I can't decide which computer to buy, Shopping For Computers |
 Jun 11 2009, 05:15 PM
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#1
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 Ale Creations  Group: Official Designer Posts: 16 Joined: Mar 2007 Member No: 513,396  |
Hi everyone,
I decided to search for a new computer because my laptop is starting to slow down a bit due to the amount of graphics and designing software. I simply wanted to ask what type of computer is best for graphic/photoshop use? Does it matter, or should I just look for a computer that offers enough memory? Also, I'm thinking of going with Windows XP or apple. I've never used Apple before, but right now my laptop has windows vista and is not working well for me. Let me know your thoughts. Please & thank you! Oh, and I was thinking more on a desktop/pc than laptops. I'm not sure though. |
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Jun 11 2009, 05:34 PM
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#2
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 I'm cheap Group: Member Posts: 61 Joined: Jun 2009 Member No: 732,040 |
Build a PC.
Get a Good processor and a good motherboard. I recommend you to get a Dual Core and a Nforce 630i Then 2-4gb Ram will do the trick. Buy a good mid-level graphics card a good Corsair power supply and you're done. Not to mention.. case.. |
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Jun 11 2009, 05:41 PM
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#3
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Newbie Group: Member Posts: 1 Joined: Apr 2009 Member No: 723,814 |
Get a Mac! I havent used one either but Im getting one after Im done with this one Time For A Change!!!!
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Jun 11 2009, 05:45 PM
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#4
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 /人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
What's your budget? I could build something on Newegg for you, and then you bring the list to a local computer specialist.
Edit:  How does this look to you? |
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Jun 11 2009, 06:17 PM
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#5
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Ale Creations Group: Official Designer Posts: 16 Joined: Mar 2007 Member No: 513,396 |
QUOTE(Buttsex @ Jun 11 2009, 05:45 PM)  What's your budget? I could build something on Newegg for you, and then you bring the list to a local computer specialist. I don't know if it's enough, but I'm willing to spend up to $1,000. I don't know anything about building computers. I regret not taking that class in HS! |
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Jun 11 2009, 06:23 PM
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#6
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
I've got an ok build in my last post. For a thousand dollars, I could go pretty crazy.
I'll work on a better build, something closer to your budget. Edit:  That one is better. I built it not too long ago as a gaming rig, but with a different case and motherboard. Also, you don't need that fancy LED fan, it's just left over from the build I based this one on. |
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Jun 11 2009, 09:54 PM
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#7
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 ;p Group: Member Posts: 280 Joined: May 2004 Member No: 17,685 |
your motherboard doesn't support ddr3
she might need monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and os too. |
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Jun 11 2009, 11:04 PM
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#8
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
QUOTE(six @ Jun 11 2009, 09:54 PM) your motherboard doesn't support ddr3 she might need monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and os too. You're right about not supporting DDR3. I overlooked RAM when remaking the system. I made a list of parts for the computer, not the system. |
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Jun 11 2009, 11:39 PM
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#9
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Ale Creations Group: Official Designer Posts: 16 Joined: Mar 2007 Member No: 513,396 |
QUOTE(Buttsex @ Jun 11 2009, 11:04 PM) You're right about not supporting DDR3. I overlooked RAM when remaking the system. I made a list of parts for the computer, not the system. So everything else I have to buy separate? I don't think it'll be within my budget. Do I need to build a computer then? There is no "buy one at such place" option? |
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Jun 12 2009, 12:02 AM
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#10
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 Sex, Blood, & RocknRoll Group: People Staff Posts: 5,305 Joined: Nov 2007 Member No: 596,480 |
Usually just explaining what the computer will be used for at the place your buying from will suffice.
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Jun 12 2009, 01:31 AM
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#11
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
QUOTE(alecreations @ Jun 11 2009, 11:39 PM) So everything else I have to buy separate? I don't think it'll be within my budget. Do I need to build a computer then? There is no "buy one at such place" option? Try the first one I posted. It will leave you room for a monitor, OS, mouse, and keyboard. You're not going to need to build it, Print the list and bring it to a specialist. |
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Jun 12 2009, 01:50 AM
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#12
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Ale Creations Group: Official Designer Posts: 16 Joined: Mar 2007 Member No: 513,396 |
okay thank you everyone.
I will print the list, and also explain at whatever store I go to. Best Buy perhaps. :) |
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Jun 12 2009, 02:21 AM
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#13
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/人◕‿‿◕人\ Group: Official Member Posts: 8,283 Joined: Dec 2007 Member No: 602,927 |
QUOTE(alecreations @ Jun 12 2009, 01:50 AM) okay thank you everyone. I will print the list, and also explain at whatever store I go to. Best Buy perhaps. :) I don't know about Best Buy. I'm always kinda iffy about chain retailers. Go to a local place, every city has one or two. |
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Jun 12 2009, 03:31 AM
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#14
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 Senior Member Group: Official Designer Posts: 5,880 Joined: Nov 2007 Member No: 593,382 |
Just go to best buy and look around. Sams club has great deals too.
