Build or buy? need new PC for Art ,design etc

Legacy_user

Hi everyone,
More advice needed, please!
It's been a bit mad in Smiffyland, everything is giving up the ghost at once! :mad: The car, the PC and the wifi for laptop and now there's a bl**dy great damp patch on the wall!! :mad::mad::mad:
Well they do say these things come in threes!
Anyway, I am looking to get a new PC, I don't have enough ''under the bonnet'' knowledge to make an informed decision about specs, this is where the advice part comes in
I dont want a pre-installed OS and will use Microsoft Office/Word for all the little admin things.
I will be using the following programmes regularly and sometimes simultaneously, Adobe CS2 Premium, incl Photoshop, Dreamweaver 8 & Illustrator,(this will probably need to be upgraded to later version) Corel Painter X, Dogwaffle Pro and I also want to start using graphics tablet, probably Wacom Intuos.
I'm a bit out of practice re digital art, but I hope to get up to speed and possibly learn/use some 3D modelling programmes in the nearish future.
I will mostly be running my business/website and also creating pro level digital artwork.
I popped into a well known retail chain, they didn't really have anything suitable off the shelf although they thought a gaming PC might be suitable. Sadly, I can't afford a Mac at the moment, so I'm very open to suggestions re buying of the peg and/or help with specs if getting one built for me.
Nearly forgot!! My budget will be up to £500, but preferably less (much less would be great) :rotfl::rotfl:
Thanks in anticipation,
Linda

MentalDesigner

In work I use a 3 year old iMac and run Adobe CS, final cut, office applications and the rest so might be worth a look on ebay, gumtree etc to find an older Mac? The specs of mine aren't great by todays standards but does me well.

quidsinquentin

This would do the trick - currently considering it for my son at college.

http://www.bargaincrazy.com/epages/BargainCrazy.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BargainCrazy/Products/F04014F1/SubProducts/F04014F101D&AID=6274487&PID=1546795&SID=176799824

Found on HUKD.

I have two PC's one of which is a bit less spec of the one above, but manages everything you mention perfectly.

gonzo127

silly questio, do you need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers etc with it or is the £500 just for the base unit?

anyways this seems like a pretty good place to start http://www.dinopc.com/shop/pc/configurePrd.asp?idproduct=935

a few customisations such as
upgrade to the X4 CPU
get rid on windows 7 pre install (as you stated - although you do need to take this cost into account if you dont already own a retail copy of an operating system)
upgrade to 8GB RAM (need to make sure you have a 64 bit operating system otherwise this is a worthless upgrade as your system will not be able to use this much)
upgrade to 1tb hdd (try and see if you can specify a Samsung F3 hard drive as they are fast)
upgrade to GTS450 (have gone for this over the ATI 5770 due to CUDA support although for gaming the 5770 is better)
brings the system to £416 + £25 for delivery

please note i have never used DinoPC for a purchase so do not know what their customer service is like,

System

Hi Gonzo127,
It's not a silly question! The budget is mostly for base unit as I already have 19" monitors plus speakers and keyboards (2 lots of each!)
Does anyone think it's worth getting one built for me?
Thanks
Linda x

rygon

My1st pc was from pcspecialist.co.uk 7yrs back and I was happy with it. Since them ive just upgraded the pieces when needs be.

You could always by the pieces off ebuyer. If you have a decent case, dvd drive, power supply then all you need to do is upgrade the bare bones

ddoris

8GB Ram! Your havin a larf!

sparkleworld

Thank You so much for posting this fabnfunky
I am in this exact dilemma for my daughter!!
I'm afraid I can't contribute anything but will be suscribing to your thread ( if you don't mind )

Regards
*Sparkle*

System

Thanks for all replies so far.
Rygon, that's is sort of my problem, I don't know what to buy!
Linda x

ddoris

Consider this - http://www.ebuyer.com/product/239782

If you want to upgrade post what you now have -may be best in a new thread.

gonzo127

being totally honest i will always build my own systems this is mainly because it allows me to choose every component so i know i have the best system i can get - however in the lower ends of the budget scale you will find that just lately building your own will not generally save you money.

so as i see it, you have 2 choices
get it built - not have to put the effort in however only have the choice of select parts therefore possibly missing out on the best performance for the price component
or
build it yourself - more effort but can source the best components for your budget and then choose which areas you will drop on to keep within budget

really its up to you