Computer Requirements for Image Editing

[I Simonius]

Hello Everyone. Hope I've posted this in the right spot.



Right now I am looking at a package with a Dual Core 2.33 Ghz processor, 6 Gb Ram and a nVidia GeForce G210 graphics card with 512MB dedicated memory, DVI and HDMI ports. I'm hoping this should keep me going, but please let me know if there is something else I should be focusing on.


ScoutR

looks like a healthy set up to me

[ScoutR]

Well, I've done it. I changed my mind from the original pre-built system I was looking at and have purchased the parts to rebuild a new system in my old case. I really liked the pre-built system, and the small form factor, but in the end it was the small size of the case that put me off. That plus some of the feedback I got here regarding CPUs. Time will tell if I made the right decision.

Here's what I'm getting:

i7 860 2.8 Ghz CPU (Sigh, I just can't afford the extreme, this is going to have to keep me going)
8Gb DDR3 RAM
Asus 7P55D Motherboard
Corsair 550 Watt Power Supply (Please! be a quiet one)
Radeon H4670 Video Card
500 Gb Hard Drive
DVD/CD Burner
Windows 7 64 bit installed (They just got it today)
Hauppauge HVR 1250 TV Tuner
Viewsonic VX2433 Monitor (based on Colin's Rec from Monitor Thread)

Wish me luck. I have to tear the old computer down tomorrow, take the case in on Monday and then depending on their workload, I'll be up and running by Thursday at the latest.

I ended up spending less than than I would have on the original pre-built package, so I'll have some money left over for Photoshop or Lightroom. I'll wait a bit though until I figure out the new Windows thing. I'm still using XP so I'm figuring it will take me awhile to get up to speed.

[Colin Southern]

Hey - well done I really can't fault ANYTHING you've got there.

Keep in mind also that you can STILL run WinXP on top of Windows 7 if you wish (I do to get my beloved checkers game back!) - just search microsoft.com for "XP Mode" - 2 simple downloads - and you're away laughing (probably not best for Photoshop though).

Smart move on having a shop put it together for you too - when I recently upgraded mine I had my suppliers do the same thing, even though I've had an entire career doing things like that. The reasoning was simple: they do a lot more of this kind of thing than I do - they're better at it - and it relieves me of the liability if somehow I manage to screw up a $2000 CPU! (NZ Dollars).

Don't worry about not getting an extreme edition version of the i7 - it's probably only 15% faster and 100% more expensive - I just like having the best once in a while (which is normally top dog for about 3 months!).

Let us know how you go with it. Windows 7 is pretty easy to get the hang of - just requires a bit of thought to find things in new places.

[ScoutR]

Hey - well done I really can't fault ANYTHING you've got there.

Thanks Colin, I would have never put this together without the help I got from you and Kent. I didn't even know what an i7 was until you mentioned it. I let the young fellow in the store match up the Motherboard and took his recommendation on the Video card. All I know is that it has all the connections I need now or will need in the near future, and everything is compatible. I asked for the Gigabyte Motherboard, but they did not have them.

Keep in mind also that you can STILL run WinXP on top of Windows 7 if you wish (I do to get my beloved checkers game back!) - just search microsoft.com for "XP Mode" - 2 simple downloads - and you're away laughing (probably not best for Photoshop though).

That is good to know. When I'm comfortable with everything else, I just might do that. Then I will be able to use my old Adobe Auditon if I want to record some of my vinyl albums to CDs for the car.

Smart move on having a shop put it together for you too - when I recently upgraded mine I had my suppliers do the same thing, even though I've had an entire career doing things like that. The reasoning was simple: they do a lot more of this kind of thing than I do - they're better at it - and it relieves me of the liability if somehow I manage to screw up a $2000 CPU! (NZ Dollars).

Exactly my reasoning. I thought it might be fun to put it together myself, but I was at the shop a couple days in a row bugging them and checking them out and they seem to be quite reliable and know what they are doing. Seeing as I purchased all the components there, the fee is very low for them to build it. They check everything out afterwards too, so if there happens to be a bad component in the lot, it will get switched out right away - no hassles. I just have to wait a bit though.

Don't worry about not getting an extreme edition version of the i7 - it's probably only 15% faster and 100% more expensive - I just like having the best once in a while (which is normally top dog for about 3 months!).

The extreme would have been overkill for me at this point in time, but I know what you mean about having the best of something. It's good to be able to do that once and awhile. Makes the working part of life a little easier to take.

Let us know how you go with it. Windows 7 is pretty easy to get the hang of - just requires a bit of thought to find things in new places.

