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Thread ID: 111088 2010-07-13 07:20:00 New desktop - suggestions please? R.M. (561) Press F1
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1118490 2010-07-13 07:20:00 I plan to get a new desktop . My current use/needs are:

Photography - I want to use Photoshop CS5 .
I transcribe audio tapes into mp3 format with line in from a tape recorder .
I put together slideshows in ProShow Gold/PicturesToExe .
I do the computer stuff at Club nights ie sort out and show the various presentations .
I look after the Database, Newsletter and emails in/out for the Club .
I have 4 external HDDs for backups etc .

I have a Zalman HDD cooler in my present setup, which makes life a lot quieter (the 'puter lives in the corner of the sitting room/kitchen area) .

I think I want Computerlounge to put this together for me . I think my present monitor will do (19" Samsung) . I will need a new 'Natural' keyboard . And lots of usb connections . . . .

So - there you are . I looked at Computerlounge Gamers Rig and wondered .

Also wonder about which OS - or rather, which version of Windows 7 . Do I need 64bit?

So - have fun here! All suggestions gratefully received with thanks . :help:

:) R . M .
R.M. (561)
1118491 2010-07-13 07:28:00 What's your budget?

By "natural" keyboard do you mean one of those ergonomic ones?
stormdragon (6013)
1118492 2010-07-13 07:48:00 What's your budget?

By "natural" keyboard do you mean one of those ergonomic ones?

$2500ish, and yes, ergonomic (l learnt to touch type on that sort of keyboard...).
R.M. (561)
1118493 2010-07-13 07:48:00 I do a bit of photog with my club :D let's do a club battle :p

Re: photography wise.
I would go for 64bit, the OS is the same price as 32bit. Adobe Photoshop CS5 will support 64bit, I have CS4 and Lightroom 2 which both support that too.

Good that you have plenty of backups lol. I only have 2 internals and 1 external.

I would go with 4GB of RAM for now.
For the processor, I got mine early last year, a Quad and I feel that I am under utilising it.

I know a few members who have their (1) PC as a laptop. That works too.
You may want something faster if you are a part time portrait photographer with clients (doing larger quantities).

:)
Nomad (952)
1118494 2010-07-13 08:01:00 Nomad - I'm pleased you replied, hoped you might!

I DON'T want a lappy as my main 'puter. I have one that I take to Club and find the keyboard awkward. I also like my calibrated monitor on my desktop.

The current HDDs - one is an IDE that I will set up as another external. The other is a SATA that I would like to put in the new 'puter when I get it.

I am not a paid photographer - I currently work full time in a health profession - but am close to retirement. So I need to make the most of my money while I'm still earning and have most of my marbles! :D
R.M. (561)
1118495 2010-07-13 08:10:00 Umm .. your budget is very generous - alright now running away :p

Not much to add. Maybe if you are into the outdoors I say to people treat yourself and possibly your other half to a photography trip even overseas.

Some club members have a Mac - not the Mac Pro which is a Dual Core and they seem happy enough.
Nomad (952)
1118496 2010-07-13 08:48:00 No-one has made any comment on cooling... Quiet is important. The current one was very noisy until I had the Zalman HDD cooler put in, but see that is now old technology.

I forgot to mention (and I don't think it matters) but I also run 2 printer, 1 scanner and a Wacom tablet....

Any comments about the line input? Is that available on all desktops?
R.M. (561)
1118497 2010-07-13 09:00:00 Something like a i5 processor might be ideal.
For your devices check the drivers before you dwell into the OS - that they are available.

Yes, I think all mobo these days have line in.
Re: quietness - I'll let someone else address that.
Nomad (952)
1118498 2010-07-13 10:38:00 I too am into photography and wanted a quiet PC. I got the following from ComputerLounge a couple of months ago:

CPU = i5-750
Cooler = Freezer 7 Pro-2 (but the cooler that comes with the i5 is pretty quiet)
Mobo = GA-P55A-UD4 (has an IDE port, also USB-3)
Graphics = ATI 5450 (passive = quiet; has 3 outputs)
OS = Win 7 Pro 64-bit ("pro" was a waste of money; "XPmode" = not worth it)
Case = Enermax Chakra (has 250mm fan in side, = quiet)
RAM = 8 GB of DDR3, 1333MHz (for loading lots of large TIFFs)

Personally I don't like to have internal harddrives for security reasons. They're also hard to swap and they use up drive letters... so I have a pair of external eSATA docks instead. (and 10 drives that I jostle between them). Also have some eSATA enclosures
BBCmicro (15761)
1118499 2010-07-13 10:47:00 Personally I don't like to have internal harddrives for security reasons. They're also hard to swap and they use up drive letters... so I have a pair of external eSATA docks instead. (and 10 drives that I jostle between them). Also have some eSATA enclosures

having them in external eSATA docks makes them more secure how??

they'd be easier for someone to steal would'nt they???
GameJunkie (72)
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