I'm unsure and looking for some input, pretty please?

[TheMeesGirl]

Configuration Summary

Selected Features:

* Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Quad processor Q9450 (2.66GHz)
* 8GB DDR2-800MHz dual channel SDRAM (4x2048)
* 500GB RAID 1 (2 x 500GB SATA HDDs) - data security
* 1GB NVIDIA GeForce 9800GT, 2 DVI, HDMI adapter
* Integrated 7.1 channel sound w/front audio ports
* 15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB, 1394, audio
* HP w2007 20in diagonal widescreen BrightView LCD, integrated speakers
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* HP keyboard and HP optical mouse
* 802.11 b/g Wireless LAN card
* LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
* Norton Internet Security(TM) 2008 - 15 month
* No TV Tuner w/remote control

Included Features:

* Online exclusive series! Personalized high performance and high value
* Full-sized ATX chassis and motherboard
* Total memory slots: 4 DIMM
* 15 in 1 memory card reader
* HP Easy Backup Button - instantly backup files
* 6 USB (2 front, 4 back), 2 IEEE 1394 (1 front, 1 back), 2 PS/2
* Front headphone, mic (7.1 speaker capable using front ports)
* 1 PCI Express (x16) graphics slot, graphics card included
* 4 PCI Express (x1), 2 PCI
* 460 watt power supply
* Modem or wireless or Bluetooth card (optional)
* Integrated 1


I think it looks pretty good. I love photo and video editing.. so I'm looking for fast and reliable. However, I'm not sure of the power supply, 460 watts seems a little weak for the video card maybe?

Any help, is awesome help. Thank you all in advance.

P.S. I hope I am posting in the right place.

 

[MarcVenice]

For what price? Also, if you love photo and video-editing, does that mean you don't game? Because the videocard would be pretty much overkill otherwise.

460w should suffice, if this is a prebuilt pc, from dell or HP or whatever, then I'm sure they wouldn't use a powersupply that can't handle it. Some more headroom couldn't hurt though, and probably means the PSU will run quiter.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Looks fine, but you could save a lot of money by building one yourself or even having someone build it for you. I just went to HP's website and built this PC. It cost $2000. In contrast, I could build the same PC from scratch, even with the same specifications, for about $1300 - which includes the tower, monitor, case, operating system, mouse, and keyboard but does not include Microsoft Works.

So you could buy the parts and have them shipped to me. Then I could charge you $500 to build it ship it back to you, and you would still save money! Har har har.

 

[TheMeesGirl]

Thank you for the replys. I am customizing through HP and I have considered building it myself, however, I just don't feel confident enough and would like the warranty.

After finding a recommended PSU wattage calculator, I'm leaning toward the 9600 GS.

I'm mostly looking for fast and smooth operation for photo and video editing but could possibly start gaming -I will have a head start on what I need for it.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

If you don't like the idea of building it yourself, which is certainly intimidating, how do you feel about upgrading certain parts? Although, some upgrades would probably void the warranty. But the reason I ask is because it would actually be cheaper for you to buy the base configuration and upgrade the parts on your own term.

For example, HP charges +$250 to upgrade from 2GB to 8GB of RAM. On sites like newegg.com, you can actually buy a total of 8GB of RAM for approximately $160. That's a savings of $90. HP also charges +$300 to upgrade to a 9800GT, but you can actually buy the 9800GT (also called the 8800GT) for as cheap as $120. So there's $180 savings. There is the same situation with the 9600 GS upgrade. You can save at least $50 by buying the same or a similar-performing on your own terms.

There is one upgrade on HPs configurator that makes sense: It is the upgrade from the standard Q6600 to the Q6700. They only charge $50 for the upgrade, which is actually less than the price difference of these chips on the consumer market. The Q6700 is a very fast chip, and in fact it is normally faster than the higher-priced upgrade to the Q9300. So I definitely think you should save $150 and upgrade to the Q6700 instead of the Q9450.

Lastly, why exactly do you want a RAID setup? What benefits are you looking to gain? They do grossly overcharge for hard drives, but if you really really wanted a RAID setup it would certainly be best if you let HP install it rather than yourself.

 

[MarcVenice]

Aren't their websites that do the building for you? I know some in holland do, not sure about the U.S. It will save you a LOT of money though. Don't you have any friends that have some computer knowledge? I built my own PC when I was 16, it's really easy to do, can't really do much wrong at all.