New pc advice please

bluedog

I am looking for a new desk top pc but am a bit lost with all the technical details and would very much appreciate some help please. I'm on a limited budget up to £600 absolute max and hoping to find something of that price level on a deal / sale price. I have a monitor so that isn't a problem.

I'm a hobbyist photographer so it will be used for that and some editing as well as music, watching vidoes on youtube etc, but no gaming.

I've seen this one on Dinopc and wondered if it will be any good for what I need please?

http://www.dinopc.com/shop/pc/-b-NEW-b-Gallant-AMD-4130-93p1636.htm

closed

anything can do what you need, including the one you have. laptops are better value/cheaper to run/more use imo

http://www.ebuyer.com/store/Computer/cat/Desktop-PC

NiftyDigits

Vostro 270 Mini Tower
Processor: Intel® Pentium® G2020 (2.90GHz, 3MB)
Windows® 8 Pro
Memory : 4 GB (1x4GB) 1600MHz DDR3
500 GB 3.5inch SATA III Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
16X DVD +/- RW Drive
Mini-Tower Chassis
Back Up Media Not Included
Display: Not Included
Windows 8 Professional (64 Bit OS)
Wireless : Dell Wireless 1506 Card
Dell USB Keyboard

From the DELL Outlet

Options from £210 to £265. All with 3 Year Next Day Warranty.

I would just add an inexpensive Low Profile Graphics card for around £20 and at least a 23 to 24" IPS screen. Expect to pay around £130.

weeowens

I've got a Zoostrom: http://www.ebuyer.com/store/Computer/cat/Desktop-PC/Zoostorm

I've had it two years & it has not missed a beat.

Mine is something like this: http://www.ebuyer.com/570077-zoostorm-desktop-pc-7873-1202
You need to add an operating system eg: http://www.ebuyer.com/259863-microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-w-sp1-licence-and-media-1-gfc-02050

Cisco001

ttp://www.ebuyer.com/579786-zoostorm-desktop-pc-7873-1214
http://www.ebuyer.com/259863-microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-w-sp1-licence-and-media-1-gfc-02050

If you go for dino pc option, I suggest you upgrade motherboard with 970 chipset

Mobeer

I'd second the Dell Outlet recommendation, though look for something with a larger hard disk. RAW photos can be awfully big.

NiftyDigits

Mobeer wrote: »

I'd second the Dell Outlet recommendation, though look for something with a larger hard disk. RAW photos can be awfully big.

500 GB is big enough and one would recommend having a reliable backup anyway.

Mobeer

NiftyDigits wrote: »

500 GB is big enough and one would recommend having a reliable backup anyway.

The size of the hard disk and having a reliable backup are different concepts; never keep backups on the same disk!

NiftyDigits

Mobeer wrote: »

The size of the hard disk and having a reliable backup are different concepts; never keep backups on the same disk!

It's what I suggested; 500GB for working in the format is more than enough. Storage should be separate anyway.

In addition, if the OP is happy with Windows 7 Pro, they also have a 'Scratch & Dent' Intel® Core™ i3-3240 model for under £240.

bluedog

Thank you everyone for your input and I greatly appreciate it - its helping enormously.

I have been looking through the various links posted and comparing the different pc's. I'm so far behind with technological advancements so learning loads as I go! My current pc is a media centre that runs Vista (which came as an upgrade from XP when I bought it). Over the years I've added replaced various bits and pieces including the 500gb hard drive. I plan to keep this initially as back up storage as well as finally hooking up my turntable and vhs to dvd converters to use, which both operate best in XP.

I usually back up my photo files to disc too, having learn the hard way by losing them in the past with pc malfunctions.

I'm not familiar with either Windows 7 or 8 and don't mind which OS the pc has.

Now I've had a good look around, I've realised I will also need headphone and usb ports on the front for ease of attaching my camera's, a card reader etc (and possibly a mic). My current pc has an on-board card-reader but from what I've seen, external ones are relatively easy to find and inexpensive too so will settle for one of those. I will also be using it for skype now my son is livingin Oz.

My main "concerns" are that the pc will allow me to multi-task, have good sound ability (I have 5.1 surround speakers) and run programmes such as photoshop easily. I like to keep my picture and video files onboard so they are there as and when I want them without having to hunt for them elsewhere, hence thinking of going with lare storage space. (I'm notorious for having a "safe place" for things ... even obvious stuff ). In my limited knowledge, I'm aware that no pc is future proof, but I'd like the ability to be able to upgrade/add drives etc at later dates.

I've toyed with getting a laptop instead, but decided against it as I struggle to use them long-term due to physical limitations. Its ok in short bursts only unfortunately, hence sticking with desktops.

Thanks again everyone. :beer:

Cisco001

bluedog wrote: »

Thank you everyone for your input and I greatly appreciate it - its helping enormously.

I have been looking through the various links posted and comparing the different pc's. I'm so far behind with technological advancements so learning loads as I go! My current pc is a media centre that runs Vista (which came as an upgrade from XP when I bought it). Over the years I've added replaced various bits and pieces including the 500gb hard drive. I plan to keep this initially as back up storage as well as finally hooking up my turntable and vhs to dvd converters to use, which both operate best in XP.

I usually back up my photo files to disc too, having learn the hard way by losing them in the past with pc malfunctions.

I'm not familiar with either Windows 7 or 8 and don't mind which OS the pc has.

Now I've had a good look around, I've realised I will also need headphone and usb ports on the front for ease of attaching my camera's, a card reader etc (and possibly a mic). My current pc has an on-board card-reader but from what I've seen, external ones are relatively easy to find and inexpensive too so will settle for one of those. I will also be using it for skype now my son is livingin Oz.

My main "concerns" are that the pc will allow me to multi-task, have good sound ability (I have 5.1 surround speakers) and run programmes such as photoshop easily. I like to keep my picture and video files onboard so they are there as and when I want them without having to hunt for them elsewhere, hence thinking of going with lare storage space. (I'm notorious for having a "safe place" for things ... even obvious stuff ). In my limited knowledge, I'm aware that no pc is future proof, but I'd like the ability to be able to upgrade/add drives etc at later dates.

I've toyed with getting a laptop instead, but decided against it as I struggle to use them long-term due to physical limitations. Its ok in short bursts only unfortunately, hence sticking with desktops.

Thanks again everyone. :beer:

Get dino Pc.
Go for FX6300 + GA-970A-DS3P + 2 x 8GB RAM + GTX650.
FX6300 with hex core, good enough for multi-tasking
GTX 650 with cuda for editing
Most of the case these days would has front usb & headphone/ mic jack. You probably get a usb card reader or buy a internal card reader and install yourself.
For better sound quality, upgrade sound card Asus DGX.
Storage - get 2 identical HDD and run RAID 1. For the most important file, upload them on Cloud.