nac
Aspiring Novelist
0. Anything else which you would like to say?
Ans:
This is the configuration of my current PC.
I have been using this system for about 6yrs. When I bought this, the sole intention was just general home-office use. Lately, I picked up photography as a hobby. My current system is slow when running image editing software like Photoshop. Photography is one of the reason I am thinking of buying a new one. In fact, my system will run slow even when running heavy big excel files.
I thought increasing RAM would help speed up these things, and bought 2GB few months back. But no significant improvement.
I am yet to start saving for the new PC. So I am not going to buy it very soon. It will take some time. In the meanwhile I take this time to learn to know about things which I don't know about computer hardware, and to discuss with you guys what would be the best option in my budget.
- I think dedicated graphic card will help run image editing software like Photoshop, smoothly. Though I am not ready to spend a lot for it. If the onboard graphic card is as good as or close to the one (dedicated graphic card) comes in my budget, I think it's wise to stick with onboard graphic card. Correct me if I am wrong. (If I can work with 6yr old PDC with some hitch, I guess the newer one will be little better than the one I am using). Note: I am asking about graphic card solely because of image editing software, not for gaming
+ But if this shoots up my budget too much, next option is APU (??? am I right?). If that too is expensive, I totally drop the idea and live with the onboard graphics.
+ If I can buy graphic card later, I need to have a motherboard with the provision to add the suggested graphic card.
+ If for some reason, I get to keep the old monitor I may likely to run PC with dual monitor. (I know, I am asking too much). You know, thinking tooooo many options.
- I am thinking of 8GB RAM, but it won't fit in my budget. So I want to have a motherboard which have enough free memory slots. So that I can add later.
- This is more like asking for opinion than a buying suggestion.
+ I would be glad if I can work from little more distance like 10ft or so. But I can't read the monitor from there and keyboard/mouse wire don't come that long. How about projector? Is it any worth? What's the longevity of projector? How good/bad when comparing it with LCD/LED monitor?
+ What do you guys think about wireless keyboard/mouse? Do they long last? Is it worth?
- I have been using the local PSU ever since I bought this computer. I had to replace once in the last 6yrs. Do I need to buy a dedicated one?
- System will be running 10-15hrs a day during weekdays. Though most of the time system will be running @ less load.
- This one is pretty much usual, I think.
+ This system should last at least 5yrs.
+ Good after sales and service (Please mind this and give more weightage to ASS).
+ Low maintenance (???)
+ Shouldn't give trouble at all, or at least shouldn't give too much trouble.
- I don't know how much my old system could fetch when selling. If the buyer bids too low, I may likely to keep the things I can reuse, like monitor, keyboard, mouse and all...
- MB/cabinet should support new things like USB 3 (and any other new things one supposed to have, esp. when one is looking forward to use this setup for another 5+yrs), MB/graphic card should be able to run full HD videos smoothly without any hitch. My current one finds hard to run even HD videos.
You can give two different configuration. One minding the budget and one without bothering much about budget but shouldn't be expensive at the same time, like economical and VFM product, good enough to run the things I need. It will be much helpful to decide whether I can spend that much. After all it's a hobby and I don't have a stomach/heart?? to spend too much on hobbies.
I guess if not for image editing software, the sample configuration (20k) one would be suffice for my need.
I don't know which set up I will end up buying. I hope this discussion will help me decide the right and good one.
One final thing, how much my current set up could fetch when selling?
Excuse, if my queries are too noob. There could be some typo, and some screw up in framing the sentences. And there could be some repetition of the same point.
1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run? (Stupid answers like 'gaming' or 'office work' will not work. Be exact. Which games? Which applications? Avoid the word 'et cetera.')
Ans: Multipurpose - Home-Office and hobby.
Home-Office: MS office (will be running heavily loaded excel files), internet browser, audio/video player (kmplayer), audacity (audio recorder), messengers like Skype, antivirus.
Hobby: Image editing/manipulating software like gimp, Photoshop, Lightroom, Irfanview...
I won't be playing any high definition games.
2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.
Ans: ~ 20k. Seems I can't go any lower than this. If the budget exceeds too much, I either have to live with the low end PC (like the one I have right now) or I have to delay the purchase of few things or reuse the things I have already and replace them later.
3. Planning to over clock?
Ans: A BIIIGGG NO.
