New pc info

C

cargo

Suspended / Banned
Messages
6,645
Name
Gary
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all.

I was wondering anyone could recommend a pc site that they had used.


My pc took a turn for the worse over the weekend and the only way to get things back working was to re fresh it. So pc is nice quiet and fast again. Surprising given it's age.

I have had this pc since 2012 it were on Windows 8.1 :-(


After the re fresh it is back to Win 8.


I always used Canon Dpp 4 for my Raws and Pshop cs6 there after.

Canon Dpp4 is not supported on Win 8.


So I will have to get a new pc.

I can be very indecisive so I was hoping to just purchase a ready made pc and not get to caught up in all the specs. That said once you start reading there is so many choices.


I've not used the camera in 10 months so I'm not a heavy user of Photoshop but hopefully a new pc & a subscription to CC could change that.

Thanks
Gaz
 
cargo said:
Hi all.

I was wondering anyone could recommend a pc site that they had used.


My pc took a turn for the worse over the weekend and the only way to get things back working was to re fresh it. So pc is nice quiet and fast again. Surprising given it's age.

I have had this pc since 2012 it were on Windows 8.1 :-(


After the re fresh it is back to Win 8.


I always used Canon Dpp 4 for my Raws and Pshop cs6 there after.

Canon Dpp4 is not supported on Win 8.


So I will have to get a new pc.

I can be very indecisive so I was hoping to just purchase a ready made pc and not get to caught up in all the specs. That said once you start reading there is so many choices.


I've not used the camera in 10 months so I'm not a heavy user of Photoshop but hopefully a new pc & a subscription to CC could change that.

Thanks
Gaz
Click to expand...

Ready built? Try Dell outlet, Lenovo, CCS, Scan.
 
I were thinking ready built. As my last one was off the shelf.

Happy to be guided though.

I was pretty shocked to see I had an i7 chip in this pc as I have had a quick look online at " photo editing" pc's this morning and lots have an i5 chip in themalong with other exspnsive stuff. My knowledge is limited in this field but the ones I looked at were in the range of 1k to 1.4k.

Below is what I have 2tb drive included with 835 gb free.
5NKnrDR.png




Thanks for the help so far.

Gaz
 
As has already been said. CCL, Scan and Novatech are reputable. I have used all three in the past.

Minimum of 32gb ram.
Probably best go DDR5 too, as you're starting from scratch.
 
What do you need to run the software you use?
 
If you are not all that PC savvy go and find your local PC Guru and see how upgradeable it is before you start spending oodles of cash.
If the MoBo will run it and its available a memory upgrade, an OS upgrade and an SSD drive will transform it.
Mine is an i5 from 2016 with 2*SSD and 32gb RAM onboard graphics and it runs LR and PS 2024 fine
 
You can't just look at the i5 or i7 and think that one is better than the other. There is a lot more to it than that.

I do think that Intel have over complicated their CPU's making it difficult to know what's better than the next.

My questions is does it have to be a PC. Have you considered a Mac? The new M2/M3 processors are incredibly fast and any of the M1, M2 or M3 machines like the Mini or iMac will handle your editing needs with ease.
 
I agree with @troutfisher to see if you have a local shop that can help.
I needed to replace my pc about 2.5 years ago and I took a chance and bypassed the big contenders and went to a local guy.
I just described what I used my pc for , e.g. internet , PS , LR, MS Office, email, no gaming, no streaming etc and he gave me a decent price to build one. I have been perfectly happy with it.
in passing he told me that he dealt with a number of people from the local camera club.
it could be worth a try.
 
ecoleman said:
You can't just look at the i5 or i7 and think that one is better than the other. There is a lot more to it than that.

I do think that Intel have over complicated their CPU's making it difficult to know what's better than the next.

My questions is does it have to be a PC. Have you considered a Mac? The new M2/M3 processors are incredibly fast and any of the M1, M2 or M3 machines like the Mini or iMac will handle your editing needs with ease.
Click to expand...
For someone who has run Windows all their life, any move to a completely new operating system would be a big jump indeed; it would be like me switching from Nikon to Canon, only a lot worse!! :)
 
ShinySideUp said:
For someone who has run Windows all their life, any move to a completely new operating system would be a big jump indeed; it would be like me switching from Nikon to Canon, only a lot worse!! :)
Click to expand...

Sure, nobody is denying it's a change but people do it just like people switch camera brands. I did it a number of years ago and have never looked back.
 
GreenNinja67 said:
I still run an i5-3570S with 32GB RAM and Windows 10 home. Perfectly fine on LR Classic and PS2024.

Could you try upgrading the OS and see how it goes?
Click to expand...
Thanks Terry. The system won't ugrade via microsoft as it don't offer support for Win 8. I guess I could buy it but i'm sorting thinking I'm just trying to get a work round.
I have my monies worth out of this machine. It's just grinds when it works fine apart from not being able to run the more modern programs.
Paulie-W said:
As has already been said. CCL, Scan and Novatech are reputable. I have used all three in the past.

