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Help me pick my next computer

P

Print City

Junior Member
I'm getting ready to buy a new computer for my print shop and will be using this basically to use for CS4. I've been doing some homework and came up with acouple different setups. However one of my designers has been on my case telling me a Mac is the best way to go so i've included a iMac I liked in this list.

Option A - iMac - $1,300

24-inch
2.66ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB Memory
640GB hard drive
8x double layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics

Option B - i5 build - $687.90 (Tax or shipping not included)

i5 - $159.99
ASRock P55M - $99.99
2x wd black 640gb hd - $129.99
2x G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) $79.99(each) - $159.98
ANTEC SONATA III - $109.99
MSI GEFORCE 8400 GS 256MB GDDR2 PCI EXPRESS - 27.99

Option C - AMD build #1 - $537.94 (Shippping not included)

AMD PHENOM II X2 550 BE CALLISTO 3.1GHZ - $102.00
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM MOTHERBOARD - $79.99
8GB PATRIOT VIPER DDR2 800 MEMORY - $115.98
2X WD BLACK 640GB HDD - $129.98
ANTEC SONATA III - $109.99

Option D - AMD build #2 - $534.97 (Shipping not included)

AMD PHENOM II X3 720 2.8GHZ W/GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD39 MOBO COMBO - $178.99
8GB PATRIOT VIPER DDR2 800 MEMORY - $115.98
2X WD BLACK 640GB HDD - $129.98
ANTEC SONATA III - $109.99

P.S. If I go the custom build route i'll be using my dvdrw, keyboard and a 26" Vizio LCD Glass moniter. (add $329.99 for the moniter)

Besides using CS4 i'll be using this computer to surf the web and send emails..



 
iMac works well for CS4. Mac becoming the defacto industry standard for graphic design and multimedia. I've got it running on my Macbook. Seriously, for basic graphics work you don't need a super powerful system. It's a good, simple platform with everything built in to one unit.

For PC, I'd probably go with Option C, but with 4gb of RAM instead of 8gb. It seems overkill to me unless you're working at vary high resolutions.
 
Why would you spend twice the money for inferior hardware? Unless you like Mac OS that much. I'd go with Option B
 
The only reason I listed the Mac is because my designer keeps telling me I sgoukd get a Mac as it's better for designing. I also love the way they look but woudnt mind saving the extra cash for something that's going to be alot faster.
 
lol that mac option is really laughable when compared to the others you listed. You'd be a fool to get it.

Option B + a good 24 inch monitor
 
Option B is by far the most powerful. There is no reason to pay more for inferior hardware. The Mac OS is by no means some kind of requirement for design.
 
Originally posted by: mmntech
iMac works well for CS4. Mac becoming the defacto industry standard for graphic design and multimedia. I've got it running on my Macbook. Seriously, for basic graphics work you don't need a super powerful system. It's a good, simple platform with everything built in to one unit.

For PC, I'd probably go with Option C, but with 4gb of RAM instead of 8gb. It seems overkill to me unless you're working at vary high resolutions.
Click to expand...

Yeah, 8gigs of ram versus twice the cost for the mac which comes with lesser hardware. 😕

Heh.

Getting a mac is just throwing your money away.

My suggestion is option B.
 
OP, the 24" monitor on the iMac is an IPS panel, so that is a large chunk of the price right there, but if you don't need that kind of monitor then go with one of the other configs.
 
I think i'm just gonna take out the iMac option. As of right now i'm leaning towards option B but was wondering what's a good low end video card. Like I said i'll not be doing no type of gaming. Maybe watch some divxs but thats about it.

Also keep in mind that i've to add $329.99 for the moniter I want if I go with the custom build. btw no inputs on my AMD options ?
 
Originally posted by: Print City
Originally posted by: BaboonGuy
Hackintosh. Best of both worlds.
Click to expand...

Can I build a Hackintosh with any of these setups ?
Click to expand...

Don't believe so. You need an Intel chip + the right mobo (Gigabyte I know is one...)

Anyway I don't know that much about this but I can direct you here:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2163518&enterthread=y

In there should be more links... I know there are some Hackintosh forums out there. All the info is out there you just gotta find it now.
 
Originally posted by: Print City
I think i'm just gonna take out the iMac option. As of right now i'm leaning towards option B but was wondering what's a good low end video card. Like I said i'll not be doing no type of gaming. Maybe watch some divxs but thats about it.

Also keep in mind that i've to add $329.99 for the moniter I want if I go with the custom build. btw no inputs on my AMD options ?
Click to expand...

That's actually quite a good deal on the 720BE/770T AM3 so you would need something like the Crucial DDR3 1333 to actually make it work 😀 .

The 8+2 power is impressive ---- snag this MOSFET cooling solution and "up you go" - LOL







 
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