$400 small photoshop PC, help

[gychang]

I will either buy HP Pavilion Slimline s5310t with specs below for $400 or like to build a similar small case PC. Can experts render an opinion as to which parts (newegg etc) will be good for general surfing and photoshop CS4 work? or HP PC is comparable for the price?

thanks,

Components
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual-Core processor E5300 [2.6GHz, 2MB L2, 800MHz FSB]
• 2GB DDR2-1066MHz SDRAM [1 DIMM]
• 320GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
• Integrated graphics - Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 [VGA]
• LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
• Integrated 10/100 Ethernet, No wireless LAN
• 6-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, headphone port
• Integrated 5.1 channel sound with front audio ports
• HP multimedia keyboard and HP optical mouse

 

[vanekl]

This hp computer is a good value. You will have to add the $50 video card option to make it usable for modest photoshop work, however.

 

[gychang]

Appreciate the input very much, any specific video card recommendation from newegg?, rather newbie on these matters.

gychang

 

[vanekl]

I was just referring to the $50 video card option that HP provides you when you configure the machine for purchase. You'll see it when you go through all the configuration options on the hp.com site.

 

[MAB1994]

check out this site http://www.hardware-revolution.com/500-computer-web-photo-audio-video-3d-workloads/ it may help you with your decision.

 

[vanekl]

Keep in mind that that $500 build, while it uses nice parts, left out the most important one: the $110 operating system.

 

[MAB1994]

yah that's the only downfall of the site it doesn't include the OS in its calculations.

 

[crazy359]

Actually you can get better fot that price. I am a fan of intel but for that price you can get a good x2 240 and ddr3 memory which is better

 

[gychang]

check out this site http://www.hardware-revolution.com/500-computer-web-photo-audio-video-3d-workloads/ it may help you with your decision.

great for my needs thanks, gychang

 

[gychang]

Keep in mind that that $500 build, while it uses nice parts, left out the most important one: the $110 operating system.

I plan to get $39 education discount for windows7. gychang