decent / good value PC spec please for graphics word

Snow-Munki · 2 Jun 2008 at 19:03

Hi,

Looking to getting a better Pc for the g/f. Her current machine is about 3 years old and just needs replacing.

Just wondering what is a generally half decent spec Pc i should look for. Just need motherboard / cpu / ram / gfx

No real budget but rather not go to OTT.

Thanks.

Dark_Angel · 2 Jun 2008 at 19:39

Personally, since it is graphics work I would go with something like:

Q6600
Abit !P35
4GB of ram
Assuming no gaming, something like an ATI 3450 or whatever will do.

Obviously a 64 bit OS will be needed to fully use all the 4GB of ram, but 4GB of ram is very very good for graphics work. If she uses large images and filters the quad core will basically make it smooth as silk.

A reasonable CPU cooler could get it overclocked to maybe 3.6GHZ or more, but even the stock cooler will likely get you 3.2GHZ or so.

Snow-Munki · 2 Jun 2008 at 20:34

thanks very much seems pretty decent spec at a good price.

Worth getting something like the 8800 GT for about £100 ?

Dark_Angel · 2 Jun 2008 at 20:50

Snow-Munki said:
thanks very much seems pretty decent spec at a good price.

Worth getting something like the 8800 GT for about £100 ?

Good question.

New cards coming out sometime this month (including the 4850 cards which should be about the same price as an 8800 GT but in theory be faster. ) Is it worth it really depends on if you are gaming.

For a little bit of an idea, I am using a E2180 system with a Geforce 7100 with dual monitors at work, and the card is ok for most things, but Aero can make it wheeze a little.

My Q6600 with 4GB of ram is a lot faster though in photoshop, and the 8800 GTS i have helps with aero obviously, but you certainly don't need anything like that if the only thing you are doing is Photoshop.

In short, no games = ATI X3450 or something similar (in other words cheap, possibly passive).

Games = 8800 GT now, or wait a bit and grab the 4850 or 4870 (which as rumors should should be about the same price as the 8800 GT and 8800 GTS now, perhaps 10 - 20 pounds more expensive).

Snow-Munki · 2 Jun 2008 at 20:59

thanks very much for your comments. Will past them onto my g/f to think about