I am tired of buying laptops think its time to build a desktop

So my new laptop (well 3.5 years old, but newest I have) is starting to crap out on me. I am tired of buying laptops only to have them fail and cost more to fix then it’s worth (the last 3 I have owned the screens start to go out on them around year 3). I have a buddy of mine who builds all his own computers, he is more into gaming but has agreed to help me out on my first build ..... but I am lost. Furthermore I am a penny pincher and don’t like to spend more then I need to (I have no problem paying for quality, but if the $75 part gives me 95% of the performance that the $100 part does, I will pick the $75 item). So I guess I am looking for the best bang for the buck build and need your help.

It will be used for photo editing (duh) as well as 3D drafting (SolidWorks, AutoCAD type stuff)

How would you build this computer?

Ivy Bridge i5 processor, 16GB RAM, midrange motherboard with the latest Intel chipset, nVidia 520 based card for graphics (or use built in graphics but it takes up RAM bandwidth), SSD for your OS and caches, spinning disk(s) for your images and data files.

There's plenty of "help my spec my PC" threads in this subforum if you want specific components recommended.

Got a particular budget in mind? That'll really help, otherwise everyone is probably just going to tell you to get the best possible parts lol. If you give a budget, those of us who have built computers before have an idea of where the $ should be prioritized and can make recommendations accordingly.

Personally I'd say the two most important features are a fast processor with several cores and hyperthreading along with lots of RAM (DDR3). I personally don't own an SSD and don't think it should be that high of a priority, but if you can afford it then go for it. I'm currently running an unlocked quad core Intel processor and 12 GB RAM, and my system flies. It takes a heck of a lot to bog it down. Sure, an SSD may save me 15-20 seconds booting up or a second or two when opening a program, but my processor and RAM doesn't leave a whole lot of room for improvement. I feel it's better to direct $$ towards a mobo that has SATA 3.0 and USB 3.0 capabilities. SSD technology is still in its nascent stage but has been getting a lot more attention and has become more affordable, and I think it's really about to take off. So I'd hold out and make sure your system will have the capacity to handle new developments in SSD tech by supporting SATA3. I'd wait a year or two for SSD prices to become more mainstream and for prices to drop, but if you wanted to follow Tim's recommendation and pick up a small SSD (32gb or so would do) to put your OS and stuff on, it wouldn't break the bank and you would probably see a speed increase.

I'm also not huge into video cards since I never game and don't do anything with video processing. I know you said you are interested in 3d software, and I do know that video cards help a lot with rendering, but I don't think it takes a super high end video card to deliver in that aspect. Get a decent one, but realize the high end ones are built mostly for gaming.

^^^ Thank you for the input, as for a budget, I spent $1500 on my last laptop after everything was said and done and feel I got shafted after about a year with it, it slowed down to the speed of frozen honey lol. I would honestly like to keep it closer to the $750-$1000 ballpark if that's doable.

As for SSD Drives not sure I need to invest in that yet, I understand its new tech but at the same time I am not a huge speed freak, as long as its reliable I am happy. I plan to do more reading this evening when I have a chance to sit down and start taking notes.

I have always aimed for gaming laptops because they help with the 3d renderings I was doing, however I am no longer doing multi part complex designs, just everyday home project design. So a good mid to high level card should work fine.

http://www.tomshardwar​e.com/ This is where I learned a ton about PC builds.

In mid to low end market, the laptop is far cheaper than desktop this day. So you are getting far better deal with laptop.
If you want a KILLER computer, then build a expensive desktop for sure.

x_tan wrote in post #14502640
In mid to low end market, the laptop is far cheaper than desktop this day. So you are getting far better deal with laptop.
If you want a KILLER computer, then build a expensive desktop for sure.

How do you figure that? For a given level of performance and screen quality I figure desktops significantly cheaper than laptops.

I find two drawbacks to laptops. 1) They are more expensive- take just about any laptop and find the components to match its specs and it'll be cheaper than the laptop. 2) Lack of upgradeability. You can't just replace the CPU on a laptop if it gets outdated- the chips/chipsets are designed for a very specific set of hardware whereas desktop components are standardized. You can do basic ugrades/mods (increasing RAM a little), but the price is high because the parts are so specific to that particular model. With desktops, pretty much everything is standardized so you can upgrade/swap parts as technology changes. This means you only have to replace whatever your current limiting factor is. With a laptop, you don't have this option, you have to replace the whole she-bang.

tim wrote in post #14502772
How do you figure that? For a given level of performance and screen quality I figure desktops significantly cheaper than laptops.

