GC likes NIKON Loc: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

I have done a search and read several threads on computer specs here on the UHH.

I am currently running Windows XP on my home computer.

I have been concentrating on Black & Write photography lately and want to buy and use NIK Software's Silver Effects Pro. Since Google bought NIK and took them over, SE Pro is only available as part of a bundle/suite of programs. That bundle will only run on Windows-Vista or newer. Where as the old stand alone Silver Effects would run on W-XP. I have tried to buy a copy of the old program everywhere including here in the UHH, Ebay and Craig's list to no avail.

So now I am faced with upgrading my Lenovo Small Form Factor desktop running Pentium 4 3.2 GHz (Dual Core w/intrgrated Intel graphics ?) with 4GB Ram and 160 HDD. ( I have several external HDD's) to something newer running Window 7.

I am pretty much convinced Window 7 32 bit is the way I want to go. I am not a techy in any way so 64 bit with it's problems and downloading drivers is out.

I can buy an "off lease" refurbished HP Compaq SFF desktop Core 2 Duo (same as what I have now ??) 3.0GHZ, 4GB Ram, 1TB HDD, DVDRW, Windows 7 Pro 32-bit for $239 from Tiger Direct.

OR I can buy new from Dell computer:
OptiPlex Small Form Factor 3010 running Quad Core i5-3470 processor 3.20GHz w/HD2500 Graphics. I would upgrade the Graphics to a Radeon HD7470 w/1GB DVI & VGA ($55.00)
Upgrade Ram to 8Gb from 4GB ($91.00) I will have to call Dell because a popup window comes up saying ERROR it won't be supported.
Windows 7 Pro 32 bit.
500 GB HDD.

The Dell Totals $789 vs. $239 for the refurb HP Compact

I work with Photoshop Elements v9.
I have Lightroom 3, but seldom use it.
I work with Photomatix Essentials.

I will buy the Google/Nik suite.
I will probably buy Topaz B&W.
I will probably upgrade my Dell UltraSharp 2311 H " monitor to a 27"

Can I do what I want and run my software and a larger monitor with the HP Compaq ? Should I have to spend the extra $550 for the Dell ? Why ?? That more than pays for the Canon Pixma printer I am coveting !!!

Your comments and advice please...............

Pigseye Loc: Minnesota

Hi, Have you tried http://www.oldversion.com/ Personally I was suckered into Windows 8 and whine everytime I use it. Fortunately I still have a Windows 7 machine that I use.

Good luck.

Pine1 Loc: Midland & Lakeway

I have 2 PC's I have virtually quit using since I uploaded Windows 8, ugh! I have switched everything to Mac's and I'm pretty happy but I'm still miffed about Windows 8.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

I run a Dell XPS8500 with 16gig of RAM and Windows 7 64-bit. I advise you to buy all the RAM you can get. I have not had any problem with any of my drivers from my old Windows XP machine, but you did not mention which drivers you were concerned about. Nik and Topaz will work in both 32-bit and 64-bit.

CEAA

I am not a computer expert but you might want to think about Windows 7 with 64 bit rather than 32 bit especially if you are buying new programs.

Haydon

Don't even think about a 32 bit OS otherwise you will hit the 3 gigabyte RAM wall.

gsconsolvo Loc: Ruidoso, New Mexico

A 32bit system will not recognize more than 3.5GB of ram, the 64bit system will take the 8GB of ram with not problem. HP Compaq is the bottom line from HP plus being refurbished is a question mark unless Tiger Direct has a warranty, the Dell system is a much better system with better graphics. All modern processors are 64bit so that should not be an issue at all. I would recommend a 64bit system no matter what "brand" you buy. Will take more ram and a much better system overall.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I've been a computer professional for 35 years and have used every version of Windows since Windows 3.1, including the corporate NT versions. I use Windows 8.1 with the with Classic Start Menu 4.02(free) and it looks and works virtually identically to Windows 7. Windows 8.1 is the fastest and most stable version of Windows that Microsoft has ever released. It's a shame that the controversy, mostly over the Metro screen and lack of traditional start menu, has tainted an otherwise superior product. There are several free third party apps (like the Classic Start Menu) that install a Windows 7 style start menu and also allow you to boot directly to the desktop. You might be hard pressed to know you weren't in Windows 7 except for the increased performance of the newer operation system. I have 2 machines running Windows 8.1 and 3 others running Windows 7. Windows 7 was, and is, a great operating system. Windows 8.1 takes that performance to the next level.

Keep in mind that when upgrading from an older operating system to a newer one there are ALWAYS potential issues with the installation of older software and drivers for older hardware. That is just as true if you upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7, as it is if you upgrade to Windows 8.1. I understand that people can't or won't upgrade very old versions of software or hardware. It can get very expensive, especially for those of us on a fixed income. But as distasteful as it may be, it's also unreasonable to assume that new operating systems will continue to support very old technology into perpetuity.

With regard to 32 vs 64 bit operating systems, if you have older software and older hardware you may not have a choice here, but 64 bit systems are far superior and support significantly more RAM. My current desktop is a 64 bit machine with 12 gigs of ram and a 3 terabyte hard drive. Performance with programs such as Lightroom 5 is phenomenal.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

If you go with Dell, not a bad choice but keep in mind the cheap price... one big reason is because the video cards are not the newest releases. I looked into this once knowing what I wanted and asked if I could get the latest release of a particular Video card and the answer was no. In other words the thing is out dated before you get it.
You'll have to upgrade to stay current with the OS being WIndows XP will no longer/if not already be supported, But For Sure Stay Away From Windows 8, and as mentioned, go with 64 bit. Personally I'm switching over to IMac once my PC's bite the dust. I was waiting for all my software to become MAC compatible and the time has arrived.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You can always have Microcenter build you a custom system based on an i7 quad core (hyperthreading is faster with photoshop), 32 gb ram, an ASUS motherboard that supports an SSD cache on the boot drive (really fast - photoshop loads in under 2 sec, and system boots in 22 sec from cold start, and an ATI Fire Pro display adapter that supports 30 bit pipeline on display color depth. A system like that would cost in the neighborhood of what you are thinking of spending on the Dell with contract, and will be SOOOO much faster. Forget about 32 bit - there is no savings here. And you are limited to 3.25 gb ram.

terrybailey

Save yourself a lot of headache my friend, buy a mac. You get what you pay for. Mac's cost more and you get more.

EddieC Loc: CT

I've used PCs for years but recently took the plunge and got an iMac Pro with Retina screen. Awesome! I plan to get the desktop model soon. Pricey? Yes. But worth it! I also like their Aperture program although I use others.

The Saint KK4GO Loc: Florida

You might consider a Mac, and get rid of all those problems.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

No problems with mac, but they are limited to 8 bit display, in the OS. IMHO, not as suitable for image processing. Greater bit depth gives more accurate color display with a good monitor. They are also a bit more expensive for the same level of performance.