[Jeimygirl]

Thank you for the suggestions I've gotten. I don't game at all actually. Custom building would probability be my best option since I can choose what I want. Such as the suggestion to not worry much about the graphics card and use that extra on the RAM. So if I'm correct, the RAM is the temporary memory right? And the more RAM you have, the faster your computer is right?

Does anyone have a suggestion on where I should begin on building mine? ANy sites I should look at? I'll definitely be getting on this side more often. Everyone is very friendly and helpful.

[Zardon]

well actually ram is rated in speeds, and there are various motherboards for DDR2 and DDR3 memory support etc. The reason I stated 4 GB is that for photographic intensive tasks and if you wanted a lot of high quality images open, you are spending less time with it paging to the hard drive. (this means if it runs out of physical memory to handle your tasks it accesses virtual memory on the hard drive which can slow things down dramatically).

My advise is you get a good motherboard with vista 64bit, and load it with 4GB of ram as this will work well with photoshop. I take it you know how to set the virtual paging file in Photoshop? around 1-1.5gb would be good on a 4gb setup.

The Q6600 quad core processor is actually bargain price considering it has 4 cores on it, each of them can handle certain tasks or "threads" in photoshop which will make things for you faster and life easier.

With the high combination of ram count and the quad core CPU you will be set for all photoshop tasks for many years to come. If you dont game at all, then get an entry level Nvidia or ATI graphics card so your 2d is high quality and you can have aero etc enabled without any performance problems.

If you post a budget you have in mind we have some intelligent guys on the forums who can help you choose the bits and pieces you will need. Really if you focus on a good motherboard that supports DDR3 and load it out with memory and a decent harddrive with the Q6600 you are set. If the Q6600 is too expensive, then opt for a Dual core Intel processor. You will notice a slight drop in performance (for multiple tasks) but it will work fine if you are on a tight budget. I am just basically giving you ideas for a machine that will last you a long time here.

[Jeimygirl]

Originally Posted by Zardon

well actually ram is rated in speeds, and there are various motherboards for DDR2 and DDR3 memory support etc. The reason I stated 4 GB is that for photographic intensive tasks and if you wanted a lot of high quality images open, you are spending less time with it paging to the hard drive. (this means if it runs out of physical memory to handle your tasks it accesses virtual memory on the hard drive which can slow things down dramatically).

My advise is you get a good motherboard with vista 64bit, and load it with 4GB of ram as this will work well with photoshop. I take it you know how to set the virtual paging file in Photoshop? around 1-1.5gb would be good on a 4gb setup.

The Q6600 quad core processor is actually bargain price considering it has 4 cores on it, each of them can handle certain tasks or "threads" in photoshop which will make things for you faster and life easier.

With the high combination of ram count and the quad core CPU you will be set for all photoshop tasks for many years to come. If you dont game at all, then get an entry level Nvidia or ATI graphics card so your 2d is high quality and you can have aero etc enabled without any performance problems.

If you post a budget you have in mind we have some intelligent guys on the forums who can help you choose the bits and pieces you will need. Really if you focus on a good motherboard that supports DDR3 and load it out with memory and a decent harddrive with the Q6600 you are set. If the Q6600 is too expensive, then opt for a Dual core Intel processor. You will notice a slight drop in performance (for multiple tasks) but it will work fine if you are on a tight budget. I am just basically giving you ideas for a machine that will last you a long time here.

Thank you for explaining that. I know the basics on how to use the computer, and the basics about parts, I'd say a little more than the average user, but I'm not too good with the details such as the ones that you have provided.

My budget for now, like as of today, is roughly $300, I has some extra expenses come up but every other week I have extra to add to the budget. I'm sure if someone would be willing to put out a list and prices etc, I can work to get to that amount. I just don't want to spend $500 on a desktop thats the "all-in-one" deal when I can get one made specially for what I need.

Should I start another thread in the proper area (since this is the notebook one) and put my info on it, such as what I need? I just didn't want to get this one even more out of topic like it's gotten, unless that's ok.

