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General discussion

What PC specifcations for photography, imaging?

Aug 25, 2005 10:55PM PDT

I need a PC (tower) for photography and intermediate-to-advanced imaging. I also plan to make large (8"x10") prints. Software I like to use: Photoshop Elements, Adobe PhotoDeluxe, and Photoshop LE. My preferred OS is Windows XP. My printer is an Epson Stylus PHOTO1280. My monitor is a ViewSonic G90f...Please, what are the basic and/or best spec requirements for a PC? : memory (RAM), storage (on hard drive, AND CD ), processor speed? Anything else missing?...I would like the PC to have CD-burning + disc-to-disc copying ability, plus a floppy diskette drive...Also, what are some dependable user-friendly brands and models?

Discussion is locked

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Photography
Aug 26, 2005 12:19AM PDT

It depends upon what you plan to do with photography.

But since you are buying, you should plan on doing more and more.

When you start making DVD slide shows or working with video, you soon find that you need speed and memory:

Speed should be 3 gigahertz or faster.

Memory should be 1 gig to start with.

Disk space should be around 200 gig.

For removable media, get a DVD burner and a DVD reader.
The DVD burner can also burn/read CDs.
The DVD reader can also read CDs.

You should be able to get such a computer for about $800 since you already have a monitor.

I'll let someone else recommend a brand of computer.

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Help in purchasing PC for photography
Aug 26, 2005 12:37AM PDT

Thank you, snapshot2 for this valuable, clearly explained information!...I'm currently looking at HP Pavillions but am experiencing sticker-price shock...

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A few purchasing tips.
Aug 26, 2005 9:14AM PDT

HP now owns Compaq.

Check out the Compaq computers:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/generic_category.do?catLevel=1&storeName=computer_store&template_type=computer_store&landing=desktops&category=compaq_presario&aoid=11073

For an example, choose the SR1010Z series
(why? it is the only one that will let you add a video card that is good for gaming....just in case you want to run games in the future.)

Click on the SR1010Z series

Click on "Recommended"

(Why?...You don't want to buy the packages they are selling, you are going to design your own computer.)

They show you what comes with the basic computer.
You are only going to change a few items.

Memory - choose 1 gig (cost is $100)
Hard Disk - choose 200 gig (cost is $20)
Secondary CD - choose DVD Rom (cost is $20)
Floppy - choose yes (cost is $20)

You will go through about 3 pages of choices.

When you get to the end you will have a price of $699 for the computer (no monitor).

You will get a mail-in rebate for $50.

There will be a shipping charge.

There is your computer for under $800.

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PC for imaging, photo - strange effect
Aug 29, 2005 3:23AM PDT

Snapshot2 - Thanks again for even more valuable information! I will take your suggestions researching HPs...Another, new question: My new monitor, ViewSonic G90f is up and running; Its set at 1024x768 resolution. The diagnol dot pitch of this monitor is.25; Contrast is set at about 60%, brightness @ about 90%; Both of the latter look right to me. However, I notice a faint "screen"-like effect - like a window or door screen - over the entire display; It's especially noticeable in grey and white areas, appearing to darken them. Its not too bad, does not obscure images, and the monitor is, of course, usable, but this effect did not seem to be present (or was less noticeable) on my old monitor, a Dell/Trinitron UltraScan P990 (max res=1600x1200; .24 diag dot pitch). What is this "screen" effect? And on a related note, considering the increasing rarity of CRTs, do you think my old Dell UltraScan P991 is worth repairing? Thank you!...

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CPU equivalents
Aug 26, 2005 9:22AM PDT

The AMD Athlon 64 3400 CPU is rated at 2.4 gigahertz.

According to AMD, that is equivalent to an Intel 3.4 gigahertz CPU.

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