any computer guru's here?

[IPT]

So I have decided to build up a computer specifically for digital editing. Running LR3 and PS CS3 (probably will upgrade to CS5). I also do some Dreamwaever, and Flash stuff too. I now mostly process 21MP RAW images, but also have thousands of 12MP images and huge files from 4000 DPI medium format scans.

What I want is the fastest system I can have (basically cutting edge, if not almost bleeding edge - within finacial reason of course). I have about 20,000 images to sort thru and it is painful for me to wait while it renders to compare various frames and select the sharpest/best composition. I need to speed up this process. My bugget is roughly $1500 no monitor needed. I store most of my stuff on external HD's. I am thinking it might pay to have a faster internal drive and use the externals for backup only so the system will have faster access.

I've seen some threads say the Duo cores actually work faster with PSCS3. Not sure when that was written, and now there is PSCS5 (but mostly I'll be using LR3).

I am open to idea's and suggestions regarding build specifics regarding CPU, motherboards, and HD's. It will have a BluRay optical for archiving. This is somewhat new to me so keep that in mind. I am in research phase.

 

[Misled]

Don't know but the "PC" I'm using now has a quad core Intel processor. I also have 8 megs of ram, and a 1 TB 7200 HD. And it's an off the shelf HP.

 

[Misled]

Forgot, there's also a 512mb gforce vid card.

 

[phenom5]

Well, I'd highly recommend my rig (although it's getting a little old now), but it would completely blow your budget.

 

[gregr]

I do this every few years- last time was about 6 months ago. I built a screamin fast 64bit system for exactly $1500, OS (7) included and it's been a superb machine. No or minimal waiting when I stack 8 images to make hdr shots, or even double (or triple on one occasion) that for panos. That's with CS4 but I use most of the same programs you mentioned.
Tom's Hardware is a great site- lots of helpful people and you can list all the parts for people to poke holes in. I ended up with an i7 quad core, Intel motherboard (maybe not the best call on that), Nvidia GTX 285, 6g of ram, 850w Antec power supply, Antec case and Western Digital Caviar Black hard drives.
Every single component must be looked over- the difference between the latest greatest and something that is smokin fast can be lots of money with minimal difference in performance. Newegg is great because it's easy to compare specs and there are lots of reviews. Or you can just browse the forums (Tom's etc) to see what components other people are using.

 

[Recty]

Don't know but the "PC" I'm using now has a quad core Intel processor. I also have 8 megs of ram, and a 1 TB 7200 HD. And it's an off the shelf HP.

WOW, 8 megs? That thing has got to be out of memory almost as soon as it starts loading Windows.

 

[Dustin1300]

Photoshop/dreamweaver applications should be multi-threaded and can make use of the multiple cores of a processor. I cannot think of any valid reason for a dual core being better than a quad core. You should be looking for something with a descent video card, cpu, memory, and large hard drive.

You could get video card upgrade from factory or later do so. As far as CPU Id shoot for a quad core. Memory on a Windows 7 machine Id go with DDR3 with 4 GB. As far as hard drive you could get something with 1 TB. If you needed space later you could easily add a hard drive.

Give us some models you are looking at and Id be more than happy to give a recommendation. I am a systems engineer and work with comps/servers/phone systems everyday.

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[Dustin1300]

Are you wanting machine already built or are you wanting to build?

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[sedor]

To get a decent machine your always going to get a lot more bang for your buck if your comfortable building your own. This is kind of a lamens term explanation, but usually what I do is use newegg or a similar site and find that absolutely best available. You can easily spend upwards of $5000 building a machine with all the best parts so I usually choose something right next to the best and you will get a considerable savings. Never skimp and use crappy hard drives. You should be able to build a pretty sweet rig with your budget.

 

[Misled]

WOW, 8 megs? That thing has got to be out of memory almost as soon as it starts loading Windows.

Sorry, I guess you know I meant gigs.

 

[MadOTC]

Core i7 processor all the way, however much DDR3 ram fits into your budget, and a couple TB of storage. Also keep in mind that the newer version of Creative Suite uses processing power from the video card for rendering so budget for a decent card that is built more towards workstations than gaming.

 

[robow]

If your looking to build on a budget check out barebone systems on Tiger direct. Most of the time you can get a screaming machine that only needs a video card for a very good price. My last build was about a year ago, system specs are, asus p6t mother board, 12gig corsair ram, i7 920 processor(socket 1366), 750 watt modular power supply, LG blue ray burner, a 1.5 Tb harddrive 2x evga 285 gtx 2 gig video cards, and a cooler master V8 CPU cooler. All together I spent about 2500 on the system, I stuck with my old monitor to save a few bucks, still cost less than a mac pro. I tell people I need it to check my e-mail.

