Desktop PC choice
I'd get more memory if you can, although 8Gb is a decent amount 16Gb gives you much more breathing room when using image editing programs working an raw files. Especially when the the trend is for bigger files with each generation of camera..
I use Mac's rather than PCs but the only advice hold true for both.
cheers
Andy
APSC: K3, K5, DA*50-135, DA*300, Sigma 17-50, Sigma 10-20, 18-55mm, DA 55-300mm, DA35, 1.4TC
4/3: Q10, Q, 01, 02, 06
Fuji XT1, XF18-55, XF27
the only downside is if you cant manage to build it...
for desktops I usually go for AMD CPU's never had one fail & you seem to get a bit more for your money than you do for an Intel.
So go for the AMD, add some more RAM and go for a 2Gb video card....
A lot depends on whether you want to overclock or not.
Personally I prefer not to and always use Intel. Are
AMD still being developed?
For editing Intels are faster than AMD's I bought an i5 4440 after
looking at this chart...... Most Intels were within
25-30 secs so very little return for more money and
twice as fast as an AMD - A10 6800K
Beware of CPU and memory benchmarks.... they mean little in the
real world.
This page tests some CPU's ....
http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/
A 64bit OS is probably an advantage. Memory speed isn't
too important as long as it's 1333MHz or higher. I use
8GB which seems OK. I can't see any difference running
at 1333 or 1866 which is the XMS profile.
Gigabyte boards seem to have a slight edge on the Asus boards
at present and it depends on what you need I needed rear
eSATA ports so I went with an older board Gigabyte z87x-ud4h
http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews/cpu_mainboard/gigabyte_z87x-ud4h_review/1
--
Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
Cheers.
Philip
Novatech are highly rated.
link
Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6, Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8
Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 WR, Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4.0-5.8
Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA 50mm f/1.8, Pentax D-FA 100MM f/2.8 Macro WR, Pentax DA*300mm f/4.0
It seems fast enough. I might try a card later for video.
USB3 is essential on a new board. Some USB3 flash drives can
read at over 200MB/s.
One tip about external backup drives.... try to standardise on the
power supply so that you don't need a different one for every
drive. Mine are mostly 12V 3 amp circular plus +ve centre.
--
Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
of Adobe stuff and 11 No. 1080p videos.......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiDlcU2VW54
It looks like at least a GeForce GT 640 would be needed to
show any improvement, but that means a big fan blocking off
some PCIE slots which can be used for other things such as
an IDE Card.
--
Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff
Algi
I used to have an i7 16gb ssd laptop and moved to an i5 8gig mac. When editing my club stuff usually 500 images the difference in time is around 10 mins and most of this time is on the export part. So don't worry about pc speed unless absolutely necessary.
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
I bought mine two years ago, mid range Lenovo from John Lewis (extended warranty included) for £699. Lots of new models come along around now. My son has just bought a Dell, my it is quick as it does have the SSD for programs and OS. He paid £1100 though.
Carl
Geoff
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163 posts
15 years
Leicester
While we'd all rather spend money on our cameras/lenses I am going to have to update my desktop soon.
Looking for home use on stills/raw processing. Mostly use Elements 12.
Choice seems to be between Intel i7 and AMD A10. The Intel machines seem to be £200+ more expensive.
Does anyone have real world experience of these processors (backed by 8 gig ram and a I gig graphics card)?
I know SSD drives are great but not many reasonable price machines include them so maybe that's a post purchase upgrade?
Thanks