Okay, so please forgive me for the general nature of this query.
I want to build a new desktop since my laptop is leaving something to be desired, and with the advent of Dropbox, I think I could have more than one computer, so it's desktop time. Cheaper and faster, right?
My needs:
Windows 7
Run Photoshop (CS3, may upgrade someday)
Ability to multitask well (Turbolister, browser, Office stuff, other random stuff, nothing really complex)
I watch videos pretty constantly, and want to be able to do that without event
I do not have any intention to play any video games, so I don't need to spend any money to make my computer capable for that sort of thing.
I can build a computer myself from components, I just don't know which components to pick, and I know you all are going to have some wonderful guidance on what'd be best for me.
So as I figure it, I'll need a MoBo, RAM, CPU, Power, Video Card, Case, HD, and some sort of DVD drive. I would also like to be able to plug my CF card into my computer and have it upload photos as fast as possible. I have a 1394 external card reader, but is there a way to make an internal card reader faster?
I am totally open to RAID, but I don't know if it's necessary in my application since I'll be backing up this computer regularly, and I don't know how much I'll gain by having RAID for photoshop. I store photos on an external after I'm done working on them. At the least though I would like a fast HD with some better-than-average connectivity, though I don't know what's the best balance between speed and price for connecting a HD.
I won't be using the DVD drive much at all, so its connectivity doesn't need to be above average.
I am pretty sure that my RAM needs to be excellent for using Photoshop since I freaking hate waiting for that program, and that's an area that doesn't seem clear to me these days. Do I want it matched, how much do I want, etc.? Also worth nothing is the limited support of RAM with Win7 - should I go 64 bit? What kind of software limitations might I run into with a 64 bit OS?
The video card can be digital or analog - whatever will be better, if there is a "better" between the two. My monitor does both.
Sound does not need to be fancy, but I do have some decent speakers hooked up, so basically not high end, but not crap.
I really cant' think of anything else, but I'm sure I'm missing stuff, so let me know what it is, and what you think.
The ultimate directive is that I'd like to balance cost with performance. I have little idea how much this'll cost, but I was going to spend ~$2500-3000 on a laptop, so extrapolate that into desktop prices (hopefully not more than half since desktops are cheaper, and I don't need all the peripherals that are necessarily built into a laptop). And if it's possible, it'd be nice to have the option to upgrade in a year and get significantly improved performance (like maybe just a CPU?).
Thanks in advance!!
Oh, and if you impress me, I might even give you some money for a really well-drafted proposal
I want to build a new desktop since my laptop is leaving something to be desired, and with the advent of Dropbox, I think I could have more than one computer, so it's desktop time. Cheaper and faster, right?
My needs:
Windows 7
Run Photoshop (CS3, may upgrade someday)
Ability to multitask well (Turbolister, browser, Office stuff, other random stuff, nothing really complex)
I watch videos pretty constantly, and want to be able to do that without event
I do not have any intention to play any video games, so I don't need to spend any money to make my computer capable for that sort of thing.
I can build a computer myself from components, I just don't know which components to pick, and I know you all are going to have some wonderful guidance on what'd be best for me.
So as I figure it, I'll need a MoBo, RAM, CPU, Power, Video Card, Case, HD, and some sort of DVD drive. I would also like to be able to plug my CF card into my computer and have it upload photos as fast as possible. I have a 1394 external card reader, but is there a way to make an internal card reader faster?
I am totally open to RAID, but I don't know if it's necessary in my application since I'll be backing up this computer regularly, and I don't know how much I'll gain by having RAID for photoshop. I store photos on an external after I'm done working on them. At the least though I would like a fast HD with some better-than-average connectivity, though I don't know what's the best balance between speed and price for connecting a HD.
I won't be using the DVD drive much at all, so its connectivity doesn't need to be above average.
I am pretty sure that my RAM needs to be excellent for using Photoshop since I freaking hate waiting for that program, and that's an area that doesn't seem clear to me these days. Do I want it matched, how much do I want, etc.? Also worth nothing is the limited support of RAM with Win7 - should I go 64 bit? What kind of software limitations might I run into with a 64 bit OS?
The video card can be digital or analog - whatever will be better, if there is a "better" between the two. My monitor does both.
Sound does not need to be fancy, but I do have some decent speakers hooked up, so basically not high end, but not crap.
I really cant' think of anything else, but I'm sure I'm missing stuff, so let me know what it is, and what you think.
The ultimate directive is that I'd like to balance cost with performance. I have little idea how much this'll cost, but I was going to spend ~$2500-3000 on a laptop, so extrapolate that into desktop prices (hopefully not more than half since desktops are cheaper, and I don't need all the peripherals that are necessarily built into a laptop). And if it's possible, it'd be nice to have the option to upgrade in a year and get significantly improved performance (like maybe just a CPU?).
Thanks in advance!!
Oh, and if you impress me, I might even give you some money for a really well-drafted proposal