Another newbie here with questions.

T

tbfoto

New Member
Wow what a great forum this is. I've been reading here for the last couple of days. Lots of information. I got my first computer 4 years ago and have taught myself how to get around in this "new" age. I am a photographer who has turned to mostly all digital work now and my old Emachine just isnt keeping up. I'm looking for something that will allow me to work much faster. I currently have a Pent.III 1.0GHZ w/256SDRam with 30G HD and a CD-RW 8x max drive. I'm looking at buying a new computer and would like to get some input. I would like to be able to run Photoshop and burn CD's or DVD's at the same time. I don't play any video games and only listen to music on a rare occasion. I would like to have at least a 17" monitor. My current CRT monitor isnt that bad but may want a LCD. I'm just looking for advice to keep me from wasting money. I was hoping to find something in the $500-$800 range. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
tbfoto
 
you ought to be able to find a computer pretty cheap that will handle all those tasks with ease, you may end up spending almost as much for a good LCD as you will the rest of the computer. I'd suggest looking at the reviews on 19" LCD's on Newegg.com, I'd say go for a well-known brand as well and expect to pay $300+ for a really good monitor. As far as the computer itself, I'd suggest another Intel, and I'd get a Pentium. Basically anything in the upper 2Ghz range should me more than adequate, maybe even check your local Staples, Best Buy, or other related store and see what their weekly specials are, if you can get one without a monitor, it may be better for your situation as you will likely be getting a much better one anyways. You should be able to find something around $400 or less that will be plenty adequate.
 
Dell also usually has some very good ads going in the local papers. My parents got an awesome new system for a little over $600 with shippin/handling and a 17" LCD monitor. I'd keep an eye out in the local paper for their ads, you might have to do a mail-in rebate, but they are relatively easy compared with some others...
 
Watch Costco if you are a member also, got my sister an Emachine with a 17in LCD, Athlon 3400, dvdplayer\cdrw, 3pci slots, a PCIe slot available since it was onboard video for $800 with tax.
 
I would like to be able to run Photoshop and burn CD's or DVD's at the same time.
Click to expand...
Since you're doing serious photography, thats going to be CPU and HDD bound.

I was hoping to find something in the $500-$800 range
Click to expand...
- AMD Athlon64 X2 3800 [S939, Manchester, ADA3800DAA5BV]($322)
- Gigabyte GA-K8N51GMF-9($64)
- Maxtor DiamondMax10 250GB 16MB NCQ SATA3.0($101)
- GSkill 2x1GB [CL3]($147)
- SoundBlaster Audigy2 Value($40.5)
- XClio 450W [12V@32]($43.99)
- NEC 3550A($39.75)
- Cheapo Case($19.5)
SUBTOTAL = $777.74


Now if you want to include a monitor into that, something like CTL 19" 0.26 1920x1440 [$175.99] can be had if you trim the system down to:
- Intel PentiumD 820($243)
- MSI 945GM2 HF($92)
- Maxtor DiamondMax10 250GB 16MB NCQ SATA3.0($101)
- Wintec AMPO 2x512MB PC2-4200($58.44)
- NEC 3550A($39.75)
- XClio 450W [12V@32]($43.99)
- Cheapo Case($19.5)
SUBTOTAL = $597.68
 
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