It's a nice ratio till you get above about 5k worth of gear. A $3000 computer isn't going to be much better than a $2000 computer. And the pro with 50 grand in gear?
I've been getting a lot of PMs regarding the details of my PC and have been asked to post some more pix. I don't want to take up bandwidth here, so I'll just post the links. It was time to de-dust today, so it was an opportunity to take them.
You really get to see what great cable-management looks like as well as the sound-proofing throughout.
If these pix are redundant or bore you, please disregard.
Nicholas.....your PC is amazing. Great pics. Super build.
I'm still as happy as a clam with my build. I thank Nicholas for his assistance and recommendations. I got just what I wanted. Super fast power and quiet. The best of both world's is possible.
Tom K. wrote:
Nicholas.....your PC is amazing. Great pics. Super build.
I'm still as happy as a clam with my build. I thank Nicholas for his assistance and recommendations. I got just what I wanted. Super fast power and quiet. The best of both world's is possible.
Tom,
Glad to hear from you and I'm very pleased your PC is working great! Are you running Windows7 64bit? If so, do you have CS4?
Glad to hear from you and I'm very pleased your PC is working great! Are you running Windows7 64bit? If so, do you have CS4?
Nicholas
Yes. Windows 7 Pro 64bit and CS4. Sssssmoking fast. Sometimes I have to dip into the 32 bit version of CS4 because of some plug-ins....but.....both 32 and 64 bit versions of Photoshop are installed with CS4 so it's all good.
Dpic_arctic wrote:
Really the only large program that I would be using is Photoshop CS4, and maybe some other Adobe programs.
Dpic_artic,
CS4 runs great, the only peccadillo is some plug-ins will only work in the 32bit version. I imagine that's why Adobe gives you both with CS4. If I'm doing basic editing, I'll stay in 64bit, but if the need arises fore a particular plug-in, I'll transfer the image over to 32bit. But this is the future and it's only a matter of time before all of this will be compatible.
All of my hardware have made the transition beautifully, the only other program I have a few bugs with is Nikon Capture NX2. I've broached this subject on a couple of Nikon forums, and it seems that most people have no problems with it in 64bit. But, again, Nikon and Canon and the rest are working on updates as we speak.
i have followoing this thread for a while as i had wanted to build a new pc around the summertime - things have changed and i will need it build it in the next 1-3 weeks
with the help of Nicholas who really helped refine my choices i have still a few things i would like some advise on
i would like a machine that will last for a good few years and i dont mind to spend the extra on getting better equipment
heres the rundown so far - pretty similar to others on this thread
Asus P6t Deluxe v2
Intel i7 - Now i had looked at the 920 but whats the differneces between the other models like the 930, 950,960 - the 975 is well out of my price range - i may consider an option above the 920 but i can only see a small increase in speed - but i dont know anything about pcs..
Corsair 12gb - XMS3 - i am unsure about what mhz to get but i see that it depends on your processor - so if you advise me to get say the i7-950 please also let me know what ram speed to match your choice
Nvidia gtx295 or 285 - i can get the 285 immediately but may wait 3 weeks for the 295 - is it a big difference between them
Thermaltake Element s case
HDDs - Western digital caviar black 1tb- i also see there a caviar black green - any advise on them please..i will need 3 or 4 of these. also some smaller drives for operating system / photoshop scrartch disks etc
DVD - Lite-on - Nicholas if you see this please what is your model number as i see far too many and dont know which is a quality one to get -
Blu-ray burner - again Nicholas what model number do you have - i may or may not get this now - more of a long term thing
Noctua NH-U12P SE2
Silverstone cardreader FP34 - NOw do i also need to buy the adaptor 5.25 to 3.5 inch? -
Akasa padding for Atx case - AK-PAX-2
Asus U3S6 - USB 3 - as advised by Nicholas in this thread
Power supply - Thermaltake toughpower - What Watt power would you recommend fo this rig
i liked the overall look of Nicholas pc and wanted something less powerfull - re processor - as i dont have the time on my side - it seems that the good advise here will help me to decide -
have i missed anything out ? something else i need to buy like..
