Reading mode: Light Dark

Help with a new desktop..

Go to last post
danelmix

danelmix

Leading Member
Messages
695
Reaction score
412
Hey. Looking to get a new desktop to run CS6. Budget is 1500. I was looking at Dell xps 27 touch. But I am open to anything. Any suggestions would be great.......thx
 
You might try Tiger Direct. I suggest Intel i5, ASUS MB, 2x4GB (or 2x 8GB) RAM in dual mode, SSD for the operating system, ITB HDD or more for programs and images, ASUS PB278Q monitor.
 
Ron AKA said:
Ron AKA wrote:

Are you looking to buy a preassembled computer or assemble it yourself? Does it need to have backup ability, or do you have that already?
Click to expand...
Thx. Pre-assembled. I have back up.
 
Your options will be more limited with a pre-assembled unit, unless you get someone to put it together for you. Some shops will do that for $50 or so.

Some things to consider:

1. A SSD will speed up performance noticeably when you use it to install the operating system and all your programs. It does not have to be huge. Use your Windows Explorer and Properties to determine what you are using for that now. Most likely a 120 or 128 GB is large enough. Samsung makes the best ones.

2. USB 3.0 ports are a must on the back and some place handy on the front of your case.

3. Try to pick a case that has room for HDD expansion. A good starting point is to get two 1TB 7200 rpm HDD like a Seagate Barracuda. With Windows 8 you can configure them as one single 2 TB disk and get double the read and write speed.

4. For Photoshop applications you do not need much for a graphics processor unless you plan to play games on it too. The built in graphics on the Haswell is good enough. Just make sure the motherboard has a PCIe slot for a graphics board in case you decide to add one later.

5. If you are concerned about noise look for a system that has large diameter fans, and some way to control them. The noise comes from high speed smaller diameter fans.

If you don't find something off the shelf that fits your needs, you may want to consider doing a configuration at Puget Systems. Their prices are very high, but if you take the list of components to a local mom and pop computer shop they should be able to put the same thing together for much less.
 
Ron AKA said:
Ron AKA wrote:

Your options will be more limited with a pre-assembled unit, unless you get someone to put it together for you. Some shops will do that for $50 or so.

Some things to consider:

1. A SSD will speed up performance noticeably when you use it to install the operating system and all your programs. It does not have to be huge. Use your Windows Explorer and Properties to determine what you are using for that now. Most likely a 120 or 128 GB is large enough. Samsung makes the best ones.

2. USB 3.0 ports are a must on the back and some place handy on the front of your case.

3. Try to pick a case that has room for HDD expansion. A good starting point is to get two 1TB 7200 rpm HDD like a Seagate Barracuda. With Windows 8 you can configure them as one single 2 TB disk and get double the read and write speed.

4. For Photoshop applications you do not need much for a graphics processor unless you plan to play games on it too. The built in graphics on the Haswell is good enough. Just make sure the motherboard has a PCIe slot for a graphics board in case you decide to add one later.

5. If you are concerned about noise look for a system that has large diameter fans, and some way to control them. The noise comes from high speed smaller diameter fans.

If you don't find something off the shelf that fits your needs, you may want to consider doing a configuration at Puget Systems. Their prices are very high, but if you take the list of components to a local mom and pop computer shop they should be able to put the same thing together for much less.
Click to expand...
Thanks....No gaming for me just photoshop images, no graphics. pretty basic.
 
danelmix said:
danelmix wrote:

Hey. Looking to get a new desktop to run CS6. Budget is 1500. I was looking at Dell xps 27 touch. But I am open to anything. Any suggestions would be great.......thx
Click to expand...
Call Dell and tell them you want their cheapest desktop that can be configured with 16 GB RAM and a SSD. You don't need a graphics card.
 
