Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

I'm going through a similar situation although my computer hasn't died. After some research, I'm going to have one built. Puget Systems is a couple of hours north of me and I have a computer tech in my home town who mentioned building me a computer. I've got a wish list of what I want and will see how much it will cost to build. If you want to stick to $1000 or so then research the essential things LR/PS need to run smoothly. Hopefully, you had a backup for your photos on the computer that died or maybe a computer tech can get them back for you.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

I always take my unit into the local computer repair station @ Staples and they examine the software and types of files I currently was using and make recommendations that will fit my budget and allow me to keep most of my stuff intact.

I actually have two systems....the Windows 7 and also the Windows 10 on a newer laptop. I share files between both units on occasion but prefer the Windows 7 for daily applications. Both units have disc drives for making CDS & DVDS and I keep those and my SD cards in a fire safe rather than an extra hard drive or cloud storage. I don't shoot enough photos to warrant a Terabyte of space reserved and I am not a Pro.....only an Amatuer.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Do you prefer Apple or Windows?

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

If you are thinking Apple, check out Other World Computing Used Macs. There is some selection and you will find if much more affordable than a new Mac. Be sure to get a model that supports the latest operating system, Mojave.

Petewyck

I’m comfortable with Windows. I’m also thinking that while learning my new camera, I don’t need to be learning Apple at the same time. JMO

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I bought my Dell from Costco because they double the warranty from Dell giving me 2 instead of 1 years of warranty. Now my computer is 2 years old and it's chugging along fine. Mine came with an i7 Intel processor, 24GB ram, 4GB video support (not 4k but my monitors aren't 4k), 256GB SSD NVMe boot drive, and 2 TB 7200rpm hard drive, BlueRay, USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 "C", WiFi, Bluetooth, keyboard and a mouse. I got a wireless keyboard and mouse from a local store and that's about it. Since then, Intel has 2 generations newer CPU's but mine is still doing a great job. I got mine on sale for $1000 but shortly after the price went back up to $1300. I've looked at other Dells from Costco recently for a friend and they are still in that price range with similar specs.

About the only thing I might do if I were to buy another new computer today is get one with at least a 500GB SSD, NVMe boot drive. I have not filled my 256GB drive yet, but I do feel a little cramped and fear that I will eventually fill it.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

I also recommend looking at Puget Systems website. My desktop was originally built for me by a local computer guy for a bit over $1,000. Last year I decided it was due for some upgrades, and I used information from Puget to guide my choices. I did not change out everything, still have some other parts to replace before they fail, and everything fit into the original tower. If you can re-use the one you have, that might save a little money. Just have to make sure it has the right "slots" for the replacement components.

Have you had your computer "diagnosed"? It is possible some parts are still OK, although a completely new build would be ideal! We have a computer repair place reasonably close, they charge for diagnosis, but it is better than the free diagnosis at Staples. Plus the technicians understand more about the inner workings. I didn't trust myself to change out components, so paid them to do it. But I learned a lot while researching and might try it myself next time!

For purchasing components, I used NewEgg and B&H. There are places recommended by others that are probably just as good. For me it was a matter of where I could find the products I wanted and also get the best price!

kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.

The 2nd graphic card is needed only if your running a virtualbox and want PS to have all it's capabilities , but you need the right motherboard . 2nd graphic cards are used mainly by gamers who want the best performance they can get . I just wanted to let everyone know that you will loose one of the functions of PS inside a virtualbox environment

jrconcours Loc: Ocean View, DE

Cerise, I had them build it to my specs, After two years I'm still happy with it.

pego101

Go to Costco look at Dell XPS 8930. That's what I just got.

royb_36-cox.net Loc: Phoenix

Be aware that saying a PC has an i7 is like saying "I have a car". Both the i5 and i7 processors have a wide wide range of performance. I have a laptop with an i7 which has only 2 cores and runs at 2500 Ghz. Each core can process two threads of code so it operates as if it has 4 cores. Some i7's have 6 or more cores and can run at over 4 Ghz and process up to 12 threads of code at one time. Some PC's use the video processor in the main i7 or whatever processor while others have a separate much faster video processor and video memory. Ram memory and the Hard drive have the memory specified but their speed is a variable. Then you may have an SSD C: drive which doesn't have to be larger than 512 GB if there is a second hard drive of at least 1024 GB and, for Windows, you transfer all the data files to it such as My Documents and My Pictures, all the files which are normally in the C: drive under the User folder. In that case the C: drive is only used for programs and system files.
Just my opinion based on pure technical consideration.

Ichiban365

Just FYI, you don't need two graphics cards to run two monitors. There are many graphics cards out there which will support two monitors.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Yeah me too. MaxOS is the next best thing for me. :( :)

JD750 Loc: SoCal

MacOS (not Apple) is different. It is oriented more toward right brained thinking. I was ready to throw my Apple computer out the window for about the first year after I changed over. But I had spent so much $$ on the computer, I kept with it. And THEN I got what MacOS is about: Let the computer do the mundane things, LET IT GO, the computer can do that, focus on the creative part. I have never looked back.

PS - I have learned over time that every time (not so much these days as earlier) I get frustrated trying to do something it means I am trying to hard and I have missed something obvious, and sure enough, there is a simple way to do what I am trying to do.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

I also (as others have mentioned) bought a Dell at Costco with an I7 processor a little over two years ago. I got the one with a 2 TB HD and 16 GB of RAM. I filled the 2 TB HD and replaced it with a 6 TB a few months ago (lots of photos!). If I had it to do over again I would probably do the same thing, except I would install a 512 GB SSD immediately before transferring everything to it.