OK, New PC needed.

[robbie-doux]

Mrs Doux and I are about to purchaes a new PC, and would appreciate any views on machines, operating systems and software packages.

We both use PC's with work, and all my little toys are PC based, so can't go for a Mac (though I have suggested it).

I need to be able to manipulate my fantastic digital photo's to make them even more fantastic, and I'd like to be able to make DVD's from our DV camcorder.

Mrs D would like proper XL, and I'd like some sort of database for my photo's (to be able to loose the duplicates which I 've managed to stack up on CD's and DVD's).

Any suggestions will be grateully recieved, though we are on a fairly normal domestic use budget, so won;t be gettign a Kray supercomputer.

[Krazy Pengwin]

Hardware:
You should really go for the best you can afford. If you are on a budget, avoid name brands such as IBM, Compaq, etc. Whilst these are usually very good machines, you do pay a little extra for the name.

Regarding the specs: if you are going to be doing photo manipulation and/or video editing, then I would say 1gb memory minimum. (I recently upgraded from 512mb to 1.5gb and it has made helluva difference).

Also, for each of these activities, a large hard drive is essential. Preferably 2 drives, one for backup. SATA drives are the norm now and they should be plenty fast enough for what you need. Needless to say DVD burner, try to get a multi-format burner if possible (they still can't seem to settle on a standard!)

And a good graphics card with a large screen. For media work, you need to be able to work at a resolution of at least 1280x1024 with 24 or 32 bit colour. It is possible to do these things at a lower resolution, but I wouldn't recommend it. Similarly a 17" monitor is minimum to be able to work at these resolutions comfortably.
For photo manipulation, I would recommend getting an internal card reader, saves having another box on your desk and a USB port taken up.
A4 graphics tablet, or A5 of you're comfortable with that, but I wouldn't recommend an A6, too small and no benefit (IMHO).

Intel Duo Core (or the AMD equivalent) processors are very fast...well worth the extra.

Other than that, just the usual stuff, network card, wireless if you need it. Modem if you don't have broadband or you need fax.

If you get the computer from a shop, be sure to see it running first with the monitor that you will be using. That way you can judge everything for yourself.

Software:
Needless to say, Adobe Photoshop CS2 for photo manipulation (I don't use it personally, but everyone who does swears by it). For video, I hear Adobe Premiere is fantastic. If you cannot afford, or don't need the full sized software, Adobe do Elements versions of both of these packages. Howvever, there are other packages on the web that can do most of what you need (GIMP for photo, Jahshaka for video to name just two open source packages).

I think everyone would agree with me, get a firewall and anti-virus package. Norton or Macfee are probably the most popular and both are pretty much as good as each other. I personally use Norton on PC.

That's about it. I recently had a machine build to that kind of spec for under £1,000. So it would pay to shop around.

[Earl53]

The one bit of information I can offer is to have your hard drive partitioned. I have mine partitioned in four sections. I keep the Windows program on my C-Drive, my games and other programs on my D-Drive, I keep my photos and all other media files on my E-Drive and I also do some Auto CAD so I keep those on my F-Drive. This way if I have trouble with my Windows program and it has to be re-installed I don?t lose any information on any of the other drives. Just have to format C and not any of the others.

[Krazy Pengwin]

The one bit of information I can offer is to have your hard drive partitioned. I have mine partitioned in four sections. I keep the Windows program on my C-Drive, my games and other programs on my D-Drive, I keep my photos and all other media files on my E-Drive and I also do some Auto CAD so I keep those on my F-Drive. This way if I have trouble with my Windows program and it has to be re-installed I don?t lose any information on any of the other drives. Just have to format C and not any of the others.

Although partitioning a drive is economical for cluster size, etc. I would still recommend 2 drives. Use one for backup, that way if one fails, the other is still there with your data. If a partitioned drive fails, you could lose everything.

Also, it's better to use a second physical drive, preferebly on the second IDE channel, for your photoshop scratch disk. Allows photoshop to work a little bit smoother.

