sjbegres Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I have to break down a buy a new one. I currently use an old Dell with Windows XP. I can't even use my Silver Efex Pro software on this one.

I need to get one that will run my PSE 11 and Silver Efex Pro.

Can someone give me advice on specs I should look for? I think I will need a 32-bit version of Windows 7.

Thanks.

Sherrill

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Most newer computers are going to be 64 bit. That said, a lot of the older software can be run in the "compatibility mode"...I'd suggest at least 4 gb Ram, 500gb hard drive & a Intel i3 chipset...Oh & Windows 7, not 8

sjbegres Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks Screamin Scott. I put those on my list.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I think Scott's advice is pretty solid. When installing older software, windows 7 will run 32bit applications on a 64bit machine. In fact there is a C:\Program Files\ directory for each 32 and 64 bit apps.
--Bob

sjbegres Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

That's good to know. Here are the specs of the one I am thinking of buying. Anything problematic jump out at you?
Dell recommends Windows.Print Summary





Recalculating Price
Inspiron 660

Market Value1 $903.97

Total Savings $120.00


Dell Price $783.97




As low as $24.00/month*
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My Selections All Options
Inspiron 660




Date 7/29/2013 11:17:39 AM Central Standard Time

Catalog Number 29 Retail 19



Catalog Number / Description Product Code Qty SKU Id



Color Bezels:
Black Bezel BLACK 1 [318-0938] 10


Retail Software:
Dell.com Order NORTL 1 [332-0550] 61


Miscellaneous:
PCmover Home – Free S5328 1 [466-9489] 130


FGA Module:
MHMT1403_009/BTO/C3 FG0053 1 [730-4351] 572


Inspiron 660:
INSPIRON 660 M660BTE 1 [225-2990] 1


Chassis:
Inspiron660Chassis,MT,Blackw/8:1mediacardreader W8WBZ 1 [318-2598] 9


Processors:
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i5-3330 processor (6M Cache, up to 3.2 GHz) 58TN0T 1 [338-BBKB] 2


Operating System:
Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English W7HP61E 1 [421-5693] 11


Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed):
Microsoft® Office Trial OHT13M 1 [630-AAAV] 22


Memory:
8GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 2 DIMMs 8G1602D 1 [319-0061] 3


Optical Drive:
DVD+/-RW Tray Load Drive, 16X, SATA 16XDVDR 1 [318-2074] 16


Hard Drive:
1TB Hard Drive, 3.5", 7200rpm, SATA 1TBS 1 [342-4464] 8


Video Card:
Intel® HD Integrated Graphics INTGPH 1 [331-7181] 6


Support:
1 Year Enhanced Support T1O1P 1 [420-8878][939-0123][939-0813][950-3337][950-9797][954-1740] 29


Accidental Damage Service:
1 Year Accidental Damage Service CCADP1 1 [412-0358][951-6540] 33


Top 5 Electronics:
Dell Wireless Desktop Keyboard and Mouse Bundle 331-3761 1 [331-3761] 7004


Security Software:
McAfee LiveSafe 12 Month Subscription MCSW12M 1 [461-AAAD] 25


Speakers:
No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system) N 1 [313-6138] 18


Wireless:
Dell DW1506 (802.11 b/g/n) WLAN half mini-Card DW1506 1 [430-4719] 19


Sound:
Integrated 5.1 audio IS 1 [331-2594] 17


Network Card:
Integrated 10/100/1000 Ethernet IN 1 [430-3628] 13


Adobe Software:
No Adobe Reader Selected NOADOBE 1 [410-0565] 15


Ship Material:
Shipping material for DAO, Inspiron 660 MSHPMTL 1 [331-9880] 24


Driver:
Dell SRV Software 1506 1506SRV 1 [421-7640] 7


Documentation:
Documents,Inspiron 660,English MENGDOC 1 [331-7180][331-9255][331-9448] 21


2nd Software:
Additional Software CY3W7IN 1 [331-7182][331-8195][658-BBKT] 26


Option 2:
No PDVD NOPDVD 1 [421-7997] 28


Power Cord:
US Power Cord USPWR 1 [331-5795] 20


Monitor:
If accessories are purchased, they may ship separately N 1 [320-7810] 5


Keyboard:
Dell KB113 USB Wired Entry Keyboard - US W8US113 1 [331-9333] 4


Mouse:
Dell USB Optical Mouse MS111 OMI 1 [330-8652] 12


Surge Protectors & Webcams:
Logitech C525 HD Webcam A5084337 1 [A5084337] 6423

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Looks a lot better than the minimum specs that I suggested !

