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I basically do word processing, internet surfing and edit some photos with Adobe Photoshop elements. Is the Dell XPS 8100 with i7 860 processor way more than I need? I've been also looking at the Gateway DX4831 with an i3 processor at half the price which gets good reviews on CNET.
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Of those three tasks Photoshop is certainly to most resource intense, but no where near warranting an i7. The DX4831 reviewed on Cnet had the i3 with 6GB of RAM and Win7 64x which is plenty for Photoshop Elements.
I guess I will offer the one contrarian view so far. Do you plan on having this system when elements 9, 10 and 11 are introduced? Are you going to buy a new 15+ MP camera in the next couple of years? It is hard to anticipate when something like photo editing can turn from a part time activity into a passion in which case having the extra horsepower with an Core i7 will be appreciated. I just bought a new Nikon DSLR and am using Elements 8 on my Ci7-920 and still have to wait for the application to load. Agree, if you are just word processing, surfing and removing red eye you will be fine with a Core i3. But try and think of your future needs before you pull the trigger!
TimWoodChip
Disclosure: TimWoodChip is an Intel employee and aspirational sponsor of tomorrow
Go i3
I am useing an old dimension 8400 top of the line 5 years ago. Pentium4 3.2 gh, 2g ram, and I am doing fine with CS4 its the bomb. A major play in you system for graphic artist is the screen and maximum ram. 4g will be fine for you. If your going to be a professional baller get a dell xps i7 with a mac view screen. But if your not working for Vertis don't bother
Good Luck
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