Lite-On iHAS422 22X DVD RW Dual Layer, smart erase, Lightscribe
SONY BWU-300S 8X/16X/48X Burner
One other comment. if you plan to overclock than it would be wise to add 2 12cm. fans in the front of the case. And, again, the Noctuas NF-P12s are extremely quiet. We have them direct molex connected so they spin at max all the time, keeps my HDDs at 26, 27 degrees always. The fan setup and the sound-proofing make for a super-quiet case.
Real quick Illegales--I've done a lot of this research myself as I'm building up a similarly specced computer.
930 is coming online as a direct replacement of the 920. Being as you're in the UK, I don't know if you are privvy to some of the excellent deals on 920 chips as we are in the US. If so, it's a good chip. Are you planning to overclock or no?
CPU cooler--depends on one's goals. For a big case, that cooler is pretty good, but if you're not going to really push your system overclock-wise, then I really like the corsair h50, which packages nicely and quietly.
Mobo is excellent.
G.skill ripjaws stuff is an excellent budget line of memory that performs much better than its $ amount would indicate. 1600 MHz seems to be the sweet spot right now, especially if you're at all interested in overclocking
GFX card--do you game as well? The listed cards are pretty well beasts, and well beyond what you'd take advantage of in photoshop. As Adobe has stated, CUDA is being used more and more, so there is advantage to having an nVidia card. Perhaps a GTX 260 instead? I'm probably going to buy an used gts 250 for cheap and allow the next several months (or even a couple of generations of gfx cards) to sort out whats best for photo use. If gaming inspired--the radeon 5850/5870 are much better bang for the buck.
Caviar black are notably quicker than the caviar green (power saving models). A 30-60 gb ssd drive (for applications) and an array of caviar greens would be a monster setup.
Case + Padding. How about a Antec P190 or P183? They're designed around being quiet with good airflow, especially when you change out the installed fans.
If you're going to buy a monster graphics card and a lot of hdd, then 700+ watts would be prudent. I'm not sure how good the thermaltake toughpower is (don't have time to check reviews) but corsairs and antec truepowers in that range are also excellent.
so i have decided to go for the MB P6x58d Premium as it has usb 3 and its ready to go
i wont overclock at as i think its fast enough for my needs already but i dont really know much about overclocking and dont have the time /energy to do all those things needed to it -
i am still confused about my Ram - i have the choice of either dual or triple channel ram
which one to go for - i dont know how to check it myself
Lite-On iHAS422 22X DVD RW Dual Layer, smart erase, Lightscribe
SONY BWU-300S 8X/16X/48X Burner
One other comment. if you plan to overclock than it would be wise to add 2 12cm. fans in the front of the case. And, again, the Noctuas NF-P12s are extremely quiet. We have them direct molex connected so they spin at max all the time, keeps my HDDs at 26, 27 degrees always. The fan setup and the sound-proofing make for a super-quiet case.
Daniel Heineck wrote:
Real quick Illegales--I've done a lot of this research myself as I'm building up a similarly specced computer.
Many thanks for your advise
930 is coming online as a direct replacement of the 920. Being as you're in the UK, I don't know if you are privvy to some of the excellent deals on 920 chips as we are in the US. If so, it's a good chip. Are you planning to overclock or no?
Where i am the 920 and 930 are like 10 bucks more for the 930 -
so should i go for the 930 as you said the 920 is being replaced now
CPU cooler--depends on one's goals. For a big case, that cooler is pretty good, but if you're not going to really push your system overclock-wise, then I really like the corsair h50, which packages nicely and quietly.
Mobo is excellent. Willl go now for the Asus P6X58d Premium - as its usb 3 ready to go
G.skill ripjaws stuff is an excellent budget line of memory that performs much better than its $ amount would indicate. 1600 MHz seems to be the sweet spot right now, especially if you're at all interested in overclocking
GFX card--do you game as well? The listed cards are pretty well beasts, and well beyond what you'd take advantage of in photoshop. As Adobe has stated, CUDA is being used more and more, so there is advantage to having an nVidia card. Perhaps a GTX 260 instead? I'm probably going to buy an used gts 250 for cheap and allow the next several months (or even a couple of generations of gfx cards) to sort out whats best for photo use. If gaming inspired--the radeon 5850/5870 are much better bang for the buck.
