Hi tek-tippers, just want a few suggestions on new motherboard/cpu combo. I am planning to build a new system for use in digital photography editing. what Processor would you recommend? also how much memory, and what motherboards? I plan to spend $500-$700 on the new system if possible. Looking to build a mid-range system and dont need it for gaming etc. My thanks to you all in advance.
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New PC planningm looking for ideas 1
- Thread starter Kofy
- Start date
Core 2 Duo is it right now, either Intel 975x chipset or the nVidia 580i or 650i. AM2 is more in the midrange but will not perform like the Core 2 Duo...and make sure it has the "2"...not Core Duo. 2GB RAM is the sweet spot right now. I love my Asus P5W-DL but there are newer and less expensive boards.
OOops...that's a P5W-DH...I also have a K8N-DL...and a P4S-8X...alphabet soup in my head ![[smile]](/data/assets/smilies/smile.gif "[smile] [smile]")
This is a system you can grow into:
A little over your budget but you don't need the 2GB RAM right off...I would not buy ANY video card that does not support DirectX10 whether you're a gamer or not.
This is a system you can grow into:
A little over your budget but you don't need the 2GB RAM right off...I would not buy ANY video card that does not support DirectX10 whether you're a gamer or not.
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- #4
For digital photography editing (assuming this is professional and not just the occasionaly holiday snaps) most of the mainstream CPUs can do it for you. Get something with two CPU cores (AMD X2 or Core 2 Duo) because a lot of image editing programs are multi-threaded (i.e., applying filters and the like in Photoshop).
In this case, you probably would want 2 GB of memory or more, depending on the size and number of images that you'll be working on.
Unless you're going to Vista, DX10 isn't necessary today. And if you're not playing games, then even if you go to Vista isn't not really necessary. Still, you might as well go with the something that's going to have a long lifetime (i.e., DX10). AMD/ATI are supposed to be released their new DX10 cards this month, which should give you more options in the mid and low end.
In this case, you probably would want 2 GB of memory or more, depending on the size and number of images that you'll be working on.
Unless you're going to Vista, DX10 isn't necessary today. And if you're not playing games, then even if you go to Vista isn't not really necessary. Still, you might as well go with the something that's going to have a long lifetime (i.e., DX10). AMD/ATI are supposed to be released their new DX10 cards this month, which should give you more options in the mid and low end.
I actually just ran across this article this morning that provides a suprisingly common-sense approach to which CPU is better:
For most people, comparing what is available at a specific price point is far more important that who makes the fastest CPU overall. I know that when I buy my next desktop CPU I'm going to spend $200-$250 for it instead of $500, so the higher end Core 2 chips don't really enter into the equation.
Now the only question is what socket/platform will have the most life in it, going forward. I haven't heard anything about LGA775 either way. I know that AMD will have a socket revision to AM2 later this year to allow some different voltage/clocking combinations, but that new CPUs would still work in the AM2+ or AM2 sockets (though in the AM2 sockets they wouldn't have the full power saving capabilities of AM2+.
For most people, comparing what is available at a specific price point is far more important that who makes the fastest CPU overall. I know that when I buy my next desktop CPU I'm going to spend $200-$250 for it instead of $500, so the higher end Core 2 chips don't really enter into the equation.
Now the only question is what socket/platform will have the most life in it, going forward. I haven't heard anything about LGA775 either way. I know that AMD will have a socket revision to AM2 later this year to allow some different voltage/clocking combinations, but that new CPUs would still work in the AM2+ or AM2 sockets (though in the AM2 sockets they wouldn't have the full power saving capabilities of AM2+.
I look at a platform as a unit: MB, CPU, RAM. Though it is good to leave room for RAM, GFX & HDD expansion, I (and I suspect most others) don't change core components like the CPU or MB. While future CPUs may fit the socket, their new tech will probably be limited by the chipset and RAM type. So it's built as a unit to stay a unit. If a platform performs a certain task today it will ALWAYS perform that task, maybe better with more RAM, faster HDDs etc., but if it's good, it will always be good. Same w/ bad.
My previous rig, P4 2.53, 1GB RAM, P4S8X was improved with a modern video card and more RAM and lives on as my wife's PC. The one before that, Socket A, is a file server. It's good to have a hand-me-down chain. Keep your old PC intact. Don't try to re-use your old PSU or HDD, buy current versions and you will be happier. Do your homework, like this post.
Purchasing a new PC is an important decision, buy what you like or you'll be forced to like what you buy.
Tony
My previous rig, P4 2.53, 1GB RAM, P4S8X was improved with a modern video card and more RAM and lives on as my wife's PC. The one before that, Socket A, is a file server. It's good to have a hand-me-down chain. Keep your old PC intact. Don't try to re-use your old PSU or HDD, buy current versions and you will be happier. Do your homework, like this post.
Purchasing a new PC is an important decision, buy what you like or you'll be forced to like what you buy.
Tony
- Thread starter
- #7
KCMcFerrin Thanks loads for that link, its basically solved 1/3 of my questions.. (actually more like 2/3rds). Still have to figure out a motherboard but that sholudnt be TOO difficult, esp as I am quite partial to the ASUS line. I'll let you all know what shakes out on final. but you've all given me more ammunition to use when making final decisions.
Rich
Rich
- Thread starter
- #8
- Thread starter
- #10
Thanks for the input ceh, I have a multi-card reader in the front of the case in a 5 1/4 slot that includes CF/Microdrive/MS/MS pro/ SM/XD / SD/MMC along with a USB 2.0 port, a Sata Port, and also a 1394a port. Pretty much have that area covered. Dercided to go with the following:
Asus P5N-E SLI, Intel Core 2 Duo E6600, 2GB of Kingston KVR800D2N5K2/2g paired sticks of ram. Looking into a Sapphire X1950 Pro video to round out the new purchases, all told, into this so far for around $500 so I dont think I am doing TOO badly.
Asus P5N-E SLI, Intel Core 2 Duo E6600, 2GB of Kingston KVR800D2N5K2/2g paired sticks of ram. Looking into a Sapphire X1950 Pro video to round out the new purchases, all told, into this so far for around $500 so I dont think I am doing TOO badly.
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- #12
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