buying new computer for Photoshop user

[toddbe]

I am ready for a new desktop within the next 90 days. I will probably stick with Intel, but might consider AMD. The major application that I use is Photoshop CS2. I think Intel is releasing a new processor (900 series)around the Feb. 1st time frame which would be fine.

Here is what I know I want:
Min 3g dual core Intel
min 2-4 megs ddr2 - what speed?
sataII raid 0 500 gig
graphics card - totally confused, suggestions? Does a high end card make a difference for Photoshop?
chip set - no idea
What else do I need?
Budget-$2,000-$2,500 w/o monitor

Thanks for your suggestions,
Todd

 

[endyen]

For the gfx card question, no, a high end card will do nothing for photoshop.
Photoshop is an SMP (muti-processor) program, so dual cores are a good idea. All current benchmarks show Amd as king of photoshop, in standard dual core setups. It is also nice that they run about 50w less power.
Upcoming Intel chips dont show enough improvement to be considered.

 

[Rob423]

honestly i run photoshop with a xp2800+ and 1GB of ram and i have no problems loading and etc.


I'd think a X2 series chip maybe a x2 4800+ and 1GB of mem would do you wonders but that's a pretty excellent system.

im sure a lower x2 + 1GB mem would suite you very nicely.

 

[lhgpoobaa]

Regardless of what you get:

A. a high end graphics card wont help with photoshop.
B. lots of ram WILL help. OODLES of ram. I strongly suggest a 2Gb memory kit (2x1024mb), either DDR or DDR2 depending on motherboard.

 

[toddbe]

OK, you have my interest with AMD. What is a good vendor to buy from? Which processor. Is there lineup changing in the next 90 days?

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Rob423]

i don't think in the next 90 days things will change that much, these are fairly new sockets and whatnot.

i'd go with newegg or zipzoomfly... I prefer newegg, but sometimes zipzoomfly.com has slightly cheaper or a better shipping plan.

those are the vendors i go with.

Im not sure on your $$$ limit, but if' it's way up there then i'd deff get the x2 4800+

 

[Rob423]

sorry i didn't see your budget.

Look for a nice x2 you can judge by the price and reviews on newegg.

x2 runs on socket 939.

asus, abit, DFI, and Epox have some popular welll reviewed boards for this socket.

nFORCE 4 chipset seems to be the champ right now.

6600GT video should do you justice. (keep in mind those motherboards are for PCI-E video cards just incase you didn't know.)

 

[Rugger]

AMD will shift sockets in Jun/Jul and transition to DDR2 RAM. How often do you upgrade? Reuse RAM in upgrades? AMD will continue to support s939 in their performance series chips thru FY06 or FY07, then in their value chips for a while after that, so there is room for future CPU upgrades. AMD owns dual core performance right now, but depending on your upgrade patterns, I might recommend waiting on M2 for upgrade.

 

[DRAGoNX]

Cheap but fast build for you (OC is required to make it fast, its no big deal though).

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568
(going expensive on this one)

CPU:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=120338

Better HS for CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835109123
FAN for better HS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811999122

RAM (2 of these, couldn't find the 2x1GB model yet).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227224

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151025

Vid Card:
Just get a 6600GT if your not doing any gaming on it. But if your budget allows it, get a 7800GT, and game your heart out on it.

Heres a good monitor too:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116365
(just incase you wanted it)

Enjoy getting your new computer, I just made a few suggestions.

-dragonx

 

[danizaken]

I agree that a graphics card will not help, the program is high performing with my XFX Geforce 4 MX lol.

 

[Rugger]

I'm not doing the build. :tongue:

 

[cdpage]

RAM, can never have enough.

Scratch disks are important too.

make sure your Scratch disks are not your C: and if you can save to a differant drive also.

 

[K8MAN]

1. Any X2 CPU
2. 4 gig's of value DDR400
3. A pair of seagates for RAID 0-There is going to be a lot of HDD access when working with big files so might as well make it quiet.
4. Antec sonata 2 case.
5.Winxp 64-Better memory managerment with more than 2 gig's.