AMD or Intel for digital photo editing?

[GuyScharf]

I need to build a new system for editing digital photos. My existing system with a 1 GHz P3 and 512MB RAM is just too slow and pages excessively with the programs I am using.

I plan to transfer other peripherals, PCI cards, and software from an existing system to the new system. I have some questions about compatibility between the new system and my existing equipment.

The primary use of this system will be to edit digital photos with Windows XP Pro, Nikon Capture, Paint Shop Pro, etc. The program that is giving my current system the most grief (i.e., is slowest and also pages too much) is Nikon Capture. I have no interest in gaming.

Given my price target, the choice seems to be between a 3.2 MHz P4 or a Athlon 64 3400+ with 2GB RAM and a 250 GB SATA drive. The two configurations I am considering are:

1. 
   Asustek K8V SE Deluxe
   Athlon 64 3400+

or

1. 
   Asustek P4C800-E Deluxe
   Intel Pentium 4 3.2E GHz CPU

With either mobo/CPU, I would get:

1. 
   4 Kingston 512MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (2 GB)
   Hard Disk WD 2500JD Serial ATA Caviar SE 250GB
   Cooler Master Praetorian PAC-T01-E1 Silver case
   Nspire NSP-450P4DL ATX 450 watt power supply

I would have my favorite dealer assemble the above system and ship it to me. I would then remove hardware from my existing system and transfer it to the new system, reinstalling the OS etc. in the process.

It's been four years since I've built a system and I am uncertain how technology changes will affect me. Here are my questions:

1. The SATA controllers on the motherboard are described as RAID controllers. Can I use a single SATA drive (not two) with the onboard controller?
   
2. With one SATA drive installed, can I add my existing two WD1000JB (WD 100 GB) ATA drives, DVD reader, DVD/CD burner, and 3.5" diskette drives? In other words, will the motherboards support four ATA drives plus diskette drive in addition to one SATA drive?
   
3. Will a NVidia GeForce2 MX video card work with either motherboard?
   
4. Will a Adaptec AHA-2930CU PCI SCSI Controller work with either motherboard?

What else should I be considering? If any of the above is just plain dumb, or there are much better alternatives at approximately the same cost, please let me know!

Thanks for your help.

Guy Scharf

 

[Mik3y]

go athlon 64

 

[HappyCracker]

1: Yes
2: As long as there are enough IDE plugs on the motherboard, yes.
3: Is it AGP 4x or 2x? Some newer motherboards (Gigabyte's i875 boards come to mind) are picky about this.
4: It's PCI so, yes.
You could probably just add more RAM to the box you have now. And where did you find a 1 GHz P4? Also, as far as 2D image quality is concerned, you might want to look into a Matrox card.

 

[GuyScharf]

Originally posted by: HappyCracker
And where did you find a 1 GHz P4?

I mistyped -- it's a 1 GHz P III.

Guy

 

[GuyScharf]

Originally posted by: HappyCracker
You could probably just add more RAM to the box you have now.

I would if I could; that would certainly postpone the day I needed to replace the CPU. Unfortunately, 512MB is the max for this motherboard.

Guy

 

[HappyCracker]

Okay, that makes sense then. In that case, I would go the AMD 64 route. You could also go P4C. The Northwood Core performs better at those speeds than does the Prescott core and does it cooler too. I still stand by the 3400+ though.

 

[magomago]

Ditch the G2mx...probably horrible 2d quality considering that was the era when nvidia's 2d quality was pretyt crappy due to manufactorers using horrible dacs ^_^

but if you go A64 3400+ get ready to feel the speed