[00silvergt]

If you are NOT running Vista 64 bit, then >4GB will be wasted. RAM is now cheap, unlike 10 years ago when it was selling for about $15 a MB (yes, not a typo, MB) and 15 years ago, when it was $30 a MB. So if you need RAM later, it would be a cheap upgrade. For most applications, a dual core is sufficient, since an application would need to scale before using the multiprocessor. PS CS4 scales, so a quad maybe in order, but for the most part a dual core should suit just fine. Buy as much HDD space as you can possibly afford now, since these RAW files are getting larger. If you can afford it, I say get a Bluray writer, a good video card, even if you don't plan to game since CS3 and newer can take advantage of the GPU. So I think 3.0GHz dual or Quad, processor, Intel, 4GB RAM or more if running Vista 64, Nvidia Quadro NVS 450/420 512MB video card, 1 TB or more HDD, Bluray Writer/Reader.