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Time for a new computer
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Mar 3, 2019 13:53:29   #
Petewyck
 
My desktop just died. I’ve been long overdue for another computer anyway. What do you recommend in the way of a desktop with photo uploading and editing in mind. I’m not a professional. Still got a lot to learn. I just went from a Nikon D50 which I loved to a Nikon D500 (I’m not sure if this information is even pertinent to my question), but I’d like to use Lightroom and just user-friendly programs to edit my photos. I appreciate any input you are able to provide.

TIA

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Mar 3, 2019 14:10:48   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
Petewyck wrote:
My desktop just died. I’ve been long overdue for another computer anyway. What do you recommend in the way of a desktop with photo uploading and editing in mind. I’m not a professional. Still got a lot to learn. I just went from a Nikon D50 which I loved to a Nikon D500 (I’m not sure if this information is even pertinent to my question), but I’d like to use Lightroom and just user-friendly programs to edit my photos. I appreciate any input you are able to provide.

TIA


Waited a bit too long did you? It would seem so. But that could happen to anybody.

You say you would like to use Lightroom and other user-friendly programs but recommendations are different depending on the operation system (OS), Windows, Apple, Linux.

Please state what OS you are using, and if you want to stay with that same OS, or if all options are open.

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Mar 3, 2019 14:13:03   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
Petewyck wrote:
My desktop just died. I’ve been long overdue for another computer anyway. What do you recommend in the way of a desktop with photo uploading and editing in mind. I’m not a professional. Still got a lot to learn. I just went from a Nikon D50 which I loved to a Nikon D500 (I’m not sure if this information is even pertinent to my question), but I’d like to use Lightroom and just user-friendly programs to edit my photos. I appreciate any input you are able to provide.

TIA


I suggest you poke around in this site to get some ideas. Budget, definition of user friendly, and expectations for today and 3 yrs from now about your post processing skills, as well as platform would be good to know.

https://www.pugetsystems.com/

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Mar 3, 2019 14:32:53   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
Contact "kubota king" here on the UHH. He just posted about the new Topaz AI Sharpen running on his self built desktop (he is a computer repair tech among other things). He can make recommendations. I am thinking of contacting him, my 7+ year old iBuyPower gamer (bought for photos, I am not a gamer) is starting to need upgrades to keep up with the latest PP apps.

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Mar 3, 2019 14:35:31   #
aphelps Loc: Central Ohio
 
Petewyck wrote:
My desktop just died. I’ve been long overdue for another computer anyway. What do you recommend in the way of a desktop with photo uploading and editing in mind. I’m not a professional. Still got a lot to learn. I just went from a Nikon D50 which I loved to a Nikon D500 (I’m not sure if this information is even pertinent to my question), but I’d like to use Lightroom and just user-friendly programs to edit my photos. I appreciate any input you are able to provide.

TIA


My grandson just rebuilt my desktop which he originally built 9 years ago. The new upgrades include Win 10, Intel i7 processor, 32 gb of ram, new motherboard. Works very well for processing photos with LR, PSE and Irfanview. Handles very large files with ease. All other components were reused from the first build. Upgrades only cost $700. I hope to get another 9 years out of that. Then it will be interesting to see who outlives whom!

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Mar 3, 2019 14:47:02   #
dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia
 
Petewyck wrote:
My desktop just died. I’ve been long overdue for another computer anyway. What do you recommend in the way of a desktop with photo uploading and editing in mind. I’m not a professional. Still got a lot to learn. I just went from a Nikon D50 which I loved to a Nikon D500 (I’m not sure if this information is even pertinent to my question), but I’d like to use Lightroom and just user-friendly programs to edit my photos. I appreciate any input you are able to provide.

TIA


It would helo to know:

What OS you are used to: Windows, Apple, Linux, etc...

What kind of budget you have

What monitor you have now (you may or may not need a new one)

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Mar 3, 2019 19:05:44   #
Petewyck
 
Thank you all for the feedback. I’ve used nothing but Windows, ever, and it never occurred to me to look beyond Windows, until Linux was mentioned here, so I’ve been researching that and from everything I’ve read so far, Linux doesn’t sound like a bad way to go. In fact, I’m seriously considering it, but I need to know what questions to ask.

I’m looking to spend about 1,000 for a new desktop tower, so money is a factor in my decision, but I figure that should be enough to get me a decent system, considering my skill level - rookie.

I’m certainly not looking to make money off my photos, just enhancing and sharing the ones I do take. I enjoy the editing process as well.

Once again, thanks

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Mar 3, 2019 23:19:46   #
JD750 Loc: SoCal
 
Petewyck wrote:
Thank you all for the feedback. I’ve used nothing but Windows, ever, and it never occurred to me to look beyond Windows, until Linux was mentioned here, so I’ve been researching that and from everything I’ve read so far, Linux doesn’t sound like a bad way to go. In fact, I’m seriously considering it, but I need to know what questions to ask.

I’m looking to spend about 1,000 for a new desktop tower, so money is a factor in my decision, but I figure that should be enough to get me a decent system, considering my skill level - rookie.

I’m certainly not looking to make money off my photos, just enhancing and sharing the ones I do take. I enjoy the editing process as well.

