New PC for CS2 - Help?

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.
The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

Thanks,

Lynn
www.herrick-photo.co.uk

"Lynn" wrote in message

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.
The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

Thanks,

Lynn
www.herrick-photo.co.uk

DO NOT buy Dell.

A dual core processor is worth having because CS2 will use it. Photoshop is very memory (RAM) hungry so i'd get 2Gb if possible. Graphics card is not quite so important with still images, most modern ones are more than capable of running Photoshop, but I'd get the best you can afford if only to be able work with Vista (256Mb)

And of course you'll need a large HD to store all those pics on...

"Lynn" wrote in message

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.
The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

Thanks,

Lynn
www.herrick-photo.co.uk

Why not?? - I know of at least three people with them and with no problems...

"Rudy Benner" wrote in message

"Lynn" wrote in message

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.
The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

Thanks,

Lynn
www.herrick-photo.co.uk

DO NOT buy Dell.

By all means then, buy a Dell.

"Kevin C" wrote in message

Why not?? - I know of at least three people with them and with no problems...

"Rudy Benner" wrote in message

"Lynn" wrote in message

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.
The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

Thanks,

Lynn
www.herrick-photo.co.uk

DO NOT buy Dell.

Rudy Benner

DO NOT buy Dell.

Kevin C

Why not??

Rudy Benner
By all means then, buy a Dell.

Idiot:-(

Dave

On Sat, 17 Feb 2007 16:29:59 -0000, "Kevin C"
wrote:

Why not?? - I know of at least three people with them and with no problems...

"Rudy Benner" wrote in message

"Lynn" wrote in message

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.
The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

Thanks,

Lynn
www.herrick-photo.co.uk

DO NOT buy Dell.

Yes, Kevin, definitely buy a Dell. For the money, they are the best computers on the planet. I have bought 4 Dells over the years (all 4 are still operating perfectly), and I have talked 15 other people into buying a Dell. They all have been very happy with them, as have I.
If you ever see a computer in a movie or on TV, it's usually a Dell or a MAC. Most offices that I've been to use Dells. In my own estimation and experience, I'd say it's because Dells last a long time, perform well, and offer excellent support, all at a reasonable cost.
Anyway, whatever you do decide on, good luck!

Talker

"Rudy Benner" wrote in message

"Lynn" wrote in message

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.
The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

Thanks,

Lynn
www.herrick-photo.co.uk

DO NOT buy Dell.

my comp guy always built to order for me
this time recommended a DELL!!
he said buy a server comp and add your own hard drives and vid cards etc

it seemed more trouble and I decided to get a retail comp at good sale prices!~!
IF YOU GET A DELL
be warned the hard drives are cheapos and WILL DIE after 2 years (mine lasted 2 years and one month before starting to grind)(also had to replace fan and power supply-normal for my usage with other comps)

rest of the machine is tops

the cases are very tight-important to me as I got lot of cat hair over here!!
it stays very clean inside and not hot despite lack of extra cooling if you go DELL strip it when you get it
that is uninstall all the Dell pre loaded software
this will cause you no end of troubles

re format and load a clean windows install and only add what you need do not use Dell service tech for software advice they will tell you to re-format every time

I also heard the refurbished models are an excellent bargain, he has purchased a bunch without incident

in general buy as much and (fast type) hard drive space as you can afford you need at least 2
decent speed in processor (3.0 or upwards) I think Pentium is better but I have had Athlon and it was good too (a bit hotter)
good but not hi end vid card unless you game, do other 3d apps or watch TV use dual monitors etc

there are newer faster duo processors if you can afford them fast drives and scsi options

it depends how big your image files are, how many layers you like to use, and how slow is your current machine?

I find the PS photo processor to be much slower than Windows built in one PS takes like forever to make thumbnails and show you images

Yes, Kevin, definitely buy a Dell. For the money, they are the best computers on the planet. I have bought 4 Dells over the years (all 4 are still operating perfectly), and I have talked 15 other people into buying a Dell. They all have been very happy with them, as have I.
If you ever see a computer in a movie or on TV, it's usually a Dell or a MAC. Most offices that I've been to use Dells. In my own estimation and experience, I'd say it's because Dells last a long time, perform well, and offer excellent support, all at a reasonable cost.
Anyway, whatever you do decide on, good luck!

Talker

and I agree. I used Dell notebooks for quite a few years in office and they are in the top ranks. Furthermore, (in South Africa) their service is tops as well

Dave

..

