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Author Topic: Need Computer Advice  (Read 4973 times)

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« on: May 18, 2008, 08:58 »
0
My old PC is a little slow, especially when using lightroom.
 It also crashes a few times a day, I guess, because it is getting to hot and issues with the connection to the hard drives/ and or the old motherboard. 
So I am thinking of getting a new PC.

There seems to be a good offer right now here in Germany at a store for the Acer Aspire M5620
    Prozessor        Intel Core2 Quad Prozessor Q6600 (2,4 GHz), 8 MB Cache und 1066 MHz FSB    
   Ram        3 GB DDR    
   Hard drive      500 GB S-ATA    
   16x Multinorm Double-Layer DVD-drive
   Grafik       NVIDIA GeForce 8500GT  256 MB     
   Sound       High-Definition Audio mit 7.1 channel support
It comes with Vista Home Premium
for under 600 Euro.

Is it a good deal? Would you recommend it if you use your computer mainly for working with Photoshop and Lightroom?
Would you get something different for the task?
Thanks.



« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2008, 09:39 »
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1. The processor is pretty good, I read that LR actually makes use of quad cores, CS4 probably will do to. Maybe CS4 will come also in a 64-bit version, so you might consider a 64-bit operating system.

2. Consider a fast HDD for your OS and software, for example WD Raptor 10000 RPM. I have one and it is really fast, but also loud and pricey (155 EUR for 150 GB).
You might also add a smaller Raptor as a scratch disk.

3. DVD-drive: check if it is "Super-Multi-Format" burner, if yes you will be able to use DVD-RAM discs, they are pretty cool.

4. Vista: oh, man, yesterday I had to reinstall my Vista Ultimate, because I was sick and tired of it constantly crashing even during simple tasks. Maybe this installation will work better for me, if not I will go back to XP.

5. I read that to speed up LR it is good to keep the LR catalog on a separate physical drive than the pictures themselves. I did so yesterday, and there might be some point in it.

6. Make sure the mainboard and the case support several S-ATA HDDs, in case you would like to expand some time later.
« Last Edit: May 18, 2008, 09:45 by Tom »

fotoKmyst

« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2008, 10:05 »
0
4. Vista: oh, man, yesterday I had to reinstall my Vista Ultimate, because I was sick and tired of it constantly crashing even during simple tasks. Maybe this installation will work better for me, if not I will go back to XP.


ironic. seems like many don't like vista because they're heavy loaded.
even the guy at the shop tells me he hates it.
so best to wait till they get rid of all the bugs.
XP works great but as always computer ppl are freaks at upgrades.
can't seem to stay in one place... that's how they keep their jobs i suppose.
upgrade, upgrade, upgrade... glitches, bugs, to fix... forever ;D ;D ;D

« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2008, 12:00 »
0
yeah that is quite similar to what i have.

The Q6600 processor ++ the other goodies.

I put in the 10,000 RPM raptor drive and use it as my operating drive.  it is just 160gb but it is more than enough for my programs.  Then i have a few other drives for my documents and other things.

« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2008, 01:28 »
0
Thank you for the tips! Especially with the scratch disk. I did not know that. I did a little research and found hard drive with 15000 RPM which is only a little bit more expensive than the 10000RPM drive. So as I understand, I should leave that hard drive free for just being a scratch disc for Photoshop.

So I should set up the hard discs like this:
73 GB Scratch disc 10000 or 15000 RPM
160GB Hard disc 7200 RPM for Operating system and Programs
500GB Hard disc for Images and other files.

Or should you have the Operating system and Photoshop/Lightroom on different hard discs?


suwanneeredhead

  • O.I.D. Sufferer (Obsessive Illustration Disorder)
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2008, 17:06 »
0
Thank you for the tips! Especially with the scratch disk. I did not know that. I did a little research and found hard drive with 15000 RPM which is only a little bit more expensive than the 10000RPM drive. So as I understand, I should leave that hard drive free for just being a scratch disc for Photoshop.

So I should set up the hard discs like this:
73 GB Scratch disc 10000 or 15000 RPM
160GB Hard disc 7200 RPM for Operating system and Programs
500GB Hard disc for Images and other files.

Or should you have the Operating system and Photoshop/Lightroom on different hard discs?


Well if you install Photoshop on your extra hard drive, then it WILL be on a separate hard drive from the OR.

My two cents about Vista -- have had several friends that have been unfortunate enough to purchase Vista machines and have nothing but trouble, everything from staying on the internet for any extended period of time to taking an hour and a half to burn a DVD to incompatibilities with software. I just purchased a laptop recently and had to go straight to Dell to get Windows XP Pro installed on it... had to, cannot afford to buy all-new suites of software... I use the Adobe Creative Suite and the Professional Video Suite, that would break me financially!  Keep that in mind when purchasing a Vista machine, NONE of your "old" software will run on it! It's just like buying a camera body for one price, then the glass costs twice as much!

Did you know that two US federal government agencies have banned Vista machines?  Read about it: http://www.news.com/Federal-agencies-ban-Windows-Vista/2100-1002_3-6166868.html

http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/65251?page=last

just thought you might want to know what you're getting if you buy a Vista machine...


 

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