4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?
Ans: Windows. I will be ok with Linux if not Photoshop and other few things which only works in windows or I have to install VM in Linux and work from there which I assume will slow down the system (may be that's a misconception, correct me if I am wrong).
5. How much hard drive space is needed?
Ans: The one I have is 160GB (which had 5yr warranty). That itself is more than sufficient for me. But today's 160/250 (just 1yr warranty) HDD doesn't seems to have longer warranty. Then next stop is 500GB. The difference between 1TB and 500GB is not much. So whatever you suggest I am fine with that provided minimum of 160GB with longer warranty. For me, does it matter 5400rpm/7200rpm?
6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention which screen size and resolution do you want. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, again mention the size and resolution of monitor you have.
Ans: Yes, I want to buy a new one, but if the budget is not enough I may likely to reuse the one I have. I have Samsung 732NW 17" wide screen LCD monitor 1440x900 16:10 res. The 18.5" (sample configuration dell monitor) screen is little smaller (height) than my 17" screen. I think bigger the better. And I should be able play Full HD smoothly. Without hang, freeze and out of sync audio. Colour accuracty should be good, whether I am going for low end with out graphic card or better one with graphic card.
7. Which components you DON'T want to buy or which components you already have and plan on reusing?
Ans: I plan to buy everything new. But again, if the budget is not enough I may likely to reuse the things I can use (compatible) with the new ones. I have no idea of buying speaker, headphone, web camera, modem (I have these). But I need UPS, the one I am using is repair. Either I have to fix it or buy a new one. The one I have is Numeric 600VA.
8. When are you planning to buy the system?
Ans: Not in another month. It will take some time to save money for the rig.
9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
Ans: Last time they assembled it. But I have disassembled few parts of the computer and assembled back when cleaning. If they charge heavy to do it (last time they did it for free), I may likely to ask someone I know to do it for me or I may do it myself with the help of instruction book (or I shouldn’t risk doing it on my own?)
10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?
Ans: I will be buying all the things locally. If I couldn't find the things and you guys insist to get it online and that's worth buying online, I will buy them online. I have no problem in that, provided the seller is reputed and/or have COD option.
Ans:
This is the configuration of my current PC.
I have been using this system for about 6yrs. When I bought this, the sole intention was just general home-office use. Lately, I picked up photography as a hobby. My current system is slow when running image editing software like Photoshop. Photography is one of the reason I am thinking of buying a new one. In fact, my system will run slow even when running heavy big excel files.
I thought increasing RAM would help speed up these things, and bought 2GB few months back. But no significant improvement. I am yet to start saving for the new PC. So I am not going to buy it very soon. It will take some time. In the meanwhile I take this time to learn to know about things which I don't know about computer hardware, and to discuss with you guys what would be the best option in my budget.
- I think dedicated graphic card will help run image editing software like Photoshop, smoothly. Though I am not ready to spend a lot for it. If the onboard graphic card is as good as or close to the one (dedicated graphic card) comes in my budget, I think it's wise to stick with onboard graphic card. Correct me if I am wrong. (If I can work with 6yr old PDC with some hitch, I guess the newer one will be little better than the one I am using). Note: I am asking about graphic card solely because of image editing software, not for gaming
+ But if this shoots up my budget too much, next option is APU (??? am I right?). If that too is expensive, I totally drop the idea and live with the onboard graphics.
+ If I can buy graphic card later, I need to have a motherboard with the provision to add the suggested graphic card.
+ If for some reason, I get to keep the old monitor I may likely to run PC with dual monitor. (I know, I am asking too much). You know, thinking tooooo many options.
- I am thinking of 8GB RAM, but it won't fit in my budget. So I want to have a motherboard which have enough free memory slots. So that I can add later.
- This is more like asking for opinion than a buying suggestion.
+ I would be glad if I can work from little more distance like 10ft or so. But I can't read the monitor from there and keyboard/mouse wire don't come that long. How about projector? Is it any worth? What's the longevity of projector? How good/bad when comparing it with LCD/LED monitor?
+ What do you guys think about wireless keyboard/mouse? Do they long last? Is it worth?
- I have been using the local PSU ever since I bought this computer. I had to replace once in the last 6yrs. Do I need to buy a dedicated one?
