What do graphic designers consider the most important factor when choosing a computer for their work? It’s good to have an idea regarding what to look for. Otherwise, you may end up buying just about any computer you find only to regret the decision later. In a world full of more than 1 billion computers, finding or choosing the best one from this ridiculous number can appear a daunting task. Yes, you may feel overwhelmed unless you know what to look for in a computer worth using for your graphic design work.
The factors to look for in such computers include:
a) Hardware
b) Peripherals
c) Hard drive
d) Monitor
e) Graphics card
f) Mac vs. PC
Now that you know what to look for, read the reviews of the best computers below.
Imagine this: you’re doing a design frantically. You don’t have much time to submit your work. All of a sudden, your computer crashes and you see the Blue Screen Of Death. Needless to say, this would piss any graphic designer off.
A good computer is like oxygen to graphic designers. Getting an ideal computer for graphic design ensures that you won’t have to worry about your computer hanging in the middle of your work and you not reaching the deadline.
The definition of a good computer varies from designer to designer. If you’re getting an entirely new setup, it’s better to get an all-in-one PC. But if you have a monitor from your previous build, it’d be wise to go for just a tower. However, in either case, you’ll need to ensure that you’re getting a powerful GPU, Processor, RAM, and other components.
This is why we’ve put together this article consisting of some of the best Desktop Computers for graphic designers. We’ve incorporated the best of both worlds in this list. So let’s begin!
#1 Skytech Chronos
To kick this list off, we’ll be discussing a computer that stands in the fine line of value for money. The Skytech Chronos is a Desktop Tower ideal for those who want maximum power for their graphic design rig at the lowest price.
Let’s begin with the core component of the Rig – the processor. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 3100 CPU Processor. It has 4-Cores and a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz (overclockable up to 3.9 GHz). It also comes paired with an A320 Motherboard. It also comes with a 500GB SSD.
The Processor and Mobo are paired up with arguably one of the best GPUs in the budget range, the GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER 4GB. The 1650S is powerful enough to give service for the next couple of years at least. The Skytech Chronos also comes with 8GB 3000bus RAM, you can add another 8GB stick if you want.
The airflow of the Skytech Chronos is on point. It comes with 3 x ARGB Dual RING Fans. Furthermore, the casing has a meshed front side, so the fans intake and exhale air quite easily. The casing also has a tempered glass side panel. The Skytech Chronos is powered by an 80+ bronze certified PSU.
However, the negative side isn’t much of a negative. The RGB lights might not seem attractive to some.
Overall, the Skytech Chronos is a flawless Desktop computer for graphic designers. This would be an even better build for you if you’re also a gamer.
Pros
- Runs on a powerful Ryzen 3 3100 Processor.
- Overclockable up to 3.9GHz clock speed.
- Insanely powerful GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER GPU.
- Fast 8GB 3000Bus RAM with the option to add another 8GB RAM.
- The 3 x ARGB Dual RING Fans and Front mesh panel ensure enough airflow.
- Powered by an 80+ bronze certified PSU.
- The 500GB SSD ensures faster-loading speed.
Cons
- Overuse of RGB lights.
#2 HP Pavilion
Now if you can push up your budget by let’s say a hundred bucks more, the HP Pavilion would be a good choice for you. It’s also good for those who aren’t a fan of excessive RGB lights as it features a simpler look.
Let’s begin by discussing the processor first. It comes with a Ryzen 5 3500 processor. The processor has 6 cores, 16 Mb cache memory, and 3.6GHz clock speed. The clock speed is boostable up to 4.1 GHz. There’s also a 512GB NVMe M.2 available. The NVMe enhances your computer’s speed even more.
The HP Pavilion comes with 8GB 2666 MHz RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU. Though the GPU is slightly less powerful then the Chronos, it works perfectly in sync with the Ryzen 5 3500 processor. One thing to note here is that the memory is expandable up to 32 GB.
However, as the casing is missing meshes, you won’t intake much air. The front is also sealed. However, there are openings on the side. One other thing is that they didn’t mention the grade of their PSU.
Overall, the HP Pavilion is directed towards those that prefer less RGB lights. Though it’s slightly more powerful then the Skytech Chronos, we believe that the Skytech Chronos is still a better choice than the HP Pavilion.