 

[fatrip]

I would definatly go with the intel i7 for a proccessor, AMD can't touch intel's high end. Then I would build off of that. I would go with either 6 or 8 gig of DDR3. video I'd go with PCI x16 2.0, 2.1 is faster but you pay for it. I like nvidia for intel mb i'd go with 320bit wit 1gig onboard mem. HDD don't really matter what I do is have a really fast smaller HDD 500g and than a slower 2tb drive for storage. So i work with the 500g drive and trans final product to the 2tb drive for storage. If you want PM and I can go in depth with you about certian products if you want.

 

[Recty]

Sorry, I guess you know I meant gigs.

I was just giving you crap.

IPT, you'll want multiple hard drives in it.

You'll want one for Windows and it's swap file.

You'll want one as a scratch drive for Photoshop. This one needs to be fast, it doesnt have to be very big but it needs to not have anything on it except what Photoshop puts there. You tell it in preferences to use that drive as a scratch drive.

You'll want at least one for storage.

I'd got with 8GB of RAM, 4 x 2GB sticks.

Video card matters with the latest versions of Photoshop, it helps out so I wouldnt skimp in that respect.

And finally, the processor of the PC will make a big difference. I'd get about the best one you can afford within your budget.

I built a PC about 2 years ago and what I basically did is looked at what was screaming high up top end and then downgraded all components one level. This took me from looking at about a $3500 machine to one down to about $1200, and it was only about 10% slower which for a lot of things wont even be noticeable.

I definitely wouldnt buy absolute top of the line as far as speed goes, take it down one notch and your wallet will be WAAAAAY happier, the speed decrease will be negligible.

 

[terahz]

I'd suggest a i7 CPU, compatible asus or gigabyte motherboard, 12GB ram (24 is not worth it yet), OCZ Vertex 256GB SSD drive for OS and apps + many WD 1TB RAID level drives in mirror mode. Something like ATI 5870 (if you have the money) going down to 4790 all good choices. Antec 900 case, 750-850W PSU, all-media drive, a pair of IPS monitors and you should be good.

Here is the best part, if you pick a 47xx video (no x2 or CFed cards) you can install a vanila Snow Leopard on it (do buy it).

That's what I've been using at home for almost a year now and couldn't be happier.

 

[IPT]

WOW -who knew all these computer guys lurking here!!

Yeah, most of the peeps on these computer forums go with the AMD stuff. Say dollar for dollar you get more bang for your buck. Here is an example of a build up that was suggested.

case - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW
mobo - ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870
CPU - ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870
RAM (2 of these) - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
Graphics card - XFX HD-577X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB
power - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W
HD - Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS 500GB 32MB Cache
but I was thinking I'd be better off with this since the system will be accesing it a lot
Western Digital VelociRaptor WD6000HLHX 600GB 10000 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s
OS -Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit.

Yeah, I am planning on doing the build myself. No, never did it before. I've swapped a hard drive and changed a video card once. With some tutorials and a little patience I think I can do it. I also have three old dead towers I can rip into and take apart to see what it is like to take one apart. Get a feel for the connectors and such. From what I have read the hardest part about a build is getting things that play well together!

Open to your thoughts on this. Before I changed the HD it priced out at about $950. My plan was to have some slower external drives for back up. The "fast" drive would be for intital input and editing. Though if it were big enough I could store the entire collection and LR3 catalog on it too. Currently I have 22,000 images and well over 400GB stored. Part of the reason for this upgrade is too weed that out and get rid of all the junk! I don't need 8 pics of the same animal with varied angles of it's ears!! I do need a fast machine to render the files so I can compare and not take the rest of my life doing it.

 

[Tremont]

i7 with as much ram as you can get imo!

New Mac pro's should be out sometime in the near future with i7's, but right now, too out of date imo.

 

[robow]

Get Intel, the socket 1366 i7 are awesome, I run mine overclocked to 4.0 Ghz and it is rock solid. either way you go you will get good performance I just prefer Intel. I think the macs are more than you want to spend, like everyone else has said the cheapest route will be to build your own. SSD are fast but they are small and will quickly put you over your budget.

 

[terahz]

Here is a component list I'd recommend.
case - Antec 900
mobo - GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD5
CPU - Intel Core i7-930
RAM (2 of these) - OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) OCZ3G1600LV6GK
Graphics card - XFX HD-489X-ZSFC Radeon HD 4890
power - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W
HD OS - OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX120G
HD Data - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB
OS - Snow Leopard 10.6.4

Yes, AMD is probably a better deal, but the i7 CPUs are a blast. The above hardware will probably set you back around $1630 (current newegg prices less rebates), but I promise your 22M RAWs will feel like 1M jpegs . You said you don't need external drives, so ditch the HD Data and you're at about your budget.


Either way do get a lot of ram and an ssd drive for your os and apps.

 

[t5Nitro]

Pick one of these and you won't have any problem:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=100006736 4088&IsNodeId=1&name=$3000 - $3500