Minimum of 32gb ram.
Probably best go DDR5 too, as you're starting from scratch.
Click to expand...
Thanks that's good to know.
ancient_mariner said:
What do you need to run the software you use?
Click to expand...
All I use the pc for is. Open office/excell. Internet and photoshop.
troutfisher said:
If you are not all that PC savvy go and find your local PC Guru and see how upgradeable it is before you start spending oodles of cash.
If the MoBo will run it and its available a memory upgrade, an OS upgrade and an SSD drive will transform it.
Mine is an i5 from 2016 with 2*SSD and 32gb RAM onboard graphics and it runs LR and PS 2024 fine
Click to expand...
Thanks Chris
ecoleman said:
You can't just look at the i5 or i7 and think that one is better than the other. There is a lot more to it than that.

I do think that Intel have over complicated their CPU's making it difficult to know what's better than the next.

My questions is does it have to be a PC. Have you considered a Mac? The new M2/M3 processors are incredibly fast and any of the M1, M2 or M3 machines like the Mini or iMac will handle your editing needs with ease.
Click to expand...
I was thinking that the i5/i7 chip set was misleading.
Thanks for the Mac idea. I'm not upto changing systems though.
welshwizard645 said:
Is it not possible to upgrade the existing PC to Win 10 from Win 8?
Click to expand...
Hi Peter.

It can't be done via microsoft website.
superpippo said:
I agree with @troutfisher to see if you have a local shop that can help.
I needed to replace my pc about 2.5 years ago and I took a chance and bypassed the big contenders and went to a local guy.
I just described what I used my pc for , e.g. internet , PS , LR, MS Office, email, no gaming, no streaming etc and he gave me a decent price to build one. I have been perfectly happy with it.
in passing he told me that he dealt with a number of people from the local camera club.
it could be worth a try.
Click to expand...
Thanks Alan
 
Honey Monster said:
Seconded. I have had 2 PCs and a laptop from them in the past. Sign up to the forums and ask for advice to get the best build for your budget.
Click to expand...
Genuine question: Does this not open oneself up to conflicting responses about what a) thinks over what b) thinks; bit like asking on here for the 'best' lens for bird photography?

I had a quick look at the site and the options are bewildering!
 
ShinySideUp said:
Genuine question: Does this not open oneself up to conflicting responses about what a) thinks over what b) thinks; bit like asking on here for the 'best' lens for bird photography?

I had a quick look at the site and the options are bewildering!
Click to expand...
There is a lot of choice. On the forum you will soon see the posters that have been around a long time. There will be some that have experience with PCs for photograph. I found users Scott, Spydertracks and Agentcooper to be very helpful and knowledgable. I think they are all moderators. They will make sure you don’t spend more than you need to and have a PC you can upgrade in the future.
 
@cargo you can absolutely just upgrade your operating system.

Step one, install the update to go from 8 to 8.1. This should appear through windows updates (if you've just reinstalled there may be a lot to work through), if not you can download it from the Microsoft website.

You can then use the windows 10 upgrade image on a usb stick as has been suggested. The offer for a free upgrade to windows 10 has long since passed so it'll cost you best part of £100,but massively cheaper than a new machine.
 
One more question - what's the budget?
 
ancient_mariner said:
One more question - what's the budget?
Click to expand...
With not buying a pc since 2012 I had no idea of cost. Off what I seen earlier today most Photoshop computers seem to start between £1k to £1.4 that said they maybe more specified than I need.
 
Last edited:
@LancsMak

I just instaled all updates available there were 22. The pc updated earlier today too.

There is no option to go up to 8.1

There was a screen earlier today which mentioned updating to 10, which I followed, this talked about a usb bootable stick & license. It seemed confusing & I sort of got the feeling I will be just playing catch up all the time. So it is maybe time to buy new.

Gaz
 
According to the Microsoft website the option for free upgrades to W10 from W8 ended several years ago. You can still download W10 to a USB stick but you will need a valid W10 licence key - do not try to buy one from a cheap website. Given the age of your PC, perhaps it is time for a new W11 machine?
 
Honey Monster said:
According to the Microsoft website the option for free upgrades to W10 from W8 ended several years ago. You can still download W10 to a USB stick but you will need a valid W10 licence key - do not try to buy one from a cheap website. Given the age of your PC, perhaps it is time for a new W11 machine?
Click to expand...
Hi Mike

Thanks for taking a look on Ms site. I was begining to think I was looking in the wrong place.