Pros
- A powerful Ryzen 5 3500 processor.
- A fast base clock speed of 3.6GHz is overclockable up to 4.1 GHz.
- The 512GB NVMe M.2 provides the system with a speed boost.
- It comes with a fast 8GB 2666MHz RAM. The RAM can also be expanded up to 32GHz.
- The 6 core processor is perfect for graphic designing.
- Powerful Nvidia 1650 4GB GPU.
Cons
- Doesn’t intake much air.
- PSU grade certification is missing.
#3 ROG Strix G15CK
If you want the absolute best rig for graphic designing then you might as well take a look at the Rog Strix G15CK. Don’t be fooled by its nametag as a gaming PC. This computer is a beast for all sorts of work including graphic design!
While putting together this computer, the builders ensured the best of everything (The price justifies that haha!). The Rog Strix G15CK comes with an Intel Core i7-10700KF processor. It has 8 cores and 16M cache. As the processor is unlocked, you can boost it up to 5.0GHz. The processor is coupled with the latest ROG B4560 Motherboard.
So what about the RAM and GPU you ask? They are the flagship-level too. You’ll get an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER 8GB GPU. The ROG Strix G15CK also has 16GB DDR4 3200 MHz RAM. This strong GPU and CPU combination makes all the graphic hungry tasks easier to complete.
The cooling system of this computer is perhaps one of the best right now. It comes equipped with a Flow Ventilation system that elevates internal cooling. This maximizes the overall performance. This computer has a 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage. Expect blazing fast read and write speed from this computer!
We don’t have any complaints regarding this computer, It’s simply perfect.
Overall, this is the best desktop computer currently. If money isn’t a problem for you then you better go for this one!
Pros
- It’s equipped with the latest Core i7-10700KF processor.
- The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER can handle any sort of GPU intensive task.
- Comes with 16GB DDR4 3200 MHz RAM. It’s also expandable up to 64GB.
- The 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD ensures superfast read and write speed.
- The flow ventilation system keeps the computer cool even during intense work sessions.
- Perfect for those who want to use it for the next 3-4 years.
Cons
- None!
#4 Apple iMac (5K display)
Time to step into the all-in-one section! What better way to kick things off than talking about this fan favorite! Yes, that’s right! I’m talking about the Apple iMac. The iMac has always been a fan favorite to graphic designers. Today we’ll discuss why.
The iMac comes with a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 processor. The processor has 6 cores and a 3.3 GHz clock speed. You can install up to 128GB RAM on this computer. They also haven’t spared any kind of ports.
The iMac comes with an AMD Radeon Pro 5300 graphics. As you may know, the Radeon 5300 is one of the better GPUs currently, you won’t have to worry regarding its performance. You’ll also get 512GB SSD storage. The SSD storage ensures lesser loading time for all applications.
As for the display, it’s a treat to your eyes. It’s a 27-inch retina 5K display. It also has a 5120 x 2880 resolution. The display supports up to 500 nits brightness and a billion colors.
One thing that we felt was missing is the touchscreen functionality. It’s also a bit pricey for the average users.
Overall, the Apple iMac is undoubtedly one of the best desktop computers. If this is in your budget then I don’t see any reason for you to pick something else.
Pros
- The latest 10th-gen Hexa-core Intel Core i5 processor.
- Up to 128GB RAM.
- A whole array of ports including Thunderbolt 3 ports.
- The AMD Radeon Pro 5300 GPU is sufficient for most of the tasks.
- The 512GB SSD storage ensures lesser loading time for all applications.
- Stunningly beautiful 5K display with loads of features.
Cons
- Lacks touchscreen.
- A bit pricey for the average users.
#5 Surface Studio 2
You guys might as well call me a madman for including this one, but I had to! Surface Studio 2 is the best desktop computer for graphic designers. Though it’s pricey, it’s worth the money because of the features it provides.
We’ll be honest with something here, the hardware might seem to be a bit underwhelming, but it’s the overall specs that make it worth it. This desktop comes with an Intel Core i7-7820 processor. It also comes with either 16 or 32 GB RAM (depends on the version you choose.)
The GPU is either GTX1070 or GTX1060. We suggest going for GTX1070 as it pitches out a slightly higher performance than GTX1060. In addition to that, you’ll also get up to 1 or 2 TB SSD to choose from. The surface studio also has a lot of ports for your convenience including 4 x USB 3.0 (one high power port).
