Need recommendations for a generalized home build/photo editing PC under $1500

peppergomez

2[H]4U
Joined
Sep 15, 2011
Messages
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My system died recently, and it's likely the PSU or mobo, but I can't tell which.

I need to build from scratch and would like to spend less than $1500.

I have an Antec full sized tower (don't recall model type and can't find a receipt or info in the case) and plenty of drives (though no drives I would want to put my OS on).

Here is what I need:

RAM
GPU
CPU
mobo
PSU
a PCI-E 3 SSD drive

I sometimes game but it's casual. I mostly photo edit and drive 2 2560x1600 HP monitors.


On a related note, is there an effective way to test the components on my current rig to see if any of them are good? I started a post here re: my issues: https://hardforum.com/threads/missing-operating-system.1983063/#post-1044242504
Basically, the Operating System was missing one day, and shortly after reformatting and renstalling WIndows, the system locked up, then the GPUs were missing, along w/ the OS yet again. There were multiple failures so it was tough to tell if it was a PSU, memory (I reseated them), drive, mobo, or GPU issue.

And also, I am not needing something beefy here. I have limited time and some very important things going on in life that I have to focus on, nor do I have tons of DIY computer skill. If there's a pre-built system that would meet my needs for btwn $1000-1200 then I would be interested in that, so I don't have to focus on assembly. (I know buying pre-built is frowned on here.)

Thanks.
 
Hit up Dell's Outlet for whatever you can get with 32GB of RAM and buy a separate SSD to put into it. You can get a warranty and not deal with the details of building.

[I've build many systems, and this is what I've had my father do, and he's built many systems... these are tools, find the right one for your purpose]
 
I am thinking about getting a laptop for the sake of portability. I have 2 HP ZR30w monitors that only have dual-link DVI and DisplayPort so I'd want to make sure the video card could drive both monitors using either of these inputs.
Is that going to be more challenging to find in a laptop videocard?
 
You'd probably want something that has dual Thunderbolt 3- perhaps an XPS15. Could get one refurbished as that feature has been around for a while, might even be on older XPS13s.

What you don't want is to be trying to adapt HDMI ports over.
 
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