New PC - your help with configeration

[clm738]

Hi Guys,
First up, I can't afford a Mac so am going PC.
Got the following quote from a local computer shop to build a PC for specific use with photos using Photoshop and Lightroom.

CPU: INTEL Q9400 QUAD CORE 2 66GHZ
MOTHERBOARD: GIGABYTE
MEMORY: 4GB SATA
HARD DRIVE: 1TB SATA
GRAPHICS CARD: 1GB 9600GT
CASE: ATX TOWER
MONITOR: 24" LCD WIDESCREEN
DVD-RW: DVD DUAL LAYER
SOUNDCARD: INTEGRATED
SPEAKERS: 2.1 SUBWOOFERS
NETWORK CARD : 10/100
KEYBOARD: PS2
MOUSE & PAD: OPTICAL
SOFTWARE: WIN VISTA PREMIUM

I will be adding a card reader and another DVD (backup copy)
I have an external hard drive as backup

I have no understanding of what is needed in a PC. I have read Lani's similar thread and sort of understood what was said but as these are different part No.'s I would like your view and help on the configuration. Is it too small, too big, is the screen OK (I know there is something about contrast I need to know).
Thanks for your help.

[JM Tran]

thats more than enough, I have a slightly lesser spec'd machine than yours - only 512mb card, 2 gig ram but run CS4 very well, with other programs opened at same time

how much is that all? should be def under 1k with MSY

most importantly, what monitor will u be using? A crappy monitor will make or break your photo editing

[clm738]

Not sure which monitor as he didn't put a brand on the quote. Total price, including Epson TX800 printer, is $1680. Is this good or bad?

[Kym]

Use Whirlpool as a start...
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=rmp_sg_whirlpoolpcs_systems

Eg...
CPU: Intel Q9400 $264
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L $142
RAM: Kingston 4GB DDR2-800 $63
HDD: Seagate 1TB SATA $115
GPU: 1GB 9600GT ECS $110
Case: Antec 902 $191
PSU: Seasonic PSR550+ $125
Optical Drive: SATA DVD-RW $49
Monitor: 23" Samsung 2333SW $275 <<< Shop around for this bit
Speakers: Creative A200 2.1 $39
K/B & Mouse: Microsoft Business Hardware Desktop $36

Once you have your parts list get it built by www.MSY.com.au - usually the cheapest.

Make sure you get the free upgrade to Win7 version of Vista Home Premium - ask for the voucher.

[brindyman]

id be very worried if your memory was sata

[clm738]

Thanks Kym. would you say the "best bang for your bucks" would be an ideal system for photos, as it is in the middle of the gaming systems and there are no specific systems for photos?

Thanks Ben, I will sure remember that.

[ricktas]

I would suggest 2 hard drives. One of 250/500 GB for all your programs - operating system etc, and a second one - 1B for photos, docs etc.

Then when you can afford get a 1tb exernal drive and makes backup easy, copy contents of second internal drive to external drive.

[Kym]

The system I listed will do well with CS4 as it is multi threaded.
It is overkill; but good hardware = fast response.
Not a bad gaming system either.;)

[clm738]

Thanks Rick, I was thinking of a second hard drive also.
Thanks Kym, I am into overkill and fast response.

[clm738]

Kym, will that system have any trouble running CS4, Lightroom and Office all open at the same time. Also I was told to get a monitor with 1920x1080 and 40,000:1 contrast. Do I need one this good or will 20,000:1 contrast be good enough? Thanks for all your help.

[brindyman]

Thanks Rick, I was thinking of a second hard drive also.
Thanks Kym, I am into overkill and fast response.

if your into overkill im sure i could throw something together...but first.....do you have a dicky heart?

[Gregg Bell]

that system is plentyful. If you want overkill I have 2 Quad core Xeon processors :D