I need help from a computer GURU

My present computer is just not able to handle to work load any more and I'm looking to get/build a new one. I've never built one before but believe that I can do it. I know guys that have done it and can ask them for help as well but I dont see them every day. My biggest question is how much computer do I really need? I don't play video games...I dont listen to music very often....I dont want to watch TV or DVD movies on my computer.
I do want to be able to run Photoshop while having several different files open and burn CD's and DVD's I hope to store most of my photos on disk so I dont think I'll need more than 160 gig of hard drive. For now I'm just keep using my CRT monitor so all I'm really looking for is a fast computer that I can work on and not have stall on me because I want to read this forum and burn a CD at the same time.
Can someone give me any suggestions on what I might need to look for? I've been looking on newegg.com and triying to put something together but the options are really overwhelming.
Would anyone here like to help?

Thanks,
Tom

http://www.ibuypower.c​om …configurator.as​px?mid=160 Here Is a good pc for a good price, all I would change is I would get 2 gigs of memory and more HD space. This PC plenty of power and room to grow. Good luck.

Given the number of choices at that URL, I don't think "here is a ..." is a totally appropriate phrase

But I'd agree with going for an AMD64-based system ... they seem to have the performance edge at the moment. Concentrate on memory rather than a faster CPU though ... at least 1Gbyte; anything else is just crippling. If you've got the resources go for 2-4Gbytes.

It's worth considering a second hard disk to keep a second copy of your photos. Not necessarily as a true mirror - perhaps just a place to copy the photos to regularly. Be careful of what that link refers to as "gaming hard drives", as whilst the fast drives are nice, they tend to be quite a bit louder than slower drives ... 15K rpm drives scream and I'm not talking about speed.

You'll want at least a 3.0Ghz equivelant CPU with at least 1GB of ram. You should have a mid-range video card with 128MB of ram that'll probably cost around $100. Look to get a SATA hard drive instead of an ATA - so you're motherboard will need SATA ports which all new ones probably have.

You only need one burnable drive because trying to burn 2 discs at once takes much, much longer than burning 2 discs one after the other. Make sure it has front USB ports as well as plenty in the rear.

You'd probably be better to bump up to 250GB hard drive to avoid adding one later. You can find SATA drives for under a buck a GB if you are patient at look and wait for sales.

hmv wrote:
Given the number of choices at that URL, I don't think "here is a ..." is a totally appropriate phrase

But I'd agree with going for an AMD64-based system ... they seem to have the performance edge at the moment. Concentrate on memory rather than a faster CPU though ... at least 1Gbyte; anything else is just crippling. If you've got the resources go for 2-4Gbytes.

It's worth considering a second hard disk to keep a second copy of your photos. Not necessarily as a true mirror - perhaps just a place to copy the photos to regularly. Be careful of what that link refers to as "gaming hard drives", as whilst the fast drives are nice, they tend to be quite a bit louder than slower drives ... 15K rpm drives scream and I'm not talking about speed.

You mat want to look again, all the choices are checked but it gives the the option to change what you need and do'nt need.

Go buy a 20" iMac G5... then buy an extra gig of ram and a external firewire drive... you'll be flying =)

People can't even agree on a complete computer, so there's zero chance they can come to some consensus on all the bits to buy to make one!

An off the shelf solution will only not satisfy if you buy 'entry' level, or obscure brand. The multitude of choices is why people just end up buying the first one they see. Apple have a product for most people, which will satisfy the needs of most users. You can buy a Dell, who sell in a similar manner, but allow customisation (but at a cost).

I sold a computer and monitor for £200 the other day. It cost me nearly £5000 when new. Basically, don't stress it and don't overbuy and you won't go far wrong.

Graham

Good point...another reason would be to seperate your OS from the things that you could not bear to lose in case of a crash. I usea 3 disk set up..one holds my OS, the second holds my misc. graphics programs,and the last one is where my pictures are stored and worked from unitl Imove them to DVD.

Just a thought.

I also use the triple drive, all extermals... two hooked up at all times with reduntant back ups off all my photos on both... then a third drive that i keep off site that i use to back up once every two weeks.... better safe then sorry.

A lot has to do with your budget. Also, you don't state what your current system is. If you're not doing any gaming, or video editing, then any of the current Pentium or Athlon systems will more than meet your needs. You will generally get more bang for the buck with the Athlon. If you're not interested in multiple hard drives, or other bells and whistles, you can get an "off the shelf" system from any major retailer for probably less than $1,000 that will do just fine for photo editing. Make sure you have at least a gig of ram minimum and you'll be fine.