Looking for a graphics workstation with enough muscle for regular 2D design as well as modeling, animation, some wireframe fun and World of Warcraft when you're um, searching for creative inspiration? We might have just the thing set up. Unlike a DAW, a general graphics workstation does not need any special components and is fully customizable from retail PC parts. For this PC, we went for a reasonably powerful, all-rounder spec to make sure we had a solid system. Components were chosen for their reliable track record and value.
The bread and butter of a graphics workstation is of course its graphical capabilities. The tools of the trade must involve a decent monitor with accurate color reproduction and a good high resolution to boot. Now, whenever we go down the graphic route, the ghost of CRT always rears itself. Unless you are ready to make a hefty investment or already own an existing CRT, professional grade LCD monitors are no longer to be shunned. There are a few brands out there with monitors created for professional purposes, but the choice was narrowed down to LG.Philips and their excellent panels for this particular purpose. Size matters as well, as precision is usually required. While a 19-inch panel may look great for a regular PC, it just would not do for a graphics workstation. 19-inch LCD panels carry the same resolution as their 17-inch counterparts at 1280x1024, which means that a 19-inch panel, while physically bigger can only show the same image size and will not be as sharp due to the larger pixel pitch. A 20-inch monitor is needed at least to get 1600x1200 and good value for monitor real estate.
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MSI 945P Platinum (945P) SRP: US$148
Raw speed isn't a pivotal feature for a designer workstation and our choice of motherboard reflects this. The MSI 945P Neo Platinum is a classic example of an all-rounder with sufficient features and commendable performance but its main strength lies in its increased stability through an enhanced power and voltage regulation design.
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