Specs for a Photoshop/InDesign type of rig?

[paperfist]

The main use for this machine will be for graphic design using Photoshop and InDesign mostly.

It's for a non-profit so money is tight, like $600US tight so I'm probably looking to source some parts used.

I know I'll need like 4GB of RAM or more.

Not sure on a processor and GPU, suggestions?

Any suggestions for what size LCD would be good as well? They design posters, flyers/mailers, and website components. IPS would be the preferred panel, but that won't happen with a budget so low.

Thanks for the help

 

[lehtv]

Do you need to also buy Windows, keyboard, mouse, possibly speakers? If so, probably best look to prebuilts from Dell/HP/etc.

 

[paperfist]

Do you need to also buy Windows, keyboard, mouse, possibly speakers? If so, probably best look to prebuilts from Dell/HP/etc.

Ah sorry forgot to list that. Nope already have Win7, KB/Mouse. Have some cases too, but would probably need a new PSU.

 

[lehtv]

Ok, this should be pretty easy then . Here you go, all parts new:

Mobo Biostar H61MGC $57
CPU i5-2400 $190 [if you have a microcenter nearby, $150 in-store. New york should have, no?]
RAM PNY Optima 2x4GB 1333 $32
GPU integrated
HDD Hitachi 750GB $106
ODD LG dvd burner $17
PSU Corsair CX430 V2 $27 AR
Case use what you have, or Fractal Design Core 1000 $45

Subtotal = $474 after rebate with the case. Leaves <$150 for a monitor, several choices here, e.g. Acer S231HLbid $130 after promo. If you don't need a case and/or get the i5-2400 from microcenter, you could afford a cheap IPS panel like Asus VS229H-P $165. Not sure how good that is though but could be worth it

 

[General Kenobi]

The main use for this machine will be for graphic design using Photoshop and InDesign mostly.

It's for a non-profit so money is tight, like $600US tight so I'm probably looking to source some parts used.

I know I'll need like 4GB of RAM or more.

Not sure on a processor and GPU, suggestions?

Any suggestions for what size LCD would be good as well? They design posters, flyers/mailers, and website components. IPS would be the preferred panel, but that won't happen with a budget so low.

Thanks for the help

Hm... after lehtv's calculations, I think that you could possibly get a used Dell UltraSharp. But it certainly would have to be a used model off eBay or Craig's etc. And in all honesty, probably not a 24".

 

[paperfist]

Ok, this should be pretty easy then . Here you go, all parts new:

Mobo Biostar H61MGC $57
CPU i5-2400 $190 [if you have a microcenter nearby, $150 in-store. New york should have, no?]
RAM PNY Optima 2x4GB 1333 $32
GPU integrated
HDD Hitachi 750GB $106
ODD LG dvd burner $17
PSU Corsair CX430 V2 $27 AR
Case use what you have, or Fractal Design Core 1000 $45

Subtotal = $474 after rebate with the case. Leaves <$150 for a monitor, several choices here, e.g. Acer S231HLbid $130 after promo. If you don't need a case and/or get the i5-2400 from microcenter, you could afford a cheap IPS panel like Asus VS229H-P $165. Not sure how good that is though but could be worth it

Wow thanks a lot for your time, lehtv! I really didn't think you could build something like that for $474.

Those monitors look decent, I wonder if 1920 x 1080 will cut it for graphic design?

We don't actually have a Microcenter nearby, but I might be able to get one of my friends who lives closer to the city to pick it up.

 

[mfenn]

Ok, this should be pretty easy then . Here you go, all parts new:

Mobo Biostar H61MGC $57
CPU i5-2400 $190 [if you have a microcenter nearby, $150 in-store. New york should have, no?]
RAM PNY Optima 2x4GB 1333 $32
GPU integrated
HDD Hitachi 750GB $106
ODD LG dvd burner $17
PSU Corsair CX430 V2 $27 AR
Case use what you have, or Fractal Design Core 1000 $45

Subtotal = $474 after rebate with the case. Leaves <$150 for a monitor, several choices here, e.g. Acer S231HLbid $130 after promo. If you don't need a case and/or get the i5-2400 from microcenter, you could afford a cheap IPS panel like Asus VS229H-P $165. Not sure how good that is though but could be worth it

:thumbsup:

To channel Dominion for a bit, you can also pick up a Dell XPS 8300 with an i5 2300, 6GB of RAM, and 1TB HDD for $469 from the Dell Outlet. That is a very similar machine in terms of performance to what lehtv listed, but has the benefits of being an integrated system with a single source of warranty support.

 

[tweakboy]

You want a good powerful GPU , since Photoshop uses OpenGL , which drastically improves performance and takes the load off of the CPU.

A 460 1GB should be perfect for it... with a nice quad CPU and 8GB ram. gl

 

[lehtv]

Also, G.Skill 1600Mhz RAM $30 at the moment. On a H61/H67 mobo you'll have to leave it to 1333Mhz but you may be able to lower the timings.

We don't actually have a Microcenter nearby, but I might be able to get one of my friends who lives closer to the city to pick it up.

That saves you $40 and if you reuse the case then another $45 - so you're looking at nearly $100 less than by going with Dell

A 460 1GB should be perfect for it... with a nice quad CPU and 8GB ram. gl

Not doable on a tight budget. Please read the thread before posting

 

[mfenn]

You want a good powerful GPU , since Photoshop uses OpenGL , which drastically improves performance and takes the load off of the CPU.

Uh no. Yes, Photoshop uses OpenGL to draw layers and such. No, it does not use it for any computation.

 

[paperfist]

Uh no. Yes, Photoshop uses OpenGL to draw layers and such. No, it does not use it for any computation.

I'm a little confused, but the video card was the biggest component I am unsure about as far as if it would accelerate graphic work or not. I know say a Quadro card would help out with CAD work, so why wouldn't a GPU help out with OpenGL?

This is what adobe says for Photoshop requirements:
1024x768 display (1280x800 recommended) with qualified hardware-accelerated OpenGL graphics card, 16-bit color, and 256MB of VRAM

Some GPU-accelerated features require graphics support for Shader Model 3.0 and OpenGL 2.0

 

[jae]

The gain from the OpenGL acceleration is insignificant. RAM and IPS screen will be the best investments photoshop!

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[lehtv]

This is what adobe says for Photoshop requirements:
1024x768 display (1280x800 recommended) with qualified hardware-accelerated OpenGL graphics card, 16-bit color, and 256MB of VRAM

Some GPU-accelerated features require graphics support for Shader Model 3.0 and OpenGL 2.0

Intel HD 2000, integrated on the i5-2400, is compatible with OpenGL 2.0 and SM 4.1

 

[T_Yamamoto]

To sum up what everyone is saying:

you dont need graphics card
buying a prebuilt would save you money
thats about it

 

[lehtv]

buying a prebuilt would save you money

The other way around, actually

That [=i5-2400] saves you $40 and if you reuse the case then another $45 - so you're looking at nearly $100 less than by going with Dell

 

[paperfist]

Thanks again for the help guys!

I actually see a couple of used Dells with the same specs for $300ish which would free up some cash for a decent IPS LCD. Though building my own would give me a better warranty overall.

 

[mfenn]

Intel HD 2000, integrated on the i5-2400, is compatible with OpenGL 2.0 and SM 4.1

Bingo.

OP, SM 3.0 and OGL 2.0 are pretty minimal requirements these days.

 

[jae]

If u go pre built and unable to load up on memory, then get a ssd to use as a scratch drive

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