The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

I suggest getting a system having a 64-bit CPU (the fastest you can afford), motherboard capable of expanding to at least 4 GB of DDR2 ram, and having Windows Vista loaded. The CPU and ram requirements should allow you to expand your new system to meet the needs of many applications just now coming to market. I don't have Vista, but I do realize support will dry up for XP much sooner than the support for Vista. Regardless, just make sure there are drivers available for your exisiting periphs., otherwise it can get pretty expensive.

In article ,
"Lynn" wrote:

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.

If you want to build a high-performance Photoshop machine, I'd recommend a Mac Pro. Two dual-core 64-bit Xeon processors, high-speed DDR2 FB-DIMMs, and outstanding overall performance. You can run Mac or PC software on it.

--
Photography, kink, polyamory, shareware, and more: all at http://www.xeromag.com/franklin.html

Lynn wrote:

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.
The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

Thanks,

Lynn
www.herrick-photo.co.uk

Old computers do tend to suffer, not just because they are inherently slower, but also because the operating system simply hasn't been re-installed lately. You might well find, that if you could do a complete re-install the machine would perform much better. Of course make sure everything is backed up well first.

Having said that CS2 is a hungry beastie, and as others here have said you'll want good dual core CPU (AMD or Intel), 2-4Gb memory, and fast hard disks.

In fact if you go to a PC supplier and state that what you want is a machine capable of running CS2 well, then if it doesn't you are fully entitled to take the machine back and say "it's not fit for purpose". Make sure you're requirements are well specified up front.

Duncan

"Lynn" wrote in message

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.
The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

Any general purpose new system with 1 gig or more of memory will run Photoshop very well. Memory is usually the single most important variable for performance. 2 gig of memory is better still, and CS2 will use up to 3 gig effectively under XP or Vista, if the /3gb switch is specified at boot time.

After memory, a faster CPU and disk. A 7200 rpm drive - either EIDE or SATA will provide a noticeable boost in performance, as will a RAID configuration. Video acceleration is generally not important for Photoshop. --
Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com/forum/

Such a blanket statement about Dell is specious at best. I do a lot of work with Photoshop CS2 and am in the process of upgrading my notebook, which I use a lot as I'm traveling much of the time. The proper response to such a question should have been one dealing with specs as opposed to manufacturer. Granted, certain manufacturers have varying reputations in terms of warranty, support etc. BUT...generally speaking, this is my response:

Specs of particular concern:
1) processor that is 2Ghz duo core
2) At least 2GB of RAM (very important with PSCS2)...more RAM if you can afford it...if not, and you want to add RAM in the future, make sure you can add more RAM.
3) The best monitor you can afford in terms of resolution and color display. Bigger is better as well.
4) Hard drive size depends on your use. I save most of my photos on an external drive and use my computer drive as a "working drive"...so I don't need a massive hard drive. However, drives have different speeds in terms of accessing data. Go for one with a higher speed..but it's not as critical an issue as items 1-3

If price is a concern...don't skimp on the RAM...cut back somewhere else.

There are other considerations as well...but the above are critical IMHO. I would suggest you go to any number of consumer help sites (or dealers that handle a variety of brands/systems) and use their "self help" on-line programs to explain all of the variations and related costs...and recommendations.

For what it's worth...after doing a lot of research prior to replacing my existing laptop, I am probably going to purchase a Dell computer. I do NOT want Vista as an operating system (long story...but the result of a lot of research as it relates to my specific needs and concerns...I'm going to go with XP Pro again). My desire to avoid Vista necessarily limits me as most new laptops are coming out with Vista. However, Dell offers XP Pro as an OS and has the specs available that I need. If you want a print out of what I'm getting (the specs), email me privately (
(drop the 123 in the email address...it's been added to avoid spam).

I have a digital photography business and do a lot of photo work.

Regards
Barry

"Rudy Benner" wrote in message

"Lynn" wrote in message

Hi, I am a photographer about to get a new PC and would love to have some idea on what to look for to run CS2 as quickly and efficiently as possible.
It's currently taking ages to even load my photos on my old PC and so I am hoping to increase my speed and performance.
The only posts I can find about this tend to be 4 or 5 years old, so I'm hoping someone can help me with what I should look for today for optimum speed, graphics etc. so that I can go to Dell or similar and order. Any and all help is really appreciated!

Thanks,

Lynn
www.herrick-photo.co.uk

DO NOT buy Dell.