Computer power/monitors

I have an old Gateway desktop PC that needs upgrading. I'm curious as to what most of you find necessary/desirable with CS3/lightroom, etc. Just received a sale catalog from Dell and I'm considering a Vostro 400 mini tower with Windows XP Home, 2 GB Dual Channel SDRAM, a 250 GB SATA hard drive, and 16x DVD+/-RW drive and a 22" widescreen flat--panel display for $699.

Question 1: How does that compare with what you use?

Question 2: What monitor do you prefer? Do the widescreen monitors distort (flaten) digital images? My current little 17" LG monitor has great color and is nearly square. So some monitors have better (more accurate color)? I realize calibration is a factor here.

Thanks for your help.

roger

Roger,
I have a home made PC running an Intel E8400 Core Duo @ 4Ghz.
4 GB DDR2@1066Mhz
2 8800GTS with 640 MB DDR3 each running SLI
1 SATA CD/DVD
1 Raptor Hard Drive running system and Photoshop
1 Raptor Hard Drive running scratch and cache
1 GB internal storage
3 GB external.

I use a Dell 3007-HC 30" Flat Panel. I love it!

Make sure the monitor has at least 178 degree viewing angle.

James

Thanks, James, for taking the time to respond to my question. The system you describe appears to be far more powerful (if that's the term) and expensive than the small business system I'm considering. I had hoped for a range of responses, to give me an better idea of the system capability that works well for image processing by an "advanced amature" while staying within the means of my pocketbook.

Roger,

That looks good but is a little shy on disk space. Depending on the case, you might be able to add a second drive if/when you require it. You could aloways replace that drive with a larger one. The one thing you forgot to mention is processor speed. A core 2 duo would be best but others work well.

That monitor is fine. I have no problems with my wide screen. Calibration is a must.

Thanks, Bob. Just ordered a system from Dell. They recommend a slightly different configuration from my original post for not much more money. It has the Intel Core2 processor you recommended plus 3GB DDR2 SCRAM and a 500GB Serial ATA II hard drive. Should be quite a change from my current system having a 20GB hard drive, 256 MB of memory, no high speed USB ports or dvd capability.

Roger, that upgrade should make for a nice system. Good luck

Should be a great upgrade Roger I am sure you willl enjoy it!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by James Shadle

Roger,
1 GB internal storage
3 GB external.

James

---

I think James means TB instead of GB :)
Robert

Thanks to all for your helpful comments/suggestions.