david vt Loc: Vermont

Hi

Since taking up Digital Photography and joining UHH, I have followed and read most of the threads on new computers. I have followed (and been impressed by) those of you whom have configured and built your own machines. That is beyond me, but it prompted me to have a discussion with a local computer repair shop that reconfigures and builds machines in addition to repairs. Figured it was worth the discussion. They came back with two machines that they build on spec at two different price points, and still being new to this, I thought I would get some thoughts and feedback

Usage. (As this drives my needs)
-Novice Amateur post processing. Am not, and will never, be a professional and don’t need that level of capability
-Most of what I do is sports photog at HS/college level, which means lots of culling from a D7200 and PP to work on exposure, cropping, etc. Much of what I shoot is indoors in dark gyms, which unfortunately results in higher ISO and more noise than I would like which I need to learn to process out.
-I probably process 200 shots from an event, about 80 events per year. Currently 10% keeper rate, but that will hopefully improve as I gain experience.
-This will also become my main “every day” computer for personal (not work) usage.
-will have two monitors, including a 27” benq or similar
-Not interesting in a laptop. Seems like it would either compromise performance, or, if not, then pricey. I have a small travel laptop that I will keep for when I need that option. Will not need to so major PP while traveling, so that will be an OK option.

Options presented. (These happen to be on the shelf, though can be changed/modified and other machines could be built to spec)

Option 1. Rebuilt Dell XPS desktop gaming system. Specs
-Intel core i7 3.2 GHz processor with 16 Gb RAM, expandable to 24
-Nvidia GeForce GTX 480 graphics card, support 3 monitors (2 dvi and 1 micro HDMI)
-240Gb SSD for op sys and programs
-1 2TB HDD for data (though a second one can be added)
-Win 10 64bit
-Price: $950

Option 2. Rebuilt Lenovo thinkstation workstation. Specs
-Intel Xeon 3.2GHz processor with 32 Gb RAM, expandable to 64. Very fast RAM
-Nvidia Quadro 4000 Graphics card, supports 3 monitors (1 dvi and 2 display ports)
-2 240Gb SSD set up in Raid mirror configuration for windows/programs
-2 2TB HDD for data, also in Raid mirror configuration
-price: $1100

Both have multiple USB, wifi, etc. 1 year warranty and local support to get fully configured an up and running.

I think the first is probably all I really need, but I would want to add a 2nd HDD for backup. After I do that, the cost is probably close to the second. Builder says option 2 is a lot more computer for the money and will run very fast for what I need.

Questions for you all
-Opinions on these machines vs stated needs? Either or both overkill?
-What have I forgotten to ask about or check? What would you add (remember - non-professional)
-Are prices reasonable for the specs shown as a rebuilt machine by a 3rd party (their time and that they deserve a reasonable profit)?

Thanks in advance for your guidance

Rongnongno Loc: FL

#2 No question asked.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

David,

My advice:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1342537-REG/apple_mpxq2ll_a_13_3_macbook_pro_mid.html

Start fresh with a new warranty. Outstanding machine for photography.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

If I was making the decision I would start with system 1, but have a 500GB SSD, a 240GB SSD can fill up faster than you think. Possibly max out the memory, and maybe get a second HDD right away. Also an external USB3 HDD for back up, say 4GB would be useful. System #2 is definitely more computer, but could be more than you need.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

No where is there an apple mentioned in the selection so why offer this 'advice'?

Especially considering the crappy specs offered in this laptop.

david vt Loc: Vermont

Thanks. If I am only using the internal 240gb for programs and general stuff, not sure I will fill it up too fast. What do others think? I could always pull the RAID mirroring off the SSDs, giving me 480GB.

The pictures will all be on the HDD. The RAID mirrored drives here give a good backup feature on #2.

For the price difference of $150, seems like the redundant backup alone may be worth it. I am not experienced enough to judge the general performance diffierence

david vt Loc: Vermont

Really? we have macs in the house now. I generally find them less functional for the price than a PC. And, there is one program I use that has not ever run well on the Mac.

With the specs quoted, I would have to add likely over $500 to get it even close to one of the systems, and even then I am not sure that the video card would really be able to hold up to PP.

Thanks anyway - but I am likely to stay in the PC world and in a desktop

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Really? That's a gray market MAC!
Edit: The color is space gray. My bad, but it's still a MAC.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Option 1. I have the intel i7 2.9Ghz processor with 16GB RAM and a 1TB drive, Win 10 Pro 64bit and its good for Photoshop and Video editing of 4K video with Premiere Pro CS6. For backup I use a 500GB Verbatim usb pocket drive connected to the desktop all the time. Honestly though you could do better on the price if you do what I did. $230 for the desktop, $100 for 2x8GB new matched RAM, About $100 for the usb pocket drive. See attached pic. I've had it for 2-1/2 years and use it for hours every day, the best desktop I have had.

(Download)

PeterBergh

I would certainly bump the SSD to 500 GB and maximize the main memory (RAM). What you do on the computer, other than photo processing, will determine whether you go with alternative 1 or 2. If you are heavily into gaming, or expect to do so, you should go with option 2. If your daily needs are email and office tasks, you should go with option 1. Both options will be perfectly OK for photo processing.

You will also need an external drive or two for backup and <b>actually perform backups</b>.

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

David I would like to look at the full specs of option 2 if you would provide a link.

david vt Loc: Vermont

Hi. the specs are what I wrote down, as this is a locally built machine by a respected shop in the area. What would you want to know, and why?

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

I'm using a machine that I built in 2010, so it's getting a little long in the tooth now, but I have made incremental upgrades to it. My first SSD was an Intel 80GB drive, maxed out very fast. I then got a 250GB Samsung, but even that filled up quite fast, so I now have a 500GB Samsung as my c: drive and it has enough headroom. I keep all my data on different HDD drives which makes management and backup simple to manage. Currently I have three SSDs - a total of 800GB, and about 24 TB of spinning disk, but it's not all photo related by any means. I use two 22" monitors in a single display space. The limitation for me is that the mobo can't handle any more throughput, but I want to wait for the next generation of tech to come down the pike before I upgrade. Essentially the upgrade will just be a new mobo, CPU, memory and graphics. Everything else is good enough.

I would look at your back up strategies before you decide, external network attached raid for back up may be a more robust approach.

We have quite a few well informed computer people on UHH that may be able to help guide you through this scenario.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

You REALLY need to up the antes now!!!

irishrover61 Loc: Miami, FL

Option #2 is without a doubt the best option.

You have a server class processor with ample RAM that is upgradeable.

However, you did not mention the specs on the graphics card. This is from a strictly cost perspective. A 2GB version can be had on Ebay for $200 whereas and 8GB version is somewhere in the neighborhood of $800.

Secondly, you did not mention the brand of SSDs that are going to be installed. Samsung currently make their own chips in-house and are some of the best on the market.

You would want the HHDs to be either NAS (Network Attached Storage) or server class, meaning those drives should be robust and reliable to maintain your data. the WD Red drives come to mind.

Finally from a redundancy standpoint, you have chosen a Mirrored Raid configuration, which is great. However, as with all things mechanical, I would opt for either an external USB Drive (4TB - 8TB) or a NAS Device for additional redundancy.