Graphic Design PC NZD$1000 - 1200

[SnailPropulsionLabs]

Hi, i'm entering into Graphic Design study this year and would like to upgrade my system, as it sits it won't be able to handle the incresed graphical workload.

Current rig :

CPU: AMD A8-3850 APU with Raedon HD Graphics.
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-A75M-D2H Dual Graphics
4GB RAM
500GB HDD (unknown brand or speed, sorry)
PSU: 480W ACBel
Case is basic mid-tower thing
No discreet GPU, currently using the APU onboard (Brother has a Radeon 5870 that I can use in this upgrade)
ASUS DVD drive (again, unknown speed)
Win 7
Dell 1920 x 1200 Monitor

Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as my course related costs come through, should be within the next two weeks

Budget Range: NZD$1000 - 1200 (at the absolute maximum)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Graphic Design work, gaming, general use.

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: CPU, Mobo, RAM, PSU, Case (if budget allows), probably fans in here somewhere as well.

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Pricespy.co.nz, computerlounge.co.nz, NZ stores preferred.

Location: Hamilton, New Zealand

Parts Preferences: No great preferences, Brother prefers AMD, I just want it to work reliably.

Overclocking: I don't know how, Brother does, options are good.

SLI or Crossfire: Don't know what this is.

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1200

Additional Comments: My quandry is also AMD vs Intel, I have had a recommendation to get an i5 but the AMD FX-8350 is more powerful and cheaper. Is this a better CPU for graphical work or am I buying into trouble?
I'll be using the Adobe suite of products as well as some coding in C# Express

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: For Graphic Desgn Study and to get a step up on the upgrades I will need when I enter the workforce.

 

[ssddx]

if you want to overclock and you want the best option...

i7-4770k
z87 motherboard.

if you dont want to overclock then

i7-4770
h87 motherboard

if you prefer amd and dont mind the fact that they will not be as powerful as the i7 lineup then...

fx-8320 or preferably a fx-8350
990x chipset motherboard (or 990fx if you plan on two graphics cards eventually)

with those options on the table...

2x8gb ram (16 total) of at least 1600mhz speed. cas (latency) of 9 would be ideal. if you can manage to get 1866mhz in the budget for the same price or similar then great.

you want a 1tb 7200rpm drive (seagate, western digital or samsung)

if you want the pc to start up fast a small ssd for the boot drive/os drive (otherwise known as the C:/ drive) is ideal. a 120gb would work fine for os and some programs but you cant store much on it. a 250 gives you more space and is ideal if its in budget.

i would go with a decent graphics card. the best you can afford in your budget. at least 2gb ram version and one using a multi-fan cooler (not the reference cooler design).

550w modular psu either tier 1 or tier 2... but tier 3 works. nothing lower. brand/model tiers: http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

open airflow case. preferably with mesh front with fans.

 

[patrichpachich]

im a self taught graphic designer
i recommend you to build a

cpu, AMD Vishera FX-8350 - a very powerful processor for rendering and multitasking which graphic designers always do, working on AI while editing on it on PS,checking/testing the animation in Flash and monitoring browser, etc..

mobo, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 (rev. 4.0) - a very good mobo for OCers, you can get help from your brother

ram, Gskill Ripjaws X 16GB/8GB 8/4gbx2 DDR3 1866 CL10 - if you are into heavy rendering on 3d pick 16gb. but if you do simple 3ds 8GB will perfectly enough

ssd, Crucial MX100 128gb - very good/cheap SSD for system storage

hdd, WDC Blue 1TB - optional if you want a 2 or 4, you can also get your old HDD

odd, any DVDRW - you can use your old ODD

gpu, GTX 750 Ti 2Gb - very good GPU card for graphic rendering and gaming at its value. A tip for you.... IMO most people always think they need a high end GFX cards for graphic rendering. a low end card can do the job. Graphic rendering is very far away from 3D/video rendering, they need the most open GL cards or workstation card

psu, Seasonic S12II 520w 80+bronze- a very good stable PSU

atx, Cooler Master N400 Clear Side + 2 Fans - nice airflow and cheap

hsf, Cooler Master Seidon 240M



by the time you enter 3d modeling or video encoding. ypu can upgrade your rig
Seasonic P-520FL Platinum
AMD FirePro W5000 or Nvidia Quadro k2000
Gskill Ripjaws X 16GB 8gbx2 DDR3 1866 CL10


could you make a list of what softwares you use
and what types of design you gonna work ?

i love to hear your comments ssddx
what should we change?
thanks