New Guy. New Computer. Your Thoughts

J

JonH

New Member
I've been lurking for a while and reading a lot. I have permission from "the boss" to get a new computer. For some time I was thinking of building my own - I feel there would be little problem with the actual build - but there could be many problems AFTER I (try) to turn it on. I like fooling with my cars and bikes, but I think that I don't want to tinker with a computer - at least not much.

So with that in mind, I'm after a machine that will be used 90% of the time for Photoshop work. I don't play any games, but other than an occasional video rendering (current machine bogs down) my other useages are not too demanding.

I'm looking at a HP machine from CostCo that I would swap out a couple components - the video card and RAM. Here's the machine from CostCo:



Configuration Summary

Selected Features:
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Quad processor Q6600 (2.4GHz)
FREE UPGRADE to 3GB DDR2-800MHz dual channel SDRAM from 2GB
320GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400, DVI-I, VGA adapter,HDMI
Integrated 7.1 channel sound w/front audio ports
15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, 1394, video, audio
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
HP multimedia keyboard and HP optical mouse
No Modem
LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
Norton Internet Security(TM) 2008 - 15 Months
ATSC-NTSC TV tuner with PVR, FM tuner, remote

Included Features:
Elite entertainment, multimedia PC
TV Tuner, HP Media Drive bays, HP Easy Backup Button included
Total memory slots: 4 DIMM
15 in 1 memory card reader, video ports front and back
6 USB (2 front, 4 back), 2 IEEE 1394 (1 front, 1 back), 2 PS/2
Front headphone, line-in, mic (7.1 capable using front ports)
1 PCI, 2 PCI Express (x1) total expansion slots
1 PCI Express (x16) graphics slot, graphics card included
350 Watt power supply
Modem or wireless card (optional)
Integrated 10/100/1000BaseT networ


I would install:
GeForce 8800GT video card -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318

Corsair XMS2 4GB RAM -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145176

A second HD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB HD -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148274

Samsung 2253BW 22" monitor -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001268&Tpk=2253bw

For the RAM, as I read it, I should have 4 slots to fill. So maybe I could add the Corsair plus the "stock" RAM?

My cost, less shipping and tax, is around $1642 with $877 of that going towards the HP machine from CostCo.

My questions are:
Will this be a pretty good "tweaked" off-the-shelf machine for my Photoshop?
Will this stuff work well together?
Am I goofy to do this?

Thanks for any and all help and opinions. I'm a NOT computer savvy, so comments might have to be dialed down to "newbie" level.

Thanks in advance,
Jon in American Fork
 
For one if you are unfamiliar with how to build and even more on how to repair and reinstall Windows why a 64bit edition? 4gb of memory isn't needed for Photoshop. What most don't realize is that the current softwares are written for use on system not seeing more then 2-3gb while taking the extra 1gb would be smart even for a 32bit edition for work with video.

$2,000 approximate for what you want in it is quite a bit more then what you would spend on a custom build once you got familiar with how things are put together. You'll love having a 1tb drive in for a second drive however since a 500gb model can get filled right up fast when working with video files. Drive space, drive space, always drive space is the word on that.
 
You would most likely also have to install a new PSU since the one supplied probably won't be strong enough. But if ur going that far, I think that even if u'd rather not, it would be wise to build your own, already you are quite close to that since ur changing so many pieces.
 
would an 8800GT be realy necessary if your not gaming?

i would just stick with the 8400
 
build it yourself. Only things to remember are make sure you have your computer turned off when adding any parts, and make sure you get the correct drivers.
 
Thanks for the quick replies....

PC eye - From what I have read, on this forum and at Adobe forums, it appears that the majority of PS users who don't have any problems with PS at all are all using 64bit Vista. Plus with 64bit, I can utilize more of the RAM that I have, according to Microsoft, up to 128gb. Some PS users have up to 8 gb and talk of zero issues with bogging down. The people who complain of Vista and PS not liking each other and also running very slow (most) all seem to have 32bit Vista and/or 2gb of RAM or less.

Kilauea - (Is a "PSU" a power supply?) If i'm getting in too deep with what I'm thinking of doing, then maybe I'll just keep it "stock." I don't want to get into a position of having to be continually upgrading becasue of my upgrades.

Nevakonaza - I was under the impression (I guess wrongly?) that an upgraded video card would help with my PS. I guess not? There were several threads that talked of upgrading the video card for better performance and I didn't think they were talking about only gaming. I will still assume that it would help if/when I do video work.

Again, thanks for the input. Keep it coming....
Jon in American Fork
 
Nevakonaza said:
would an 8800GT be realy necessary if your not gaming?

i would just stick with the 8400
Click to expand...

Are you kidding? He could easily go with an 8600 or an ATI mid range model for the improvement seen in other things besides gaming. For about $1,100 rather then the $2,000 a custom case could see a good number of worth the effort hardwares put in. :P

For not planning any SLI setups and ocing you can find a good number of 450-500w supplies that will cover all your needs in order to replace the usual 301-350w models HP tosses in. You also have the option of What board and cpu will go in as well as the OS!
 
I hate stores that sell laptops like staples and costco or best buy. They sell computers at high prices, convince people to buy crap/bloatware they don't need, and give crap service back. Buy from newegg or online.
 
Well if you're not gaming there's not much use to installing a 8800GT. And quad-core is still the best in editing software programs (movies/photo's etc.) so with that Q6600 you're fine (Q6700 might be even better if you're going to OC).

