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08/06/2005 03:25:21 PM · #1 |
...a new computer. What to look for in a new computer? I currently own a Pentium II Compaq and have upgraded RAM but is bogged down when converting RAW.
Any help would be appreciated. Don't know much about all the techie talk so keep it simple.
Message edited by author 2005-08-13 03:49:26. |
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08/13/2005 03:47:43 AM · #2 |
Looks like I may get a tomorrow:
Compaq Presario w/Athlon 64 3400+ 2.4GHz
1 GB RAM (up to 2GB)
200 GB Hard Drive (running a separate 200gb hard drive for scratch disk)
DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
17" LCD Monitor
at $799 + tax = $870.
Message edited by author 2005-08-13 03:48:58. |
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08/13/2005 04:15:05 AM · #3 |
| What kind of video card. Is it built on the motherboard or is it a separate card. Very important when doing photographic editing. Everything else sounds good |
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08/13/2005 04:26:09 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by SDW65:
What kind of video card. Is it built on the motherboard or is it a separate card. Very important when doing photographic editing. Everything else sounds good |
Integrated SIS Mirage2 Graphics with 128MB of shared video memory,but has an AGP slot to upgrade. |
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08/13/2005 08:30:58 AM · #5 |
Looks like you found something good for the price. :) BestBuy has had kickass sales on computers lately so look there too.
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08/13/2005 08:54:12 AM · #6 |
I don't really think any of the computers they are selling now adays are crappy. I bought mine in January this year, it was like $400 and it works fine (I think that was the box only).
I know you're definately going to want a good bit of RAM for editing pictures and stuff and a DVD burner would be nice too.
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08/13/2005 08:56:44 AM · #7 |
Integrated video card? Not very reliable I've heard, but depends what you need it to do.
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08/13/2005 09:04:21 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by faidoi:
Originally posted by SDW65:
What kind of video card. Is it built on the motherboard or is it a separate card. Very important when doing photographic editing. Everything else sounds good |
Integrated SIS Mirage2 Graphics with 128MB of shared video memory,but has an AGP slot to upgrade. |
The Intergrated Graphic card may slow down processing a bit since it's shared memory. I have two computers:
1- Gateway
3.2 Ghz Pentium 4 w/HT
Dual 200 GB 7200 HD
1GB or ram
DVD RW+R/CR RW (not combo)
8 in 1 Card reader
Intergrated Graphic Card (256mb)
*** And when using PS/CS it sometimes will Bog down.
My sons
2nd- Built computer
2.0 Athlon
512 MB ram
CD/RW
120 GB hard drive
Radon 128mb Video Card (not intergrated or shared memory)
***NEVER BOGGED DOWN WHEN I USED IT WITH PS/CS.
You will be sharing the available RAM between the computer and Graphics card. Even though you have 1 GB of ram doesn't mean you have 1 GB available to use, other programs will be eating at the ram in the background. Then you must subtract the 128 mb or ram that will be sent (shared) to your video card. That's why when you have an integrated graphics card with shared memory the graphics are slower.
Message edited by author 2005-08-13 09:13:57. |
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08/13/2005 09:49:47 AM · #9 |
| Aside from speed/performance would the image quality be the same for an integrated vid card and stand alone vid card? |
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08/13/2005 09:59:21 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Olyuzi:
Aside from speed/performance would the image quality be the same for an integrated vid card and stand alone vid card? |
Yes and NO. Yes if you take your time editing. With is slowing down with shared memory you don't get instant changes. So when you move a slider or curve or level it may take a second to adjust. If you don't wait till it adjust then you may over or under compensate on editing thinking the change was not what you wanted.
If you take your time the quality will be the same in editing. Outside of editing, YES the quality will be as good when viewing pictures on the Internet because they are set at 72dpi. With gaming you will see a very noticeable difference. |
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08/13/2005 11:07:01 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by faidoi:
Looks like I may get a tomorrow:
Compaq Presario w/Athlon 64 3400+ 2.4GHz
1 GB RAM (up to 2GB)
200 GB Hard Drive (running a separate 200gb hard drive for scratch disk)
DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
17" LCD Monitor
at $799 + tax = $870. |
You mean 2.2Ghz? Heh, i just built the same spec system the other week actually. Cost me quite a bit less without the lcd and hard drives though :)
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08/13/2005 11:08:03 AM · #12 |
Although i've no idea what you guys are complaining about, i do a good deal of my editing on this ancient PII 400mhz laptop with 176Mb ram...
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08/13/2005 11:29:01 AM · #13 |
Thank you for that answer. I have also been contemplating purchasing a new computer because I can't edit RAW files on my AMD 400 MHz ooooooold computer with Win98se. I was going to build one with a budget mobo with integrated video, but your explanation of the issue has persuaded me to go with a seperate video card. Thanks very much.
Originally posted by SDW65:
Originally posted by Olyuzi:
Aside from speed/performance would the image quality be the same for an integrated vid card and stand alone vid card? |
Yes and NO. Yes if you take your time editing. With is slowing down with shared memory you don't get instant changes. So when you move a slider or curve or level it may take a second to adjust. If you don't wait till it adjust then you may over or under compensate on editing thinking the change was not what you wanted.
If you take your time the quality will be the same in editing. Outside of editing, YES the quality will be as good when viewing pictures on the Internet because they are set at 72dpi. With gaming you will see a very noticeable difference. |
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