.

Edited September 29, 201411 yr by roadtonowhere08

^ That's good to know.  Now I just need a case...and my Windows disc, assuming I can remember where I put it - hopefully, I didn't accidentally get rid of it during the spring cleaning.

Man, though, but modular is nice to have.

Man, though, but modular is nice to have.

 

You're probably right, but I was building PCs before modular PSU were available and I don't know any better. 

 

And my Windows disc is MIA - which I'm sure will turn up after I've purchased/installed a new copy.

Frick, I missed on 970 again! On a positive front, it looks like my sister will be able to snag me one of the cases I wanted.

Edited October 3, 201411 yr by Salt Peanuts

Salty, there are eight 970s on newegg right now!  If you can, jump on one!  MSI gaming and Gigabyte Gaming are the best ones.

 

By the way, if you don't get one in time, I live 5 miles from their will call warehouse.  If I see a good one, would you like me to just pick one up, and you pay for shipping?  Let me know if that sounds like something you'd like.

Edited October 3, 201411 yr by roadtonowhere08

Thanks for the offer, but actually managed to grab a MSI Gaming few hours ago.

Now the plan is to start the build this weekend and then finish it off when the card arrives sometime next week.

Oh good.  I was afraid you would not see this in time.  Happy building