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buying new computer for Photoshop user

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - buying new computer for Photoshop user

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toddbe   11-27-2005 at 02:33:44 AM

I am ready for a new desktop within the next 90 days. I will probably stick with Intel, but might consider AMD. The major application that I use is Photoshop CS2. I think Intel is releasing a new processor (900 series)around the Feb. 1st time frame which would be fine.

Here is what I know I want:
Min 3g dual core Intel
min 2-4 megs ddr2 - what speed?
sataII raid 0 500 gig
graphics card - totally confused, suggestions? Does a high end card make a difference for Photoshop?
chip set - no idea
What else do I need?
Budget-$2,000-$2,500 w/o monitor

Thanks for your suggestions,
Todd

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endyen   11-27-2005 at 02:45:45 AM
- 0 +

For the gfx card question, no, a high end card will do nothing for photoshop.
Photoshop is an SMP (muti-processor) program, so dual cores are a good idea. All current benchmarks show Amd as king of photoshop, in standard dual core setups. It is also nice that they run about 50w less power.
Upcoming Intel chips dont show enough improvement to be considered.

Reply to endyen
Rob423   11-27-2005 at 02:47:31 AM
- 0 +

honestly i run photoshop with a xp2800+ and 1GB of ram and i have no problems loading and etc.


I'd think a X2 series chip maybe a x2 4800+ and 1GB of mem would do you wonders but that's a pretty excellent system.

im sure a lower x2 + 1GB mem would suite you very nicely.

Reply to Rob423
lhgpoobaa   11-27-2005 at 02:47:52 AM
- 0 +

Regardless of what you get:

A. a high end graphics card wont help with photoshop.
B. lots of ram WILL help. OODLES of ram. I strongly suggest a 2Gb memory kit (2x1024mb), either DDR or DDR2 depending on motherboard.

Reply to lhgpoobaa
toddbe   11-27-2005 at 03:02:01 AM
- 0 +

OK, you have my interest with AMD. What is a good vendor to buy from? Which processor. Is there lineup changing in the next 90 days?

Thanks,
Todd

Reply to toddbe
Rob423   11-27-2005 at 03:07:28 AM
- 0 +

i don't think in the next 90 days things will change that much, these are fairly new sockets and whatnot.

i'd go with newegg or zipzoomfly... I prefer newegg, but sometimes zipzoomfly.com has slightly cheaper or a better shipping plan.

those are the vendors i go with.

Im not sure on your $$$ limit, but if' it's way up there then i'd deff get the x2 4800+

Reply to Rob423
Rob423   11-27-2005 at 03:09:57 AM
- 0 +

sorry i didn't see your budget.

Look for a nice x2 you can judge by the price and reviews on newegg.

x2 runs on socket 939.

asus, abit, DFI, and Epox have some popular welll reviewed boards for this socket.

nFORCE 4 chipset seems to be the champ right now.

6600GT video should do you justice. (keep in mind those motherboards are for PCI-E video cards just incase you didn't know.)

Reply to Rob423
Rugger   11-27-2005 at 06:41:11 AM
- 0 +

AMD will shift sockets in Jun/Jul and transition to DDR2 RAM. How often do you upgrade? Reuse RAM in upgrades? AMD will continue to support s939 in their performance series chips thru FY06 or FY07, then in their value chips for a while after that, so there is room for future CPU upgrades. AMD owns dual core performance right now, but depending on your upgrade patterns, I might recommend waiting on M2 for upgrade.

Reply to Rugger
DRAGoNX   11-27-2005 at 07:30:27 AM
- 0 +

Cheap but fast build for you (OC is required to make it fast, its no big deal though).

Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131568
(going expensive on this one)

CPU:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Mer [...] ode=120338

Better HS for CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835109123
FAN for better HS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811999122

RAM (2 of these, couldn't find the 2x1GB model yet).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227224

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817151025

Vid Card:
Just get a 6600GT if your not doing any gaming on it. But if your budget allows it, get a 7800GT, and game your heart out on it.

Heres a good monitor too:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824116365
(just incase you wanted it)

Enjoy getting your new computer, I just made a few suggestions.

-dragonx

Reply to DRAGoNX
danizaken   11-27-2005 at 06:06:10 PM
- 0 +

I agree that a graphics card will not help, the program is high performing with my XFX Geforce 4 MX lol.

Reply to danizaken
Rugger   11-27-2005 at 07:32:27 PM
- 0 +

I'm not doing the build. :tongue:

Reply to Rugger
cdpage   11-28-2005 at 05:52:27 AM
- 0 +

RAM, can never have enough.

Scratch disks are important too.

make sure your Scratch disks are not your C: and if you can save to a differant drive also.

Reply to cdpage
K8MAN   11-28-2005 at 08:21:47 AM
- 0 +

1. Any X2 CPU
2. 4 gig's of value DDR400
3. A pair of seagates for RAID 0-There is going to be a lot of HDD access when working with big files so might as well make it quiet.
4. Antec sonata 2 case.
5.Winxp 64-Better memory managerment with more than 2 gig's.

Reply to K8MAN
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