getting a new pc...8GB DDR2 vs. 4GB DDR3...HP? Dell? Gateway? DECISIONS!

[burrowsfan]

Hey guys,

I am about to buy a new PC for video/photo editing purposes (Adobe CS4 Master Suite). I am just confused on what route to go. I am on a budget of around 1100 bucks. I dont want to build one for I jut get pushed over the edge during that process lol. Some say Dells are good (never had one) I see HP's in my price range that have 8GB of DDR2 ram (sounded tempting) but then I hear go with the Dell XPS Studio.

Decisions decisions!

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

[cL0N31]

i'd choose ddr3 over ddr2... amount of ram can be added later, but mobo practically is not replaceable... dunno about desktops, but i'd never purchase a notebook or a printer from hp: unreliability is often an issue... dell is good and also cheap... the cheapest and the best way to go is whitebox

[lordsmurf]

Dell laptops overheat. I wouldn't use one if I got it for free. I'd eBay it and buy something better.

I'd highly suggest an HP. I use a pair of them myself, dual-cores, running CS3 daily for many hours per day. Great machines to grab and go on-site to edit, when needed.

Sony, Toshiba and Apple are all second choices.

DDR2 vs DDR3 won't matter at all, bottleneck will be in hard drive and CPU. Just pack it full of RAM, at least 4GB or more.

CS4 is a bitch on resources. Nothing I have (yet) can run it worthwhile. I'm getting a new micro-desktop soon, 6GB RAM and quad-core, so hopefully I can run CS4 finally.

[budz]

IMHO building your own computer would be the best. Here's a setup for you for $1100.00:

Intel Q9550 cpu, $274.99 FREE SHIPPING
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

Gigabyte P45-UD3L mobo, $93.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372

(2) Mushkin 4gb (2x2gb) ddr2-1066 ram which is a total of 8gb ram,FREE SHIPPING & $5.00 mail in rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146785

(2)Pioneer 216 SATA DVD Burner, $24.99 each
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129032

Cooler Master 590 case, $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119152

Corsair 520hx power supply, $89.99 ($20.00 mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004

(2)Western Digital Black 640gb Sata hard drive, $79.99 each FREE SHIPPING
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Seagate 80gb SATA hard drive, $34.99 (For Operating System)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148231

HIS ATI HD 4670 video card, $79.99 ($10.00 mail in rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161252

MS Vista Home Premium, 32-bit OEM, $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116485

(2) Scythe S-Flex F fan, $13.99 each
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185006

Subtotal $1049.86
3 day UPS shipping $23.32
Total $1073.18
Total after mail in rebates $1048.18