Rookie wants advice on getting a new PC...

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Turkishdeelite

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I am about to start my course on photography and need a good computer. I am trying to establish a portfolio and will be needing a fast, reliable PC. I saw this advertised at PC World. Can anyone tell me if this would be a good PC for me. Any alternatives? Recommendations? Thank you in advance for your help!


Advent PQD5002 with 19" TFT

Quad-Core Processor and 4GB memory

AMD Phenom™ X4 9550 quad-core processor

Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium

4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive
 
Alternative : Get a mac :D
 
d pipa - Yes, would love to but it costs 2-3 times more. The above costs 500 vs 1500 I would pay for the MAC.
 
Turkishdeelite said:
I am about to start my course on photography and need a good computer. I am trying to establish a portfolio and will be needing a fast, reliable PC. I saw this advertised at PC World. Can anyone tell me if this would be a good PC for me. Any alternatives? Recommendations? Thank you in advance for your help!

Advent PQD5002 with 19" TFT
Quad-Core Processor and 4GB memory
AMD Phenom™ X4 9550 quad-core processor
Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium
4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive
Click to expand...

For photography software, you need a fast processor, lots of memory, a big screen and lots of memory in that order. The software is resource heavy and the quicker the processor the faster the pc will return the changed image. Then you need lots of RAM so that the program can have more data in core, reducing the amount of swapping of data between the memory and disk. PCs do the job all right.
 
rh1944 said:
For photography software, you need a fast processor, lots of memory, a big screen and lots of memory in that order. The software is resource heavy and the quicker the processor the faster the pc will return the changed image. Then you need lots of RAM so that the program can have more data in core, reducing the amount of swapping of data between the memory and disk. PCs do the job all right.
Click to expand...


Thank you for your response, so the above PC would do the job?
cheers!
 
Yeah, that PC would do the trick, but Vista is buggy as hell. lol. I'm running a Quad-core 2.4 with 3gb of RAM and dual, mirrored drives and don't have an issue with latency. (Except for the common Vista hose up lol)
 
that PC will do the job vry well but get windows instead lol
 
Turkishdeelite said:
I am about to start my course on photography and need a good computer. I am trying to establish a portfolio and will be needing a fast, reliable PC. I saw this advertised at PC World. Can anyone tell me if this would be a good PC for me. Any alternatives? Recommendations? Thank you in advance for your help!


Advent PQD5002 with 19" TFT

Quad-Core Processor and 4GB memory

AMD Phenom™ X4 9550 quad-core processor

Genuine Windows Vista (R) Home Premium

4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive
Click to expand...

While the base pc is adequate for photo imaging, and is all upgradable if need be, I would suggest that you investigate the possibility of a larger TFT monitor - ideally 22". The additional cost should not be much more. With a monitor the only upgrade route is replace the unit which is more costly than just paying a bit extra at this time.
 
You can ask for discount with 22" :) it works for me
 
erding said:
While the base pc is adequate for photo imaging, and is all upgradable if need be, I would suggest that you investigate the possibility of a larger TFT monitor - ideally 22". The additional cost should not be much more. With a monitor the only upgrade route is replace the unit which is more costly than just paying a bit extra at this time.
Click to expand...

I agree :). The screen is the important bit. Most PC's will have enough grunt to process images but what's the point if you can't see them in all their glory.
 
The above :agree:

If you are ONLY processing and viewing images then for the box I'd go for:
CPU, RAM, huge disk, External USB backup disk(s)

and the BIGGEST monitor you can get your mitts on (#1). Take care with some of them that are widescreen as they are 3/4 ratio so you get a lot across, but little down. For instance 21" 1440x900 might sound good, but for photos you'd be much better with a 19" 1280x1024 as you'll fit an awful lot more of the photo on the screen.


#1: Make sure that your graphics card can drive this easily. What I mean is an onboard video driver "might" drive the resolution, but it'll be dog slow and steal lots of system memory. You should get a system with separate graphics card (speed unimportant) with about 128Meg on the card.
 
Slipper-one said:
Have you checked out the dell site?
Click to expand...

I agree with this - I will always buy Dell. We have 3 (2 desktops and a laptop), they are reliable and value for money.
As has already been said get XP (pro) not vista.
Also try Dell Outlet, you can get some bargains there, best looking VERY early in the morning though.
 
If you are willing to go online then www.pcspecialist.co.uk is worth a look. I am using one now and it works ok for me. I would question whether you need a quad core processor as photo editing software will not use the cores to full potential. Dual core is OK as progs like photoshop can use both. If your PC doubles as a gaming machine then go for the quad core. I totally agree with others here in that you need memory 1GB MINIMUM. Please make sure you can backup your photos to a different PHYSICAL disk drive and get a GOOD monitor not just a big one. LCD screens and good colour balance means money. The best of the bunch is EIZO if you can afford it.
 
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