htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

My 12 year old computer is getting flaky and slow. I can't upgrade the RAM in it beyond the 8 MB it already has. It's time for a new one.

I'm trying to spec out what I should get. I know this topic comes up frequently, but I am unable to find much recent using the search function. No doubt this is due to user error. Can someone tell me what search will work?

I'm looking to get a Windoze desktop. For all you Mac users, I know you think Mac is superior, and you may be right. However, for reasons having to do with earning a living, I'm going with Windoze, so any suggestion for a Mac is a non-starter.

My thoughts at this point are:
i7 processor (is an i9 worth it?)
mid-range video card
32 GB ram (with space for more should I need it)
1 TB SSD (I have a 4TB HD I'll transplant form the old computer, which holds all my photos)
nic card, lotsa USB ports

Is there something else I should include that I'm not thinking of?

Again, if someone can point me to a search that will answer the question, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks, all.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I think you have essential components listed, unless you do intensive video editing.
Here's a site that custom builds PC's. Some of our UHH people have recommended them. Easy to explore and configure possibilities. Maybe a Chat may help.
https://www.pugetsystems.com/configmenu.php

Good luck with the new PC.
Mark

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

This is now almost a year old - so the components should be lower priced now. I could afford it so I went for the 2019 Coffee Lake build on page 2.
The large computer store I went to didn't have two of the components so in one case I took a different brand - same specs and the other I went to the next version up by the same company. The young guy who checked me out turned out to be a senior in Computer Science at a UC and his comment was "I am jealous of the computer you are putting together."
I did reuse the highend gamer case I bought from IbuyPower in 2011 and transfered the "D" data drive and "P" photo & video drives from the old machine - I replace my old 240 GB SSD with the newer one in the article.

I also paid a local tech to put it together for me. I have built or upgraded a few machines over the years by the "follow the directions - part A into slot B etc etc" but this guy is good, always getting recommendations in the local papers etc so I figured $200 for him to install the parts, install Windows 10 and everything on my old C drive from an Acronis backup and tweak everything etc was worth it.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Looks good - when you spec the SSD, make sure it is m.2 rather than SATA attached. I would suggest 4-8GB of VRAM and an NVidia or equivalent GPU for video. If you plan to keep this for another 12 years, yes, an I-9 is probably worth it. Pay attention to the specific model of I-7 or I-9 CPU - performance can vary widely. Look here for performance information on specific CPUs: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Looks good - when you spec the SSD, make sure it is m.2 rather than SATA attached. I would suggest 4-8GB of VRAM and an NVidia or equivalent GPU for the video card. Make sure to get a good sized power supply as modern video cards can consume more power than the CPU. 600 Watts is the minimum. By the same token, pay attention to good cooling in the case. If you plan to keep this for another 12 years, yes, an I-9 is probably worth it. Pay attention to the specific model of I-7 or I-9 CPU - performance can vary widely. Look here for performance information on specific CPUs: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

Did you forget a link, or is this referring to the Puget Sound link in the reply before?

Thanks.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I go to Google and put in keywords and append site:uglyhedgehog.com to the keywords.
Something like:

computer recommendation site:uglyhedgehog.com

It will search the page contents, only at UUH.
The UUH search function only searches titles, and we all know how well they are used.........

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Good search recommendations!!
Mark

Silverrails

Yes, DO NOT GET A CHOMEBOOK FOR PHOTO PROCESSING, ESPECIALLY IF DOING RAW PHOTOGRAPHY.

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

No I won't. I'm looking for a computer.

MoT Loc: Barrington, IL

Not sure the i9 will give you much improvement that you can see over the i7, more important to get the best graphics card you can get. I am a MAC guy so I am not that proficient in Windows as WIN 7 was the last version I used when my HP crashed. Good luck in getting a the best you can get. From what I have read desk tops are selling at reduced prices as lap tops and tablets are eating into their market. Also make sure that the buses have a wide capacity to move your information quickly through your computer. Good Luck.

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

Thanks. That is really good advice.

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

I found it, rummaging around the Pugetr Sound site.

Thanks!

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Missed my afternoon nap or something.
Here is the link:
https://photographylife.com/the-ultimate-pc-build-for-photography-needs

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

thanks!