Computer specs for graphic artist?

Question

This computer will need to run photoshop, illustrator and and hand full of other software simultaneously. My question is whether it would be better to go with a workstation, possibly dual processors, or a gaming type computer. The current computer is a high end desktop that is just not cutting it.

This computer has to be a windows machine due to the nature of some programs that are needed to run.

Answer 1

Photoshop and Illustrator are demanding applications, but they do not need a high-end graphics card that is optimized for 3-D, as gamers require.

You will need lots of memory (at least 1 GB for Windows XP) and a fast disk. A dual-core CPU will show better performance than a Pentium D (single core). Dual processors (sockets) may be overkill. Dual processors make more sense for servers, when one CPU does database work and the other renders web pages or does computations.

When you have a complex photoshop rendering task, a dual core CPU may help but an additional socket may contribute little.

Game computers emphasize 3D graphics and are often overclocked. When working with photos and line art, you don't want to run the risk that an overclocked computer freezes (which sometimes happens). Look for a stable platform.

Answer 2

Processing power.... lots of it! And storage - fast storage.

Mainboard/graphics
Pentium 4 dual core (min 2x3Ghz), 800-1100Mhz FSB with 2-4Gb DDR2 PC6400 RAM - the more, the better.

Don't consider anything less than the NVidia GeForce 7800 GT 256Mb for graphics. Better still, the 8000 series. Again, the more RAM it has, the better - some are available with 768Mb!

Drives:
Min 320Gb Ideal: 400-500Gb SATA 300 RAID 0,1 array - two arrays of two disks (4 in total), all identical, data is "striped" (written across both) on 2 disks and "mirrored" (speaks for itself) on the other 2 disks - if one array fails, you simply swop them; or if the budget is tight, a RAID 1 array - 2 disks, one a mirror of the other - again, if one fails, you swop them.

Min dual-layer (9.5gb) DVD burner (for back-ups) - if your budget runs to it, consider a Blueray (25gb) drive.

Also consider buying a pivoting LCD/TFT display - the larger, the better (think 20"+). Iiyama make an excellent one, with superb gamma. When pivoted, mine can display an entire standard-size page at 125% - perfect for when you need to proof-read your typesetting.

If you do photo-sep, col-sep work or presentations, you may need a printer capable of high-quality transparency output for proofing/presentation purposes.

Hope that helps a little.

Answer 3

I'd think that a high end dual core machine with a recent graphics card would work well. I'd make sure I had lots of RAM - 2 Gig - and plenty of disk space 200Gig plus.

I purchased a Workstation from Dell and the main item it gave me was lots of box space for additional disk drives and other peripherals. I ended up placing 4 disks in mine. You may want to consider some sort of back up device for all that data - like Optical disks or a tape drive.

Answer 4

For what your trying to run a good dual core processor is mandatory since you want to run big programs at the same time.
So for the processor I would go for the AMD ATHLON 64 X2 3800+ since now a days photo shops take lots of horsepower to be able to run. Also, at least 1 gig of RAM is neccessary but I would definitely go with 2gigs of RAM. For the graphics card I would go with the GeForce 7800 GTX 512mb which will run the system very smoothly. You will also need a good hardrive with lots of space i recommend the Seagate's Barracuda 7200.10, because it offers the 100gb drive to the 750gb drive.

Answer 5

I am defenitly not a Mac fan but the words "graphic artist" scream GET A MAC! I would look at either the MacBook Pro for a laptop or a Mac Pro for a desktop. As for specs, the general rule of thumb is to buy as much as you can afford.

Answer 6

High end workstation are only justify if you can afford the high end price, you can easily get away with the following :
Dual Core CPU
3GB of memory in dual channel
2 x 250GB SATA-II in RAID-0 for Windows and temp work area
1 x 500GB SATA-II for data
Midrange graphics card (ie GeForce7300GS)
Higher model if you want games.

Answer 7

Hi. I custom build computers and i can help you out. If you just let me know how much money you can spend on the computer Box alone, then i can tell you the best system i can build for you, and my prices really shine in the high end systems, building you a better system for the $.

If you have around $2600 then i can build you a computer with an Intel Quad core processor in it. And then, the more you can spend then the faster i can make it, so just let me kn ow how much you can spend, and then i can tell you the best i can build for you.

So just message me if you are interested in saving money!

Answer 8

dual processor, lots ram, graphics card with lots ram will do it.
I'm running a single processor 3ghz, 1gb ram, card with 256mb ram and I can run Photoshop, Dreamweaver, filezilla, Word and my apache environment simultaneously. So, if I were updating, that's what I'd get.

Answer 9

I dunno, but be sure to get a lot of RAM. My computer is relatively new, but with only 512 RAM it can't compute drop shadows, etc., with both Photoshop and Illustrator CS2 open at the same time on complex documents.

Answer 10

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