PCs
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- drbyers
Anyone want to recommend a PC workstation build for heavy-duty print work, including monitors and graphics cards?
My office is upgrading computers and I have to spec out equipment recommendations.
I've already spec'd out a Mac Pro workstation equipment wish list. Department director said make a PC list just in case.
- kingsteven0
I'd remind them that you *can* put Windows on Mac Pro
I used to use a Boxx workstation, loved it. So well built. Its a few years old now and my current MBP out-specs it.
- d_rek0
make sure the PC list is more expensive than the mac list. This way you can justify the mac.
- shitehawke0
"make a PC list just in case"
This, to me, translates as 'you're all getting PC's, so don't bitch'.
- drbyers0
I can live with either a PC or a Mac. As long as it's new and I don't have to pay for it.
BTW, I had a BOXX 3D workstation at my old job. All I can say is "damm pricey!"
- eating_tv0
You can get a decent PC for way less than a Mac - AND get a good TFT with proper color display.
- detritus0
If you're getting a half decent machine, the actual choice of graphics card is fairly irrelevant, if you're only going to be doing 2D graphic work on it (Graphics cards are generally aimed at gamers, unless you get expensive Quaddro/pro models, but they're only useful for 3D creatives). Anything from the past 5 years should suffice.
Dell 24" monitors still come recommended for their price/quality balance, and there's a new (model number escapes me), slightly more expensive 24" Dell coming/out, aimed at pros, focussing on colour accuracy, etc. Personally, I prefer dual screen systems for working on - tools and shit on one monitor, apps on 'tother, so would rather get two smaller monitors than one +24" whopper. That's just me though.
As for specs - well, I'm getting a new PC soon and am basing it around the following..
2.66 i7 processor on a decent Gigabyte Motherboard
12gb RAM
Intel SSD Primary Hard Drive (apps, etc)
two disk RAID array as secondary driveThe thinking being that for most apps I use, this'll just fly - programmes should load nigh-on instantly and Photoshop et al should only have to use the high RAM ceiling for swap/working files.
Personally, I'd rather define a spec then either build it myself or get some tech shop to build it, rather than go with an off the shelf model - the savings and performance gains are massive. Whatever you do, avoid Dell PCs - whilst they do great cheap monitors, they seem remarkably capable at hobbling ostensibly well-specced machines with crappy components and excess bloatware.
I'm sure your tech dep't would gladly build your PCs - techgeeks love that shit.
- oops, so much drivvel.detritus
- gigabyte managed to do decent MBs? I had 2 and 2 got burnt after few months, since then: no more gigabyteAutokern
- btw, what's the ballpark figure for your monster?Autokern
- I've only ever used ASUS mobos too, but GB come recommended. £1450, if I include a half decent GPU.detritus
- Actually, add £100 to that - I forgot about something.detritus
- detritus0
Oh, and you want an 'IPS' LCD panel, whatever that means.
- rusty_ace0
Don't GET DELLS, the last place i worked cheaped out because dell offered much cheaper deals, but both the machines were down as much as they were up. They went through multiple graphics cards and mother boards...dell eventually replaced one of the machines but that one had graphics cards issues, the IT department also had to do multiple software rebuids. I just spoke with one of my friends that still works there and they had to wipe the system again. This was all over a 2 year period.
- < aye, I'm unfortunately familiar with a very similar set of events.detritus
- deathboy0
newegg.comzipzoomfly.com think u can build a smokin one for under 1500 i bet. and not sure ssd drives are the way to go... can understand the benefits of in a laptop that youre hard on but in desktop seems unnecessary, especially if you go with an antec case that has the hardrive dampeners, and i dont know if the performance is that great, isnt seek suppose to be faster and writing slower then sata...i guess i could look it up but im not too interested.