New PC

grizzz

grizzz

Griz...
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Mar 26, 2005
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Just wondering what recomendations you all would have as far as computer specs for Photoshop CS. I currently have a mac mini and it just isn't going to cut it. The mini is going into the living room for a life of surfing and playing dvd's. I can't really afford a new g5 so I'm going the pc route. I know memory is a premium. I know I am going with a dual head system so I need a good video card. I just don't know what else I need. I am an IT guy and will either build my own or buy a dell if the specs seem like I can get away with the dell. What specs are you all using out there and are you happy with them. What I realy would like to hear is what processor you have and how much ram and what video card. If it's a dell what model. Most importantly are you happy with it? Does it make you wait to long? I can take it from there. Before someone asks I'll be scanning 35mm & mf slides/negs and importing from my canon 300d. I just got an Epson 4990 and also have a Minolta IV scanner (I know that's not the exact name but you know what it is). I am just getting into the photoshop thing and have not scanned any mf yetr so I don't know the file sizes for that. Thanks....John
 
Well, here's an interesting thread on PN if you want to know about HDs: http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00EVtu

So I'd recommend:

-mad RAM, of the fastest variant you can (is DDR2 still the fastest? I've lost track). Go for at least 3GB if not 4.

-multiple fast HDs. I agree that perhaps Raptars aren't nec. but definitely one for OS, one for scratch, and perhaps another (set) for file storage. Unless you're going to use a separate server for storage (which I do).

-processor isn't as critical, actually, just get something 'pretty fast'

-consider 64-bit processors and 64-bit windows.

allan
 
Great thread! I too am researching into building a PC for photo-use only.
 
Oh yeah, to maximize speed, also consider keeping it off the internet and not using antivirus. the real-time stuff slows the system down.

allan
 
kaiyen said:
Oh yeah, to maximize speed, also consider keeping it off the internet and not using antivirus. the real-time stuff slows the system down.

allan
Click to expand...

I second the dedicated computer for photograhy. The internet is just nasty and full of problems. Having a router is a good start on keeping out the trash but my next computer will never ever be conected. Ill keep this one for that. Antivirus and Bill Gates both suck, I hate my computer trying to connect to MSN and all the crap that can run in the backround. I would get Tiger if I was in the States but I get super cheep PC gear here so Ill stick with it.
 
As far as budget goes it's not great. As I mentioned I can't swing a G5 (other than the iMac). I've priced a dell 9150 with 2gb ram and a good video card and processor. 160gb drive and 19inch digital fp for around $1300. I already have the scanner/printer and a 19 inch analog fp for the second monitor plus a copy of CS. I also have a dell poweredge 750 server in the house for storage so I think just a second 160 drive for scratch.

Does anyone have a 9100 or 5100 series dell? I'm thinking I can build this for less than what Dell sells it for but by the time I pay shipping on all of the parts it may not save me that much. Plus Dell backs their stuff for at least a year.

Do I really need 4gb of ram and 64 bit OS? Remember I am not a pro and will not be batch processing tons of files. That being said when I do use it I don't want to wait forever.
 
You don't _need_ 4gb of ram or 64bit os, no. And for your budget (sorry that I forgot about your comment about not being able to afford a g5), 2GB ram is a more sound idea. RAM is pretty expensive, still.

Dell gets there stuff in such major volume that you likely won't be able to beat their prices, realistically. the only reason to build yourself at this point is to make sure you get component X or part Y.

allan
 
As we both share the Contax G2 and a Kiev 4 in our lineup, the question is the resolution of your scanner.

For my 2700 dpi scans, roughly 8 MPixel and 25 to 50 MB tiff files, a P4 2.8 GHz with hyperthreading, one fast S-ATA HD and 1 GB RAM seems to be more than enough. Even my Dell Inspiron 8200 notebook with a P4 mobile 2GHz and 1 GB RAM is fast enough.

I have a P3 with 768MB RAM running SuSE 10.0 with four S-ATA drives as file server and even on that mashine I can do basic picture editing on 50MB tiffs with The Gimp reasonably fast.

The GPU is close to uninteresting, except for dual monitor setups, as long as you don't want to play new action games.

