First Build - need advice

Hi this is my first post here, but I have used this forum to do a lot of research. Now I am hoping you can help me with my first computer build. I use a Canon Rebel XTI and create photobooks - I do the layouts from scratch and include text. I need a computer that will handle the large quantity of pictures I put on each page. I would appreciate any opinions on the build - will it all work together, am I missing anything, etc.

Processor: Intel i7-870
Motherboard: Asus P7P55D-E
RAM: G. Skill Ripjaws Series 8 GB (2x4 GB) model F3-8500CL7D-8GBRL
Case: Antec Three Hundred
Power: Corsair CMPSU-550VX 550W
Hard Drive: WD Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB
DVD Burner: ASUS DRW-24b1st or similar (currently out of stock on newegg)
Video Card: EVGA 01G-P3-1430-LR GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.
Monitor: U2311h

Budget around 1100 (not including monitor)

I know someone will ask what photo program I use - I used to create my books with Microsoft PictureIt. I am currently searching for a new program that lets me lay out pages from scratch and print to my own computer.

Thanks in advance to any tips/suggestions. I hope to order the parts Cyber Monday or soon after.

video card?

Oops forgot to add the video card: EVGA 01G-P3-1430-LR GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card. Thanks for catching that. I will update the original request to include it too.

Welcome to POTN!

I don't see any glaring issues, looks like a good build.

Do you recommend getting the extended warranties on any component? I wasn't planning on it, but wasn't sure if there are certain parts people do recommend getting the warranty.

Photo318 wrote in post #11365221
Do you recommend getting the extended warranties on any component? I wasn't planning on it, but wasn't sure if there are certain parts people do recommend getting the warranty.

I don't buy extended warranties anymore. I used to back when I worked in retail. I've had very few, pieces of equipment fail on me. The money I spent on warranties could have bought another piece of gear.

Thanks. I think I am ready to order all the parts. Just one more question. I have never used Newegg, only amazon (not for computer parts). Do you have any recommendations for sites if prices are the same on both?

One more thing - I just want to make sure the video card will work with the monitor ok. Monitor max resolution is 1920 x 1080.
Some reviews say there are issues with resolution over 1400, but that was for a lot larger screen.

I'd get another hard drive or two. Generally I use one for boot, one for data, and one for swap/scratch cache. The boot drive doesn't need to be big, but bigger drives are faster. You could partition the boot drive and use the outer part of the drive for OS and programs, and the rest of the drive for swap/scratch, since the disk will be otherwise idle when you're working on images.

I suggest partitioning it rather than using directories because then you can use DriveImageXML to make a backup file. From that backup file you can have a working OS install in 20 minutes if anything ever goes wrong.

Of course for every data disk you buy you should buy another the same size or larger to store offsite with a backup of all your data. This is really important.

Do you have suggestions for another drive - should I go with a different brand or stay with the same? What size should I get for the boot drive? This is my first build so the swap/scratch and partitioning is a little over my head. I was planning on getting an external drive also for backup.

The WD drive says it's a "bare" drive. Does that mean it doesn't have the needed cables? If that is the case, what would I need? I don't want to get all the parts only to find out I don't really have all the parts.

WD Black are good, so are Seagate Barracuda, I have both. The motherboard should come with SATA and power cables, but you can probably check the box contents somewhere.

Will this RAM work instead. Other is sold out. G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL

How about this DVD instead: LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04 - OEM
Model #:iHAS124-04

Second HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200 1 TB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s 32MB Cache 3.5 Inch Internal Hard Drive ST31000528AS-Bare Drive

Photo318 wrote in post #11365292
Thanks. I think I am ready to order all the parts. Just one more question. I have never used Newegg, only amazon (not for computer parts). Do you have any recommendations for sites if prices are the same on both?

I have ordered tons of stuff from Newegg, they are a very good company and have some very good prices on hardware. Just be aware that if you want the parts quickly, skip anything that ships with their "Egg Saver" shipping, you will wait a while for the package.

As long as the RAM will fit on the motherboard it should be fine. I got some cheaper OCZ memory last time I did a build, it worked fine. Kingston Value RAM works fine too.

duane0524 wrote in post #11365955
I have ordered tons of stuff from Newegg, they are a very good company and have some very good prices on hardware. Just be aware that if you want the parts quickly, skip anything that ships with their "Egg Saver" shipping, you will wait a while for the package.

Thanks that is good to know. If I see any of those and they are the same price at Amazon I will go with Amazon.