PC for graphic design

[Monomer]

I'm looking at buying a new desktop and I'll be using it, among other things, to learn some graphic design programs.

I'm currently looking at 2 computer packages:

1. Dell Inspiron 530s

• Processor: Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6550 (2.33GHz, 1333FSB, 4MB)
• Memory: 3GB (2 x 1GB / 2 x 512MB) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
• Harddrive: 500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s with NCQ
• Graphics card: 256MB ATI Radeon™ HD 2400 XT
• Monitor:E228WFP 22" Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor. Max resolution 1680 x 1050, contrast ratio 800:1, brightness 300 cd/m2 , response time 5 ms

2. Compaq SR5440AN

• Processor: AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual- Core Processor 5200+ with HyperTransport™ Technology (2.70 GHz, 1 MB L2 Cache, up to 2000MHz System Bus)
• Memory: 2GB DDR2
• Harddrive: 320GB SATA
• Video adaptor: nVidia GeForce 6150SE 3D Graphics
• Monitor: W220Q 22" Widescreen Flat Panel. Max resolution 1680 x 1050 @ 60Hz max, contrast ratio 1000:1, brightness 300 cd/m2 , response time 5 ms

So for those of you who know far more about computers than I do, is one of those systems better than the other for graphic design? I was also concerned about the contrast ratio of the monitor - is 800:1 okay?

The programs I intend to use on the computer are Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash and Dreamweaver.

I'd appreciate any help you can give me.

[freeztar]

The Dell system has better specs for what you are looking for, imho. That said, I would advise against Dell, personally.

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by freeztar

The Dell system has better specs for what you are looking for, imho. That said, I would advise against Dell, personally.

You've had some problems with Dell then?

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Monomer

You've had some problems with Dell then?

Yes. I won't go into it, but let's just say that they gave me a raw deal in the end. This was in 2004 though. I've heard that their consumer grade comps have gotten better, but I don't know of any credible studies or accounts to prove/disprove this.

[alexander]

i am a credible study of dell hardware, because i have fixed so much of it over the past 4 years. Their support is pretty darn good, though i wont say that about all of their hardware. Though that said, they have been getting better with their stuff in the past 2-3 years, their laptops have become more reliable, and desktops, a bit more customizable and a little less flimsy .

If you are looking at graphic design, DONT get a dell monitor. If you buy nothing else from them, get a Mac monitor. They are by far the best quality for their price, amazingly good contrast, you will look at your picture on a dell monitor after that, and it just won't look right

as far as recomendation of a system, i graphics, video and music are what you get a mac for.... and they are not that expensive anymore, unless you are getting a pro (mac pro or mac book pro), they are fairly comparably priced.

[Tormod]

Well, I'd also say "get a Mac" but I'm obviously biased since I have used Macs for graphics work since 1995...

The software you mention needs a hefty CPU and graphics card, and you should consider getting at least 4GB RAM.

You don't really say what kind of graphics work (the package you suggest implies web design). Photo editing requires different hardware than, say, video editing or animation work. For web design only, most current computers would work fine.

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by alexander

i am a credible study of dell hardware, because i have fixed so much of it over the past 4 years. Their support is pretty darn good, though i wont say that about all of their hardware. Though that said, they have been getting better with their stuff in the past 2-3 years, their laptops have become more reliable, and desktops, a bit more customizable and a little less flimsy .

Yes, but you're talking about a corporate account right? Dell has two levels. Business and personal. The business deals come with much better tech support and better components (from what I've heard). Can you confirm or deny this Alex?

If you are looking at graphic design, DONT get a dell monitor. If you buy nothing else from them, get a Mac monitor. They are by far the best quality for their price, amazingly good contrast, you will look at your picture on a dell monitor after that, and it just won't look right

I agree about Dell monitors, but I don't think Mac is your only choice for getting a nice monitor. My favorite monitors are made by Viewsonic. But do yourself a favor and shop around. Take a disk with you that has some pictures on it. View these pictures on different monitors to compare and contrast. Unless you are doing video or gaming, don't worry about the refresh rate so much.

as far as recomendation of a system, i graphics, video and music are what you get a mac for.... and they are not that expensive anymore, unless you are getting a pro (mac pro or mac book pro), they are fairly comparably priced.

I knew that someone was going to pop up and say Mac.

If you decide to get a Mac, Monomer, then make sure you either get Windows Parrallel or make sure the software you will be using will run on a Mac (all the software you originally listed will). Also, be willing to pay quite a bit more than you would for a Dell equivalent.
My brother, who owns a Mac (he's a photographer), swears by his Mac. He claims that Photoshop comes with much more for the Mac than it does for the PC. I'm not sure how true this is, but it would be worth researching in your case Monomer. As a musician, I get by just fine with my PCs.

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Tormod

For web design only, most current computers would work fine.

I added a comma to your sentence above Tormod. I think this is what you meant. Without the comma, the whole meaning of the sentence is changed.

[Tormod]

Originally Posted by freeztar

I added a comma to your sentence above Tormod. I think this is what you meant. Without the comma, the whole meaning of the sentence is changed.

What me, worry? (Which sentence is above me, by the way).

(Thanks mate, I got it sorted now).

[freeztar]

Originally Posted by Tormod

Which sentence is above me, by the way

Good one, Tormod. I almost missed the humor in that. Touche.