[Chris Hawkins]

I agree with most of the comments above. Second (physical) drive is critical. I use an Iomega external USB drive (in fact I use 2 because I'm paranoid!). Ghost v10 automatically creates an incremental backup of my system every day - I couldn't sleep if it didn't! I have Premiere Elements v2 - very good indeed for video editing (but I don't think it's the best in its class?). Tablet wise - I speak with limited experience. I have a Wacom Graphire4 A6, which is outstanding - leaps and bounds better than a mouse. May be an A5 is leaps and bounds better than that? But, I do everything I want to do with the A6. My system is an AMD X2 4200+ with 2Gb RAM and I have no speed or memory problems with any application I use. I, and a lot of friends, purchase systems from Mesh Computers. I think there is a dichotomy between computer companies and good customer service, but they're propably up with the best. Best of luck. Chris

[StuG]

Further to KPs advice definitely shop around, well known brands like Dell often have special deals on and even PC World have good deals sometimes but often they're including a printer or something else that you probably don't need.

I used these guys a couple of years ago www.novatech.co.uk (http://www.novatech.co.uk) and have been very pleased with my machine.

At work we use www.evesham.com (http://www.evesham.com) and again I have no complaints.

[BarryM]

a nice failsafe too, i use ghost image, basically you install all your proggys, settings etc on ur pc after a fresh install, get everything up and running, then take a complete image of the hardrive, any problems down the line, u can just use the ghost disk u created and load the lot back on in one go, and away you go. I think last time, from deciding to format to being totally operational again in every department was about 20-30 mins.

The more space taken up with os and proggys the more dvd's u may need though.

[Keitht]

With the requirement to use the PC for photo and video editing a second drive is almost essential. Using the second drive for the scratch space for the editing with potentially improve process speeds as there won't be contention between the operating system and the applications. I would also say go for at least 2gb memory.

I do use CS2 for photo work but use EditStudio for video editing. It can be downloaded for a free trial from www.puremotion.co.uk for about £50 and it will do pretty well everything Premiere will do for less than a tenth of the cost. Support has always been very good as well in my experience.

[robbie-doux]

a nice failsafe too, i use ghost image, basically you install all your proggys, settings etc on ur pc after a fresh install, get everything up and running, then take a complete image of the hardrive, any problems down the line, u can just use the ghost disk u created and load the lot back on in one go, and away you go. I think last time, from deciding to format to being totally operational again in every department was about 20-30 mins.

The more space taken up with os and proggys the more dvd's u may need though.

Thanks for sage advice everyons, I've clealry got some shopping around to do.

Barry, this ghost sounds REALLY useful. how do I go about creatign this?

[BarryM]

Hi Robbie, have a search on google for "ghost image software", nortons amongst many others do it. Just a case of finding the right software pal. But an excellent backup system.

[Krazy Pengwin]

I'd go for Norton Ghost (http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/sat4/Ec_Main.entry24?SP=10023&PN=1&V1=765165&xid=27685&search_id=502472058&doc_id=1&CUR=826&DSP=&PGRP=0&ABCODE=&CACHE_ID=0). It's reliable and you have the backup support from Symantec. It's not too expensive either.

[bartonflyer]

Strongly recommend Dell 5150 range - the Dual Core Intel processor version is well priced plus good performance for graphics apps. Loads of offers around on Dells, usually in the weekend press.

Cheers Ian

[Justin14100]

I would just say, go AMD, and try get some fast memory too, at the moment AMD's dual core tech is more advanced that Intels (not including Conroe) and also, stay away from anything that says 'norton' on it.

[robbie-doux]

Well, took on board various advice.
Ended up with Gateway GM3032b. From Tesco of all places.
Intel Pentium 4, 3.06 ghz, 533MHz FSB, 1mb L2 cahche,
512 Mb DDR2. 250 gb hard drive, integrated cardreaders.


I'll see how well I do, but it's already a hell a lot faster then old steam version.

:hunter:

[gefillmore]

I have no idea what it would mean for you to purchase something from the states-

but if it's a possibility, check out vision computers out of atlanta,georgia-

[BarryM]

Well, took on board various advice.
Ended up with Gateway GM3032b. From Tesco of all places.
Intel Pentium 4, 3.06 ghz, 533MHz FSB, 1mb L2 cahche,
512 Mb DDR2. 250 gb hard drive, integrated cardreaders.


I'll see how well I do, but it's already a hell a lot faster then old steam version.

:hunter:


Nice setup there pal. it should rock, and if u can double up on the memory as quick as possible

[tonymidd]

Nice setup there pal. it should rock, and if u can double up on the memory as quick as possible
THE place for memory

http://www.crucial.com/uk/farcry&gclid=CMjp3NS0nYYCFQ1nMAod9Fjzuw

That lonk may not work try this


http://www.crucial.com (http://www.crucial.com/uk/farcry&gclid=CMjp3NS0nYYCFQ1nMAod9Fjzuw)