- System will be running 10-15hrs a day during weekdays. Though most of the time system will be running @ less load.
- This one is pretty much usual, I think.
+ This system should last at least 5yrs.
+ Good after sales and service (Please mind this and give more weightage to ASS).
+ Low maintenance (???)
+ Shouldn't give trouble at all, or at least shouldn't give too much trouble.
- I don't know how much my old system could fetch when selling. If the buyer bids too low, I may likely to keep the things I can reuse, like monitor, keyboard, mouse and all...
- MB/cabinet should support new things like USB 3 (and any other new things one supposed to have, esp. when one is looking forward to use this setup for another 5+yrs), MB/graphic card should be able to run full HD videos smoothly without any hitch. My current one finds hard to run even HD videos.
You can give two different configuration. One minding the budget and one without bothering much about budget but shouldn't be expensive at the same time, like economical and VFM product, good enough to run the things I need. It will be much helpful to decide whether I can spend that much. After all it's a hobby and I don't have a stomach/heart??
to spend too much on hobbies. I guess if not for image editing software, the sample configuration (20k) one would be suffice for my need.
I don't know which set up I will end up buying. I hope this discussion will help me decide the right and good one.
One final thing, how much my current set up could fetch when selling?
Excuse, if my queries are too noob. There could be some typo, and some screw up in framing the sentences. And there could be some repetition of the same point.
1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run? (Stupid answers like 'gaming' or 'office work' will not work. Be exact. Which games? Which applications? Avoid the word 'et cetera.')
Ans: Multipurpose - Home-Office and hobby.
Home-Office: MS office (will be running heavily loaded excel files), internet browser, audio/video player (kmplayer), audacity (audio recorder), messengers like Skype, antivirus.
Hobby: Image editing/manipulating software like gimp, Photoshop, Lightroom, Irfanview...
I won't be playing any high definition games.
2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.
Ans: ~ 20k. Seems I can't go any lower than this. If the budget exceeds too much, I either have to live with the low end PC (like the one I have right now) or I have to delay the purchase of few things or reuse the things I have already and replace them later.
3. Planning to over clock?
Ans: A BIIIGGG NO.
4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?
Ans: Windows. I will be ok with Linux if not Photoshop and other few things which only works in windows or I have to install VM in Linux and work from there which I assume will slow down the system (may be that's a misconception, correct me if I am wrong).
5. How much hard drive space is needed?
Ans: The one I have is 160GB (which had 5yr warranty). That itself is more than sufficient for me. But today's 160/250 (just 1yr warranty) HDD doesn't seems to have longer warranty. Then next stop is 500GB. The difference between 1TB and 500GB is not much. So whatever you suggest I am fine with that provided minimum of 160GB with longer warranty. For me, does it matter 5400rpm/7200rpm?
6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention which screen size and resolution do you want. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, again mention the size and resolution of monitor you have.
Ans: Yes, I want to buy a new one, but if the budget is not enough I may likely to reuse the one I have. I have Samsung 732NW 17" wide screen LCD monitor 1440x900 16:10 res. The 18.5" (sample configuration dell monitor) screen is little smaller (height) than my 17" screen. I think bigger the better. And I should be able play Full HD smoothly. Without hang, freeze and out of sync audio. Colour accuracty should be good, whether I am going for low end with out graphic card or better one with graphic card.
7. Which components you DON'T want to buy or which components you already have and plan on reusing?
Ans: I plan to buy everything new. But again, if the budget is not enough I may likely to reuse the things I can use (compatible) with the new ones. I have no idea of buying speaker, headphone, web camera, modem (I have these). But I need UPS, the one I am using is repair. Either I have to fix it or buy a new one. The one I have is Numeric 600VA.
8. When are you planning to buy the system?
Ans: Not in another month. It will take some time to save money for the rig.
9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
Ans: Last time they assembled it. But I have disassembled few parts of the computer and assembled back when cleaning. If they charge heavy to do it (last time they did it for free), I may likely to ask someone I know to do it for me or I may do it myself with the help of instruction book (or I shouldn’t risk doing it on my own?)
10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?
Ans: I will be buying all the things locally. If I couldn't find the things and you guys insist to get it online and that's worth buying online, I will buy them online. I have no problem in that, provided the seller is reputed and/or have COD option.