I'd go for an X38 motherboard (any will do)
 
JonH said:
Thanks for the quick replies....

PC eye - From what I have read, on this forum and at Adobe forums, it appears that the majority of PS users who don't have any problems with PS at all are all using 64bit Vista. Plus with 64bit, I can utilize more of the RAM that I have, according to Microsoft, up to 128gb. Some PS users have up to 8 gb and talk of zero issues with bogging down. The people who complain of Vista and PS not liking each other and also running very slow (most) all seem to have 32bit Vista and/or 2gb of RAM or less.
Click to expand...

I multi boot XP as Linux along with a 32bit edition of Vista at the present time without any complaints of a slow machine here. Beside some annoyances with some of the changes made in the new version(to be expected at times) I haven't seen any of the big complaints heard in that area.

As time has been going along I boot into XP less and less in fact. Vista despite some objections has seen some improvements with the 32bit editition. The next version of Windows will likely see a 64bit edition run here since it will still take a few years before the software companies to decide to get it in gear to start seeing 64bit games and apps then.
 
OK.....I will guess that everyone here will vote "NO!" when it comes to buying from a CostCo or Sam's place, I think I understand that one. My weakness is/was that I can just go there, grunt and I have a computer. I would have a 2-year, no questions asked (well, maybe a couple questions asked) warranty, but.....

royalmarine - you got me looking at the Newegg machines and I found this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883107657&Tpk=n82e16883107657

It is the exact same machine...but more:
I would gain a 750gb HD (vs. 500gb) and a wireless LAN card. (Can I assume that there's some other stuff inside that's "better" than the CostCo machine.

I would lose only Microsoft Works 9.0 - but beats me what that's really good for AND I can always buy it for $40.

I would also gain about $82 - which is ALWAYS a good thing. (I'm not including tax in either of these.) I would also continue with my second HD and monitor purchases.

Thanks again for all of your comments and input,
Jon in American Fork
 
JonH said:
royalmarine - you got me looking at the Newegg machines and I found this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883107657&Tpk=n82e16883107657

It is the exact same machine...but more:
I would gain a 750gb HD (vs. 500gb) and a wireless LAN card. (Can I assume that there's some other stuff inside that's "better" than the CostCo machine.

I would lose only Microsoft Works 9.0 - but beats me what that's really good for AND I can always buy it for $40.

I would also gain about $82 - which is ALWAYS a good thing. (I'm not including tax in either of these.) I would also continue with my second HD and monitor purchases.
Click to expand...

microsoft works 9 isnt a huge deal. i wouldnt count that in the price.

the costco machine uses very cheap components. i guarantee you it will have problems in the first year. while a company like newegg will use much higher end products that will be more stable.

for the sake of 120dollar's id get the one i linked you too rather than the one on newegg you pointed out.
the reason's are:

1: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300(2.5GHz) vs Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600(2.4GHz)
the q9300 will run colder. it will also overclock a LOT more than the q6600.
so if your machine does start to get slow in a year or so you can run it faster.

2: your link: Cache Per Processor 2 x 4MB
my link: Cache Per Processor 6MB
faster cache more resources the computer has. espically when its a quad.

3: NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT vs NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
dont need to say anything about that..... :P 8800gt is unreal.

4: your link: Memory Spec 1GB x 4
my link: Memory Spec 2GB x 2
this doesnt seem like a lot, but it means that the motherboard in my link has 2 slots free. so when the time comes you need more ram, you can simply buy 2 more sticks of 2 x 2 ram (about 80bucks) and your system will have 8gb.

with your link, all 4 channels are used. so you cant put more in unless you take out the 4 x 1 sticks and buy 4 x 2 sticks.

5: your link has vista 64bit. mine has vista premium 32bit.
not sure how you are with that. i know you wanted 64bit.
i use xp 32bit, and vista 64bit. i see no real difference since i upgraded to vista 64 from vista 32. apart from it now uses all 4gb of ram rather than 3.25gb in 32bit.

6: in the end, get what you really want for yourself. if your not going playing games and all your gonna do is surf the net and photoshop then a quadcore with a decent graphics (8series range like 8400, 8500 upwards will do).

the point im making above is for the sake of 120 dollars, the gateway system i linked to is clearly more powerful for 120dollars.

it doesnt mean it would suit your needs more! im sure you could think 120dollars can be spent better somewhere else! i know i would :P
 
Timo said:
Well if you're not gaming there's not much use to installing a 8800GT. And quad-core is still the best in editing software programs (movies/photo's etc.) so with that Q6600 you're fine (Q6700 might be even better if you're going to OC).

I'd go for an X38 motherboard (any will do)
Click to expand...

That is incorrect! Disregard the last statement if you're going for a 45nm processor! You'll need a 45nm compatible motherboard :rolleyes:

Such as... P31, P35, X38, 780i, ect...
 
Thanks again for the input from all.

royalmarine - I cannot dispute your logic (from what I can understand) that the Gateway is the more powerful machine. I'm still hung up on the 64bit Vista and I'll have to calm down about that.

One more thing, if you don't mind. I actually wanted the media center that the HP machine has. There's a chance of me being relocated (away from my family for a while) and I would use the computer as my video recorder too. Could you reccomend a TV tuner card - with a remote, I'm lazy - that will allow me to record to my HD? I see there's a hundred different ones of those too and my head is spinning enough.

Thanks again,
Jon in American Fork
 
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