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Jun 12 2009, 10:41 AM
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#15
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 Senior Member Group: Official Member Posts: 1,574 Joined: Aug 2007 Member No: 555,438 |
Well,
Before anyone jumps in and tries to shove computer parts down your throat. You should answer a few questions. (one of them you've already answered) What do you need your computer to do? Do you need a monitor(if so, any preferences)? What OS do you want installed on the machine (XP, Vista, Max OSX, Linux)? Do you need a keyboard or mouse? Do you want a warranty? Do you want mobility? What's your budget? |
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Jun 12 2009, 11:30 AM
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#16
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Ale Creations Group: Official Designer Posts: 16 Joined: Mar 2007 Member No: 513,396 |
QUOTE(Uronacid @ Jun 12 2009, 10:41 AM) Well, Before anyone jumps in and tries to shove computer parts down your throat. You should answer a few questions. (one of them you've already answered) What do you need your computer to do? Do you need a monitor(if so, any preferences)? What OS do you want installed on the machine (XP, Vista, Max OSX, Linux)? Do you need a keyboard or mouse? Do you want a warranty? Do you want mobility? What's your budget? Good questions. I'm going to check out whatever store I can from here and see if they have what I'm looking for. My computer is going to be used only for graphic designs, and photoshop software. Yes I need a monitor. I was going for XP. Yes Keboard/Mouse/Speakers. Warranty - I'm not sure yet. I wanted a desktop bundle. perhaps. My budget is no higher than $1,000. Oh & enough memory so it won't slow down. |
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Jun 12 2009, 12:01 PM
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#17
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Senior Member Group: Official Member Posts: 1,574 Joined: Aug 2007 Member No: 555,438 |
QUOTE(alecreations @ Jun 12 2009, 12:30 PM) Good questions. I'm going to check out whatever store I can from here and see if they have what I'm looking for. My computer is going to be used only for graphic designs, and photoshop software. Yes I need a monitor. I was going for XP. Yes Keboard/Mouse/Speakers. Warranty - I'm not sure yet. I wanted a desktop bundle. perhaps. My budget is no higher than $1,000. Oh & enough memory so it won't slow down. Alright, Well in that case. If your serious about graphic design here is what I would recommend: Don't cheese out on your monitor. It's important that you have accurate color. Samsung makes some of the highest quality LCD screens on the market. 25.5" in screen because you're going to want to look at the nitty gritty details of each piece of artwork you create: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16824001276 Considering you're looking to jump into graphic design I would actually recommend you purchase Windows Vista. The latest versions of Photoshop (CS4) take advantage of quard core and 64 bit technology. Vista 64-bit is a much more stable OS than XP 64-bit. On top of that, you really don't have to worry about Vista being a memory hog because you can add more than 4 GB of RAM to a 64-Bit OS. I would purchase the following computer: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/con...op-inspiron-537 Along with the following upgrades: - Vista 64-bit +$30 - Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 +$110 It will cost 439 dollars. Then you'll have to get technical, but it'll save you money a good amount of money. Buy the following video card and install it in that computer: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814121274 Buy the following memory sticks to upgrade to 4GB of RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145184 Monitor - $339.99 Computer - $429.00 Video Card - $67.99 RAM - $46.99 Total - 980.99 (Might be just above 1000.00 with tax) |
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Jun 12 2009, 01:03 PM
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#18
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Ale Creations Group: Official Designer Posts: 16 Joined: Mar 2007 Member No: 513,396 |
QUOTE(Uronacid @ Jun 12 2009, 12:01 PM) Alright, Well in that case. If your serious about graphic design here is what I would recommend: Don't cheese out on your monitor. It's important that you have accurate color. Samsung makes some of the highest quality LCD screens on the market. 25.5" in screen because you're going to want to look at the nitty gritty details of each piece of artwork you create: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16824001276 Considering you're looking to jump into graphic design I would actually recommend you purchase Windows Vista. The latest versions of Photoshop (CS4) take advantage of quard core and 64 bit technology. Vista 64-bit is a much more stable OS than XP 64-bit. On top of that, you really don't have to worry about Vista being a memory hog because you can add more than 4 GB of RAM to a 64-Bit OS. I would purchase the following computer: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/con...op-inspiron-537 Along with the following upgrades: - Vista 64-bit +$30 - Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 +$110 It will cost 439 dollars. Then you'll have to get technical, but it'll save you money a good amount of money. Buy the following video card and install it in that computer: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814121274 Buy the following memory sticks to upgrade to 4GB of RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820145184 Monitor - $339.99 Computer - $429.00 Video Card - $67.99 RAM - $46.99 Total - 980.99 (Might be just above 1000.00 with tax) wow. thank you very much. I'm going to print this stuff out. |
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Jun 13 2009, 11:43 PM
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#19
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Ale Creations Group: Official Designer Posts: 16 Joined: Mar 2007 Member No: 513,396 |
Mods can close this topic now if you like!
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Jun 14 2009, 01:33 AM
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#20
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 Senior Member Group: Administrator Posts: 8,629 Joined: Jan 2007 Member No: 498,468 |
Topic Closed and Moved
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