Hi all. My current old computer is packing it in. I'm going to build a new one that is to be focussed on image editing. I know enough about general computer hardware, but when I did an online search for options, there is a staggering amount of choice. So much so, I barely know where to start. Essentially I need a cheap machine as I don't have much money. Perhaps a lower/middle range computer with room to upgrade in the next year or so. My current machine is 6 years old, so pretty much anything but a barebones system will be better than what I have now. I just need the box, as I have a serviceable monitor that will last a bit longer.
What are the major features one needs for a large-image editing machine? What's more important in regards to a bottleneck - CPU or the Bus (FSB?). I'll obviously get as much ram as I can afford, and make sure I can up it to say 32Gb when needed in the future. I've got a 60Gb SSD at the moment, and I believe I should be able to fit Windows 7 Pro and my image editing software on there. I'll use a second mechanical drive for data.
At this stage, I would be happy to have onboard graphics, if they are good enough to run CS4, LR4 and Nik. I can upgrade later, or even just chuck in my current serviceable graphics card. Ultimately I would like to have dual monitors running, including one HD at minimum.
At this stage, I would like the machine to run quickly while editing in LR->PS->Nik with Tiff files, simultaneously. All my images are 12Mpx 5D raws, but early next year I hope to move up to the 6D.
I'm figuring in terms of being able to upgrade in the future, I'd focus on an upgradeable motherboard now. Is that right?
Anyway, after doing some research on the net, I constructed a somewhat random collection of parts, based on a build on Anandtech. This is just a starting point, I guess. I'm not particularly wedded to any of these components.
Corsair 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 CMY16GX3M2A1600C9B 1600MHz Dimm, Unbuffered, 9-9-9-24, Vengeance Pro Blue a
Internet Price: $179.00
Motherboard: ASRock 970-PRO3.R2 AM3+ AMD970 4*DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 2*PCIEx16 RAID a
Internet Price: $89.00
CPU: AMD FX 6300 6-CORE BLACK EDITION CPU 3.5Hz 95W a
Internet Price: $145.00
Antec 350W Basiq ATX Power Supply a
Internet Price: $42.00
Antec Three Hundred TWO - Black Mid-Tower Gaming Case, The Essentially Cool and Quiet Case, No a
Internet Price: $77.00
Microsoft Windows 7 Pro 64bit OEM(Microsoft OEM Terms&condition apply)
Internet Price: $169.00
Total: $700 approx.
Note: these prices are from my local online shop (I can order online and pick up locally). Stuff is just more expensive here in Oz. Oh, and I could probably chuck another 100W on that PSU I suppose. That's probably only another 10 or 15 dollars.
Cheers for any help!