Thinking of getting a new PC...

[vitualis]

Good day all.

I'm considering of buying a new PC fairly shortly. I'm currently using a P3 1 GHz laptop with 256 MB Ram.

Apart from Office type programs and internet, the only other thing I mainly use my computer for is digital photography... and my current laptop is slow (converting RAW images is painful , doesn't have enough RAM (editing large 16-bit/channel TIFFs with Photoshop is horrendous) and LCD screens are a colour matching PITA....

I don't really play any 3D games anymore and sound is not important for me. I already have some peripherals that I will attach to the new machine (e.g., printer/scanner, DVD burner, keyboard, mouse, etc.).

If possible, I want to keep the new system under $AU 1000.

I'm currently thinking of this: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5111676539&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

... and probably buying a new or second hand 17" or 19" flatscreen CRT.

Questions:
Are there any problems with those system specs that I should be aware of? Is the mobo reasonable or crappy?

Considering that the vast majority of my work will be in 2D land only, is the on-board video card okay? Will I actually gain anything by getting a lower end video card as well?

The only thing that this system doesn't have that I would probably want is integrated firewire. Is there another mobo that is worth considering OVER simply getting a firewire PCI card which are cheap?

Should I be looking at something else completely??

Best regards.

[Faustus]

To build you own is always the best choice.

However there is nothing wrong with the one you listed. BUT onboard video is usually pretty weak, you would be better off upgrading it the next time something decent is on sale.

On the firewire card make sure you get one with a power port on it so that the ports are properly powered (the PCI bus doesn't contain enough) and you'll be fine.