I usual go to local electronic shops to looking for i5 and i7 PC, and I notice most i5 and i7 laptops have more RAM and faster graphic card than the same price of desktop. Also desktop doesn't have monitor, which cost even more.

Just for the record, I only use desktop for all my main work; and all my expensive laptops are for my kids 'doing their homework'

I agree, to a point, about being able to upgrade. Disks, sure, easy, graphics cards, easy, RAM, easy. RAM can be a good upgrade, as can getting an SSD. CPU tends to be difficult to get a significant gain without buying a new motherboard, and usually RAM. However a motherboard/CPU/RAM upgrade isn't too expensive and can be a big performance gain.

tim wrote in post #14502881
I agree, to a point, about being able to upgrade. Disks, sure, easy, graphics cards, easy, RAM, easy. RAM can be a good upgrade, as can getting an SSD. CPU tends to be difficult to get a significant gain without buying a new motherboard, and usually RAM. However a motherboard/CPU/RAM upgrade isn't too expensive and can be a big performance gain.

Yea, at some point you have to do a system overhaul. But my point was that you can do periodic upgrades of specific parts (whatever starts holding your computer back from being the "latest and greatest") and keep the same overall build for much longer with a desktop. With a laptop, it's all or nothing. But yes, there are limitations on upgrading parts.

I got tired of building desktops (theyre like photography - you keep finder better and better stuff, and you continue to buy it). I bought a laptop for under $600 that blows away my last desktop, and I can take it with me if I want and doesn't takeup floor space or sound like a hurricane. Actually been very happy with my lap top since switching - keeping in mind I added a 25"LED monitor. That helps, haha.

Logicus wrote in post #14503238
I got tired of building desktops (theyre like photography - you keep finder better and better stuff, and you continue to buy it). I bought a laptop for under $600 that blows away my last desktop, and I can take it with me if I want and doesn't takeup floor space or sound like a hurricane. Actually been very happy with my lap top since switching - keeping in mind I added a 25"LED monitor. That helps, haha.

Ehh. I think you only get sucked into the endless buying cycle if you participate on a forum, and it's much easier to resist getting sucked into computer forums than it is photography forums. I mean I definitely started to get sucked into that world when I was researching my first build and spent a lot of time at TomsHardware, but then after having actually purchased the parts, I don't find myself venturing over there hardly ever, and haven't thought of any new things I "need" or even want for that matter. Other than an internal card reader for a 5.25" bay- but that's more from the photography side.

But, my laptop did recently die and I miss being able to recline and browse the web or being able to just pick up and move to a different location. Don't want to buy a tablet because I need PS/Bridge/Excel and therefore Windows, so I'm really hoping the Windows 8 thing catches on and ignites a firestorm of Windows tablets and brings them to a reasonable price. Mobility is valuable.

I'm not sure how many people go beyond just adding more RAM, or replace the smaller HDD with their desktop.
I 'upgrade' my graphic card on top of RAM / HDD few years back, that's all. The only reason I still use desktop today that is my i7 desktop has 4 external HDD connect it permanently.
After I got a HDD docking station, there is no point for a PC with multiple USB ports; so the only one last reason I still use desktop because it has 30' plus monitor

You might find better bang for buck sticking with Sandy Bridge for now instead of leaping into Ivy Bridge. Just not seeing any huge improvement in real world differences between the 2 to justify the cost increase. Speaking only for myself I don't think the speed increase using SSD drives justify the cost. At least not yet. Costs will eventually go down on those and I can see them eventually replacing standard hard drives all together.

Just out of curiosity what laptops do you own? The reason I ask is because I have not experienced what you have. I have a laptop that is around 6 yrs old that was used daily for the first 4yrs and it still runs like a champ. I just recently put Linux Mint on it just to toy around with it. I have another that was used daily for long periods that is about 2yrs old also with no issues.

Is it a particular brand you are experiencing these issues with?