Once again, thanks
Thank you all for the feedback. I’ve used nothing ... (show quote)


If you are skilled in the software aspect of computer tech, and you are comfortable downloading and compiling your own software, then Linux could be a good choice. But as far as I know there is no way to run Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, on Linux. Well maybe you could run a virtual machine on Linux and run the software under that. It might work.

But, if Windows is all you have ever used, and if you are considering changing to another OS, be sure to go to a store and try it out before you leap.

If you want a Windows computer and $1000 is the budget, that's probably doable. But as mentioned above, the monitor is an important part of a photography system. Regardless of what monitor you end up with, I recommend you consider buying and regularly using, a calibration tool.

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Mar 4, 2019 07:00:04   #
mborn Loc: Massachusetts
 
After reviewing recommendations got to a site where you can customize your tower such as dell or find someone to build it for you

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Mar 4, 2019 07:13:24   #
motorman Loc: greenville nc
 
Compare price and specs with tigerdirect. I have purchased many components thru this source and have had very good luck.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=114

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Mar 4, 2019 08:38:17   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
I like the Dell XPS 8xxx series of desktops. An SSD as your C drive can hold the OS and programs and work very quickly. A second large hard drive of 3 - 4 TB can hold all your data.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-desktop-computers/sc/desktops/xps-desktops

Memory -
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-much-ram-does-your-p
c-need-probably-less-than-you-think/
http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-much-ram-does-your-pc-need/

Processor -
http://gizmodo.com/dont-waste-money-on-intels-top-processor-1791426602
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404674,00.asp
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/intel-core-i9-vs-i7-vs-i5-cpu/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/core-i5-vs-i7
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/210703-intel-core-i5-vs-core-i7-which-processor-should-you-buy

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Mar 4, 2019 08:50:57   #
Petewyck
 
JD750 wrote:
there is no way to run Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, on Linux.


That’s a deal breaker. That’s also the kind of info I’m looking for.

Reply
Mar 4, 2019 08:54:48   #
Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
 
Petewyck wrote:
My desktop just died. TIA


Any sign it was failing? Did you lose anything?

Failing that, with the exception of the monitor, you should be looking at a 'game' type machine. They have fast graphics processing and normally lots of processor and RAM 'snort'. Lean towards an M.2 PCIe SSD for OS and apps, and a mechanical HDD for data storage. Backup, too.

This has been discussed a few times on UHH, search.

The monitor has also been discussed.

Depending on your finances, it is not advisable to just replace the component that failed. Start with a new build; after a decade, the hardware is functionally obsolete.

My son is putting together a new build for my grandson's grandmother and was wondering if I had any spare 5" fans... I searched and found 6 of them... three had Molex power connectors; they almost belong in a museum. I have his 'parts list' and I'll see if I can dig it up. Cost approx $1100 CAN.

Choose your OS as required.

Dik

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Mar 4, 2019 08:56:11   #
kubota king Loc: NW , Pa.
 
Petewyck wrote:
Thank you all for the feedback. I’ve used nothing but Windows, ever, and it never occurred to me to look beyond Windows, until Linux was mentioned here, so I’ve been researching that and from everything I’ve read so far, Linux doesn’t sound like a bad way to go. In fact, I’m seriously considering it, but I need to know what questions to ask.

I’m looking to spend about 1,000 for a new desktop tower, so money is a factor in my decision, but I figure that should be enough to get me a decent system, considering my skill level - rookie.

I’m certainly not looking to make money off my photos, just enhancing and sharing the ones I do take. I enjoy the editing process as well.

Once again, thanks
Thank you all for the feedback. I’ve used nothing ... (show quote)


Hi , if you want to try a linux system you can do so without having to install it . Most linux systems will let you use a live version you can install on a usb flash drive to test it out and see what it is all about . Since you have a windows computer , you can download the free program called Rufus which will allow you to install any operating system or just to try the live version of linux out on a flash drive . If you decide you want to try a linux system , I recommend what I use , Linux Mint 19.1 "Tessa" - Cinnamon . Yes , installing a virtualbox on mint would allow you to install windows 7-8-10 which will run PS - Lightroom which I dont use - etc. Linux does use less resources , but it would still be better on a fast computer . Using a virtualbox to run windows does have a small draw back if your computer doesn't have the proper hardware and knowledge to set up virtualbox to use a 2nd graphic card to get the full usage of a program like Photoshop . I have Linux mint installed and windows 7 home pro installed thru virtualbox . I am running PS 2019 on this windows 7 . Being PS is installed on this virtual machine , the accelerated graphics is grayed out , all else works . But this is not my main computer for running programs like Photoshop and many more photo programs . I use my super computer I built to do that running widows 10 version 1803 , I don't let the 1809 version install . I use my linux Mint computer for web searching and downloading running with a VPN service installed . Any other questions , just ask .Tommy

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Mar 4, 2019 09:04:25   #
Dikdik Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
 
kubota king wrote:
use a 2nd graphic card to get the full usage of a program like Photoshop .


Unless you are into real 'heavy' graphics, I'd avoid using a second graphics card. They are a pricey addition. My 2080Ti handles anything I can throw at it. You likely don't need a 1ms refresh rate for your monitor, either.

Dik

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