building a computer for photo editing...how about this?

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OHChristine

New Member
I apologize up front for asking this..I know you guys answer these types of questions all the time.

I'm a SAHM mom, building a computer - I only tell you this to say that I have absolutely no time for computer games and am not interested in it any time soon. I surf the web, blog, and edit pictures (some for photo shoots for friends + a little bit of pay), if it matters - and I don't think it does - I'll need to use a webcam and skype (husband is in the military). I have three small kids and we homeschool - so they'll eventually be using the computer to write/learn to type/keyboard/research as well. I am currently working (ha!) on a HP Pavillion laptop intel pentium 4, windows xp. The laptop is about six years old and I would like to keep this next PC for equally as long.

My budget I can go to $1500 ish - as that's what I originally thought I needed to spend - I would prefer to keep it under $1000.

Here's a configuration that I basically lifted off of somebody's sig line - I hope that's okay? - will it work for me? I understand I'll have to purchase Windows 7 - or Vista Home Premium 64 bit until Windows 7 is released.

Okay then:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231324 - I'm shaky on this one. Is it good enough? Or too cheap?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680 - AMD Phenom x 2 102.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.237034 - GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H and g.skill 4gb memory combo 154.98

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102837 - SAPPHIRE 100258-1GHDMI Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card $114.99 (I'm not sure why this one was selected anymore. Seems I may have accidentally left this in the cart from a leftover intel 9550 775 build I started with then changed my mind....)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433 Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM $89.99



the extras:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820816001 nippon labs card reader/writer $19.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153 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 LightScribe Support - OEM $29.99

Total in my cart: $617.91 + 109.99 for windows vista = 727.90 and a couple of hundred for a monitor and I think I'm right where I need to be. Yes?

I know I'll need a monitor - which brings me to a question - I've read that I need a video card with digital dual output - really? I can't see myself using two monitors.
 
this build list looks fine to me.

Video card - it support dual output doesn't mean you need to use both. You can just use one.
 
I personally am not a fan of coolermaster power supplies, id go with this case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119203

Then this power supply unit: (Dont forget the $5 off coupon code, its on the page)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017

Id get a tri core:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649
Or if you want to keep it futureproof longer, a quad:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103696

This board is better, the 785 boards just have integrated graphics and worse power regulation over a 770 board, combo deal with vista for $25 off(also includes a ticket to upgrade to 7 when released):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.234361

If your not gaming...a 4670 is more than enough:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102820

Id spend an extra $5 for a caviar black of a seagate, much better customer support than seagate if you get a DOA drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284



(BTW, SAHM mom is double redundant, could have said SAHM or SAH mom:P)
 
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bomberboysk said:
BTW, SAHM mom is double redundant, could have said SAHM or SAH mom:P
Click to expand...

see? that's what talking all day to the 7 and under crowd can do to you! :eek:

Should I purchase two hard drives? It seems to me I've read that people buy a smaller one for the OS?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm making the changes.
 
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OHChristine said:
see? that's what talking all day to a the 7 and under crowd can do to you! :eek:

Should I purchase two hard drives? It seems to me I've read that people buy a smaller one for the OS?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm making the changes.
Click to expand...

Not necessary. Partition the HDD, e.g. 100GB for OS and program, 900GB for storage. Anything goes wrong, just format the OS drive.
 
Just a few thoughts....

If your budget is $1500, and you have no desire to play games and you want to edit and manage photos, I almost want to say look at getting an iMac. You will get everything in an all-in-one package, and you will be running OS X. So, there is low risk of you getting a virus. Plus with iPhoto you will be able to import, managed, crop, touch up, create slides shows, etc of all your photos.

All of this you will be able to do out of the box with ease and there is no need for you to buy third party software.
 
tlarkin said:
...Plus with iPhoto you will be able to import, managed, crop, touch up, create slides shows, etc of all your photos.
Click to expand...

Looking at Mac is how I wound up searching the web to see if I could build something. I know people love their Mac's. But I just can't get the gumption to cross over.

$1500 was my top price - I've - well, the people on this forum - have put together a nice little package for around $1000. And I don't believe I'll outgrow it anytime soon.

Also, after sleeping on it a bit, I realized that we will probably use this computer for some gaming. We're huge airplane fans around here (even the smallest among us) and it won't be too long, I guarantee it, before my computer is taken over by some sort of flight simulation program.

And once the graphics are fully appreciated, some sort of 1st person war game.

(secretly, I LOVE computer games. too much. i always have to play "one more time" to get "just a bit further" or "higher score this time" - its dangerous I tell ya!)

....hmnnn...maybe I should buy a Mac ;)
 
OHChristine said:
Looking at Mac is how I wound up searching the web to see if I could build something. I know people love their Mac's. But I just can't get the gumption to cross over.

$1500 was my top price - I've - well, the people on this forum - have put together a nice little package for around $1000. And I don't believe I'll outgrow it anytime soon.

Also, after sleeping on it a bit, I realized that we will probably use this computer for some gaming. We're huge airplane fans around here (even the smallest among us) and it won't be too long, I guarantee it, before my computer is taken over by some sort of flight simulation program.

And once the graphics are fully appreciated, some sort of 1st person war game.

(secretly, I LOVE computer games. too much. i always have to play "one more time" to get "just a bit further" or "higher score this time" - its dangerous I tell ya!)

....hmnnn...maybe I should buy a Mac ;)
Click to expand...

If you want to do some gaming, 4850 is a decent card... Or you could get a 4870 1GB ($130 After MIR)...
For CPU, my preference would be Phenom IIx3 720, but phenom IIx2 550 is not a bad pick...
 
Thanks everyone. I went ahead and clicked "checkout" at newegg following everyone's recommendations.

i went with bomberboysk recommendations - using the phenom IIx4 945. i did buy the xfx 4850 video card - the other one for $130 was sold out - because "ahem" i realize now we might actually use it.

thanks again
 
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