New computer needed for college student with Adobe CS4 enroute.

A

acsoundwave

New Member
I already have a local PC builder lined up. I would like to use Windows XP 64-bit to take full advantage of extra memory, and for the amount of images I'll have to work on, I will need extra storage.

(Reviews of Vista that I've read don't look favorable; while it probably works, I'd prefer XP. I'm not concerned about an OS that looks "pretty"; in fact, I turned most of my current XP's excess graphics off. (the UIs look like Windows Classic interfaces.))

Will use:

Photoshop CS4
other components of CS4
Paint.NET
Final Cut Pro
OpenOffice Writer
Mozilla Firefox
Mozilla Thunderbird
foobar2000

Per some earlier reading, it seems that 8GB RAM, a solid CPU and graphics card are the main priorities in this config, along with a vast amount of hard drive storage. Floppy drive required for WinXP (read it on a custom-builder's site).

Here's a config I set up at an online builder's site. US $2,785.66* for:

Case Antec Three Hundred
Processor Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz x 4 1066MHz FSB 8MB cache
Motherboard EVGA nForce 750i SLI FTW Edition (nForce 750i SLI chipset)
DDR2 Memory 8GB Dual-channel: 4 x 2048MB DDR2 800MHz PC6400
Hard Drive Hitachi Deskstar 750GB 32MB 7200RPM SATA2
Hard Drive #2 Hitachi Deskstar 750GB 32MB 7200RPM SATA2
Hard Drive #3 Hitachi Deskstar 750GB 32MB 7200RPM SATA2
Hard Drive #4 Hitachi Deskstar 750GB 32MB 7200RPM SATA2
Serial ATA RAID None
Optical Drive LG 22X SATA Lightscribe DVD-burner with Software GH22LS30
Video Card (PCI Express x16) NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB Dual-DVI/HDTV-out
Removable Storage Device(s) 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive
Removable Storage Device(s) Internal 8-in-1 Card Reader
Sound Card On-board high-definition sound system
Network Card Integrated LAN with 10/100/1000 Fast Ethernet Controller
Input/Output capabilities Refer to the motherboard chosen. For Shuttle XPC systems please refer to "Technical Specification" page under the main product page.
Power Supply Corsair TX750 750 Watt modular PSU
CPU Cooling Stage 2 Cooling: Aftermarket multi-heatpipe heatsink with 92mm fan
Operating Systems (OS) Microsoft Windows XP Professional 64-bit Edition SP2
Keyboard and Mouse Microsoft Comfort Curve keyboard with Optical mouse
First LCD Monitor Samsung 19IN SyncMaster 931BW Widescreen LCD Monitor Glossy Black 2000:1 1440X900 2MS HDCP VGA DVI-D
Second LCD Monitor Samsung 19IN SyncMaster 931BW Widescreen LCD Monitor Glossy Black 2000:1 1440X900 2MS HDCP VGA DVI-D
Speakers 2.1 Logitech X-240 Speaker System
Surge Bar 7-Outlet surge suppressor
Warranty 2-Year Limited Warranty
Service Assembling and Testing

= = =

I likely overdid the config. Any suggestions? I need to know before I contact my local builder with the system I want to set up.

Thanks for helping a first-time poster. (I was unable to access the config guide properly; there's mostly gaming rigs in there, and I don't game except on dedicated consoles.)

* I was actually looking for a system between $1000-$1700 USD (tops).
 
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Here is a list of component approx $1750 before MIR, Tax and shipping.

Intel Q9550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

MSI X48 Platinum
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130140

HIS Hightech H487FN1GP Radeon HD 4870 1GB GDDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161269

2 x Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 Model PVS24G6400LLK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220293

2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148337

LITE-ON 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS322-08 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106286

Nippon Labs ICR-EE All-in-one USB + FDD1.44" Card Reader w/ 3.5" FLOPPY DRIVE - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820816002

PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX and below) CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

Antec Three Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2C 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116378

2 x ASUS VW198T Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236032

Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 B2L-00047 Black USB Ergonomics Keyboard and Mouse - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109156

Logitech X-240 25 Watts 2.1 Speaker - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121010
 
Final Cut Pro only works on OS X so you need a Mac to run that really. Also, Vista x64 is A LOT better than XP x64 which was rubbish and a driver nightmare!
 
