Thoughts on a computer for school.

[kaisamoht]

Been trying to build a computer for back to school. Gonna be a college student going for a Graphic Design major. Going to be able to get CS5 cheap through my school, and was looking a for a desktop that would run it well and last me a good couple years, and be able to run CS5 for upwards of hours at a time. lol. Wanting a prebuilt rig that can have wireless and aN HDMI port.

Here's a computer off newegg I was looking at...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883147177

Thoughts? suggestions? All would be greatly appreciated.

[Princemercury]

This is probably a better choice.

You may even qualify for the academic discount as well.

Edit: Sorry, I'll break it down a little more...

Processor is more suited for design from the triple pipe memory. Something the i7 8xx does not have...

You get a Flat screen with this one.

Gx300x > 5770.

HD is a little smaller, but they're a dime a dozen today.

[kaisamoht]

Hmm will have to look into those, dont need a monitor cuz I can hook it up to my HDTV.

[Princemercury]

Ah, gotcha. Check with your school, most of them offer 10% off.

[kaisamoht]

Mmk ty lol, Dunno if my school has that but I am able to get CS5 through them for (IMO) zomg cheap. I think CS5 is like 600-800$ last I saw and can get through my school for $199.99, and getting money through fafsa to cover things like that and my books lol.

Edit: Yay Ivy Tech....

[Princemercury]

Could always pirate it like everyone else lol.

Forgot to mention you could just sell the screen since most of them come with one =P.

[Isiolia]

First thing to check, if you haven't, is whether or not the program that you are doing has a requirement for a particular platform/etc. As a graphic design student, I was required to buy a Powerbook, for example. Not all programs will have a strict requirement, but some do, and it'd be best to know before spending serious money.

Second, why prebuilt? Warranty concerns? Never built a PC?

As an aside - wireless is easily added later, whether via an internal card or a USB dongle. I wouldn't be too concerned with it coming built-in.
Are you wanting HDMI for any particular reason? For video only, DVI can easily be converted over to HDMI - it's pin-compatible, though HDMI is a more capable interface (but mostly in terms of content control n' such).

The machine you linked to isn't bad, but it's not really that special a deal either.

[Isiolia]

Also, if you're buying a monitor, buy a good one, not the shitty TN panels they'd be tossing in.

[Princemercury]

Ivy Tech SW gives a $150ish discount.

[kaisamoht]

I dont think my college (ivy tech) is too strict on what computer i have for work seeing as most work is done in class on Imacs. I just prefer PC's and would like to do alot of my projects at home instead of having to stay after class working on them. Wanted this to last me at least a cpl years maybe, at least till i graduate in 2 yrs lol.

Yes, never built my own pc. I know how to do simple things like interchanging RAM, HDD, GPU, PSU, and things like that. Just not too confident on wiring/installing CPU's/MOBO's.

HDMI to HDMI isn't required. DVI to HDMI would be fine as well its just the only monitor I have would be my 24" Vizio 1080p HDTV, which has 2 HDMI ports on it.
Thanks for the tips! ^_^

[kaisamoht]

Ivy Tech SW gives a $150ish discount.

Oh really? cool I'll need to check that out.

[kaisamoht]

Also, wondering if this system (see OP for link) be sufficient for 11/14 playability as well, cuz I mainly want to use this for school but being able to play those two games on it as well would be pretty.

[kaisamoht]

So been talking it over with the fam, and decided to go with a higher end for a higher cost. Here's the components I've settled on, if anything is incompatible I'm open to suggestions.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/M...px?ID=15081786

Can probably get Win7 through my school bookstore for cheap, along with CS5.