morrie_farbman

I would recommend that you look at good quality, possibly 1000 watts, power supply to plan for any future power demands on your system.

Do Not Buy this yet. I upgraded and get nothing but the same "DxOOpticsPro 5.0 had a problem and needs to close" error message. Check out the DxO Forum, http://forum.dxo.com and you will see the VAST Majority of users are having trouble with version 5.o.

I may be mistaken but I remember reading that the LaCie 321 is in fact using the NEC 2190 monitor and their own blue eye calibration software. I have been using a NEC MultiSync LCD 2190Uxi for the past 9 months and could not be happier. I invested in the SpetraView II calibration software and have had excellent softproofed screen to print match. I can not comment on the 2690WUxi since I have not actually seen one, but if it compares to my 2190 I don't think you will be disappointed.

I have been using my using my 4 year old Monaco OptixXR (X-Rite DTP 94) with SpectraView II on my NEC MultiSync LCD2190UXi for the past 9 months with excellent results.

I just build a system using a Gigabyte GA-N680SLI-DQ6 motherboard, Intel Core 2 Duo E6600, 4 gig of Ram and run XP Pro 32bit. I have overclocked the CPU by 25% (3GHz) and the system has been running rock solid and fast.

 

If you can wait about a month the prices of Core 2 Duo and Quad Cores will come down significantly. As far as what I have read there is no need to go Quad since Photoshop does not benefit much.

I can't comment on the Eizo since I have not used one. Until 6 months ago I used a LaCie Electron Blue IV CRT for about 4 years and was happy with it, espcially the price.

 

I too was choosing between the Eizo and NEC. I ended up with the 21 inch NEC MultiSync LCD2190UXi and have been extremely happy. I use SpectraView II and an Optix. I have not looked at price but the two should be close.

Try VueScan. I have been using it instead of Nikon Scan for the past two years. It is a bit less user friendly than Nikon Scan but once you get use to it its not bad to work with and does far more. I don't run an intel dual-core so I am not certain that it will work. You can download the trial and purchase it for far less $$$$ than Silverfast. This is the VueScan web site. http://www.hamrick.com/

Try VueScan. I have been using it instead of Nikon Scan for the past two years. It is a bit more less user friendly than Nikon Scan but once you get use to it its not bad to work with and does far more. I don't run an intel dual-core so I am not certain that it will work. You can download the trial and purchase it for far less $$$$ than Silverfast. This is the VueScan web site. http://www.hamrick.com/

I have the NEC2190UXi and have been using the NEC Spectraview software to calibrate. I find it does an excellent job. It calibrates the monitor directly, makes no changes to the video card, and creates the profile for the systems software. I am not a color expert and am sure that others may be able to provide you more detail. I have no regrets with my choice of monitor or calibration software.

I have had the 6x8 Intuos for almost a year now. Best investment I made had improved my speed. Is much more accurate for most of the work I do. It is pressure sensative. I got the air brush tool a few months ago (seperate purchase) and have found it to be of very little use in my work. The pen tool, for me has been the way to go.

 

I will never look back and recommend the Intuos 3. You may be just as comfortable with the next size smaller, which is less $$$.

 

Morrie Farbman

I have been using American Frame for the past two years and recommend them. http://www.americanframe.com/

 

Morrie Farbman

My CRT is on its last leg and must be replaced. I use a Optix to calibrate. I

have narrowed my choice of an LCD to either a NEC 2190UXi or Eizo ColorEdge

CG19. I am not concerned with monitor size 19" vs 21", but more with the color

quality and reliability of the monitor. Anyone have experience with either one.

Recommendations are welcome.

Some additional information. I am upgrading rather than buying new because I currently have a Thermaltake case, 4 Raptor 10K RPM drives, DVD burner, additional firewire card and a 520W Vantec Stealth power supply, and 3 gig of corsair memory.

 

Apple G5 is out of the question since it would require that I purchase all new software.

 

Andy I don't know much about overclocking and would have to learn a bit, but I like the idea of saving some $$$$$$ and going with the 4400 chip. Also, the advise on the video card is helpful. Do you think I would benefit from a 256 mg instead of a 128?

I am planning to upgrade my current PC system motherboard, CPU and

video card. I will keep some of the installed components, Raptor hard

drives RAID 0, 3gb ram and power supply. Here is what I am thinking

of purchasing.

 

ASUS A8N 32 SLI Deluxe motherboard,

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800 CPU dual core chip,

Matrox Millennium P650 PCIe 128mb.

 

I use Windows XP Pro OS and my primary software is Photoshop CS2,

various plug-ins, DxO Pro, Nikon Scan.

 

Any know problems with this set up? Any ideas for an alternate

recommendation. Thanks

I have been using an Intous 3, 6x9 for the past few months and find it has streamlined my work. I love it and could not go back to the mouse for my editing.