[kris23]

yes, it would be a good idea to start a new thread to keep things clean, though if you want to continue here, its not so bad either....

its all up to you

[Jeimygirl]

Originally Posted by kris23

yes, it would be a good idea to start a new thread to keep things clean, though if you want to continue here, its not so bad either....

its all up to you

I'm a keep it on here for now, since there is history people can reflect back on. :-)

[kris23]

lol alright, well lets get started........

just to clarify, the budget is around $300 and you want to see what your options are in that price range?

[kris23]

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/M...spx?ID=9091486

in order to look at whats in this link youll need to get an account with newegg if you dont have one already...

newegg is pretty much the best place in the U.S to buy computer things so its a good idea to sign up here

[Jeimygirl]

I just signed up, I'm going to go look at it now. my room mate is also pitching in since she uses the comp for basic internet access. I'll let you know how much shopping goes and come ask before making a final decision. Thanks!!!

[temeteus82]

Kriss, can you post the system in here so that we non US users can comment it

[kris23]

lol i was just thinking about that.... was in the middle of it but went to get breakfast, lol

[kris23]

Newegg.com - Rosewill R218-P-BK Black 0.5mm SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
Newegg.com - BIOSTAR NF520-A2 SE AM2 NVIDIA nForce 520D ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards
Newegg.com - ZOTAC ZT-71SE120-HSS GeForce 7100GS 128MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Low Profile Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
Newegg.com - Rosewill RV300 300W ATX12V Power Supply 115/ 230 V CE, cUL, CSA, CB, TUV, FCC, NEMKO, DEMKO, SEMKO, TC - Power Supplies
Newegg.com - Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon X2 4450B 2.3GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners
personally, id at the very least spend $100 more on the stuff so i can get safer components

[Jeimygirl]

Alright, so order my parts and case from them and set it up at home when I rcvd it correct?

[kris23]

theres just the issue of the OS though.....

the OS is about $100 and unless you got a copy laying around or can get one within your budget, the system cant be used...

[Jeimygirl]

only a 40 gig hard drive? is that correct? would that be fine?

[kris23]

the drive i posted is an 80GB unless you were referring to something else,

[Jeimygirl]

Originally Posted by kris23

theres just the issue of the OS though.....

the OS is about $100 and unless you got a copy laying around or can get one within your budget, the system cant be used...

I knew this much I think I still have my XP one, to hold me over until I can get a vista one.

[kris23]

ok that should work

[Jeimygirl]

Originally Posted by kris23

the drive i posted is an 80GB unless you were referring to something else,

Sorry, I meant to type 80. Shouldn't I get something bigger since I'm goign to have tons of pictures? You're the smart one so let me know.

[kris23]

it is a good one, but it all depends on your budget, if you can spring for a bigger one then good.

my recommendation is the seagate 750GB 7200.11 as it has the most GB/$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148298

[Jeimygirl]

Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar T7K500 HDT725040VLA360 (0A33439) 400GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

what do you think about that one?

and USB's, do those normally come with the case? mine came with two.

[Zardon]

Your budget is the limiting factor. If I were you I would get the smaller harddrive and put the money into something else like the CPU.

80 gig is fine, OS will take 12gig, gives you 55-60 ish for files (you will lose some on the format). You can always stock up on DVDS and CDS later which means you will be forced to make regular backups Just remember too, you can add another hard drive at a later date if you get some money, two smaller ones are more versatile than one big one.

[Jeimygirl]

Alright, I see what you are saying. I'm going to get with my room mate and see what we both can come up with. I believe we can come up with $500 but we may need about $150 for the screen, unless i get a good deal I saw for $30. i will let you know ASAP.

I really appreciate you taking your time in pointing out those things out for me! I have added them to my wish list and then playing around with upgrading a few and seeing the price changes. I'm off of work for now so I'll have to hold off on looking until tomorrow.

[kris23]

the extra $50 helps so things should be good.