First time builder - Graphic Design/Editing PC

[JayNorth96]

Hi everyone, I am a first time buyer/PC builder and I’m hoping I could get some advice on what is the best specs to get based on what I am needing my PC for (mostly Adobe suite but may do PC gaming). Previously I had an iMac which I’ve had since 2014 but Im unsure if a PC or Mac is better for Adobe based work or if it doesn’t matter.

I have a budget of around 1500-2500 for the PC, it would be much appreciated if people can advise on builds please☺️ thanks everyone.

 

[steaky360]

PC/Mac for adobe probably doesn't make a difference really, however if you're gaming you may be better with a PC.

We would only be able to help with a PC here. Thought I'd reply as a slight bump but also to ask what games you intend on playing? Do you have any specs in mind at all? Even a case you like the look of perhaps?

 

[sck451]

If you use InDesign a lot, a Mac is probably better because there's no hardware acceleration on PC and in all likelihood never will be. It's ok, but Macs are clearly better. But for everything else, there's not much in it, and for gaming, PCs are miles better and really the only choice.

 

[JayNorth96]

Hi guys, many thanks for this information!

I do use mostly photoshop and illustrator and indesign. Ive had my mac for a while (2015 version, specs below) and i am likely to play games or learn to PC game on things like Call of Duty, i just wasnt too sure as to where to begin as i haven't got the best knowledge in PCs. I wanted to basically just upgrade my PC from the below specs of my iMac within the 1500-2500 budget. I'm guessing that if i get a powerful PC for gaming then i wont need to worry too much about my adobe suite being slow or not as high quality as my current iMac asthe PC will be high spec. Hope this makes sense

iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015)
3.3 GHz Intel Core i5
8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
AMD Radeon R9 M290 2048 MB

 

[sck451]

A powerful gaming PC should be able to handle whatever InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator need for almost anyone, certainly miles better than that system.

Do you have a monitor? Do you have one in mind? A design monitor is quite different to a gaming monitor... Does it need to come out of the above budget?

 

[JayNorth96]

Its likely that I will want to include a monitor within the budget so i would be happy to spend 1500-2000 to then get a good monitor.

I had been looking to get a 32 inch monitor so it is big enough to watch netflix on but also not too big for gaming/doing my job.

I had the Samsung U32J590 4k Ultra HD Led Monitor which is around £330 in mind, would that be a good monitor to go with? The original monitor i have for My xbox that i use is an ASUS 24.5inch VG258QR Monitor