computer people

[tinka777]

What's the deal with all the different kinds of processors nowadays? I need a new desktop and hope to spend about $550 for it (this should eliminate any "get a mac" comments, thanks). I don't need a monitor. I mainly do photoshop, web, streaming music, and email. That's really about it. I need speed for the photoshop stuff and lots of storage

Comments

[manicpopthrills]

The link didn't work.

You only need a better videocard if you play games.

Yeah, there are a lot of different processors. If you can find an Intel Core i series (i3, i5, or i7; they get faster as the number gets bigger), you'll probably be happiest with its Photoshop performance. It's the newest/hottest/fastest compared to Core E whatevers, or Core 2 whatevers. Make sure you get at least 4GB of RAM (or 6GB) and Windows 7 64, which will actually use it. (Regular Windows XP can't use more than 2GB of RAM.) Laugh if anyone tries to sell you a machine with Vista.

Like this would be crazy fast for photo work:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Essentio+Desktop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor/9699025.p?id=1218152464094&skuId=9699025

It's about $100 more than your budget, though.

This is a decent example of a $500 machine using the previous Intel processors:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+-+Desktop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Pentium%26%23174%3B+Processor+/+6GB+Memory+/+1TB+Hard+Drive/9974328.p?id=1218204533385&skuId=9974328

It'd also be very fast, though not quite as fast as the other one. It won't matter much now (since both are probably faster than what you have), but 3-4 years from now... who knows? You may be taking pictures that are three times bigger, and doing more elaborate filters and such.

Most of the cheaper machines use AMD processors. They're fine, but the Intel CPUs are generally faster and use less power.

[tinka777]

Thank you. I was considering those BestBuy ones. The guy there said the gateways are terrible now and are always in for service. Have you heard anything about this? He did suggest the asus. But I thought it was ugly. Heh.

[manicpopthrills]

It's hard to judge computer quality anymore because they all use the same pieces. So it's possible the Gateways are in service more frequently because they suck, or because they're frequently purchased by idiots who break shit.

One point in Asus's favor is that they make most of the individual pieces for machines. That might make them better quality, since they tend to make pretty good stuff. In fact, they assemble all of Apple's laptops.

[tinka777]

Ok thanks! The Asus are the least expensive, too. I'll look for one that isn't ass ugly. Of course I'm back onto thinking I need a Vaio All In One- you may remember the VAIO laptop saga. I did buy a VAIO laptop way back then and it still works!