I want to know what you think would be a great build for a photo editing pc. must have a usb 3.0 port The budget is £700 and no screen or peripherals needed. Processor: Motherboard: RAM: Case: HD/SSD: Coolers: And a brief description on why. Thanks!
First, this should be in the hardware section, but here you go anyway: http://www.scan.co.uk/savedbasket/d5d8f81d691d46debd22aa1a1e18c7a0 £20 over budget, you get a wonderfully capable, small sized PC. And make 3 more posts here and you'll get free shipping from Scan, have a look in their section on this forum.
Well, assuming you're using Photoshop, Lightroom, GiMP or something similar, the parts KidMod picked out will work well. Lots of RAM and disk space for large image files, SSD as either a primary (operating system) or scratch disk and a case to stop the cat using the parts as an expensive bed. The only thing I'd add is that if you're not using a tablet, then a mouse with on-the-fly DPI adjustment is great for detail work (should you not already have one.)
Based on my experience, lots of RAM and an SSD HDD, even if the drive is smaller capacity, you should be storing your files off-system anyway.
You could quite happily get a £80 motherboard instead although you can only get ATX form at that price. http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/motherboards/2011/10/11/gigabyte-ga-z68ap-d3-review/7 More money to spend on the screen/camera then.
Get lots of RAM. Then, get some more. And when you think you have enough, get 1 or 2GB more. And then add an extra GB or two for good measure.
Don't forget to budget for one of these. You can't properly edit images with a mouse. No finesse, no pressure sensitivity. Any reasonably powerful CPU will do, but if you are working with truly massive files, like 1200DPI scans from 5x4 film, then a gulftown or SB-E rig would be of use to you. Otherwise, the above recommended i7-2500K will be ideal, especially if overclocked. I'd say 16GB minimum for serious work. A SSD for a scratch disk would be nice, but unless you are working on massive files, having 16GB or more will mean your scratch disk usage is usually pretty low anyway. No need for a powerful GPU unless you want to game on the machine as well, but if you have a 2560x1600 screen, or maybe more than one, video memory is crucial. You don't mention what monitor you have, but if it's 1920x1200 or higher then at least 1GB of VRAM will make things smoother. If your res is lower than that, then any recent low to mid range card will do just fine. If you are less than 1920x1080 can I suggest you also need to upgrade your screen if you're serious.
Speaking of Wacom, today I will be mostly using the Bamboo because I couldn't convince work to buy me a Cintiq.
Cintiq's a gimmick. You wouldn't ever really want to work on a screen so small would you? Pointless... a large Intuos would be better, and cheaper.
Sorry Pook but I heartily disagree - it's akin to saying you can't take proper pictures with a crop sensor camera, which you know only too well is nonsense. I bought an Intuos3 A4 because somebody said what you said - it's the "best" for X, Y, Z application - and eventually sold it because I HATED using it in Photoshop; it felt very unnatural and I found that I was a lot more productive with a mouse, especially over two monitors and using several different applications at the same time. IMO a tablet cannot be beaten when it comes to actual drawing and the like, but for image editing/general post processing, it's personal preference.
It should be noted that there is a small difference between adjusting the sliders in in the Levels and crop tools, and using a tablet to "draw" on the image (e.g. selective burning/dodging, painting, selecting). I don't think Myriagon ever indicated the type or quantity of image processing he or she intends to do. If all you're doing is cropping, slight levels adjustment, and running the sharpening filter, then perhaps LennyRys is right in that you don't really need a tablet. If you plan to do more intensive manipulation, then perhaps Pook is correct that a tablet is a better option. I split the difference and use both.
It's nothing like the same. With a crop sensor camera, you perform the same action, in the same way as you would with a full frame camera. With a pen and tablet you are DRAWING! You can't draw with a mouse. Obviously, we have different ideas of what image editing is. Dragging a slider, or clicking points with polygonal lasso tool or clone tool are one thing, but delicate airbrushing is impossible with a mouse if you want a high professional standard. It just is.
Although I agree in principle (I love my Wacom tablet for the capabilities it provides), I would argue that it's perfectly possible to draw using a mouse - it just requires a different technique. As much as I love my tablet, I've seen some pretty impressive drawings done entirely with a mouse.
I have to say the asus maximus seems to be not what you would want better to get a much much cheaper motherboard and increase ur ram a lot i think ?
I have a hp2009v screen. its 1600x900 I forgot to mention that i dont need a case. I like kid-mods suggestions. Thats a pretty good build for the price. I'm impressed. Im glad i didnt just go ahead and do it. I would have bought an expensive graphics card too thinking they were interconnected. And to solve conflict. I prefer a mouse. Im using Lightroom 4 beta
