Probably the wrong place for this...

[MLeeK]

But it looked good. I am sure someone will move it to where it is better suited.
It's TIME. My computer is in need.
I am currently running and AMD Dual Core 64bit 5200+ 2.7G processor with 5G of Ram.
It's seen some better days and I want to upgrade so I can use that one for other things.
My son is going to come in and set up a raid system for me, but beyond knowing that I am switching my multiple hard drive setup to a raid. Clueless now days.
Help? Not only do I need someone to tell me what I want, but why so when my son questions me I can answer him. Or send him here!

 

[pgriz]

MLeek, it's just like cameras. Tell us what you want to do on it or with it, and we'd have a better idea where to point you. For instance...

Graphic performance is determined by the graphics processor(s), the amount of ram they have access to, and the bus they use to shuffle the graphics info from main memory to the graphics memory.
Some cards have ability to drive several high resolution monitors at very high refresh rates. This very desired for gaming, less so for more static visual presentation.

What DVD type are you using or interested in using? Are you going to use this for data storage/backup, or playback? You can get HD DVD (Blu-ray) or double-sided DVD, or single-sided DVD (+R, -R, +RW, -RW, etc).

How many external drives do you plan to connect to? Buses for these include e-sata, USB-3.0, Firewire (IEEE 1394). Having a lot of external connectors (besides standard USB) gives you lots of options.

The total amount of RAM you can access/address depends on the processor and motherboard design. Also depends on the operating system. Windows 7 professional supports up to 192 GB, while the Home Premium goes up to 8 GB. What's good? Depends on your needs - my 2-year old laptop running Windows 7 64-bit has 8GB and runs ok, while my desktop system has 12 GB and is happy.

Data storage - 200-500 GB is kinda routine, and I've seen systems with multiple 1-2 TB drives. However, the more data, the harder it is to backup in an effective manner. So one way to retain some data redundancy is to set up a RAID 1 array (two drives, each storing exactly the same data). Now if both drives are run by the same controller, then the controller becomes the weak link. Some systems run with mirrored controllers.

I did not address sound, peripherals such as touch tablets, etc. , but in the end, just as with photographic equipment... it depends on what you see youself doing with it.

 

[MLeeK]

I am running photoshop CS6 first and foremost. Graphics according to that.
Don't need a DVD or CDR... I have one.
Do not connect to the internet.
Main computer hard drive? Don't need diddly squat I do not keep ANYTHING on my working hard drive. Only my programs. I want to be able to run 2 more drives in it-which Drew will set up for me.
Sound-I would like sound to work, but otherwise that's it.
I use quite a few USB ports-graphics tablet, cordless mouse and keyboard, CD/DVDR drive, printer, card reader, ipod/ipad/iphone... I think I have 8 now and they're full with cords but some are not used all of the time, it's just convenient to keep them plugged in.
I know I want to run a 64bit system to allow for as much RAM as I possibly can. I am processing hundreds of images at one stroke in bridge/ACR.

 

[DScience]

Just be done with it and get an iMac and ROBO raid system.

 

[MLeeK]

Not gonna happen. Too much invested in programs and other stuff on the PC/Windows system. Not going to toss out a few grand in software. So, back to the PC... What do I need?

 

[pgriz]

The internal data busses to the internal hard drives are much faster than the external buses/drives, having internal drives for data will greatly speed up your overall performance. You could set up a two drive system, one for the OS, and the second for the data. Also, the second could be mirrored.

The graphics cards usually support OpenGL hardware acceleration - but it depends on the card.

Are you working off one monitor or several? I use two 1920x1200 23" monitors but higher resolution and larger screens are available and desirable for graphics work.

Edit: Have him put in a disk controller on a PCI bus, driving two 1 TB drives in raid 1 mirror setting.
What interface do your external drives use? If you only have USB 2.0, add a USB 3.0 controller with 4 ports, and drive your external backup 1TB drives through that interface.

Edit 2: You may want to have a close look at your graphics card. The newest ones have multiple GPU's (Graphic Processing Units), have their own dedicated bus (but that depends on what your motherboard supports), and can address 4-8 GB in very fast graphics memory. You want to have a card that support OpenGL 2.0 in hardware. However, if you do look into that, the cards take up a LOT of power and may drain your existing power supply. On the plus side, you won't believe how fast the graphics get rendered. So, as always... it depends.

Edit 3: Also check with Buckster. I do remember he assembled a really kick-ass system.

 

[tirediron]

Com-poot-or? :scratch:

 

[MLeeK]

The internal data busses to the internal hard drives are much faster than the external buses/drives, having internal drives for data will greatly speed up your overall performance. You could set up a two drive system, one for the OS, and the second for the data. Also, the second could be mirrored.

The graphics cards usually support OpenGL hardware acceleration - but it depends on the card.

