- This topic is empty.
Image processing
-
Thinking of upgrading the desktop and would like to hear peoples thoughts
on specs for photo editing, monitor type-size, processor, ram,graphics
card etc. Also how would you rate their importance? Not very good with
this sort of thing so really need advice.Ta, Matt
Dont know much about that sort of thing myself Matt. But i use Photoshop CS3 and even though I am not very good at it, it does the job for me.
RAM is very important to any machine and i would suggest a minimum of 3 gig RAM, dont know if graphics cards come into play when photo editing, but the monitor will have a lot to do with it, if you intending to print your own photos. The Monitor needs to be calibrated to the printer or you will give yourself a headache if you dont get on print, what you see on screen.Most people that went with Windows 7 seems to have nothing but good to say about it. Then again a lot of people that switched to Mac say,its the only way to edit photos.
If you are buying a new machine ,the specs thesedays are very high regarding RAM etc.
Best thing to do really is maybe to have a look at one or two desktop systems online and post the links here and people will tell you if they are right for the job, then decide, dont let a guy in the shop decide for you. let a photographer decide for you.
Dont know if this is any help but Aldi are doing a desk top tower tomorrow for
399.00 has dual processor (Intel Celeron I think) 3gb ram and 1000gb hard drive!
no monitor but I think that gives you more choice, worth a look if there is one near you.Ps just looked it up and here is the spec for it, someone might know if it is worth looking at.
# Intel® CoreTM2 Quad Processor Q8300 (2.50 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB, 4 MB Cache)
# NVIDIA® GeForce® G210 DirectX® 10 graphics card with 512 MB graphics memory and D-Sub VGA, DVI and HDMI interface
# 4 GB DDR2 RAM (2 x 2 GB)
# 1 TB (1000 GB) hard disk S-ATA interface, for more than 200,000 songs or photos with 4 MB per photo or 4 MB per title
# Multiformat DVD/CD burner supports all the usual DVD/CD standards, including dual layer DVD-R and DVD+R
# Network Controller Gigabit LAN (10/100/1000 Mbit/s.) on board
# Multicard Reader for all current memory cards
# PS/2 keyboard and optical USB mouse
# Connections: Front: 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x Microphone, 1 x Headphone, 4-in-1 Memory Card Reader. Rear: 4 x USB 2.0, 2 x PS/2, 1 x LAN (RJ-45), 1 x Front line out, Subwoofer/Centre out, 1 x Rear Line out, 1 x Surround out, 1 x Line in, 1 x Microphone
# Comprehensive software package OEM versions preinstalled and/or on CD/DVD or recovery DVDMany thanks for the replies John and Jenny, had an inkling the graphics card
would have been at the bottom of the list John. Fed up of the laptop taking
ages to do anything and the old desktop only has one meg of ram.Jenny, thats what I had in mind when I posted the question. I would be happier
now that you mentioned it as a fairly good looking m/c. I think the graphics
card is not top of the range but probably adequate for what I need. I know for
games the graphics card is important. It also has Windows 7. Good price too.Checklist for morning: Overcoat, jellybag, scarf and gloves. All ready, Aldi in
the morning. Brrrr. Oh, forgot the debit card.Thanks again,
Matt
I picked up a Samsung Syncmaster LCD 24 inch screen for €250 (Pixmania), well worth a look and its huge
Another option is to buy a MAC. I was always a PC person but moved to mac 2 years ago. Would never go back….
Not wishing to spark off a Mac -vs- PC debate here, but what advantages over a reasonably powerful PC would a MAC give from a photo editing perspective ?
From what (little) I know about the MACs I thought you had to invest quite a fair wedge of cash for something reasonably powerful these days ?
For €399 you can get that fairly nifty PC by wandering down to your local Aldi !!
Personally I’m looking to upgrade this year myself but I’m a geeky self builder so PC’s are the only (realistic) way to go for me :)
Matt, did you part with the hard earned yet ?
Not another PC vs MAC debate.
but what advantages over a reasonably powerful PC would a MAC give
Cooler to have a MAC
Trendier and sexier looking
Bigger dent in your walletFor image editing I’d recommend as large and as high a quality monitor as your finance will allow. Plenty of RAM. A reasonable sized Hard Drive and at least one external HD for backups. I wouldn’t get too caught up in the PC/MAC thing.
dont skip on the graphic cards, an entry graphic card will do, most applications are now stating to use them now, and photoshop cs4 now utilise features on your graphic card.
phillip
Donned the thermals and hit the road at 8.15 -4 deg. Dropped herself down town and headed
for Lidl to pick up a deep fat frier for the sister. Drove around the corner to Aldi to find a half a
dozen cars there with people sitting in them -6 deg then. Got out of the car and sauntered up to
door while lighting a fag. Another car pulled up and went straight to the door. This caused a mass
exodus from cars. Chatting for a few minutes with a local guy who had been to the other Aldi in
town. He said there was a queue up there and rumour had it they only got 2 machines.9-00 am. doors open, scampered to the checkout and was in the first 3, lucky as that was all they
had, paid for it and scarpered before I was lynched. The guy who pulled in after me also got one
so the early bird doesnt always get the worm. I had other stuff to get up there but decided it would
be safer to go back later. The girl on the checkout said there was a few words spoken ok. :oops:
A monitor to replace the 15″ will be next.Thanks everybody for your replies, John(Steelydan), Jenny, Martin(another local), PeteW, John
(NFL Bsc- Big, soft and cuddly) 8) and Philip, It was all very helpful.Wont get into the Mac v Pc debate, after resisting Windows as long as I could when it replaced Dos
I would find it very difficult to change now.Fine on your monitor purchase John, will definitely look that up
Jenny, thanks again for adding the specs.
All I need now is to get it set up, but that is another adventure, probably be posting here again
in the next few daysOnce again, thanks all.
Matt
Hi Jenny,
Have it up and running, not loaded up yet, trying to get a handle on
whats on it already. Seems to be a lot of 90 day trial stuff on it, word,
excel and powerpoint. Have those already so not so disappointed there.I really did feel sorry for those other guys this morning, but saw it
happen before and there was fisticuffs. :DWill take my time setting it up, no hurry. :?:
Matt
Sounds like some craic getting hold of the thing !! Hope it’s worth it.
Remember we’re always here to help if you need anything !!
All’s fair in love n shopping :lol: Aldi seem to do them a couple of times a year and
usually Lidl follow a few weeks later, though I am surprised that they have so few of
them!
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