No i do not game but way watch some movies somethimes but not either as a central movie player - just ocassionally - i dont mind to get the 285 as i like to buy this pc for a good few years ahead
Caviar black are notably quicker than the caviar green (power saving models). A 30-60 gb ssd drive (for applications) and an array of caviar greens would be a monster setup. Thanks i will get the blacks then
Case + Padding. How about a Antec P190 or P183? They're designed around being quiet with good airflow, especially when you change out the installed fans. i did look at the P183 but i do like to have Top usb ports and the Thermaltake has top usb ports
If you're going to buy a monster graphics card and a lot of hdd, then 700+ watts would be prudent. I'm not sure how good the thermaltake toughpower is (don't have time to check reviews) but corsairs and antec truepowers in that range are also excellent.
I had a look at some reviews and the Corsair TX750 - 750 W get good reviews[
i am still confused about my Ram - i have the choice of either dual or triple channel ram
which one to go for - i dont know how to check it myself
930 is worth getting if the price difference is negligible.
Triple channel memory for sure, otherwise there's nothing in your system to suggest that you couldn't downsize to an 1156 system (i7 860 processor)and save a good deal of $$. I'd spend my money on getting 12 gb (2x of TR3X6G1600C9, since you're not overclocking) and much less gfx card. Is there any reason you're only looking at corsair for memory? There are plenty of other companies that are excellent.
If you don't game and all you'll be using the GPU is for movie decoding and photoshop acceleration, don't waste your money on a 285. That's like grocery getting with a supercar. The 285 is VASTLY overspecced for your needs. I'd recommend a gt 240 from nVidia or, preferably, a HD 5670 from ATI. Both are more than capable for your system (and optimized more for media applications than the gaming monsters), require much less energy, generate far less heat, and cost less than 1/3 of a 285. By the time either of these cards become antiquated, you'll want a whole new computer as well.
The 750TX is an excellent psu and comes well recommended.
930 is worth getting if the price difference is negligible.
Ok i will go for the 930 as it few bucks more
Triple channel memory for sure, otherwise there's nothing in your system to suggest that you couldn't downsize to an 1156 system (i7 860 processor)and save a good deal of $$. I'd spend my money on getting 12 gb (2x of TR3X6G1600C9, since you're not overclocking) and much less gfx card. Is there any reason you're only looking at corsair for memory? There are plenty of other companies that are excellent.
i dont have the time to research very much so i see most people here recomend this one - thanks for the serial code info
If you don't game and all you'll be using the GPU is for movie decoding and photoshop acceleration, don't waste your money on a 285. That's like grocery getting with a supercar. The 285 is VASTLY overspecced for your needs. I'd recommend a gt 240 from nVidia or, preferably, a HD 5670 from ATI. Both are more than capable for your system (and optimized more for media applications than the gaming monsters), require much less energy, generate far less heat, and cost less than 1/3 of a 285. By the time either of these cards become antiquated, you'll want a whole new computer as well. ...Show more →
Thanks for that - i can only find the gtx260 and looks fine for my needs and half price too
The 750TX is an excellent psu and comes well recommended.
i think my list is done now
I decided to hold off the build for a while and get lenses instead. But I am still interested in this. I am looking at video cards and I want to get a DVI/2 card so I can use two monitors. But then the other port is usually an HDTV port. Should I really invest the extra money and get an ATI Radeon card with DVI/2 and HDMI? How does the quality of the display differ between a normal DVI connectivity and an HDMI connectivity?
Edit: The HDMI port would be for when I'd only be using a single monitor.
DVI and HDMI are the same quality as far as I know. Many cards still have dual DVI ports so it shouldn't be too hard to find one that fits your needs. Some of the new 58xx ATI cards have 2x DVI, 1x HDMI and 1x DisplayPort ..port.
Why do you say HDMI would be used if you only had 1 monitor?
I got the impression that HDMI transmitted a higher quality image than DVI. If that would be so, I would use HDMI (I believe most monitors have a DVI/HDMI interface) in a single monitor computer config. Am I wrong about HDMI?
