Best PC for Graphics Design, 3D Rendering and A/V Creation?

[masop]

A friend of mine recently secured a graphics design based job and wants a very powerful machine. The scope of use is not games, but as stated above, Graphics Design, 3D Rendering, A/V Creation and things of that nature. The budget is $5000 which includes a dual 24" flat panel setup. I need you guys input on which platform would be best for this and a suitable configuration to look at. Here are some basic minimum specs my friend has given me. Thanks!

4 Cores (1 x Quad Core or 2 x Dual Core)
4GB Memory
RAID 1 (O/S Drive)
RAID 0 (2TB Media Space)
Superfast non-SLI Video Card setup
Dual 24" Flat Panel

-- MaSoP

NOTE: This is not a theorietical request. This machine WILL be built during the month of February.

 

[aBg_rOnGak]

Not very sure about other specs, but IMO, he need workstation class graphics card (nVidia Quadro or ATI FireGL), but I recommend nVidia's offering, they're better in most benchmarks....but sorry, don't have enough time to provide link.You could look at VGA chart for workstation graphics

 

[masop]

Not very sure about other specs, but IMO, he need workstation class graphics card (nVidia Quadro or ATI FireGL), but I recommend nVidia's offering, they're better in most benchmarks....but sorry, don't have enough time to provide link.You could look at VGA chart for workstation graphics

I talked to him. For the specific task he will be doing, he said he won't need a Quadro or FireGL video card. I will be posting what I think is a suitable box for him and hope to get some input on specifics. He said on-board audio is fine, so no sound blaster is needed and only a high end 7900 series geforce would be needed. I'll put up another post shortly. Thanks.

-- MaSoP

 

[pmr]

Not very sure about other specs, but IMO, he need workstation class graphics card (nVidia Quadro or ATI FireGL), but I recommend nVidia's offering, they're better in most benchmarks....but sorry, don't have enough time to provide link.You could look at VGA chart for workstation graphics

You really wanna see a guy spending money....geez

 

[pmr]

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail $864
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115017

Motherboard - ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard $219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131025

Memory - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory X2 (4Gb) $399.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231051

GFX Card - SAPPHIRE 100196L Radeon X1950PRO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102075

Monitors - HP LP2465 Carbonite-Black 24" X 2 $1479.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824176059

Cheaper: Acer AL2423Wdr Silver/Black 24" X 2 $1199.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824009089

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3500641AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive X 4 (2 TB) $599.96
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148108

HDD OS Raid 1 - Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s X 2 $105.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144415

Total with HP monitors - $3880 leaving $1120 for case, psu, dvd rw and periphericals

 

[masop]

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail $864
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115017

Motherboard - ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard $219.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131025

Memory - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory X2 (4Gb) $399.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231051

GFX Card - SAPPHIRE 100196L Radeon X1950PRO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Video Card $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102075

Monitors - HP LP2465 Carbonite-Black 24" X 2 $1479.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824176059

Cheaper: Acer AL2423Wdr Silver/Black 24" X 2 $1199.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824009089

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3500641AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive X 4 (2 TB) $599.96
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148108

HDD OS Raid 1 - Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s X 2 $105.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144415

Total with HP monitors - $3880 leaving $1120 for case, psu, dvd rw and periphericals

After thinking about it and comparing prices, I agree with going with (4) 500gb drives instead of (3) 750's. I'm looking over the rest...

-- MaSoP