Build or Buy?

[jch1728]

A heretical question on this forum, no doubt!

Situation:
I'm in two different locations during the year. In one, I've got a Dell XPS 420, upgraded with Samsung 256GB SSD, 1TB hard disk and 6GB RAM. In the other, I've been using an old cast-off Dell Precision 380 room warmer that's too slow and too noisy. Time for a new computer!

1. Use: Photo (and some video) editing, general web browsing, Office (mostly Word & Excel), etc. No gaming. My primary photo software (DxO Pro 8.1) can take advantage of OpenCL to process raw images.
2. Budget: Addressed below. I'm very frugal but willing to spend as necessary.
3. Country: USA. There's a Micro Center about an hour away.
4. Brand preference: Intel (performance reasons - Ivy Bridge)
5. Reuse current parts: Not likely given vintage of the Precision 380.
7. OC: Probably not, for reliability reasons, but not completely opposed to concept.
8. Resolution: Currently 1920x1080. Want to keep option open for higher if I get a different monitor.
9. When: Soon (next week or so).
X. OS: Currently using Win 7 64 Pro on other desktop and laptop. Maybe go w/ Win 8 Pro on this one?

So my choice is to pick up a new desktop for (?) ~$600-900, or to build a new one. Pro for new: Ready to use, warranty. Pro for build: Can ensure I get SSD for OS (standard HD for data plus stuff in the cloud), can perhaps target a smaller size case. I've built before. I'd get psychic income for building but would spend some time in the process (time is money, etc. )

If I were to build, I think the biggest issue for me would be selecting a video card - no gaming required, but photo processing takes some power, and I'm not current with what's available.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Blain]

Could a third option be an Ivy Bridge laptop with a spinning platter external for mass storage?
You could still use your monitor, keyboard and mouse.

 

[jch1728]

Hmm! That thought (laptop for desktop) crossed my mind, but I've locked myself in to thinking of laptops (for myself) as small, lightweight & expensive (e.g., my Vaio vpcv1). For my intended kind of desktop use, size and weight wouldn't be nearly as much of an issue, though.

Looking back at AnandTech and other sites, there seem to be limited laptop choices with SSDs that don't also run into problems with thermal limitations (not to mention the usual lousy screens if the screen needs to be used instead of a monitor). Thermal throttling would be an issue when I process a large batch of photos (it can take several minutes at max CPU/GPU).

Am I missing some viable laptop alternatives? Thanks.

 

[mfenn]

Nothing wrong with buying for this use case IMHO. I would check the Dell Outlet for good deals on Optiplex or Precision desktops with a Core i-something processor. Then grab an SSD aftermarket and pop it in.

 

[Blain]

Looking back at AnandTech and other sites, there seem to be limited laptop choices with SSDs that don't also run into problems with thermal limitations

I would plan on swapping out a laptop HD with a SSD.
Good laptop cooling pads can be found for less than $35 shipped.
Using a laptop was just a thought, it adds a portability option.

 

[piasabird]

So what is more important for photo processing?
Memory?
Quad core?
Video Card?
SSD?

I think an i-5 with about 16 gig of RAM, and then look at whether you really need a video card. The real question is what kind of video card?

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/40114901

This blog talks about the need for a Monitor and being able to tune the monitor to get the best results. However, it tries to say that typically spending $75 on the video card is good enough. This is going to take probably a little more thought.

 

[mfenn]

So what is more important for photo processing?
Memory?
Quad core?
Video Card?
SSD?

Monitor. After that CPU, memory, and SSD.

 

[Zap]

How often do you go back/forth? If it isn't daily, you can build a tiny computer to take with you like this one. I carry it around in a notebook messenger style bag.

Ivy Bridge CPUs are so fast that you probably don't need GPU acceleration.

If you know you are going to build your own and going Win8, buy it now for $70 shipped.

Lian Li PC-Q09FNB is $104 shipped through 12/17 with promo code on page. It is around 5.5" thick while the Antec ISK 300-150 is 3.8" thick, but it would be lighter in weight and hold a 3.5" drive along with the two 3.5" and slim ODD. Alternately the Antec ISK 300-150. Amazon and Buy.com often cheaper than Newegg on these, at around $80 shipped.

From Micro Center get a Core i5-3570K for $170, and ASRock Z77E-ITX motherboard for $95 combo price. You can probably undervolt it and still overclock a bit on stock cooler.

Get 2x8GB=16GB RAM. Not the cheapest kit, but this $78 stuff should be good. Low voltage (runs cooler) and low profile.

So, here's a possible build with rough pricing rounded to nearest $5, sans tax/shipping.
3570K CPU $170
CPU cooler $0
motherboard $95
RAM $80
Lian Li case $105
256GB Crucial M4 SSD $160 (current hot deal thread)
some big multi-TB HDD $150-ish
slim ODD $30
=$790

 

[jch1728]

A lot of excellent suggestions - thanks! Now I have to decide what fits my use case best.

 

[jch1728]

So, I decided to Build:

• 
  BitFenix Prodigy case
  Z77E-ITX motherboard
  i7-3770K
  16GB RAM
  Samsung 830 256GB
  Seagate 2TB
  Windows 8 (decided to be adventurous..)

So far, so good...

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[mfenn]

Up and running?

 

[Sleepingforest]

Isn't the Prodigy pretty big for mITX? Like 2 large shoeboxes? How's that working out for portability?

 

[jch1728]

mfenn: Yes, up and running w/ Win 8. Still learning how to make Win 8 jump through hoops, though!

Sleepingforest: The Prodigy is somewhat bigger in person than I thought from the reviews, but it is designed for mini-ITX (http://www.anandtech.com/show/5867/bitfenix-prodigy-review-the-affordable-performable-miniitx). The handles make it fairly portable, though it's not really light weight. Plenty of room for expansion if I ever want.

 

[mfenn]

mfenn: Yes, up and running w/ Win 8. Still learning how to make Win 8 jump through hoops, though!

Glad to hear it!

I recommend that you get a copy of Stardock Start8. That turns Windows 8 into a real operating system instead of the child's playtoy that it ships as. Best $5 you will ever spend on Win8.