Computer system for Adobe Creative Suite 4 Design

I need to replace one of my office systems. It's been over 3 years since I've bought a new computer, and would like to know what I should look for in a good system to run Adobe CS4 Design Suite. Main applications I use heavily are ID & Acrobat. Light usage of PS and IL.

I've usually bought Dells and would consider staying with it. I will likely go with Windows 7 (is Home okay or do I need more?). Which of the Dell lines should I be looking at? I know I need a separate graphics card (which one?). I need dual monitor support from the graphics card -- ideally if it can run a digital monitor connection for 1 and an analog connection for the 2nd (older monitor). If not, I'll consider replacing the older monitor too and then would need a video card with dual digital monitor support.

How much RAM should I get?

Are the AMD processors okay or should I stick with Intel -- and is there a minimum processor I should consider.

Of course I don't want to spend more than necessary, but I know I need more than a bottom-of-the line system. I was hoping to keep it under $1,000 if possible.

I'd appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks.

Windows 7 Professional adds the ability to join a domain (very often used in large businesses), encrypting file system, Windows XP mode (a full copy of XP pro in a VM), and makes it easier to edit group policies (used by administrators to lock down features). Windows 7 Features Do you have any very old software that you may need to run? If so, XP mode may be helpful.

AMD high-end processors are not as fast as the fastest that Intel offers, but an AMD triple or quad core is still a quite powerful machine. For heavy Adobe use and running multiple applications at once, a quad core with around 4gb of RAM would be a reasonable option.

Adobe applications do not rely heavily on the video card, but certainly you want a standalone card so that the UI is responsive and that you do not burden the CPU with video operations. Most standalone cards should be acceptable.

If you add the 3 year warranty to a Dell Home Studio Desktop, and configure an Optiplex 960 from Small Business with similar processor and operating system and separate video card, the one from Dell Home is about $300 less. An AMD quad core Inspiron 546 from Dell Home with similar specs as the Intel Quad Q9400 Studio desktop is only about $50 lower, and has lower performance and a less expensive case.

So the best value looks like the Studio Desktop from Dell Home - check the "Deals" tab of the Dell page for current offers (third from the left side of the screen).

You have to look at the ports on the video card. Most video cards have 2 outputs, but the outputs vary. It's pretty hard to find a video card without DVI these days, but some still have a legacy port as well. It will either say 2x DVI, or 1x DVI and 1x SVGA (or 15 Pin connector) in the specs.

The odobe apps can benefit from both a 64 bit OS and extra ram. With the 64 bit OS, you can use more than 4 gigs. Memmory is cheap, so it's worth the upgrade. You don't need Win7 Enterprise. Most systems today will come standard with 64 bit Home edition, which will work fine.

Thank you. I was planning on Win 7 Home 64 bit and 8GB ram based on someone else's recommendations.

I've looked at the Dell video cards offered and they all show DVI but only the most expensive ones show Dual DVI support. I don't see where any of them list a SVGA or 15 pin connector, but they do list HDMI support. Could I connect one monitor to DVI and one to HDMI (I assume a new Dell monitor I would get with the new system would support HDMI)? Is it possible these cards do also have SVGA but don't list it in the specs on Dell.com (could that be what they refer to when it says the card is "dual display capable)?

If you could clarify this for me it would be very helpful.

Thank you.

Thanks, I'm getting there.

To clarify further though, if the video cards specs list 1 DVI and HDMI that means I need to only use those 2 kinds of port (since I'd use DVI for one monitor than I can't be using it also for SVGA, right?)? My existing monitor has both DVI and SVGA, so I would plug that in to the DVI port. And, is it reasonable to assume that a new Dell monitor that would come with the system would have a HDMI port, so I would then plug that one into the HDMI port. Does this sound right? Would I need any additional cable besides the one I'm presently using and whatever would come with the new monitor?

I appreciate all help very much.

Yes, the card specs say it is dual monitor capable, but I am having a very hard time determining what kind of ports are on the card and what kind of ports are on the monitor.

I am looking at the Studio Desktop (doesn't show a model number).

Video card choices are:
ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB [add $60 or $2/month1]
nVidia GeForce GT 220, 1024MB [add $100 or $3/month1]
nVidia GeForce GTS 240 1024MB [add $160 or $5/month1]
ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB [add $180 or $6/month1]

I would normally go with the first one (ATI Radeon HD 4350) unless there was a reason to need one of the others.

Monitor I would get with the system is:
20" Dell ST2010-Black High Definition Monitor

The monitor I already have to use as the 2nd monitor in dual configuration is:
Dell 2001FP

Thank you very much.

CMeys said: I am looking at the Studio Desktop (doesn't show a model number).
Tech specs list it as having VGA and HDMI ports, although those may be on the system board, not the card:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/desktop...

Video card choices are:
ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB [add $60 or $2/month1]
Assuming it's a Diamond ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB, it has HDMI, DVI, and VGA ports:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Graphics_Cards/produ...

Monitor I would get with the system is:
20" Dell ST2010-Black High Definition Monitor
The tech specs list this as having VGA and HDMI inputs:
http://www1.ap.dell.com/hk/en/home/monitors/monitor-dell-st2010w...

CMeys said: Then, to use the ATI Radeon 4350 card, with the new st2010 monitor, I would use the HDMI connection for it and would use the DVI or VGA (I'm pretty sure it has a DVI connector) for my older Dell 2001FP monitor (which I've decided to use instead of the older 15" analog only monitor)?
Yes, that should work. However, you may want to call Dell just to confirm the connections the PC with video card will have.

Isn't it strange for a new monitor to not have a DVI input?
Not if it has both VGA and HDMI. DVI-Analog is the same signal as used for VGA, and DVI-Digital is the same video signal as used in HDMI. So if you have a video card with only DVI, you could still attach it to the monitor with an adapter.

CMeys said: Is it likely that the system (bought with monitor) will come with a cable that uses HDMI?
Dunno. I've never seen a system that came with HDMI, but I usually don't buy the PC and monitor at the same time. Separately, the monitors typically come with a VGA or DVI cable.

For questions of this specificity, you're much better off asking Dell directly.

It's a good price, but if you can wait a couple more weeks you will see better.

It looks like a great system. My only concern is that a 20" high def monitor be slightly small for the resolution?