budget photo eding build

[imported_Ashes]

I'm looking to upgrade my really old system (3.2 p4 1gb ddr ram). I work as a wedding photographer and this system is really starting to show its age, It is pretty slow while working with large volumes of 12/14 bit raw images. Lightroom is almost unusable.

The pc will be used only for lightroom and cs4. (some light web browsing, email and such as well ofcourse)

Ideal budget ~$500. cheaper is better!
I would like to get a basic foundation setup that I can upgrade as I go along. I would like a decent motherboard which allows upto 8gb ram, and has raid capabilities, firewire would be great as well, but not a deal breaker.

I already have plenty of external storage, so I dont really need a massive hd. Just something to run os, and programs.

I've been trying to piece out an equivalent version to the higher end imacs (the topend 3.1ish imac performs really well w/ photoshop). So would prefer to stick with intel such as the core 2 duo.
Most the guides I have read are oriented towards gaming pcs and overclocking, I am not interested with either. I would like to have this system up and running in a months time.


Cpu: Intel core2 duo
Motherboard: ? Not sure on what chipset/brand
ram: 4gb for now. (not sure on ddr2 800 vs 1066 or which brand)
hd: small to midsized sata for now, since I already have several externals I use for storage and backup. Would like to eventualy use this drive in a raid setup.
video card: No idea. I know cs4 can use the gpu for certain features but adobe has given no real numbers on what type of card is needed/recomended. has to support dual monitor.



I would like to use my current atx case and 400watt psu if possible (it is a zumax x1 if anyone was curious). As well as my ide dvd drive.
I will be buying in the U.S and I do have a local Fry's near by.
Low power consumption is a plus.
Idealy I just need a system with a low upfront cost that can get me running and shave time off my post processing. And allows me to add some more bells and whistles like a raid setup, more memory, and maybe a quad core processor later.

Thanks

almost forgot. I run at 1680x 1050 resolution on my main monitor.
1440x900 on my secondary

 

[mpilchfamily]

At your budget you'll get more for your money buy getting an OEM system. Wait a few more days and get a new system that is running Win7 and you'll be good to go.

 

[yhelothar]

$119 deal for E8400 and Gigabyte P35 mobo
OC to 4GHz

Photoshop is one of the few programs I've used that feels noticeably faster with quad core though.

 

[elconejito]

Your really going to want a quad core for CS4

At that budget point you're looking at Q8200 for ~150. Couple it with a Gigabyte EP45-UD3R for ~$120, 4GB of DDR2 RAM will be around $80, a basic video card*** for $50, and a WD 640GB drive for $70 and you've got the guts of a system for $470.

If you can stretch the budget a little bit, the *significantly* faster i5 750 will be about $50 for the CPU, and mobo cost is the same or maybe $20-30 more. 4GB of DDR3 RAM is in the same ballpark as far as price. So a total of around $550.

I'd also consider an AMD setup in this price range as well. CPU & mobo cost is similar, but with a good onboard video you can save $50 you would have spent on the video card***. Performance would be on par with the Q8200 (give or take).

***Photoshop GPU accelerated features don't require a lot of horsepower. Any remotely recent video card that supports OpenGL will suffice.

 

[bludragon]

Yep, for photo editing the more cores, the better. I would start with Quad core and 4Gb ram minimum. Preferably Core i5 or phenom II x4 if budget is tight. I don't think RAID or ram speed are going to make much difference.

 

[bludragon]

OK, just noticed this other thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2343401&enterthread=y

Looks like you may struggle to get a decent Quad for $500. Athlon II x4 might be worth considering.

 

[elconejito]

Theres good info there. However, the OP is re-using a lot of his parts (monitor, keyboard, etc) so that makes a difference. But yeah, might have to sacrifice a little to keep under that budget.