I would not use XP 64bit...The extra memory is not worth the headache. Many software manufacturers did not make it compatible. I can almost guarantee you will be upset in the future. Not to mention that software developers have almost stopped supporting 64 bit XP all together now...anything new in the next couple years...forget about it being supported. If you need the extra memory, which you do, go with Vista 64 bit operating system. Vista is actually a good operating system now.
 
PabloTeK said:
Final Cut Pro only works on OS X so you need a Mac to run that really. Also, Vista x64 is A LOT better than XP x64 which was rubbish and a driver nightmare!
Click to expand...

yup, i agree XP 64bit have driver issue as well, however, it was what he request...
Also, I really think he do think he should consider MAC...
BTW, I just wonder if he really need 3TB in total...
 
One more person saying avoid XP 64-bit. We have it at work and nothing works with it. Even simple things like card-readers. Vista is getting better with every upgrade and I think that the general consensus on this forum is that it is OK now (??).

Choose your video card very carefully for Photoshop, only the supported ones will have any benefit over integrated graphics. 8Gb of RAM is definitely a good idea for what you will be doing with it. Hope that helps, Doug.
 
I'll keep everything in mind. (Vista's good now...?) Then again, I'm pretty familiar with XP, at least the 32-bit SP3 version. Is there any way to customize Vista to look like Windows Classic? To me, it's a cleaner interface; it should look like a computer, not a "cool toy". (30+ year-old woman speaking.)
 
um, yes there is a way to make Vista look like XP to an extent, but after using vista for two years now i dont think i would ever go back to XP, the functionality and practicality i have now blows XP away.
 
UPDATE: New computer needed for college student w/Adobe CS4 enroute.

I noticed some good out of the box configs while browsing at NEWEGG today, and I'm rethinking a custom build at this time. Thus, I'd like to hear your opinions regarding the configs below.

Remember, this computer is needed to run (in addition to my usual programs) Adobe CS4 and other art/animation-related projects; my idea of gaming involves popping in a Monopoly CD whenever I'm in the mood to play on the PC--otherwise, I have my dedicated Nintendo consoles.

All of these are the print-friendly spec pages.

First up is Gateway, believe it or not. My current PC is a refurbished Gateway, humming along nicely.

The other two contenders are HP computers: HP Pavilion Elite and HP Workstation.

My first computer was a $549 HP Pavilion, bought from Wal-Mart. "Pavvy's" at my mom's house. This makes me lean toward the Pavvy Elite (along with the price, the 8GB of RAM and the storage(the most of my three choices). The Workstation has the option (at NEWEGG at least) to "downgrade" to XP Pro, and I do like my options. Unfortunately, it only has a 250GB hard drive; while I've survived on a 60GB, I'd really like a *lot* more space.

My second was a $349 eMachines, also from Wally World. Unfortunately, "Easy Mac's" motherboard went ker-plooey in 2006, about 3 years after I bought it. :( This makes me wary about buying another eMac.

My current one's a refurbished Gateway from Goodwill(charity store), at present packed with 2GB of RAM and a slaved HD(from Easy Mac, as its drive was still functional). "Gates" hums along normally, but I don't think it can handle the RAM-hunger of Adobe's major programs. The Gateway I linked to is on sale at Newegg for $20 off (wow... :rolleyes:).

Unfortunately, I don't think Newegg actually custom builds computers. (If they do, please show me where.) I also noted CyberpowerPCs and IBuyPower computers on the block, but I've heard bad things about both brands on various sites.

Please advise.
 
You don't need four hard drives.



Unless you are the internet in its entirety.

1.5 terabytes is more rational.


I'd be surprised if you'd even use that much.
 
Did you buy x64 bit xp pro yet, if not go with the vista ultimate x64. But I run xp pro x64 for my main OS. Granted they are some drivers issues. But I like it since I could not afford the vista at the time. I will be getting the windows 7 x64 when it comes out next year. I am one of the beta testers for it and I really like it. Most of the software that I run works okay with xp pro x64. You just have to do the research on drivers. There is some software that does not run with vista also. It is the software manf. that is lagging behind.
PS. If you have not run Windows xp pro x64 ppl. don't bad mouth it.
 
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