Cheap build for photo editing

EspressoJunkie

EspressoJunkie

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Greg
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For photo editing ( and the odd bit of video) I currently use a laptop plugged into a screen which is ok, but I'd prefer a base unit to save the hassle of plugging unplugging etc.

So I'd like to put something together on the cheap that will purely be used for photos and video ( both at a purely amateur level). I also want to self build rather than buy a pre built unit purely for the fun of it.

I was thinking about £200 ( buying it all S/H) for the entire thing( excluding OS and peripherals) which I know is low but I don't need current gen tech and there will be no gaming or other intensive tasks being done ( even the video I do is just putting together clips of my kids).

I know a bit about components etc but there's a couple of things I'd like advice on from those more knowledgeable than me!

So first off do I need a GPU?
My laptop which I currently use ( a four year old i5 2.something with 8GB RAM ) doesn't have one and LR and Premiere Elements seem to run well enough.

And secondly if I intend to keep the processor and MB under about £80 am I better going for an older higher end processor or a newer lower end one? I don't mind if its AMD or Intel, and I don't need mega performance, but I'd still like something better than my current system.

Case, RAM etc I know I can get fairly cheaply, its mainly the processor and MB choice that is confusing me!

So can it be done for £200 or am I crazy!?!
 
*Personally* I think you're cutting corners. A little while back £275 would get a bundle including fast AMD/mid-speed Intel processor, Mobo and 16Gb memory. If you already have a case, HDDs and PSU then that should do, I'd probably also spend £20 on a passively cooled low end graphics card like an Nvidia 610.
 
Sorry, I had a comprehension failure there - of course you don't have a case etc. :(

Hope you can find the bits you need.
 
Was considering the same ,but don't think I will.

Probably worth using HUKD to source cheap parts, they had a Dual Core AMD processor for £22
 
1) you haven't really said what kind of photo editing you do and how much of it you do
2) the machine you linked isn't ideal for the fact it lacks processing power, ram as well as a damn slow drive
3) what is the specification of your laptop? if you can do everything on it without much complain, then why supersede it. so instead of wasting £200 on a half measure, save up about £500 and get a i5/i7 base unit from dell outlet etc?
 
I completely get the 'want to self build' thing. My advice for what its worth is first of all plan the atmosphere of the build...

You will need big black framed glasses, a white coat, surgeons gloves, a brow wiping female(preferably topless), lots of tools (egg whisk etc) Patric Moore insane glare for tricky bits, Ainsley herriot hand movements to illustrate each completed phase and of course the Mission Impossible theme tune blaring out throughout the build.

Ideally you should build a Faraday cage and make sure any local dogs aren't pregnant of course.

The rest is pretty straight forwards once you get these basics sorted.

Steve.
 
I think you'd be hard put to do any kind of editing on a duo core or even a core 2 quad core machine depending on the size of your photos and whether you shoot JPEGs or RAW.

If your camera takes about 8MP then it would probably be OK maybe even 12MP but above that I think you'd be struggling especially with a slow HDD.
.
 
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Up until recently i was happily editing 5D mk2 20-25mb raw files on a rig that only had a Q6600 core 2 quad chip.
It wasnt lightening fast but equally it was no slouch either.
It boils down to speed expectations and how it fits with your work flow. I didnt need speed as i was never against the clock with my edits and never felt like i was losing vital time due to the processor speed.

Granted i had 8gb RAM and an SSD which helped.
 
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