Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > Upgrade Advice - Work-At-Home Computer for Graphic work.

Upgrade Advice - Work-At-Home Computer for Graphic work.

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Upgrade Advice - Work-At-Home Computer for Graphic work.

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
RMThompson   10-01-2008 at 05:28:54 PM

Dear Tom's Hardwarers,

I recently have been hired full time as a photographer and web-ad advertiser.

I've noticed that if I am doing several things at once, I have trouble with the speed of the computer, especially if I am exporting large number of files, which I do frequently.

So, I would like to upgrade my computer, either by just updating what I have, or by buying a barebones kit from somewhere and piecing it together with what I already have.

Speaking of which, here is what I already have:

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition

System Manufacturer: Compaq Presario

Processor: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3100+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.8GHz

Memory: 1280MB RAM

DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

Card name: RADEON X800 GTO (Opened up to 16 pipes)

Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy

Hard Drive: 160gig (Need MUCH more)

As you can see I've updated the sound, graphics, RAM, and the powersupply.

I am looking for an economic solution. I am interesting in playing some games, but nothing crazy, so I don't want or need OVERKILL. Whatever can keep my Windows XP running fast when I am editing photos would be the best for me. I have a copy of XP (I believe it will run on even a 64 bit machine, right?)

Let me know your suggestions!

------------------------------ * * * *
AMD Sempron 3100+
1280MBS PC3200 RAM
RADEON X800 GTO AGP 256 MB
Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
auscanzukus   10-02-2008 at 02:51:07 PM
- 0 +

The bottlenecks I'm looking at are the cpu, ram & harddisk. You don't need X800 for photography & web ads. Any onboard video is fine for these tasks. Unless you game &/or watch HD videos on the pc.

What's the exact model # & part # of the pc? Should be printed on a label on the pc.

64bit cpus are backward compatible with 32bit software. Don't bother with the os. Get the mobo specs & upgrade those parts I listed.

Reply to auscanzukus
RMThompson   10-02-2008 at 03:46:03 PM
- 0 +

How about this deal at Compusa:

Asus M2N-MX SE Plus AMD CPU • AMD Athlon 64 X2
4400+2.30GHz CPU

• PCI Express, USB 2.0,
Serial ATA, RAID


Can that work with this ram:

OCZ SLI-Ready Dual Channel
DDR2 Memory – 4096MB
800MHz PC6400
• 2 x 2048MB

------------------------------ * * * *
AMD Sempron 3100+
1280MBS PC3200 RAM
RADEON X800 GTO AGP 256 MB
Reply to RMThompson
auscanzukus   10-03-2008 at 02:02:42 PM
- 0 +

mobo specs:

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx? [...] 3=345&l4=0

Looks right for a 2D pc. Looks like an updated version in that it now supports hi-def video & audio out of the box. Look at newegg's photo:

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/13-131-183-03.jpg

If your monitor supports DVI, get a $10 D-SUB TO DVI adapter. You most def. want the highest image quality possible for photography work.

Yup, the cpu/mobo combo will work with the ram. All AM2/2+ mobos use DDR2. Except for a few hybrid products from Asrock/ECS.

You also need to upgrade the harddisk to improve overall disk operation. For starters:

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB

Or if you need larger which I suggest for your work:

Caviar, Spinpoint F1, Barracuda or Desktstar 7K 1TB

They're 320GB per platter which is newer than the old one and is faster. Either 640GB or 1TB. More at:

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 032-6.html

Those at the top would be best, but Raptor costs 2 arms & 2 legs.

Reply to auscanzukus
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > Upgrade Advice - Work-At-Home Computer for Graphic work.
Go to:

There are 1532 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.624 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Latest best answer
Phenom II 955 or i5 750
By Silvune, 8 hours ago:

I like that build. However considering that the OCZ 700W PSU doesn't have enough connectors to be able to power more than one 5870, then save some money and change to this combo: Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB & OCZ ModXStream 600W $110 with $25 rebate.

Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?
Top experts
Become an expert The rank