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If you can, opt for the i7 processor. I don't think the difference in price is going to be all that much.

I'd also think about a second drive to use for backing up your original images. You may also want to think of a better video card.
--Bob

IR Jim Loc: St. Louis

If you want to stick with Dell I would go with their XPS line. The cheaper ones are powerful enough to run the programs you listed like a champion.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/414528/x

You will get a better deal at Microcenter or Frys than you will at Dell or Best Buy. (Warranty / support is the only plus to the latter)

For the use you stated, the most critical components to put money in are CPU > RAM > GPU in that order. As rmalarz stated an i7 processor is great but if they are not in your budget get an i5, no lower.

For RAM at least 8GB.

As for the GPU you will see many differing opinions. The cheap 1GB card that is in the PC I listed above is plenty powerful enough for any modern photo editing software. PSE does not have a requirment for VRAM and Photoshop CS6 only utilizes 256MB of the 512 required VRAM. SilverEfex requires 512 and may utilize more but I could not find that specefic information. The Intel graphics on the computer you listed are 3D and use 1GB of they system memory. While it is true dedicated GPU's are better, if you are on a budget this computer will do what you want it to do just fine.

One last thing, make sure the PC you pick has a multi-card reader.

sjbegres Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks, IR Jim.

strikerazde Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I don't understand why would you want to buy older technology Windows 7, and a i3 processor. Windows 8 comes on computers now, and it is a solid OS. It's built on Windows 7, so don't go backwards. You normally have to pay extra to downgrade to Windows 7, Downgrading the OS is not a wise place to be spending money on a new computer.

i3's are already old technology. Look for an i7. Bottom line you need to purchase as much computer as you can afford with emphasis on the Video card and processor if you are going to be doing any photo processing. More RAM is the cheapest thing you can throw at a new computer. Oh yea and it's bad advice to look for a 32 bit OS. Most newer computer now run 64 BIT Windows, and this will certainly speed up photo processing, not to mention allow you to add more RAM.

Frank47 Loc: West coast Florida

Scott's advice is good, but I hold my PCs as long as I can, so I always overbuy and let software catch up. Six months ago I purchased a Dell at 64-bit, i7 chip, 2 Tbytes, 16 gb ram, using Windows 7. It "smokes" allowing large file usage and multiple files open at the same time.

sus Loc: Ripon,Ca

I had a dell, now I have Mac. No more virus attacks, and it is easy to learn. I set it up like Moose Peterson did. Yes it cost more and it is worth it. I consider it an investment in myself. Sus

obeone

I didn't know you could still get Windows 7 on an OEM machine. Anyway, make a list of all your accessories - printers, scanners, etc. Many of the older machines are not supported in Win 7 and especially 8. Also, if you need a parallel printer port, be sure to order it with that.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

Dell XPS8500, Windows 7 (64bit), Intel i7 processor, 16GB Ram, 2TB hard drive and at least AMD Radeon HD7550 graphics card. Dell is still offering Windows 7 for now. Your Photoshop Elements 11 and your Nik software will run just fine. Buy all the RAM you can get. 4GB is not enough.

I run the system just described and it runs Photoshop CS6 and the Nik software like a champ.

Oh, and don't forget Windows Easy Transfer

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/features/windows-easy-transfer

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Last June, I got a Dell XP 8500 with Core i7, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1TB drive. I added a second 1TB hard drive. I keep programs and the OS on the primary drive, and all my data on the second drive. I have 3,417 hours on it, and it's been running fine. It cost $1,182, delivered.