New Photoshop Build

[Kyle B]

I made a similar thread a while back, but decided to wait until I had a higher budget. I now have that budget, and will be ordering the computer probably in about 2 weeks.

The budget for the computer is $1000, and will need to include the monitor. The computer will be used for photoshop almost exclusively, i.e. 10-12 hours of the day, every day, it will be running photoshop. One note however, while running photoshop it will also be running several other "small" programs such as firefox and photo uploaders.

Here is what I have so far (which I took mostly from another thread)

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail

Case:
NZXT HUSH Black SECC Steel/ Aluminum/ Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Memory 2x:
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

PSU:
Antec earthwatts EA430 430W ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail

GPU:
SAPPHIRE 100254L Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail

HD:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

CD/DVD:
LG Black 22X (CAV) DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X (CAV) DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM

OS:
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM

Monitor:
ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 1000:1 (ASCR 12000 : 1) Built in Speakers - Retail



As it is, it comes in a little over budget. While I would like to get it down to under $1000, I can live with $1100 if need be. Anyways, let me know what ya'll would change.


Also, I've heard an i7 system can be had for under $1000. Would it be worth it to go that route? The system will be used for several years to come, and while I know you can't "future proof" things, I do want something that is still going to be a good computer 5 years from now (Current desktop is 9 years old and still going strong, and games aside I have yet to need a program it can't run).


Thanks,
Kyle

 

[Proximon]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

Please don't force me to click on your links, I'm tired

 

[geofelt]

If you are going to use this pc for 8-10 hours per day, then pay a bit more and get the best. The price hurts once, but you will get it back every day, particularly if you will keep the system for several years.

What you listed is decent, but
Consider a i7 920. It is only $10 more. It has hyperthreading which gives the appearance of 8 cores, and is easily overclocked.
A X58 mobo such as the gigabyte x58-ud3r will cost you about $85 more.
6gb of DDR3 ram is $100, or about what you now plan to pay for 8gb. You can upgrade to 12gb with another $100.

CS4 will use the gpu power of some vga cards to speed things up. Here is a list of supported cards:
http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb405711&sliceId=1
I would pick a 8800GT which is about the same performance as a 4650.

A nice quiet case is the Antec solo. It also comes in white with an included 500w earthwatts psu for $139.99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129036

One of the faster hard drives is the WD caviar black series. Look at the 750gb or 1tb models. You may not use all the space, but the fastest part of a hard drive is the outer 20%. Such use is a cheap performance boost.

 

[Kyle B]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

Please don't force me to click on your links, I'm tired

Fixed.

 

[Kyle B]

Ok, so I built an i7 system, but it came in overbudget by over $200 :\


I used:

1 Antec Sonata Designer 500 Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
$169.99 -$30.00 Instant $139.99

1 MSI X58 Pro LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
$199.99 -$10.00 Instant $189.99

1 Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920
$289.99 $289.99

1 G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ
$129.99 -$11.00 Instant $118.99

1 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$79.99 $79.99

1 EVGA 512-P3-N863-TR GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$104.99 $104.99

1 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders
$109.99 -$10.00 Instant $99.99

1 Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor
$199.99 -$30.00 Instant $169.99

1 LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30
$25.99 $25.99

Subtotal: $1,219.91

I don't suppose there is much to be done to cut the cost on this system?

 

[theAnimal]

You'll want a better monitor for Photoshop.

HP LP2065

 

[Kyle B]

Eh, that monitor is a bit out of budget, and something that would be easy to upgrade later down the road if it becomes a problem.

 

[theAnimal]

Eh, that monitor is a bit out of budget, and something that would be easy to upgrade later down the road if it becomes a problem.

On a system intended for Photoshop you really shouldn't get a cheap TN panel monitor.

Highly recommended reading.

 

[Kyle B]

I've been using a regular laptop lcd for the past 3 years with no problems, can I assume a new desktop lcd, even using a TN panel, will produce the same if not better image quality?

 

[Proximon]

True enough. It's been many years since I did PS and desktop publishing, and I'm sure computers have caught up with the demands of the programs to some degree.

However, I still think it's valid to spend more when you can. I have seen the recent benchmarks, and you could end up saving yourself many hours a week in waiting time.

 

[theAnimal]

I've been using a regular laptop lcd for the past 3 years with no problems, can I assume a new desktop lcd, even using a TN panel, will produce the same if not better image quality?

Depends on what type of panel the laptop uses.

 

[xthekidx]

If you want to stay under your original budget and include a monitor in the price, then you should go with your original build, an i7 is out of your range I think.

 

[Kyle B]

From what I've been reading, the great majority of laptop displays are TN panels. It is a toshiba satellite p-25, and the veiwing angles are nothing terribly great (not a problem as I look at it directly on when I'm using it), so it would more than likely be a tn correct?



I may increase the budget to fit in an i7 system, or maybe even one of the nicer monitors if I can find a good deal, but I don't want to be repeating "well if I just spend a little bit more I can get _______" until I'm way over my original budget.

 

[Akebono 98]

If you want good value in an IPS panel, keep this Dell 2209WA in your back pocket: link.