Specs for Machine at Work ...? Need Help!

[BoonDock]

Ok, I have the ability to upgrade my computer here at work.

Right now it's running on a Pentium 4 2.0 Ghz processor
1 Gig of RAM
a 5200 GeForceFX video card
etc. etc. (it's from Dell)

I have now been allowed to learn After Effects and further my involvement with Flash to better our web department and presentation ability - so I am in need of a new workstation.

So could anyone direct me to a link where they spec out workstations for this type of thing or possibly spec one out yourself. It doesn't have to be great and I'm not rendering any 3d video it's mainly for effects in Flash and for web etc.

Programs I'll be running are as follows:

-InDesign
-Photoshop
-Quark
-Illustrator
-After Effects
-Flash
-Fireworks
-Freehand
-Dreamweaver
-Sound Forge

and other misc. things probably.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Boon.

[kirupa]

What is your budget?

[BoonDock]

See I'm not sure what the budget is - the supervisor asked what I'd like to have - but if I go overboard he might just laugh and get me something that is way under what i'd like to get? ya know what I mean?

So I'd like to probably stay under 2K is what I'm thinking.

[Cello]

Easy ;)

Spec out two machines - one that is over the top and the other (lower priced) machine which is what you actually want. You won't get the expensive one but you will get the other (bosses have budgets to manage).

So, strategically you're looking for two machines.

Tactically, make sure the one you want is the right for what you need and cheaper than the other one ;)

[Jolly_Fat_Man]

Just do this.
Make an AMD 4x4 machine.
Then make a Core 2 Quad machine.

Then... Finally...
If you believe the previous ones were above your budget.
Do a Core 2 Duo machine.

If your boss is not good with decisions present less options the more undecided he/she is.

[.soulty]

thought you might find this interesting.. computer i arrange for work.

post #16 is what i finally got:
http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234731

[BoonDock]

Thanks guys - i'll post what he goes with! :thumb:

[Jolly_Fat_Man]

Core 2 Quad E6600
4x 1GB DDR800
2x 8800GTX (SLI)
2x Raptor 15k (Raid *Speed*)
2x 1TB HDD (Raid *Security*)
EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard

This is the most I can plan on an empty stomach. I honestly don't know the Raid numbers and what each does. Check Newegg for the prices.
I'm not sure if the TB drive is already sold, but 2 500HDD should do the same trick.
Optionally take 1 GPU out for later possible purchase, leave the Multi-HDD out and put in a Hybrid Hard Drive in Raid meant for speed, and your done.

When you upgrade to Vista put in a Card reader slot, and purchase another 8800GTX, or some other GPU and you've got yourself a computer to last a few years.
Vista will present several benefits towards HHD and NAND, so you might want to change the pc to think that threw.
:thumb2: