PC for Graphic Design

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22/06/2023, 10:15 AM Syklone - ..... hi

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21/05/2021, 06:19 AM DonutKing - First post

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[Z00111111]

So it's come time to upgrade (get a new) computer for my girlfriend for graphic design.

I'm so out of the loop with PC hardware I don't even know where to begin anymore...
On that note, I'd really appreciate any advice or suggestions. Bohica, I'm planning on asking you for a quote once I've got a more refined parts list, but feel free to jump the gun and come up with something for me .

Budget $1000, unfortunately I don't have cash to splash, so the lower the better. I am more after a good value, powerful computer rather than a cutting edge supermachine.

CPU: 3.4GHz i5
RAM: 16gb
GPU: 760TI
HDD: 120gig SSD, I'm happy with the 840 EVO Bohica supplied me previously.
1TB main hard drive.
PSU: 750W is recommended apparently, based off some ASUS calculator.

Do computers have other bits now? I've got a DVD drive kicking around somewhere that I'll re-use.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Jakes2142]

what size are the files she's working with, and what programs?

[Syklone]

So it's come time to upgrade (get a new) computer for my girlfriend for graphic design.

Blah blah something blah........

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Get a Mac

[Alucard]

it would depends on apps etc, as jakes said.
i would still be looking at i5 something with one of the intel boards bohica would source
vid card probably something around the 760TI range.... but the rest of it looks fine from the general specs you posted,

this would pretty much the build we use for teams like this at work. the only exception is they wanted it all in laptops at one stage.... then they never took them out of the docks. sigh
but something like that could be a good base to start and if things get a bit slow or more grunt is needed a better cpu/gpu can be sourced. Most motherboards are basically the same with different branding..

a mac depending on the tools used is no different from the PC in this aspect and it would be a pain in the arse to update components.

[bageled]

I've been a graphic designer for going on 12 years now.
You don't need a lot of grunt to run design software.
Spend your money on a quality screen.
A standard flat screen monitor has really dramatic colour shift across the panel. When you're browsing the net, you won't notice. But for design purposes, they are unworkable.
Maybe tech has improved since I bought my last screen, but an easy test is to grab any design software, make a square, and give it a solid fill, then zoom in until it fills the screen. There is a good chace that your solid colour will appear as a gradient fill.

Then there is the colour calibration.You need to be able to get close to pms/pantone/industry standard colours onscreen, otherwise what you are producing is unstable. A green might be nice a dark on your screen, but appear on someone elses as a lime green, or print as a brown.

CRT screens were a lot better at colour, so if you can scrape up one of those you'll be ok. I used to runa pair of 20inch crt's, those things are fucking massive, but they gave me better colour correctness than my super duper lcd.


Best flat screens are eizo colour edge.
http://www.eizo-apac.com/products/coloredge/index.html
You'll spend that whole budget on the screen, I'd consider one of these screens as no negotiable for a design setup, absolute must have. If you don't have a quality display, you might as well not bother putting the rig together at all.

[bageled]

I took some photo;s of my two screens.
See the the colour shift on the samsung from toip to bottom. It's decent monitor, I use it for gaming and everything, but simply unusable for design.
Then look at the Eizo, a nice solid colour from top to bottom.


On my Samsung


On my Eizo

[cowcar]

I thought bageled was a hairdresser? Anyone else confused?

[Dex]

hairdresser is a little fancy... barber is more like it. A lot more creepy.

[Syklone]

What about a stylus pen / pad Bageled. Would you advise on a waecom for graphic design or stick with a mouse ?

[bageled]

Wacom is the name in stylus thingos. I do have one but I've never really used it. The one I have you have a pad and a stylus, and you 'draw' on the pad with the stylus. I find it weird, not looking where you are drawing, cause you need to look at the screen to see the marks you're making. I thought it would be useful for deep etching images, you know, cutting a part of an image out of it's background, didn't work out for me though. You can get some screens that you set up like a desk/drawing board, and you draw directly onto the screen. They may be cheaper now, touch screen is everywhere these days. To me they are more an artist thing.
For me a mouse is fine.

[Z00111111]

Thanks for the feedback Bagled, I think I'll do as Alucard suggested and skimp and get an i5 processor. She does want to dabble in video editting, but if she get's serious about that I'll just get upgrades along with the multi-thousand-dollar software...

Her current laptop monitor is appaling for the colour shift, if you don't look at it at just the right angle, you can't even see dark gray on light gray. Which of those Eizo monitors do you have Bagled? They sound really impressive, but are SERIOUSLY pricey, but you get that for professional grade things.

[sandman_aus]

From my internets research for a new monitor, I understand the IPS panels of today are about 2million x better color-wise then any consumer grade LCD available like 2 years ago also. If an Eizo will break the bank, then you might find a suitable IPS to settle for within budget.

And the Apple logo is nothing more then a 2x multiplier for price tags.

[bageled]

I've got a Coloredge ce210w, it's 5 years old, and cost me $1,200 at the time. It was the smallest one they had.
Sandman sounds like he is on to something. Seriously though, try to track down a CRT monitor on ebay. I sold my ones on ebay for $fuck all, they were really collectors items by then, but excellent colour display. Hook up a dual display with a nice big flat screen for browsing, and use the crt for design.

[DirtyHarry]

Realistically, for 2d graphic design, one 2014 3+ghtz quad-core should be pretty much indistinguishable from another.

As long as that SSD is big enough to hold the OS, graphics apps and all work then all you really need to worry about is RAM. For 2D, I think 8GB of high speed ram will give you better performance than 16GB of budget ram.

Definitely put in a discrete graphics card.

[Yunique is Win]

Get her the LeapFrog LeapPad2 Power Kids' Learning Tablet. It's great for 2D art

Featuring high-impact side bumpers and a rugged, rubberized frame, the LeapFrog LeapPad2 Power Learning Tablet - Green offers kid-tough durability and kid-tested, age-appropriate fun. This tablet lets your child explore hundreds of innovative cartridge games, e-books and more that automatically adapt to his or her learning, and the LeapFrog library with 2,600 skills that go beyond core subjects inspires kids through play. Your little one can use his or her fingers or the stylus to draw and write, turn, twist and shake the tablet for exciting, motion-based play or touch characters and words in e-books to bring them to life. With front and back cameras and a video recorder, kids can take and edit photos and capture videos. The LeapPad2 comes preloaded with nine apps, including Art Studio and Pet Pad. Connect your child's tablet to your computer to see his or her LeapFrog Learning Path and view specific details of your child's play and learning, including areas where your child excels or needs more support.
LeapFrog library offers access to hundreds of games, e-books and more
Your child can use his or her fingers or the stylus to draw or write or turn, twist and shake the tablet for interactive game play
Front and back 2.0 MP cameras and a video recorder let your little one take pictures and make 240p videos
5" backlit, color resistive touch screen provides simple navigation
High-impact side bumpers and a rubberized frame offer durability
Preloaded with nine apps, including Art Studio, Pet Pad, Photo Lab, Calculator, Calendar, Note Pad, Clock with Stopwatch, LeapFrog Learning Songs (includes five songs) and your choice of one of three free downloadable apps
Connects to your computer so you can track your child's progress
4 GB of memory
Up to nine hours of learning and play with the LeapPad2's rechargeable battery (included)
What's Included

*LeapFrog LeapPad2 Power Learning Tablet - Green
*Rechargeable NiMh battery
*AC adapter
*USB cable
*Quick Start guide
*Parent guide

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