Need some advice!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ian Pollard
  • Start date Start date
I

Ian Pollard

Hi
It is a few years since I last built a PC and I am amazed at
the options now available and the lack of some basic bits. I am
looking to build a PC for primarily digital imaging which means
handling large photo files speedily. I will in addition need to use it
for web design, general office duties and Internet access. I reckon on
using AMD CPU as I am on my second home built PC using AMD chips. I am
having difficulty in sourcing a basic case. I don't want one with
transparent bits, windows or flashing lights. I just need a few
recommendations as to where to start and a reasonably priced source
for component parts in the UK. Your help appreciated. Thank You.
 
Ian Pollard said:
Hi
It is a few years since I last built a PC and I am amazed at
the options now available and the lack of some basic bits. I am
looking to build a PC for primarily digital imaging which means
handling large photo files speedily. I will in addition need to use it
for web design, general office duties and Internet access. I reckon on
using AMD CPU as I am on my second home built PC using AMD chips. I am
having difficulty in sourcing a basic case. I don't want one with
transparent bits, windows or flashing lights. I just need a few
recommendations as to where to start and a reasonably priced source
for component parts in the UK. Your help appreciated. Thank You.
Click to expand...

Check out the Antec product line. Solid, functional and great power
supplies! My SX835II case has enough room so that I can change CPU's without
removing the motherboard from the case.

FRH
 
Hi
It is a few years since I last built a PC and I am amazed at
the options now available and the lack of some basic bits. I am
looking to build a PC for primarily digital imaging which means
handling large photo files speedily. I will in addition need to use it
for web design, general office duties and Internet access. I reckon on
using AMD CPU as I am on my second home built PC using AMD chips. I am
having difficulty in sourcing a basic case. I don't want one with
transparent bits, windows or flashing lights. I just need a few
recommendations as to where to start and a reasonably priced source
for component parts in the UK. Your help appreciated. Thank You.
Click to expand...

Editing, zooming large photos benefits from a large video card frame
buffer, choose any ATI or Matrox video card with 64MB or more memory on
it.

System memory, 512MB PC2700 minimum, no point in going with less and with
future needs in mind a matched pair of 512MB modules isn't a bad idea for
a dual-channel board like one that's nForce2 chipset-based.

Web design, office, internet, etc, will run from anything, but to be
realistic for a new build you might consider an Athlon XP2500 Barton.

Asus A7N8X is a Quality, popular motherboard (huge user support-base).
Sparkle/Fortron or Antec power supplies are solid and good value, 300W
minimum or ideally 350-420W would provide more upgradability.

You don't mention the size case needed, for example the number of drives
you'll use or potentially upgrade later. Antec makes several good cases
and Enlight makes good cases too... a bit drab looking but that seems to
be what you're after. Another fair option is AOpen. Be careful when
selecting cases and power supplies, the generics may be like tinfoil
(case) or severely overrated (power supply). Offhand guess at what would
suit your non-specific component needs would be an Antec SLK, 635, or 835
series with an Antec 350W power supply.

Can't help on UK vendor recommendations.
 
Ian Pollard wrote:

... I just need a few
recommendations as to where to start and a reasonably priced source
for component parts in the UK. ...
Click to expand...

---> uk.comp.homebuilt
VV

Roy
 
Hi
It is a few years since I last built a PC and I am amazed at
the options now available and the lack of some basic bits. I am
looking to build a PC for primarily digital imaging which means
handling large photo files speedily. I will in addition need to use it
for web design, general office duties and Internet access. I reckon on
using AMD CPU as I am on my second home built PC using AMD chips. I am
having difficulty in sourcing a basic case. I don't want one with
transparent bits, windows or flashing lights. I just need a few
recommendations as to where to start and a reasonably priced source
for component parts in the UK. Your help appreciated. Thank You.
Click to expand...

I recently built a PC for myself (well 8 months ago).

I use it for :

Web Design (150 page ASP sites with SQL 2000 backends, XML et al)
Image Editing (Photoshop with 100 - 200 Mb PSD files and 1Mb JPGs)
Flash Design (Macromedia Flash MX 2004 - nothing major, just banners
and stuff)
Internet Surfing (The general stuff)
Word (Letters etc)
and the odd Game or 2 (Flight Sim 2002)


The specs are :

Asus A7V333-X (but I would have bought a A7N8X if I could have
afforded it)
512Mb 2700 DDR RAM
XP2000 CPU
Zalman 6000Cu Heatsink
2 x 7200 40Gb drives
A basic Enermax case
Q-Technology ultra quiet 300W PSU
Nvidia FX5200 128Mb Graphics card

I am very pleased with it all. It all runs smoothly and I have not
regretted it at all. Indeed, I fell I got good value for money
compared with Intel.

For my imaging work and Flash I reckon I may upgrade the memory to 1Gb
and the processor to a Barton 2500 sometime soon

HTH

Harry
 
for web design, general office duties and Internet access. I reckon on
using AMD CPU as I am on my second home built PC using AMD chips.
Click to expand...

Then by all means get an AMD CPU.

having difficulty in sourcing a basic case. I don't want one with
transparent bits, windows or flashing lights. I just need a few
Click to expand...

Then don't get a case with flashing lights.
recommendations as to where to start and a reasonably priced source
for component parts in the UK. Your help appreciated. Thank You.
Click to expand...

www.newegg.com

Order yourself a plain but sturdy case, motherboard, Retail Boxed CPU, RAM,
HDD, FDD, DVD-CD combo burner, monitor, video card, monitor, keyboard, and
mouse. Stir them with a stick, boot up, and go! You'll be surprised at how
cheap and easy you can build a kickass system.

Bob

Remove "kins" from address to reply.
 
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