Need new computer for Photoshop & AutoCAD on low Budget

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Jastect

Jastect

Reputable
Sep 18, 2015
3
0
4,510
I am wondering if I need a new desktop or laptop. My old computer is a 10+ year old desktop. It was very nice for the time and still works pretty good but it has some issues. And it is Windows XP. I have a very low budget, obviously, since I haven't bought a new computer in 10 years. I always thought a desktop was best for AutoCAD and Photoshop. The tiny keyboards and monitors on laptops are not comfortable. I can probably keep my 21" monitor. Any suggestions? Specifics for each category? I don't know what is required for processors, RAM, etc. I have been doing research and see Dell Precision which seems very expensive, Clevo P750ZM, P770ZM, P377SMA, MSI WS60, WT60, WT72, AMD Firepro, etc. I haven't heard of most of these. I appreciate any help! Thanks!
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Jastect

Jastect

Reputable
Sep 18, 2015
3
0
4,510
I don't think I can spend less than $1,000 for what I need. I'd prefer to spend less. I don't build computers but possibly can have my personal expert do it if I have the specs. I've always had to buy them complete.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

Champion
Aug 2, 2010
11,199
232
53,540
well, we always recommend build-your-own. Its cheaper and often higher quality parts than any prebuilt
$1000 will get a very solid system


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($369.90 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: SilenX EFZ-100HA2 58.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock B150M Pro4S Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($78.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($63.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 285 2GB WINDFORCE 2X Video Card ($162.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($97.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1096.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-18 12:01 EDT-0400


We have here a Skylake i7 CPU (most modern and efficient in the world right now), with 32 GB of RAM and a mid/upper-range GPU, a large SSD and HDD for storing projects.
this is just under $1000 without the operating system.
while this is an overclocking cpu, we aren't doing any overclocking with it (thus the inexpensive cooler and the H150 board), but it was $20 cheaper than the same chip, not overclocking, so why not?
The R9 285 is the same as the R9 300, just the 300 is an overclocked version, not as powerful as the something liek a Nano, Fury, or GTX 980ti, its also only $162 instead of $660
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Jastect

Jastect

Reputable
Sep 18, 2015
3
0
4,510
Thank you - I will take this to my builder. Is it possible for you to give me a more bare bones version, too? I don't know my exact budget yet, might be closer to $700.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

Champion
Aug 2, 2010
11,199
232
53,540
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($175.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($42.90 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 370 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill FBM-02 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec Green 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Directron)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($97.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $728.61
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-18 19:14 EDT-0400
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom