Key components for "value" computer?

[PenGun]

If you're building a value system, I'd look at AMD; Phenom x6 or maybe x4($150-220). The processors are cheaper than Intel and so are the motherboards(~$80-90). I'm a huge Seasonic fan, but Antec makes a good PS too. Look at the Antec sonata II case. It includes a 500w green power supply(very efficient) and is a very nice case; runs about $100.00. I'd also second the Western digital green drives. The 1TB version is cheap, fast, quiet, and cool. 4-8gb of ram should run $100-200(2-4 sticks). CS4 can use the graphics card, but it won't make or break the experience IMO. I'd try the on-board video first and buy a PCI x16 card only if it leaves you wanting. My $.02

Actually that case uses an Antec Smart Power PSU. Not one of their good ones, many problems.

[Vertex Ninja]

Actually that case uses an Antec Smart Power PSU. Not one of their good ones, many problems.

I think I wrote the wrong number. I believe it's the sonata III. Thanks for catching that!

[Vertex Ninja]

For sure you can build a cheap machine. The OP wanted to spend a grand ... you can do considerably better than a bone stock AMD for that.

A Phenom II x4 or x6 is a pretty monstrous machine for Photoshop, inDesign, and general computing. I'm not a AMD fanboy at all, but I just built a Phenom x4 3.0ghz server and for 3d renders(very stressful) it's 3.5x as fast as my core2duo and that's while running as a LAMP, Samba, uPnP media server, and Linux software raid in the background. Benchmarks are benchmarks, but in real world use I'd personally notice more money in my pocket than completing photoshop actions/filters 1-10 secs faster. Besides, any machine will be considered slow in the blink of an eye.

[PenGun]

I think I wrote the wrong number. I believe it's the sonata III. Thanks for catching that!

Yeah the EarthWorks are good in that one.

[mdd99]

All of this advice looks good for building a machine on my own or through a third party. Any suggestions as to third parties to work with? What about going through the traditional manufacturers, such as HP, Gateway, etc.? Seems like there's a sales war going on these days, or is that an illusion?

[PenGun]

A Phenom II x4 or x6 is a pretty monstrous machine for Photoshop, inDesign, and general computing. I'm not a AMD fanboy at all, but I just built a Phenom x4 3.0ghz server and for 3d renders(very stressful) it's 3.5x as fast as my core2duo and that's while running as a LAMP, Samba, uPnP media server, and Linux software raid in the background. Benchmarks are benchmarks, but in real world use I'd personally notice more money in my pocket than completing photoshop actions/filters 1-10 secs faster. Besides, any machine will be considered slow in the blink of an eye.

Oh for sure. The i5-750 is kind of at a sweet spot now. It's more efficient in some areas than the AMDs so it's about 15% better per clock on rendering, video conversion, zip/unzip etc. That makes it a good photoshop processor as the loads are similar. It's $200 now so a bit of a deal. As it's photoshop more cores from an i7's hyperthreading are not really useful, four is plenty.

An AMD machine can be easily as good, there's not much in it.

Until you try a little OCing. The i5-750s do 4 GHz quite easily and at that speed photoshop ... is fun.

[PenGun]

All of this advice looks good for building a machine on my own or through a third party. Any suggestions as to third parties to work with? What about going through the traditional manufacturers, such as HP, Gateway, etc.? Seems like there's a sales war going on these days, or is that an illusion?

I like to build mine but if you are careful and have the hardware you need well understood you can make some pretty good deals.

OT ... here's a deal:

http://www.kitco.com/charts/livegold.html

But probably only till tuesday/wednesday ...

From "Beyond the Fringe" :

" Now is the end. Perish the world"