At the time this configuration cost $1,400 and was just enough to avoid paying $75 shipping.
(No monitor included.)
Processor: AMD FX-8320 CPU (8x 3.50GHz/8MB L3 Cache)
8-Core Processor
Memory: 16 GB [8 GB x2] DDR3-1600
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 - 2GB
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme9 -- AMD 990FX w/ 4x PCI-E 2.0 x16, 2x eSATA3, 8x USB 3.0
Main hard drive: 120 GB ADATA S510 SSD -- Read: 550MB/s, Write: 510MB/s
Data hard drive: 2 TB WD Black HARD DRIVE -- 64M Cache, 7200rpm, 6.0Gb/s
Optical drive: 14x Blu-Ray LG BLU-RAY Re-Writer, DVD±R/±RW Burner
2nd optical drive: 24x Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive
Power Supply: 600 Watt - OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W
The motherboard was one of only two available that supported up to 64GB of RAM for future upgrades, the other motherboards only supported 32GB of RAM. The other motherboard that supported 64GB of RAM was the ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Killer.
This motherboard also supported dual graphics cards. This means that three graphics cards can used. If you're editing compressed HD footage (what Digital SLR's produce) or doing work in Adobe After Effects, a second graphics card can be a godsend.
To make video editing easier, I bought a ViewSonic VX2703MH-LED 27-Inch LED Monitor on Amazon for $240. The 27 inch screen size works well on my desk and also gives me a second monitor to use with my MacBook Pro when doing website development.
Future upgradability with this system:
- Boost the RAM up to 64GB (I bought 16GB to start)
- Add another video card (bought a 2GB card with my system)
- Can upgrade my main hard drive drive to a higher capacity Solid State Drive.
- Can add an additional hard drive for data or backup.
- Can buy a second monitor for video and photo editing.
