DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

I am looking at getting a new desktop computer and am looking for recommendations... how much ram..... how much memory, best graphics card for running two or three monitors, not worried about software, have tons of that. I do a lot of photo editing and graphics design and often have multiple windows open over two monitors, so kind of need a power house...... I'd build my own but don't have that much confidence and upgrading might cost almost as much as my 3 year old system.....I'm leaning toward Dell....have had the best luck with them.....

Ok the floor is open for discussion........

Adubin Loc: Indialantic, Florida

Why don't you look at MAC? I made the change from a Dell PC desktop to Mac 15" laptop about 15 months and found that's all I need to do my post processing on and cataloging. I'm using Lightroom 3 and Photpshop CS4 plus many different plug-ins. You also can run PC software on the MAC too. BTW - It was a minimum learning curve to switch over to the MAC. Arnold

wkramer Loc: pa,northeast

DB hi,appel imac 21.5in led screen,16:9 widescreen,500gb7200rpmhard drive 8xslot loading super drive,AMD radom<hd6750M,graphic processor, built in face time,pluse they can download any drive you want or need at the store. you really can't go wrong with a mac.if your are looking for a laptpo they have a very large slection. all i got...best of luck.thanks

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

You must be my cousin in disguise.... I'm a hardcore PC lover and too old to change....Have a great Dell 17" laptop and love the Dell I have now, but after 3 years of constant (never turning it off) use its starting to hiccup a bit. I need a better video card and more memory .....and don't think the motherboard on this one can handle what I want to do...... I'm looking at running 3 monitors (hopefully) .....but thanks for the info

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

Desktop PCs have become so much a commodity item that even making brand recommendations is almost silly. Dell is a quality name, they've been around for ages (one of my first computers was a PC's Limited 12mhz screamer way back around 1986) but truthfully, other brands are good too. I used to have a problem with Compaq and HP because their drive mounting rails were different than everybody elses but it's been so long since I built a PC that I don't care anymore. :)

My rec's : at least 8GB of RAM with expansion above that, a good 400W or more Power supply, a well cooled MB and case, enough expansion slots so you can toss in a good Video card or two (you'll need two cards if you want to run three monitors, unless they've started putting three outs on a card these days) a couple of TB of disk space, a nice quick DVD writer, a handful of USB and Firewire ports, and you're good to go.

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

And here we go mac vs PC instead of person's needs and investment in software.

If using a PC for sometime do you have the capability to transfer the software licenses to a mac? yes/no
Do you care? yes/no
Now the hardcore question is ALL your data transferable/usable on a mac? Yes/no CRITICAL
What computer system (MAC/PC) is best?
One that has the CRITICAL YES answer.

Next question: budget?

Desktop or laptop? The difference in power is now negligible but a laptop offers less room for expansion (other than adding stuff tied to a spider web of wires)
Wireless can be added to a desktop w/o trouble

Tech stuff (for PC and MAC)

Memory, for imaging/multimedia 8GB or more
Hard disk, Two:
One for the OS, programs and temp files (350 GB max
One for the data, 1TB or more
Backup solution (usually double layered DVD-R
Video: compliant with your motherboard 500mb DDR5 1GB DDR5 Best

CPU, depends of system MAC and PC use different architecture

Remember that there is a lot of stuff you can scavenge from your old PC like a DVD-R, a HDD or two, USB card reader if incorporated as well as all your software.
Potentially your video card.

If you can spring about 2.5 k have your PC made locally by a known and respected technician,

Custom, (self made in this case)
ASUS motherboard 7.1 audio (important for me)
Intel corei7 2600s (2,8Ghz) (there are faster ones now)
12GB DDR3 1066 (there are faster sticks now)
2 SSD 164GB
1 – OS/software
2 – Temp file and trial ware
2 HDD
1 SATA3 1TB (data)
1 SATA2 1TB (backup)
I have additional USB external 2,5 drives to archive my pictures (also great when you travel to carry your data with you)
Added wireless while wired to the network to monitor the wireless network functionality.
OS Windows 7 ultimate 64bit

Cost? About 2,300.00
Systems works like a charm.

If you are not half as nuts as I am, any standard PC sold from a known brand or a local store (with a good reputation) will do. Price between $1,000 to 2,000 depending on your choice.

Personally I would go for a local store, even if slightly more expensive because you can interact with the guy and have him use some of your old parts and restore your data.

I am an IT guy before anything else.... and data backup is my high horse!!!!

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

thanks, thats the kind of info I'm looking for.....I currently run a 19" and a 22" monitor but looking at a 30" often have about 4-8 windows open at a time..... I do much of my self training with the program open on one monitor and the tutorials on the other along with a lot of files.... Got hooked on multiple monitors as a dispatcher in 911.... we ran 3 at a time and it was great...

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Remember, a computer you buy today is outdated!

Both Dell and HP have good computers. I personally would stay away from Sony, simply because they have too much propitiatory software. (Opinions are like AH, everybody got one.)

I've not seen a configuration on line for three monitors. I think that you would have to call them and have a special one built for you.

I would get the fastest processor they offer. I would get as much RAM as I could fit in the computer and at least a terabyte (or two) hard drives. Each graphics card(s) should have at least a gig of on-board ram.

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Thanks guys......... a Pc is what it will be and it will be a desktop. I currently have a Del XPS420 thats over 3 years old.
Vista 32bit,
Intel Core 2 processor and
4gb ram. Have 300mb harddrive,
1-300mg external
two 1 TB external harddrives...

My laptop is a Dell XPS M-1530....

has anyone had experience using a flat screen tv as a monitor doesn't sound like a good idea for me...
I'm looking at the Dells that I can customize and your info is a big help... Thanks so much

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

Flat screen tv for monitor? Not a good idea.

DB, if your current PC is not in trouble, just add some memory and a HDD. That will save you quite a bit of money.

Those things are the same as cars, once it's out, a new model comes out!!!!

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

That is an option Wolf... I am working with Dell on the max upgrades I can make.... I've changed memory and video cards in the past on other computers with no problems..never replaced a motherboard tough.... I can double the memory but have to upgrade to a 64bit from 32 bit for it to read the extra memory. Then I'll compare prices (including the frustration levels..) My little brother used to be my computer tech as he was the local guy but he died suddenly a few months ago. Gonna weigh all my options.........

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

You are too far for me to fix it up for you, sorry.

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Awwwwww But Tennessee is so beautiful this time of year lol

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

No way Eddie, I am warm and cozy in Florida, even the door is open to let the dog in and out!!! (Will be shut as soon as my wife walks in I am sure!

Anyway too much yard work right now. (someone is cracking the whip)

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

I think the problem with using a F/S TV as a PC monitor is that TVs generally have a different dot pitch/lcd density/whatever than computer monitors, for the simple fact that you usually VIEW a TV from farther away than you do a PC monitor. With all this new HDMI stuff, my knowledge of video parameters may be out of date but I always used to tell my students that PC monitors tended to be much higher 'quality' (smaller dot pitch, etc) than TV screens because of the viewing distance. But this was in the days when a 17" CRT tube was considered almost outlandishly huge, and a typical video card had 256K of memory and drove a 1024x768 screen.