New Computer Build Suggestions?

[KurtM]

Okay, I am something between a Luddite and a Geek. I have my computers custom built at a shop near me because tech support is immediately accessible in competent human form. I go Windows PC because I teach elderly folks how to use PC's as a volunteer thru the local library, and want to be using more or less what they're using. So now that we have those particular choices taken care of....

I will soon be having a new computer put together. What would you suggest for a good strong machine capable of handling all these photo files and processing? I shoot RAW, and use Photoshop and Lightroom. The computer I have now is 4 years old, runs XP SP3, 2G dual core, 4G RAM, and I can feel it dragging ass. The guys at the shop will undoubtedly offer guidance, but I'm not so sure any of 'em have backgrounds in graphics-intensive setups, so I though I'd ask here. I don't want to spend money just because I can, but if a hot dog vid card or whatever really helps, then I'm for it.

Thanks!

[mbrobich]

Your computer will always be at the mercy of the slowest part inside. In most cases, it is the hard drive. If you can afford it get an SSD drive for the OS(64 Windows 7). Doesn't have to be big, like 80GB to 160GB just to load the OS and you PP program(maybe Photoshop or LR). From there, use a 1TB or 2TB drive to store your photos once they have been manipulated.

My current rig is a quad core Intel I7-2600K 3.4GHZ overclocked to 4.2GHZ on air, Asus P8Z68-V-LE motherboard, 16GB of COrsair Vengeance 1600MHZddr3 memory, a Crucial 250GB SSD drive(OS) and a WDC black 2TB drive for storage. Video card is a ATI 6950-2GB running an Asus 27" LED LCD, all powered by a Thermaltake 1200watt Tough series power supply.

30+ years in the computer industry and 15 years computer store owner.

Marc

[KurtM]

Now that's interesting ........ the guy who owns my computer store is named Marc.

[ArmySoldier777]

Marc has a very good point. The only part of my system with a rating lower than 7 is my HD, so in my situation it would be a good idea for me to update to a solid state drive. But keep in mind that even lower capacity solid-state drives can be very expensive lol. It's the reason I don't have one.

However, if you've got a good processor and a lot of memory, you're still going to be pretty happy with your build. For me, the 16gigs of ram I've got is enough to sate my want for a SSD. If you do decide to get one though, Marcs right about not needing a very big one. Just one to run windows and your software off of. Then store everything else on a secondary.

[dlambert]

I used a small SSD for boot & applications, and mirrored HDDs for data on mine - that seems to be working pretty well. After that, buy RAM -- 8GB minimum, but 16MB would be great. You probably don't need to go nuts with the processor - a Core i5 should be plenty, and you could probably get by with a Core i3. There's at least a couple chipsets that support HDMI graphics right on the motherboard -- this won't give you the best performance, but if you want to save a couple bucks on the build you could do that and then add a graphics card later if the on-board stuff isn't quick enough for you.

If I were building today, I'd make sure to get a MB with USB 3.0 and 6 GB/sec SATA. If you've got any eSATA devices, pay attention to availability of those ports -- it seems like a lot of MB's made room for USB 3.0 ports by leaving off eSATA.

[mbrobich]

Yes a Core i5-Quad core and a small SSD will do wonders. SSDs mostly run about $2 per 1GB.

[ArmySoldier777]

I remember back when regular HDD's were about $2 per 1GB too. Someday we'll get these SSD's just as cheap lol

[jantanik]

Due to the natural progression of new technologies driving down the prices of flash memory and related components. SSDs are now cheaper, available at around $2 per GB. 15K RPM HDDS are available at around $3 per GB.

[KurtM]

Originally Posted by ArmySoldier777

Marc has a very good point. The only part of my system with a rating lower than 7 is my HD.......

What's that mean, a 'rating of 7'?

What's the word on overclocking? It always struck me as stuff of the ubergeekness realm, not to be taken lightly by us more primitive life forms.

Fascinating stuff, keep it coming!

[ArmySoldier777]

If you right click on My Computer and go into Properties and click on Windows Experience Index, it'll give you a rating on different components, ie: Processor, Ram, HDD, Graphics.

It's nothing detailed, it just kind of gives you an idea of where your strong and weak points are.