Affordable PCs for All Budgets Available Now
For indie graphic designers working on 2D projects with Adobe apps and occasional gaming, finding a budget-friendly yet powerful pre-built PC can be a challenge. Here are some recommended specifications to help you make an informed decision.
Essential Components
CPU
A mid-range CPU like the Intel Core i5 (e.g., i5-12400) or AMD Ryzen 5 (e.g., Ryzen 5 5500) should suffice. Multiple cores are beneficial, with at least 6 cores recommended for simultaneous tasks.
GPU
A dedicated GPU is essential for handling graphics-intensive tasks and occasional gaming. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 / 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 are good options.
RAM
16GB DDR4 RAM is sufficient for most creative applications and multitasking.
Additional Components
A 512GB or larger NVMe SSD offers faster loading times and ample storage. A 500W to 650W power supply supports current and future upgrades. Windows 10 or 11 are well-supported by Adobe apps.
High-Performance Options
RTX 5060 Ti (16GB)
This configuration is suitable for creatives who work with higher resolution video footage and more demanding RTX-accelerated effects. It includes an AMD Ryzen 5 5500, 16GB of DDR4 memory, and a fast 1TB NVMe SSD, priced at £779.99. For a small additional cost, you can upgrade to a more powerful GPU and a larger 2TB SSD.
RTX 5070
This RTX 5070 Ti build is ideal for professional video editors, technical animators, and motion graphics artists who need faster viewport rendering. It includes an RTX 5070 Ti, AMD Ryzen 5 7500F, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, priced at £1,579.98.
Premium Option: RTX 5080
For more demanding tasks or future upgrades, consider the 3XS Lignum RTX build with an NVIDIA RTX 5080, AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, 32GB RAM, and a 2TB SSD, priced at £2,499.98. The RTX 5080 GPU notches up a high PugetBench benchmark score of 11,658 in DaVinci Resolve, making it capable of handling high-resolution video editing with advanced multi-layered VFX and AI-driven tools.
Choosing Pre-built PCs
Choosing pre-built PCs can save time on compatibility issues, installation, and troubleshooting. SCAN offers a variety of case choices for the RTX 5060 Ti (16GB) and RTX 5070, including stylish mesh front cases in black or white, and a flashy tempered glass option from Lian Li. All pre-built PCs from SCAN are configured with creatives in mind, with Windows installed and options for every budget.
Random access memory (RAM) is vital for multitasking, with creatives typically requiring at least 16GB, and 32GB being preferable for video editing or animation. The graphics processing unit (GPU) is crucial for creative work, responsible for rendering images, videos, animations, and transitions. Programs like DaVinci Resolve and Photoshop are optimized to take advantage of NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs.
In conclusion, these specifications should offer a good balance between performance and budget for indie graphic designers working with Adobe apps on 2D projects and occasional gaming. For more demanding tasks or future upgrades, consider looking into used or refurbished parts to enhance your system without breaking the bank.
- A mid-range CPU, like the Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, is suitable for indie graphic designers working on 2D projects, offering multiple cores for simultaneous tasks.
- Multitasking creatives should opt for 16GB DDR4 RAM, ensuring ample memory for various applications.
- A 512GB NVMe SSD offers faster loading times and ample storage for creative projects, while a 500W to 650W power supply supports desired upgrades.
- For high-resolution video footage and demanding RTX-accelerated effects, consider the RTX 5060 Ti (16GB) configuration, which includes an AMD Ryzen 5, 16GB of DDR4 memory, and a fast 1TB NVMe SSD.
- The RTX 5070 is ideal for professional video editors and animators, offering a faster viewport rendering with an RTX 5070 Ti, AMD Ryzen 5 7500F, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
- The premium RTX 5080 offers a high PugetBench benchmark score of 11,658 in DaVinci Resolve, making it ideal for high-resolution video editing with advanced multi-layered VFX and AI-driven tools.
- Choosing pre-built PCs from providers like SCAN can save time on compatibility issues and offer case choices, with options for every budget and creative needs, including Graphic Designers who utilize Adobe apps for 2D projects and occasional gaming.