Chris Noble said:
Chris Noble wrote:
Chris Noble said:
danelmix wrote:

Hey. Looking to get a new desktop to run CS6. Budget is 1500. I was looking at Dell xps 27 touch. But I am open to anything. Any suggestions would be great.......thx
Click to expand...
Call Dell and tell them you want their cheapest desktop that can be configured with 16 GB RAM and a SSD. You don't need a graphics card.
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris. I really don't need a graphics card?
 
danelmix said:
danelmix wrote:
danelmix said:
Chris Noble wrote:
danelmix said:
danelmix wrote:

Hey. Looking to get a new desktop to run CS6. Budget is 1500. I was looking at Dell xps 27 touch. But I am open to anything. Any suggestions would be great.......thx
Click to expand...
Call Dell and tell them you want their cheapest desktop that can be configured with 16 GB RAM and a SSD. You don't need a graphics card.
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris. I really don't need a graphics card?
Click to expand...
Not if your processor is an i5 or an i7. The built-in graphics is ample.
 
Chris Noble said:
Chris Noble wrote:
Chris Noble said:
danelmix wrote:

Hey. Looking to get a new desktop to run CS6. Budget is 1500. I was looking at Dell xps 27 touch. But I am open to anything. Any suggestions would be great.......thx
Click to expand...
Call Dell and tell them you want their cheapest desktop that can be configured with 16 GB RAM and a SSD. You don't need a graphics card.
Click to expand...
good advise.

other than that, an i5 CPU will do. Faster is better as long as it fits the budget. 8GB RAM will probably also do but its cheap so not really an issue.

Other things to consider are having an at least 2 TB better 4 TB to store the actual pictures. eSATA and USB3 for backups and getting pics in the PC.

More thought than the PC hardware should go into the monitor. Dells Ultrasharp IPS models are good budget monitors for image processing. Touch screen is not needed and seems useless (to me).

A good an comfortable mouse is a must have. A wacom tablet should also be considered.

The latter points that I mention are by far more important than RAW CPU speed.

The most important thing to have is a WORKING backup strategy!!! Many people omit this after they bought the latest i7 CPU, just to find out that all their pics dissapeared in a data storage mishap ....
 
It is far easier to install an SSD when you start from scratch. I would not trust the software (like Magician from Samsung) that says it can move your operating system from the original C: HDD to the new C: SSD. It is much safer to install the SSD, then install the operating system manually clean on the SSD along with any programs, and last delete the operating system and programs from the D: HDD that used to be the C: And in short that is why prebuilt systems are a pain. Are they going to give you the operating system and included software CD's? Or, if not, how are you going to do the reinstall?
 
Ron AKA said:
Ron AKA wrote:

It is far easier to install an SSD when you start from scratch. I would not trust the software (like Magician from Samsung) that says it can move your operating system from the original C: HDD to the new C: SSD. It is much safer to install the SSD, then install the operating system manually clean on the SSD along with any programs, and last delete the operating system and programs from the D: HDD that used to be the C: And in short that is why prebuilt systems are a pain. Are they going to give you the operating system and included software CD's? Or, if not, how are you going to do the reinstall?
Click to expand...
I will have the OS cd.
 
digitalshooter said:
digitalshooter wrote:

especially if I am building it for photo processing work.

--
Thanks,
Digitalshooter
PS: all posts are just my opinion!
Click to expand...
True five years ago.

A video card provides zero benefits for rendering stills, and the built-in video in current processors are ample (actually overkill) for any kind of photo rendering or watching movies. As long as you have adequate RAM.

Also video cards are expensive, consume a lot of power and generate a lot of heat.

Modern processors have obsoleted them.

The built-in graphics in my i7 scales and renders my 2560x1440 images instantly, and I can easily watch HD movies while I am doing something else at the same time on another monitor. What benefit would an extra video card provide?
 
Matt105483 said:
There are very few PS effects that run on the GPU and make them faster. If its needed to have separate videocard for that is debatable though (I dont use one)
Click to expand...
Those effects will use a modern i5 or i7 GPU for acceleration as well. If you get an Ivy or Haswell system there is no reason to get a discrete GPU at all, and a few reasons not to get one (heat, power draw, driver hell). Just make sure the motherboard has a displayport connector.

Jesper
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top