How much PC do I need?

pjw_2

I'm trying to find a new PC but the choice is rather bewildering, how do I work out what is a suitable spec for my requirements and have you any recommendations for good buys?

I'm after a desktop, I've recently got into photography so I'll be running photoshop on it and storing lots of pictures. It'll also be used for downloading and playing music. The kids will be playing internet games but I don't expect it needs to be a gamers machine (they've got the PS3 for that), also internet browsing and basic office stuff but nothing else too taxing.

I'd also like to use it for watching films and maybe downloading them too, and maybe TV too.

What sort of monitor should I be looking for? Is it worth getting one with a TV tuner or is that better in the PC? I think I want a 23" HD widescreen one.

How much should I be looking to spend on PC and Monitor for this sort of use and, as I said, any recommendations?

Thanks,
Jim.

Marty_J

You might consider a Mac, especially if you're into photography in a big way. I know several pro photographers, and every one of them would only ever use a Mac.

HappyMJ

Start here for windows 7 http://windows.microsoft.com/systemrequirements
then here for photoshop http://www.adobe.com/ap/products/photoshop/photoshop/systemreqs/
then here for office http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/ha101668651033.aspx#3

Add all the numbers together then that will be the minimum you'll need.

How much to spend is up to you. The desktop will be anywhere from £300 to £400 and the monitor about £150 to £200. All depends on model, quality, aftersales support and warranty. Then use Amazon to find the cheapest Student editions (I imagine the kids are students) of Photoshop and Office then use that to haggle with the shop that you buy the PC from to get them bundled in.

Photoshop is £140 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adobe-Photoshop-Extended-CS4-Student/dp/B001GJ3UW4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1266936115&sr=1-2

And Office is £60 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Office-2007-Student-Licence/dp/B000HCZ8EO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1266936374&sr=1-1

Of course you can spend less but I always recommend getting a decent machine to last a few years.

HappyMJ

Yes I would highly recommend iMac £1150 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002TUSWV8/ref=asc_df_B002TUSWV8574624?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&!!!!!googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=7974&creativeASIN=B002TUSWV8

And Office for Mac £73 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Office-2008-Home-Student-User/dp/B000X86ZAS/ref=pd_bxgy_ce_text_b

gonzo127

i think really for your basic use any current quad core CPU with 4gb of RAM will do and then you need a big hard drive 1tb+ you should be looking at under £600

as for TV tuner i would say get one included in the computer not the monitor as it will make it easier to get set up to allow you to record the TV

edit of course it can cost a lot less if you are willing to build your own and it really is not that hard to do these days, as for a office program you can get a free office suite called open office, looks and works pretty much like microsoft office 2000-2003

JasX

"and storing lots of pictures."

get plenty of storage space, I'd have a think about whether you want this internal to the PC or a big extrenal drive for ease of portability and backup

"It'll also be used for downloading and playing music. The kids will be playing internet games"
make sure you get a good (free) antivirus , perhaps also reason for getting some spearate storage you can keep more control over and backup to

"basic office stuff "

Open office is free, rather good and will save you more money

"What sort of monitor should I be looking for? Is it worth getting one with a TV tuner or is that better in the PC? I think I want a 23" HD widescreen one."

I have a 24" monitor and absoultely love it, I'd get a good PC orientated monitor but not bother with a built in TV tuner as it'll likely drive up the price and lower the display quality (can be cheaply added to the PC if really needed). one thing to look for on the monitor if you think you'll ever want to play bluray disks is get one that is HDCP compliant (read up on it on wikipedia), also worth trying to get that on the graphics card but as monitors tend to last longer make sure you get it there.

"How much should I be looking to spend on PC and Monitor for this sort of use and, as I said, any recommendations?"

if you catch the right offer you can get good 24" monitors as low as £200...
PC from about £400 but the more you spend the longer it'll last before getting too slow and old for the latest software.

If you concentrate your cash on getting a decent core system you'll probably find there are things you can add later as and when you need them (involves ability to use a screwdriver) to save initial costs.

eg Bluray player drive -from £50 these days
improved Sound card
extra hard disk space etc

pjw_2

Ah, good advice thanks.

I don't think I want a mac though, lovely as they look they are pricey.

I have Office & photoshop already, Windows is the only software I expect to buy.

I wasn't thinking about building my own but I'm open to convincing - if I was to build a PC of similar spec to a £600 Dell how much could I expect to save?

I'd be happy to spend £200 on a 24" monitor, where can I find good reviews or advice on which to choose?

Thanks again.

JasX

pjw wrote: »

I wasn't thinking about building my own but I'm open to convincing - if I was to build a PC of similar spec to a £600 Dell how much could I expect to save?

Save self building a mid range machine? not much...

I was just suggesting you could choose a £500-600 dell now and add a few select items later on rather than an £700-800 going all out on bells and whistles immediately (and as these things tend to improve & come down in price over time might well end up with a better machine for the same £s)

As for monitor reviews I've fouund this site useful in the past:

http://www.testfreaks.co.uk/monitors/

ddoris

Dell pc's have s*1t m/boards for future upgrades, you don't need a quad cpu, any basic dual core pc will do you , difference in prices 320GB HDD £30+ , 500GB HDD £5 or£6 more. Onboard graphics to start - £60 very decent gpu card.

ukcarper

ddoris wrote: »

Dell pc's have s*1t m/boards for future upgrades, you don't need a quad cpu, any basic dual core pc will do you , difference in prices 320GB HDD £30+ , 500GB HDD £5 or£6 more. Onboard graphics to start - £60 very decent gpu card.

I agree as I have an old AMD Athlon 64x2 dual core 3800+ CPU and 2gig of RAM, 250 meg of that is used by the onboard graphics card and I have no problems using PhotoShop Elements and listening to music at the same time.

I am using XP though.

I believe CS4 needs a better graphics card than earlier versions PhotoShop

pjw_2

Ok, and thanks again, if not Dell that which make?

Is there a decent website for desktop reviews?