Need Advice on Computer Specs

[The Dark Lord]

Hey.

 

I'm purchasing a new desktop PC for gaming and Photoshop and have a budget of $1000. Preferrably, I'm looking for a desktop PC in the price range of $700-800 so I can also afford to purchase Photoshop CS5.

 

I'm looking for something that can support the following:

-Multitasking

-Online Gaming

-Good Graphics and Photoshop

 

I know I can get everything that I want cheaper by assembling it all myself with purchased parts, but I don't really have the skill or patience to assemble the computer (nor do I know anyone that would be willing to help me).

[jasignhagj]

Just pirate Photoshop and use the extra cash for a better computer.

 

Ill look for a build for you.

 

When do you plan to purchase? All of the prebuilt companies will have their new sandy bridge builds out in a couple weeks. It's definitely a worthwhile upgrade over the older generation

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113161

 

For now this was all I could find. It's a bit weak on the graphics side, depending on what you play.

[The Dark Lord]

Just pirate Photoshop and use the extra cash for a better computer.

 

Ill look for a build for you.

 

When do you plan to purchase? All of the prebuilt companies will have their new sandy bridge builds out in a couple weeks. It's definitely a worthwhile upgrade over the older generation

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113161

 

For now this was all I could find. It's a bit weak on the graphics side, depending on what you play.

 

Well, I was hoping to purchase the computer in a week or so. Do you know when the new sandy bridge comes out for Dell or HP? (Right now I'm having to use an old notebook with 1GB of RAM and 1.50 GHz processor, so it's obviously not meeting my needs. The sooner, the better.)

 

What's the difference between i5 and i7 processors? I remember a friend telling me that some programs can't handle i7 and that there really wasn't too much of a difference between the two.

 

For graphics, the ATI Radeon series is a better choice than the NVIDIA GeForce?

 

As far as gaming, I'm looking for something that won't cause me to lag a lot while playing and has good-looking graphics. I also like to have a couple windows (because I multi-log) open for certain games. Also, graphic design is sort of a hobby that I'm picking up (although I'm a biology major), and I'm pretty proficient in Photoshop. I'm not sure how much I'll get into video-editing, though.

[Sbrideau]

Don't go for Dell. They are slow, break fast and have a lot of problems as they are made with cheap parts.

 

Anyway, here we will list some custom builds that you can do or pay a computer repair shop to build for you. This is much better than a prebuilt brand like Dell or HP.

 

As for Ati vs Nvidia, I would say Nvidia is the better choice simply because of their stability, but it will cost more except if you go in an older line of cards. Ati is stronger but the drivers are a bit unstable, but Nvidia has very good drivers even if the cards has lesser specs. Better bang for the buck is Ati, but stability is Nvidia. Both brands perform the same. That's how I personally see the 2 video card brands.

[jasignhagj]

Well, I was hoping to purchase the computer in a week or so. Do you know when the new sandy bridge comes out for Dell or HP? (Right now I'm having to use an old notebook with 1GB of RAM and 1.50 GHz processor, so it's obviously not meeting my needs. The sooner, the better.

Not 100% sure. The processors are out, companies are just slow to roll them out in their builds.

What's the difference between i5 and i7 processors? I remember a friend telling me that some programs can't handle i7 and that there really wasn't too much of a difference between the two.

i7 has multithreading (which gives you 4 virtual cores plus 4 hard cores, which improves preformance in some programs). The i7 processors also have higher clock rates. i5 is great if you want price and performance, i7 is for when you want the highest performance you can get.

 

For graphics, the ATI Radeon series is a better choice than the NVIDIA GeForce?

Not true, they both are pretty even, but Nvidia has better driver support for new/old games.

 

As far as gaming, I'm looking for something that won't cause me to lag a lot while playing and has good-looking graphics. I also like to have a couple windows (because I multi-log) open for certain games. Also, graphic design is sort of a hobby that I'm picking up (although I'm a biology major), and I'm pretty proficient in Photoshop. I'm not sure how much I'll get into video-editing, though.

 

You'll want to look for something with a Radeon 5770 or GTS 450 or higher. The 440 in the model I had would probably be a bit weak for your needs. What resolution is your monitor?

 

The problem with buying prebuilt is you don't tend to get discrete graphics until you hit the $1000 mark, as most home users are happy to get buy with onboard graphics.

[The Dark Lord]

What resolution is your monitor?

 

I'm not sure. I'm buying a new monitor because I haven't used a desktop in years.

 

The monitors that I was looking at were hi-definition and an the 20"+ range.

[Sbrideau]

What resolution is your monitor?

 

I'm not sure. I'm buying a new monitor because I haven't used a desktop in years.

 

The monitors that I was looking at were hi-definition and an the 20"+ range.

 

These monitors will usually be at 1920x1080, but you would have to check their specs.

[jasignhagj]

1920x1080 is normally in 21"+, 1900x900 on usually in 19"-21"

[Siege10]

you really need to give more information than that. the big one is spending limits. if you're limit is $1,000.00 then there are quite a few options for you. if its less than that you will slowly have less and less options the lower in price you go. so i am going to assume you wish to pay no more than 1000 before shipping and tax and all that. given that i can't just assume you'll spend that much I'll also list several other options at lower price (please note none of these require any assembly however you wont get as much performance for your buck.)

 

#1

ibuypower build

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227283

Price:$749.99

Specs:

Gaming

AMD Phenom II X4 965(3.4GHz)

64 bit Quad-Core Processor

4GB DDR3 1333

1TB SATA Hard Drive

24X DL DVD+/-RW Drive

ATI Radeon HD5670 1GB

review: if you're looking for performance this is you're buy

Whats Missing?: keyboard, mouse, monitor, operating system

 

#2

AMD/ati build

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6970963&CatId=2846

Price: $649.99

Specs:

AMD Athlon II X4 630 2.8GHz

4GB DDR3

500GB 7200RPM HDD

1GB AMD Radeon HD 6850

500W PSU

DVDRW

review: good performance slightly cheaper

Whats missing?: keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Operating system

 

#3

ibuypower rig 2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227314

Price:$539.99

Specs:

Gaming

AMD Phenom II X4 925 (2.8GHz)

64 bit Quad-Core Processor

4GB (2GB x 2) DDR3 RAM

1TB Hard drive

24X DL DVD+/-RW Drive

ATI Radeon HD 5570 1GB

Review medium/low gaming rig will play most games on medium settings.

Whats Missing?: keyboard mouse monitor

 

#4

cyberpower rig

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229243

Price:$439.99

Specs:

Gaming

AMD Athlon II X2 255 3.1GHz

64 bit Dual Core Processor

4GB (2GBx2) DDR3 1333

1TB SATA-II 7200RPM Hard Drive

24X DVD±R/±RW Dual Layer Drive

ATI Radeon HD 5450 1GB PCI Express Graphics

Review: low end gaming machine will run most new games on med-low to low settings. it will keep the lag away so long as the settings are right.

Whats missing?: keyboard mouse monitor

 

ok so there are your options or at least the options i would go with at the various price levels. the prices were correct as of 6:26 pm PST 1/27/2011.

 

all of these are missing a input system (keyboard, mouse) and monitor. a couple are missing any form of operating system. if you don't know how to install an os then don't buy the ones without one...

 

hope that helps

 

-Siege10