Computer Help, desperate, questing for desktop?

Question

Hello, I'm going to be going shopping tomorrow for a desktop PC computer. I know a little about computers from growing up with a tech-savy dad. but...

I'm indecisive about which processor to get: i3, i5 or i7? 
I'm going to be getting it mainly for photoshop/lightroom, browsing the internet and some gaming. My current computer is a windows XP professional running OS windows 7. I can't play anything with a resolution over half-life and in order to deal with my gamer rage I'm thinking about buying the best I can. 

I don't know much about video-cards. I'd like something at least decent, the best I can buy. Photoshop needs to be as perfect as possible. When it comes to gaming I play a lot of fps and require pretty good graphics. If I get into video-editing or more serious about gaming I'd like the comp. to last me a few years.

I'm also open to information about brands, the best overall and specializes in (blank) ? 

What other properties are important when buying a computer? Can you tell me about the abbreviations and other things? What's multiple or single CPU's? LGA? etc.?
 
For example, I'm a professional photographer and here's how I'd tell you to buy a lens: the milimeters affect how much of your surroundings you can see. an 18mm is a wide angle so I can take one picture and get the whole room, whereas with a 200mm I'd be able to stand from here, and take a closeup of something very far away. if there's two mm numbers then it means its adjustable or a "zoom" lens and the numbers tell you how much you can zoom (with more info. I'd specialize to their area, 18-25 wide-angle for landscape, 70-130 for portrait, something with 300mm for bird-watchers) Megapixels is all hype, you can't get much bigger than a piece of 8" x 10" paper anyways. It determines how big your image is, how much "space" it takes up or how "heavy" the files are.) When it comes to f.1.8 or what not, thats what's called the f-stop that controls how much light is in and also controls depth of field or what's in focus. It's best to have a lower number here.  And voila I'd be comfortable sending you out to buy a lens. Probably ask you to check out specific features such as silent wave motor lenses (quiet autofocus!! :D) and definately make sure you have image stabilization. 

thank you so much for any help you can give me :) If you want to suggest a specific model, my budget is around $300-$750

MEElahi · Accepted Answer

1. Core i5 is good enough for almost any task.
2. 8GB of RAM is more than enough.
3. As a photographer you might want to look for a big hard drive.
4. Intel processors are plugged into sockets of mother board which are known by numbers such as LGA 775, 1155, 1156, 2011 etc. AMD uses a simpler approach.
5. Multiple processor is not used in normal consumer grade computers. On the other hand, multiple core is the standard. Desktop Core i5 processors are quad core.
6. Adobe is gradually integrating the usage of graphics card into its softwares, which speeds up their works significantly. It would be a good idea to get one.
7. A good graphics card might not be possible inside a budget of $750. Integrated graphics cards now a days a good enough for some games. CoD will run pretty good. Get a dedicated one later when you can.

Jus1oftheboys · Answer

Most processor are either Dual or Quad core any more. For running photo intense programs the more ram you can get the better. I would look for something with at least 8 gigs. Graphics can vary from mild to wild. However, if you're buy a HP or dell system chances are, you aren't going to get a very strong graphics card with it. I would just try to pick out a good system with either a i5 or i7 processor and look to buy a discreet graphics card afterwards. Most "hardware enthusiast" shop at Newegg. I good graphics card could run you somewhere between 150-200 dollars.

http://www.newegg.com/

? · Answer

There sorts of password in a operating laptop or computer.. the cmos passwords and abode windows passwords. cmos bios password are configured on bios itself... it really is a password being ask once you enter right into a cmos bios.. the different is startup password "cant bear in mind of the precise time period" it really is a passwor which i have self assurance you've been encountered... a password hazard-free practices configured also in cmos bios.. it really is password being ask earlier abode windows kind seems or earlier consumer login seems... the different is abode windows password, a password that helps you to in by potential of abode windows.... now the project is you cant kind on the keyboard... first examine if the keyboard is linked proper to the cpu... you could also borrow a keyboard and attempt it in you computer... this can artwork.. the different problem is you dont understand the password... 2 belongings you're able to do... take the cmos/bios battery out or configure the the cmos/bios jumper.. cmos battery lies on your motherboard, so that you want to open your cpu... seek for a battery, take this out for 10seconds or extra then placed it back... yet first make effective that the skill is unplug... you could also configure cmos/bios jumper... its a three pins jumper, the pins are linked, lets say first and middle... the first ingredient that you ought to do is take the jumper out, then placed the jumper to pins middle and extremely last.. placed it for extra or less 10seconds.. then take the jumper and placed it back to first and middle... also make effective effective the skill is turn off.... be carefull on your motherboard.. placed your cpu back,,, and thats it... extra information, contact me.. desire this help!

Harley Drive · Answer

a fast i7 processor is $885 on its own so your budget won't get you very far , scan ebay and places like newegg and magazines before you make an expensive mistake

Anonymous · Answer

with $750, you don't shop for a computer that does what you're looking for.  you build one.

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Computer Help, desperate, questing for desktop?

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