7 replies to this topic

[xarzu]

I am an artist who is just starting to build my hardware arsenal to do computer artwork.

I am looking for suggestions. I have two computers. One is an ancient windows nt from the 90's and the other is a computer that I use now from 2001.

So, I want to build a system that is the best for using Maya and Photoshop.

What do you use?

What do you recommend?

[UserWithNoName]

xarzu said:

I am an artist who is just starting to build my hardware arsenal to do computer artwork.

I am looking for suggestions. I have two computers. One is an ancient windows nt from the 90's and the other is a computer that I use now from 2001.

So, I want to build a system that is the best for using Maya and Photoshop.

What do you use?

What do you recommend?

Maya & Photoshop, so you are bound to windows...

First of all you would need RAM, maximum usable with 32Bit systems is 4GB, although there is really some of it unused due to Hardware layout (eg. PCI-Address space) and OS limits, or the like, cannot recall exact reasons. With win you're left with 3GB, do it !!

Gfx - depends on your budget, I'd say take either the second to last consumer generation from ATI (Radeon x1900 series) or Nvidia (Geforec 7900 series), or their latest (ATI Radeon HD2900 vs. Nvidia Geforce 8800).

if Money is not a limit. have a look at their Pro Lines (ATI FireGL, Nvidia Quadro FX) which are often "certified" for use with 3D software.

The CPU, is a topic, I do not understand in the x386 world. there are too many of them available either AMD or intel. I have a Core Duo 6600 and had no problems yet. (For "REAL" work I have a 4 core SPARC with 16GB RAM)

And storage: Get two discs as large as you can afford, as this raises throughput when working with large files. On eHD as source, and the other as target for videos (My usage differs I Have 5 Discs in my Win system. 1 for OS/Software and 2 stripes of 2 HDs for data)

Visuals: Two 19" at least (19" at least, not at least 2 19" ;) ). I have CRTs, they were cheap and I can run up to 2048*1536. Yes, that resolution is not crisp, but I have all data in a view !

If you are tight on money, then focus on RAM and CPU !

HTH !!

[inigo07]

As a freelance 3d animator I need horsepower. I use Lightwave, Photoshop, Flash, and Dreamweaver, preferably on my Mac. (I use Windows as well).

Definitely don't go for anything less than a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo, more is better, but that should be your minimum.

Also I have had good experiences with an ATI Radeon 2400 HD graphics card. Don't settle for less than 256 MB of GPU.

Most of my systems run 1 to 2 GB of RAM (that's seperate: rendering together they add up quick). Get as much darn memory as you can.

I've found hard drives are the least important part of hardware when it comes down to speed.

[Reedbeta]

Regarding RAM, I personally have found 2GB quite sufficient for using both Maya and Photoshop, even at the same time - so I don't think you need to get more than that unless you have extra cash on hand. It's important to make sure it's DDR RAM, so that it will be fast to access.

Also, it's important that the hard drive(s) be a 7800 RPM drive, SATA preferably, although IDE (PATA) works fine too. This is also to make sure the data is fast to access.

[TheNut]

CPU and RAM are your important components. If you're into creating cinematic movies, I would pour all my money into a CPU first. Have a look at Toms Hardware charts (http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html) and find an acceptable price-per-performance. If you're just into creating game models, you don't need that much. A mid-level computer should suffice. 2GB a RAM would be a minimum in my opinion.

If you want to get more bang for your buck, shop at computer outlet stores rather than the big shops that like to overcharge.

[inigo07]

Are you wanting to buy a computer or build it?

If you're going to buy, check out Boxx computers for some serious stuff.

If you're going to build, NewEgg's hard to beat.

[Nick]

The best CPU you can buy without even requiring a big budget is the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600. The applications you're using can make use of all four cores so it's kindof like having a 9.6 GHz CPU. :w00t:

For RAM, buy 2 or 4 GB depending on the budget. Don't buy expensive 'fast' memory, value RAM is hardly going to make your system slower but you can buy more of it for the money.

The graphics card can easily be upgraded later, and there's a new generation every year or so, so it's cheaper to pick a mid-range card and upgrade when you have to. A GeForce 8600 GTS would get my vote for best value (it has video decoding/encoding features too).

Possibly even more important than all the above is the screen. Personally I'm addicted to TFT's. Get one that can display 8-bit color per component, not 6-bit with dithering. Do not look at the reaction time, modern ones are all fast enough and only hardcore gamers experience any difference. What you do need is color fidelity, contrast, and brightness (pretty much is that order).

But it's hard to make further suggestions without even a vague idea of your budget. Since you haven't bought anything new since 2001 I'm inclined to think it's rather limited? Or did you just get a raise/won the lottery/inherited an island? ;)

[UserWithNoName]

Nick said:

The best CPU you can buy without even requiring a big budget is the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600. The applications you're using can make use of all four cores so it's kindof like having a 9.6 GHz CPU. :w00t:

[...]

Since you haven't bought anything new since 2001 I'm inclined to think it's rather limited? Or did you just get a raise/won the lottery/inherited an island? ;)

(1) - Nick, "nice" math you're doing there !! ;) I wish it would BE that simple ! ;)

(2) - Or what he bought, back in 2001, did well for him up to now ! I also have had an "urgent" need to buy a WINdooze this year (Embedded Hardware design kits 'n' Stuff are WAY TOO expensive on Workstations like SUN, if available at all)
My newest _real_ computer was EOLed back in 2002 (Sun Ultra80). And it serves well for what I do, although it runs at 4*450 MHz (please Don't laugh !! She's on the same subnet !! ;) )

And now, that I have a machine overkill for what I usually do on computers I prowl different subjects to eventually find something new I can try...

I always say do not buy what they want to sell to you. You'd rather buy what helps do your work and fits your budget. Never had any problems.

Well, anyways, thats MY own view. Others may contradict. But that is their right, and their money.
(Achtung ! Smileyflood in this post)