I'm running Chrome, FFXIV, and a handful of background apps right now.
Are there threads running on all 8T I have available? Yes.
Total CPU utilization: 16%. And it spends a good deal of it's time clocked down to 800Mhz because it's just not that heavily loaded. That's while running a game.
So yeah, I have a lot of cores. My point being: with that workload, would I really notice if I only had 2C/4T? My CPU load goes up to ... what, 32% ? Maybe it actually clocks up a P-State and stays there? I still haven't used everything that's available.
Now if I run Handbrake - different story (and why I have an i7) - but this particular computer build that doesn't sound like a priority. It sounds like this will mostly be running a web browser and occasionally Adobe Elements or something similar, which is pretty light weight unless you are touching up 10MP RAW files for professional use.
And the difference between a $200 CPU and a $80 CPU goes a long way on other things that are, arguably, better for photo editing - like a better monitor or more storage.
They ended up buying an HP with a 7th gen i7 and 225gb SSD from best buy. The components are decent but it's not upgradable outside of replacing currently installed parts. 2 extra bays in the thing but not one free power port. I attempted disconnecting the dvd drive to use on an additional 2tb HDD I pulled from their old pc but the power wire wasn't long enough to reach the bay. It also came with the single most uncomfortable wireless mouse I've ever used with sharp plastic edges that cut into the hand. At least it's a decent machine though. Just need to replace the keyboard and mouse and get them a portable drive to replace what should be internal.
Thanks for the advice guys, it was fun putting together a parts list for a pc again even if I didn't get to build it.
They ended up buying an HP with a 7th gen i7 and 225gb SSD from best buy. The components are decent but it's not upgradable outside of replacing currently installed parts. 2 extra bays in the thing but not one free power port. I attempted disconnecting the dvd drive to use on an additional 2tb HDD I pulled from their old pc but the power wire wasn't long enough to reach the bay. It also came with the single most uncomfortable wireless mouse I've ever used with sharp plastic edges that cut into the hand. At least it's a decent machine though. Just need to replace the keyboard and mouse and get them a portable drive to replace what should be internal.
Thanks for the advice guys, it was fun putting together a parts list for a pc again even if I didn't get to build it.
Not the choice I would pick.
But just buy a loose cable, should be just a few bucks to get a longer powercord. Or get an adadter to fit a harddrive in the DVD slot, around $4-5, just 2 metal slides to make it the same size.
Portable drives can be useful in any case but a large extra drive never hurts if you have one lying around.
And there are good adapters to split powercords or to change old IDE legacy contacts to SATA, a couple of bucks also. Get the internal drive in there.
I don't have any particular recommendations but... Do your parents travel? if so, a laptop for photo editing and other similar work would be much better so they can move anywhere they want and still be able to work.
If they aren't gamers then they don't need to be confined to a desk to work with photos and documents.
Comments
I'm running Chrome, FFXIV, and a handful of background apps right now.
Are there threads running on all 8T I have available? Yes.
Total CPU utilization: 16%. And it spends a good deal of it's time clocked down to 800Mhz because it's just not that heavily loaded. That's while running a game.
So yeah, I have a lot of cores. My point being: with that workload, would I really notice if I only had 2C/4T? My CPU load goes up to ... what, 32% ? Maybe it actually clocks up a P-State and stays there? I still haven't used everything that's available.
Now if I run Handbrake - different story (and why I have an i7) - but this particular computer build that doesn't sound like a priority. It sounds like this will mostly be running a web browser and occasionally Adobe Elements or something similar, which is pretty light weight unless you are touching up 10MP RAW files for professional use.
And the difference between a $200 CPU and a $80 CPU goes a long way on other things that are, arguably, better for photo editing - like a better monitor or more storage.
Thanks for the advice guys, it was fun putting together a parts list for a pc again even if I didn't get to build it.
But just buy a loose cable, should be just a few bucks to get a longer powercord. Or get an adadter to fit a harddrive in the DVD slot, around $4-5, just 2 metal slides to make it the same size.
Portable drives can be useful in any case but a large extra drive never hurts if you have one lying around.
And there are good adapters to split powercords or to change old IDE legacy contacts to SATA, a couple of bucks also. Get the internal drive in there.
If they aren't gamers then they don't need to be confined to a desk to work with photos and documents.
Just my opinion.