I know a printshop where they do most of their work with Adobe CS, Indesign and Photoshop, on 20" iMacs.
They have two dual G5s with 8GB RAM for the realy big jobs, 8000dpi drumscans from LF slides and the output of a sinar scanback on a TechniKardan:)
 
kaiyen said:
You don't _need_ 4gb of ram or 64bit os, no. . . . 2GB ram is a more sound idea. RAM is pretty expensive, still.
Click to expand...

Completely agree: I am running a refurb. Gateway computer from TigerDirect running XP with 2GB RAM, an 80 GB and two 40GB HDs (one for scratch, one for backup). I decided to reuse my monitor from an older Dell.

Runs CS2 just fine, and plenty stable.
 
I find this thread amusing. Add a 7200 RPM HD under your Mini, install the OS on that and use the internal as a scatch disk, max the RAM, and call it a day. From the limited description of what you are doing, why would you need more? Also, if you have a Mac version of APS then you would have to have PC version $$. I can understand PC people's aversion to the Internet, but a connection does make software update and registration more manageable...skip
 
skipc said:
I find this thread amusing. Add a 7200 RPM HD under your Mini, install the OS on that and use the internal as a scatch disk, max the RAM, and call it a day. From the limited description of what you are doing, why would you need more? Also, if you have a Mac version of APS then you would have to have PC version $$. I can understand PC people's aversion to the Internet, but a connection does make software update and registration more manageable...skip
Click to expand...

I have to agree with skipc, I am using a G4 ibook 800, for everything. it's a little slow but definitely serviceable.

You may also want to check into Apples re-furbished iMacs. 20" g5's are going for less than $1200.00.
 
Oh yeah. I hadn't thought about that. Souping up the mini would be pretty feasible. And the iMacs are very capable machines -just as fast as a similarly-spec'ed g5 tower.

allan
 
OK, so if I go pc 2g with some sata drives on any Dell that has the video I need.

I'm definatly not trying to start a mac/pc thing here. I have both and use both. My concerns with the mini are:

1 memory slot with the abillity for only 1gb of ram. (I currently have 512.

Also I want to do dual head and am not sure if I can with the mini. I currently have an analog 19 inch fp and want to get a 19 inch digital to go with it. The mini has a single dvi port on it which I curently use with the vga adapter. Is there some sort of dongle that can allow a vga and a dvi monitor in dual head?

The other major downside to doing the mini is I have Potoshop CS for the PC but not for the mac so I would need to purchase software for the mac side. (Of course the savings in hardware would be there so this isn't a killer).



If I can survive with 1gb and do dual head you are correct that the rest can be done via usb drives.

Thanks for all of the good replies so far....
 
I would recommend imac-g5, because you dont need more and it has a very good monitor, which is important for editing photos.
 
It looks like this thread petered out so I'll ask a few more questions. lubitel, you recomended the imac. I agree with it and it does have a great screen but does it have an output port for a second monitor? I really need that since I'm damn near blind in one eye and don't turn the res down(up?) that much. My other question is about the mini and adding 2 monitors to it. Does a device exist to do this? If so can I live with it at 1gb ram, it's max? Thanks, Grizzz
 
If no one else replies by the time I get to work, I'll double check that the imac supports a 2nd screen for extended desktop. I know it has the output for an external monitor. I'm 90% sure that it supports it.

You need to buy an adapter cable though. I'm not sure why it doesn't come with one. It uses the mini video output of the ibook.

allan
 
Hey I don't know about dual monitors and stuff, but I'd say 2GB of RAM ought to cover what you need. You don't do video editing or something right?

Fast RAM is good but no need to go overboard on latency timings. That will really drive up cost. One more thing, I'd go for a bunch of smaller drives rather than a big one. That way you can RAID them and what not.

The most important thing is, if you're savvy enough, DON'T get a Dell or other pre-built setup. If you like to tinker/ upgrade later, they are a pain. All the proprietary nonsense is to be shunned.

By the way, please let me in on a little bit of lingo. What is a 'scratch' disk?
 
An OS X driver is being written for the USB solution below. I would email them to check on the progress. While Apple products are not listed as supported on the Matrox website, I know the DualHead2Go works on Powerbooks, but have only heard that it works on a mini. Does mirrored work for you? Lastly would a larger monitor—the mini supports up to 23"—at a lower resolution be of any value. ..skip

http://www.trittonsales.com/products/TRIUV100.htm
 
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