Are you working off one monitor or several? I use two 1920x1200 23" monitors but higher resolution and larger screens are available and desirable for graphics work.

Edit: Have him put in a disk controller on a PCI bus, driving two 1 TB drives in raid 1 mirror setting.
What interface do your external drives use? If you only have USB 2.0, add a USB 3.0 controller with 4 ports, and drive your external backup 1TB drives through that interface.

Edit 2: You may want to have a close look at your graphics card. The newest ones have multiple GPU's (Graphic Processing Units), have their own dedicated bus (but that depends on what your motherboard supports), and can address 4-8 GB in very fast graphics memory. You want to have a card that support OpenGL 2.0 in hardware. However, if you do look into that, the cards take up a LOT of power and may drain your existing power supply. On the plus side, you won't believe how fast the graphics get rendered. So, as always... it depends.

Edit 3: Also check with Bucster. I do remember he assembled a really kick-ass system.

You are speaking total Greek to me. I understand, but to take what you have said and apply it to what I have to buy? Yeah, no. Give me numbers and specs here!
I want to know what motherboard/processor is going to handle the best I can get it to handle PhotoShop. I need to know what graphics card to look for...

I have 2 monitors, but honestly? I don't need them on my processing computer. I rarely am doing multiple things or have a need for it, so I can get rid of one of my other ones and move one to my internet computer, etc...

I am already thinking that white box is the way to go, but from there? Just tell me what to put into it.

 

[pgriz]

So... are you suggesting a brand-new system? Or are you trying to upgrade your existing system? And what kind of budget are we talking here? The last time I spec'd/built a system from scratch was about two years ago, so my knowledge of what's available is somewhat dated. Also, if a new system, tower or desktop? How much space do you have for this stuff? If you have to put everything in a 2ft.x 3ft. footprint... And where are you going to buy it from? Big box store? Mail order? Joe's computer and tire emporium?

 

[MLeeK]

New system. The one I am using has some major issues and I am not up for rescuing it. I have been rescuing it for a couple of years now.

 

[table1349]

Not gonna happen. Too much invested in programs and other stuff on the PC/Windows system. Not going to toss out a few grand in software. So, back to the PC... What do I need?

Actually i could happen in a manner that would probably suit you. Spec out the Mac you would choose, then either look for a Windows machine with similar spec's including the hardware it is built with or have a similar PC built.

While hardware is hardware, not all hardware is made the same, especially in the PC world. If you do this you will spend more than the $400-$500 you can buy a windows machine for at a big box store, but you will get longer useable life and in all probability a pretty trouble free machine. I've been a Mac and a PC for years & years. I am no big fan of Windows. With that said, Microsoft has done a pretty good job with Windows 7, it is as stable a system as Microsoft ever put out and should be pretty trouble free.

 

[pgriz]

Hokay... And do we spec you a custom system, or a system available pre-built from (big box store/mailorder/joe's emphorium)? And you avoided the question of the budget?

 

[MLeeK]

Not gonna happen. Too much invested in programs and other stuff on the PC/Windows system. Not going to toss out a few grand in software. So, back to the PC... What do I need?

Actually i could happen in a manner that would probably suit you. Spec out the Mac you would choose, then either look for a Windows machine with similar spec's including the hardware it is built with or have a similar PC built.

While hardware is hardware, not all hardware is made the same, especially in the PC world. If you do this you will spend more than the $400-$500 you can buy a windows machine for at a big box store, but you will get longer useable life and in all probability a pretty trouble free machine. I've been a Mac and a PC for years & years. I am no big fan of Windows. With that said, Microsoft has done a pretty good job with Windows 7, it is as stable a system as Microsoft ever put out and should be pretty trouble free.

This is exactly why I am thinking custom built white box. Better equipemnt in there and it will run me the same or even less in many cases than at pre-made computer with the cheap hardware having the specs I will need. I did the pre-made with the one I have now and I am feeling the pinch of the lack of durability in the hardware. I had to replace the power supply almost immediately because it wasn't enough to run what I needed it to run.

Pgriz-I'd like to do a custom machine, but if there is something GOOD in a pre-made that's fine too. I just don't want the headaches that I have had with this one.

 

[JDFlood]

You might go to a Frys and tell a salesman what you are doing and your budget. They can fill a cart with a case, graphics card, power supply, mother board and processor and have the service dept assemble... Cost me $59 for assembly. Can be REALLY cost effective. Freq, you need a big power supply because of graphics card and that knocks out all the pre-builts. I did this last time, will have them upgrade my motherboard and processor soon. JD

 

[DScience]

Ok here is the components:

i7 ivy bridge CPU
Asus Z77 LGA 1155 motherboard
16 gigs DD3 1600
240 gig SSD
2 x 1 tb 7200 RPM HD
AMD HD 7770 graphics card

This system will destroy ANY editing program you touch it with.