The display is the cream of the crop here. Honestly, where else would you find a 28-inch touch screen monitor with tilt activation, surface dial-on-screen, and zero gravity hinge? The monitor also has a resolution of 4500 x 3000. It also comes with different color settings such as sRGB, DCI-P3, and Vivid Individually.
However, there are a few things to be concerned about here. Firstly, the hardware isn’t exactly up to the mark. Don’t get me wrong here, they are more than enough to handle your tasks, but they won’t be that good say 2-3 years down the road. On top of that, it’s quite pricey.
So should you go for this one? My answer is yes if you can afford it then definitely go for it. It’s indeed the best desktop computer for graphic designers!
Pros
- The Intel Core i7-7820 processor is good enough to handle graphics-heavy tasks.
- Up to 32 GB Superfast RAM.
- The GTX 1070 is quite a powerful GPU.
- Up to 2TB SSD storage.
- The 28-inch touch screen monitor has tilt activation, surface dial-on-screen, and zero-gravity hinge.
- The display has a variety of color settings including sRGB, DCI-P3, and Vivid Individually.
Cons
- Hardware not up to the mark.
- Very expensive.
#6 HP Envy Recline 27-k350
This all-in-one computer is a perfect device for all your graphic design work. It has a responsive touchscreen. It is the ideal product for a graphic designer who values intuitive touch experiences. In fact, it stands heads and shoulders ahead of its competition in terms of intuitive touch experiences. It allows users to glide through the innovative and adjustable touchscreen seamlessly. Its graphic interface is also a thing of beauty. The computer enables you to create graphics that are fully compatible with all manner of mobile devices.
Pros
- 4th Gen Intel Core i5 Processor
- Gorgeous design
- Booming audio
- Priced great
- Playback and volume control is highly innovative feature
- Natural touch experience
- Touchscreen can be positioned four different ways
- All-in-one design
- Easy to set up, plug and play
- Perfectly sized keyboard
- Enough storage and speed in the hard drive
- Plenty of ports
Cons
- Low resolution compared to other similar computers
- External power supply can be cumbersome
- Lack of adequate screen flexibility because of the fixed display arm
- Has no internal CD/DVD drive
- Could do better than Windows 8 as the Operating System
#7 Dell XPS X8700-2814BLK
With this computer, any graphic designer will be able to create cutting-edge graphics and bring them to life. The combination of its expansive storage and powerful processors guarantees top-notch performance. The 4th Gen Intel Core i7 4790 3.6Ghz Processor ensures the computer will always operate at full speed and not disappoint you with slow loading. With such a heavy-duty processor, you are now able to excel at multitasking. You will have little difficulty with HD video playback or comprehensive video editing tasks too.
Pros
- 16GB of DDR3 Memory
- Windows 8.1 Operating System
- 1TB of Hard Drive
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 745 Graphics Card
- Core i7
- Fast and seamless performances guaranteed all the time
- It has more ports
- Faster connections
- Advanced sound and graphics
Cons
- One PCI 16X Slot
- 460W power supply
- Windows 8.1
#8 CybertronPC Borg-Q
Normally, you would use such a computer solely for your gaming needs. However, you should also consider using it for your graphic design work. It outperforms many of the computers ordinarily used by graphic designers. It is a fast and powerful computer. The power and speed are courtesy of NVIDIA GeForce GT610 Graphics Card, 8GB of RAM, and AMD FX-4130 3.80 GHz Quad Core Processor. With this powerful computer in front of you, there would be no reason for your competitors to overtake you as the graphic designers of choice.
Pros
- Futuristic design
- Windows 8.1
- Powerful graphics card
- Superior performance and speed
- Plenty of expansion bays and slots
- Fast connectivity
- Perfect for gaming and extensive graphic design work
- Fully upgradable
- Blue LED lights
- Space available for fitting a second internal hard drive
- Quick and clear startup
- Easy to set up
Cons
- A different operating system from Windows 8 would be good
Conclusion
As for desktop computers for graphic designers, these are some of the best of the bunch. No matter what kind of computer you seek (All-in-one or Tower) we’ve provided an option in each price range. Go for the one you like the most!