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Subject: What might a person need...

mejed opened this issue on Jul 04, 2006 · 12 posts

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mejed ( ) posted Tue, 04 July 2006 at 4:41 PM · edited Sat, 18 January 2025 at 8:36 PM

what might a person need, as far as computers go, if the were wanting to do art full time, and hopefully make money. I was asked what it would take. Right now I do everything on my desk top, the only computer I have. i have someone who is willing to help me buy the equipment, and software i need.

Any suggestions and help will be greatly appreciated.

thank you.

PS: I already know what software I need.

svdl ( ) posted Tue, 04 July 2006 at 4:57 PM

What you need depends on the software. If you're doing 2D work, in Photoshop for example, you don't need a fast 3D graphics card, but you'll want a graphics card that handles high resolutions and textures really well. If you're doing 3D work, a professional 3D graphics card is worth shelling out for.

My setup, which works very well for my 3D work:

Athlon64x2 4400 CPU
MSI mainboard, nForce4 chipset
4x1 GB Kingston HyperX RAM DDR400
2x73 GB WD Raptor 10,000 RPM SATA
1x300 GB Maxtor 7200 RPM SATA
nVidia 7800 GTX graphics card (a mistake, I think. I'll trade it for a 3DLabs Wildcat Realizm one of these days)
2x Samsung 913v 19" flatscreens (and I want to switch them for a 30" Dell Ultrasharp, when I have the money....)

This is a nice 3D box, some 6 months old. Not cheap, € 2000,- , but very fast and reliable.

One last thing - don't go cheap on the case and the PSU. A good solid case and a good PSU will make your system more reliable and will increase its lifespan.

Since DDR2 is getting cheaper these days, and DDR2 also comes in 2 GB modules, you might want to go for a DDR2 based mainboard. Make sure it has 4 memory slots, you'll want to be able to expand your memory to 8 GB when Vista finally comes out...

If you travel a lot, you also might want to buy a good laptop. Make sure you get one with a good graphics card, like an ATI FireGL or an nVidia Geforce GO. The harddisk should be at least 5400 RPM, 7200 is better, but also more expensive. Pentum M/Centrino would be a good choice - silent, not too much power consumption, and pretty fast.

Oh, and buy a switch plus some UTP cables. They're almost free (just bought an 8 port switch for € 15,-) and you can hook up your machines in a network. Great for applications that can do network rendering, also great for backing up your work.

The pen is mightier than the sword. But if you literally want to have some impact, use a typewriter

My gallery My freestuff

bobbystahr ( ) posted Tue, 04 July 2006 at 6:51 PM

Get as much of everything as you can,...it still won't be enough....LOL...or fast enough....But really, inspiration and ability even on a smallish desktop, will often outperform an uninspired, million dollar art department...so get what you think you need, plus 10%

Once in a while I look around,
I see a sound
and try to write it down
Sometimes they come out very soft
Tinkling light sound
The Sun comes up again

vince3 ( ) posted Tue, 04 July 2006 at 8:20 PM

some post-it notes would be good!!! to cover the monitor with little reminders!!!

DennisReed ( ) posted Wed, 05 July 2006 at 2:32 AM · edited Wed, 05 July 2006 at 2:35 AM

This is my 2nd computer from Cyberpower, with my last one lasting 5+ years. This runs all my 3d graphics apps, and I can run Vue & Poser at the same time. fast Fast FAST! I had to make a serious decision regarding a true 64bit machine, but the apps are not out yet, and I will not be able to buy them yet anyways. I figure 5 more years and that platform may be ready! I use a 19" ViewSonic E95. IMHO, the flatscreens don't cut it!

As far as making money! Skill, talent, uniqueness, and marketing knowhow, are far more important than the computer you may be using! Keep your day job! ;)

vince3 ( ) posted Wed, 05 July 2006 at 5:48 AM

ooooohh!!!! i like the look of your new 'puter Dennis!!!!!!!(mines just grey!!) yours looks like it's from the future! future! future!(echo) i agree with dennis with graphic work flatscreens just don't cut it!!!! would recommend a wacom tablet if you haven't got one already!!!!

TerraDreamer ( ) posted Wed, 05 July 2006 at 8:57 AM

http://www.apple.com/powermac/

mejed ( ) posted Wed, 05 July 2006 at 2:10 PM

Thanks for you help, and to Dennis, my helth procludes me from having a day job. So i might as well make some money off what I do. And trust me I will.

diolma ( ) posted Wed, 05 July 2006 at 3:17 PM · edited Wed, 05 July 2006 at 3:21 PM

Don't forget a decent printer! You'll need it - if only to build a portfiolio for the non-connected.

But also a decent printer helps you get to grips with some of those baffling "side-issues", such as PPI versus DPI, the various "save" formats, the various print formats, the various print protocols....and so on..

Regrets, I can't advise you on a decent printer. My (rather cheap, and not what I would recommend) printer gave up the ghost a couple of years ago - then I got made redundant and now I can't afford even a cheap replacement. (Such is life)...

Cheers,
Diolma