LOL, I hope you're right. I used to love changing stuff all the time, but the changes are getting way beyond what I can get my brain around these days.

I do hope to be up and running with Photoshop soon. I've managed to get out a few times with the camera, and I'm starting to get used to it. My next project is to get better with the camera, and then figure out the Post Processing business. There always seems to be some little (or major) thing in every picture that I want to clean up or improve in some way.

I'm ready to start in with the books. I believe it was you who offered to recommend something for Photoshop. I really need something that explains the functions within the program. I don't want to get terribly technical, but I want something more than a step by step.

For instance, I hear you guys talking about levels and curves, just to name a couple functions off the top of my head. I would like a book that explains levels and curves and all the other functions without getting too scientific but something more than a goto the xxxx then click xxxx then select xxxxx ..... and so on. Is there anything around that fits the bill. I know from past experience with computer programs that one can spend a fortune on books until finding the right one. I'll seriously consider any recommendations.

Take Care
ScoutR

[Colin Southern]

Thanks Colin

You're very welcome

I'm ready to start in with the books. I believe it was you who offered to recommend something for Photoshop. I really need something that explains the functions within the program. I don't want to get terribly technical, but I want something more than a step by step.

Time to introduce you to Scott Kelby! Scott is a goofball - a nice guy - a talented photographer - and an expert Photoshop author and teacher. In fact, he's the #1 published author across all technical disiplines.

Here's a couple of youtube videos where you can meet him;

I'll light ya for it and being interviewed

Scott has written many books (honestly, the guy is a one man tour-de-force in time management!), and I think that a couple are right up your alley ...

The first is Scott's 7-Point System where he uses variations on the same 7 workflow techniques to correct a whole bunch of images (images that you can download from the web and do too). It's for CS3, but don't let that put you off if you have CS4 - it's just as relevant.

The second is Scott's The Adobe Photoshop CS4 Book for Digital Photographers (also CS2 and CS3 editions)

Both of these books cover the fundamentals - starting with no assumed knowledge - and leave no stone unturned.

Also ... Scott had 3 Digital Photography books covering solid camera techniques (available as a boxed set)

And no, I'm not on commission ... but I reckon I should be! (Scott, are you listening?!)

[carregwen]

Also ... Scott had 3 Digital Photography books covering solid camera techniques (available as a boxed set)

I find him slightly irritating, as if he's always trying to sound funny or hip. But, I'm currently reading his Digital Photography vol 2, and I'm amazed at how much useful stuff is in there, and it's written very concisely. Well worth buying.

[Colin Southern]

I find him slightly irritating

I was never quite sure how to take him, but in the end I concluded that he was just a down-to-earth kind of guy - one you could probably approach in person without fear of being talked down to.

Seems to work for him regardless

[ScoutR]

Also ... Scott had 3 Digital Photography books covering solid camera techniques (available as a boxed set)

I will stop in at the local Chapters Book Store today. I think I will start with the Digital Photography books. I hope they have them in stock. If not, I looked them up online and can order there tonight before I take the computer apart.

Online they have all the others you mentioned too, plus many more. Your're right he seems to make the most of his time. Thanks for narrowing down the field for me.

Wendy

[Colin Southern]

I think I will start with the Digital Photography books.

I wouldn't

They're aimed at something different (ie the taking of the shots -v- the processing of the shots). They're great books but you need to get AT LEAST one of the other two (Assuming that you're going to be using CS3 or CS4).

[ScoutR]

I wouldn't

They're aimed at something different (ie the taking of the shots -v- the processing of the shots). They're great books but you need to get AT LEAST one of the other two (Assuming that you're going to be using CS3 or CS4).

Colin, I figure I can use some help on the picture taking side of things too. LOL make that a lot of help. I just got back into photography as a hobby. Cameras have changed a lot, and I'm thinking it wouldn't hurt to get some pointers specifically on Digital photography.

My plan is to do some studying on the picture taking end of things while I'm getting used to the new computer.Then when I get CS4, which will be quite soon considering the money I just saved on the computer, I'll start getting into that.

No doubt, I will end up getting at least one of the Photoshop books, more than likely the "7 Point System". That one sounds like exactly what I'm looking for.

Well, over and out for the next few days. I'm signing off to start the tear down.

Talk to you all soon, I hope

[Colin Southern]

Good luck with the upgrade

With regards to the book(s) - how about Plan C - just buy all 3. It's a tiny amount of money and I guarantee you'll get your moneys worth 100 fold over out of them!