EggXpert

Hello, and thank you in advance for any help.

 I am searching for a good pre-built computer for programming (I am a programmer and a photographer, but I am all thumbs with hardware).  I was looking at the HP Pavillion  M9080N here at NewEgg, and it looks good, but if there is anything less expensive, and with a bit faster hard drive (10,000), that would be even better.

I program mostly in Visual Studio professional (2008), and my OS is Vista Business.  I use SQL Server locally for development purposes.  I also use Adobe Photoshop CS3 and other Adobe products for photography. 

In the Visual Studio blogs, they recommend HD of 10,000 rpm, and this model has 7200rpm drives. 

 

I see that this site uses ASPX pages...Good job!

 

Regards,

 

Paolo

Not so much different between the 7200rpm and the 10k rpm HDD, but however there is big different between the 10k vs. 15k HDD http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/10/sas_hard_drives/.  Here is the HDD performance http://www23.tomshardware.com/storage.html.  I mean hard drive does improved the performance, but the most important for Adobe type applications would be the processor.  Get a better cpu would benefit on saving time. http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=871&model2=882&chart=438.

I don't think you would really notice a huge difference between a 10k or a 7.2k hdd.  Honestly, in your case its not worth the price difference.  The 10K drives are very popular with gamers though.
 

You should get something with around 2 gigs of RAM or more, but honestly, 2 gigs will do you just fine.  You should get a video card, but nothing special.  This is just useful for your photoshop needs.

 

You should also get something with a decent processor.  I recommend that you go core 2 duo, and get at least the e6600 processor.  Its powerful and will meet your needs.

 

I don't know how large your programs are, but I know that compiling is mostly processing and RAM oriented which is what you want your focus on.  I really don't see what you need such a fast HDD for.

 

If you know how to build it yourself, save yourself some cash and do that, trust me its worth it.  if you don't know, then you can look it up, its very easy to learn.  If you must get a prebuilt one search for prebuilt ones with stats such as above 

That Hp pavillion is a rip off

heres a build for with better parts and cheaper than the hp pav

		SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM Item #: N82E16827151153 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy		$33.99
		COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811119137 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy		$79.99
		Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Item #: N82E16822136073 Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $29.992 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99		$209.98 ($104.99 each)
		EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail Item #: N82E16814130085 Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $29.992 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99	$15.00 Mail-in Rebate	$109.99
		PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power Supply - Retail Item #: N82E16817703005 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $29.992 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.99	-$80.00 Instant	$199.99 $119.99
		Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA804 - Retail Item #: N82E16820146565 Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $14.992 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $19.99	-$5.00 Instant $40.00 Mail-in Rebate	$189.98 $179.98 ($89.99 each)
		GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail Item #: N82E16813128059 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $14.992 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $19.99		$93.99
		Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80562Q6600 - Retail Item #: N82E16819115017 Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy Select An Optional Extended Warranty Plan 1 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $39.992 Year Service Net Replacement Plan -- $59.99		$279.99
		Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM Item #: N82E16832116215 Return Policy: Software Return Policy	-$10.00 Instant	$189.99 $179.99
Subtotal:				$1,287.89

 

 

I didn't include a stronger video card because you didn't say your a gamer, 8600gt will be more than enough for photoshop, I use photoshop on my pc which has onboard video and it runs with smooth.

Yup, 8800GT is quite decent video card.. no problem with PhotoShop, and it supports with most games.