Gaz
 
Honey Monster said:
According to the Microsoft website the option for free upgrades to W10 from W8 ended several years ago. You can still download W10 to a USB stick but you will need a valid W10 licence key - do not try to buy one from a cheap website. Given the age of your PC, perhaps it is time for a new W11 machine?
Click to expand...
Why not buy from a cheap website? :thinking:

I built a new PC a few months ago and got a Win 10 key for £7.70. If the OP is just needing to update the OS to use programs that can't run on Win 8, but the PC runs the programs he uses just fine, that is the most cost effective option. You can even run Win 10 without a licence to see if all the programs work OK, and under £10 for a licence if everything is OK to make it legit.

Downloading Win 10 to a USB drive and installing is not hard. There are many YT guides.

If the OP does want to spend £1-1.4k, they would probably have something over specified for their stated uses. £600-£800 could get them something more than good enough for Photoshop imho.
 
redhed17 said:
Why not buy from a cheap website? :thinking:

I built a new PC a few months ago and got a Win 10 key for £7.70. If the OP is just needing to update the OS to use programs that can't run on Win 8, but the PC runs the programs he uses just fine, that is the most cost effective option. You can even run Win 10 without a licence to see if all the programs work OK, and under £10 for a licence if everything is OK to make it legit.

Downloading Win 10 to a USB drive and installing is not hard. There are many YT guides.

If the OP does want to spend £1-1.4k, they would probably have something over specified for their stated uses. £600-£800 could get them something more than good enough for Photoshop imho.
Click to expand...
If you buy Windows for £7.70, it is almost 100% a non-valid (I.e. pirated) licence code - perhaps split from a corporate mult-user licence. This may work for now, but could cause you problems in the future and just stop working. I definitely wouldn’t download anything from a site providing pirated software. Who knows what additional ‘bonuses’ might be provided?
 
Honey Monster said:
If you buy Windows for £7.70, it is almost 100% a non-valid (I.e. pirated) licence code - perhaps split from a corporate mult-user licence. This may work for now, but could cause you problems in the future and just stop working. I definitely wouldn’t download anything from a site providing pirated software. Who knows what additional ‘bonuses’ might be provided?
Click to expand...

There's no download from such a site - just a code, usually provided in an email. And some of the reseller sites have a long and successful history that can be checked through independent reviews. The OS download will come from Microsoft.

I too bought a low cost key about 18 months ago, and it continues to be recognised by Microsoft.
 
Thanks everyone. Overwhelmed by the help and advice given. I have nothing to loose by trying the windows 10 upgrade. Had a brief look before coming to work. Would I need to download the iso image or the USB bookable installer? Or are they the same think
I'll take a look properly later.

No doubt I'll back after trying.

Thanks

Gaz
 
cargo said:
Would I need to download the iso image or the USB bookable installer?
Click to expand...

Both. The installer will format the memory stick and load the ISO image onto it so the computer can boot directly from it. You will probably need to interrupt boot sequence (tap f12 key repeatedly as it starts to post) in order to boot from the usb when it's done.
 
Honey Monster said:
If you buy Windows for £7.70, it is almost 100% a non-valid (I.e. pirated) licence code - perhaps split from a corporate mult-user licence. This may work for now, but could cause you problems in the future and just stop working. I definitely wouldn’t download anything from a site providing pirated software. Who knows what additional ‘bonuses’ might be provided?
Click to expand...
If it was 100% non valid, it would not work. It worked. :) If Microsoft saw this as a problem, they would shut these sites down, they are not exactly hiding what they are doing.

Microsoft want as many people using Windows as possible, preferably the latest version, but they want a large userbase to leverage the data they collect. And they also for Windows to stay relevant in a world of Android and iOS growth. They have already given up on the phone market. That they allow Win 10 to run unlicensed, with minor limitations, again shows that they want people to be using it rather than not.

And there is absolutely no chance of any viruses, because you download Win 10 (or 11) from Microsoft. And for the reasons above, I doubt they would go to the trouble weeding out the many users who have bought a Windows key this way. That's if they can distinguish the users who have bought their Windows this way.

You pay you money, either a lot, or a little, or not. :)
 
It's interesting that no one has mentioned that you can actually just use Windows 10 (& 11) unactivated.
You lose a few things (like the ability to change the wall paper and optional updates - you still get the security updates), but I've run an unactivated W10 VM (as a test device) for years with no issues.
Here is a post on answers.microsoft that discusses it:

That said, Windows 10 runs out of support in 2025, and you need a TPM2 module and newer CPU for Windows 11 (theoretically - I know you can bypass the checks) so it would be wisest to upgrade (maybe wait until after Christmas for the sales).

You've said that you "refreshed" your computer and it returned to Windows 8.
Does this mean that you had previously upgraded it to Windows 10 and activated it with MS? If so, then the ID of your machine will be stored on their licence servers so you should be able to re upgrade to W10 without issues (at least that's my understanding of it).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top