PCPartPicker part list /
Price breakdown by merchant
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($364.98 @ Newegg Canada)
(Why would you go with the 1.5 generation old platform when the new CPU is actually cheaper?)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.98 @ Newegg Canada)
(This is good enough for some light overclocking I guess, you could always go for an H100i or something instead if you want to do a proper overclock)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($163.98 @ Newegg Canada)
(A very solid Z97 motherboard for the price)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($183.98 @ Newegg Canada)
(16GB [which is much needed for "artsy" programs] of solid 1866Mhz Vengeance Pro RAM from Corsair with good timings and CAS latency)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
(This is a great SSD, why would you just have it lying around? 
)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($185.98 @ Newegg Canada)
(I have this hard drive and I personally find it very loud in my case, but it's really fast so it's probably worth it)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Dual Superclocked ACX Video Card ($389.98 @ Newegg Canada)
(This is basically the exact same graphics card except it has a dual boot function and it was cheaper for some reason, so yay)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($114.98 @ Newegg Canada)
(I really like Fractal Design's cases and the Define R4 is one of the best reviewed sound-dampened chassis on the market. It is also smaller and cheaper than the 750D)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($129.98 @ Newegg Canada)
(A cheap 80+ Bronze PSU isn't good enough for such an expensive system IMO. This EVGA Supernova G2 power supply is 80+ Gold rated and is also one of the only PSUs to have recieved the "Top class" rating from SweClockers [a popular Swedish computer hardware site]. I think it suits this system perfectly)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.98 @ Newegg Canada)
(The DVD drive doesn't matter so much since she shouldn't be using it that much anyways, so I don't really have any comment here)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($144.98 @ Newegg Canada)
(I don't blame you/her for wanting Windows 7, Win8 seems a bit stupid from a Win7 user's perspective, but the cold hard truth is that it is the latest OS and it will get support & updates longer than Win7. It's also faster than Win7 in the back-end and in some applications, and once you get used to the interface and/or install programs to make the interface more like Windows 7, it's not really that bad at all. [Unless you already have a copy of Windows 7])
Monitor: BenQ XL2411Z 144Hz 24.0" Monitor ($249.99 @ Newegg Canada)
(A 144Hz TN monitor seems like a very odd decision for a designer due to the poor viewing angles, contrast and color accuracy, unless she does a lot of gaming. I'd personally recommend a nice IPS panel with the best possible color accuracy and appropriate features. But anyway, if she really wants 144Hz, I think this is better than the ASUS model)
Total: $1977.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-15 12:07 EDT-0400
