Looking for "builds"

[Rocfrog]

Ok we are in the market for a new PC for me at work...Current one is SUPER slow....

So I haven't researched/built a computer in probably about 10yrs so I'm WAY outta the tech loop. I've seen a few builds but most are geared for gaming or just the average person, I wanna see what kind of builds ScreenPrinters have. I saw Brandt's "dream" build the other day and my boss thinks that we will never touch 64GB of RAM and thinks it's unnecessary......

Here is the current machine, let me know what you think and what we should do.....

System   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Manufacturer Dell Inc. 
  Model Precision WorkStation 690 
  Total amount of system memory 6.00 GB RAM
  System type 64-bit operating system
  Number of processor cores 4
 
Storage   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Total size of hard disk(s) 149 GB
  Disk partition (C:) 66 GB Free (149 GB Total)
  Media drive (E:) CD/DVD
 
Graphics   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Display adapter type NVIDIA Quadro NVS 285
  Total available graphics memory 2159 MB
        Dedicated graphics memory 128 MB
        Dedicated system memory 0 MB
        Shared system memory 2031 MB
  Display adapter driver version 8.17.12.5896
  Secondary monitor resolution 1280x1024
  Primary monitor resolution 1280x1024
  DirectX version DirectX 9.0 or better
 
Network   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Network Adapter Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controller
 


Nick

[Gilligan]

i7 (wife has a six core AMD and it's nice, but if you aren't opposed to dropping the coin, i7 is the way to go).
16 gigs of ram is probably plenty and you better be using 64 bit apps... CS5 illustrator is 32 bit and won't see past 4gigs even in an 64 bit OS.
SSD hard drive for OS and programs (120 is probably enough 200+ is PLENTY).
Put whatever you want as your storage drive.

Windows 7 NOT 8 and if you currently have Vista, THAT could be your current problem!

[Admiral]

go with 16GB of ram

64 bit OS

intel i7 or i5 depending on budget

Windows 7 Pro

It's basically what this computer I'm using now is and I built it for about $750.

It is very fast and can run all kinds of programs at once.  I often have AI, tajima Pulse software, 10-20 Chrome windows, spotify, and a couple other programs open at once.

No slow downs ever, if I was using photoshop all out I would probably be fine too. 

[ebscreen]

I think main problem is that Dell word.

But my gawd, my folks just got new comps and they had Windows 8 installed.
Easily the worst OS I've ever seen. Makes those one button Mac mouses look like CRAYS.

[Doug S]

Also, make the the motherboard has true 3.0 sata ports.

[Rocfrog]

Guess I should have provided some software/program details as well.....

Windows 7 PRO

Illustrator CS5.1
Photoshop CS5
Office '07
CorelDRAW X5
FastManager
Wasatch SoftRIP version 7.0

these a a web-browser is basically what I run all day everyday and are always open.

Nick

[Gilligan]

You really don't need more than 4 gigs of ram then really.  Obviously I wouldn't suggest it, but your bottle neck is still the CS 5.  PS is 64bit but not Illy.

Oh, yes, like Shirt Shack said, 6gb SATA ports, but most do now a days.  I'd suggest USB 3 as well... most have it and "it's the future."

I agree EB, I'd take a "super mouse" over Win 8.  We have it on a laptop just for the sake of keeping up with the times as an IT consultant... but man, do we hate it!  To be fair though... ME and Vista was worse.

[Rocfrog]

Humm....so maybe if we just do a software upgrade it'll help!?

I work 95% in Illustrator and it lags the most when opening a file or saving or closing a file, only time I have any lags while designing is if it's a large file with many components. But this problem is in both photoshop and illustrator and only somewhat in Corel.

Nick

[Gilligan]

SSD system drive or just a 2nd hard drive for your "scratch disks" might help.

I don't think your issues are related to 64 bit, but it would work faster in 64 bit on multiple levels.

My wife is still working in CS 5 on her system with 16 gigs of ram.  It still cries from time to time, but mostly because she is sloppy and leaves too many things opened.