ABC ~ All 'Bout Computers
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PCs, RAM and Graphics
~~Charlene Russ, Artistic Vision

If you are going to be doing a lot of graphics work with your PC, bear in mind that many graphic applications are RAM intensive. Adobe Photoshop CS, for instance, is bloated with additional features, some of which are not even used by many graphic artists.

The result of this trend is toward more complex systems with greater amounts of RAM. If you are going to run Adobe applications, or do 3D modeling work, be prepared to either upgrade your RAM or purchase a system with upgradeable RAM. 512K RAM is barely sufficient, but you are better off getting a new system with XP installed and the highest RAM you can afford.

(Note from Linda:  If you decide to add more RAM to your computer, read Hal Cardona's ABC article on installing RAM.)

For those of you confused about RAM, this is Random Access Memory which is the computer's active memory where application data and operation is temporarily stored. PCs are designed to run a variety of software, preferred by the home user, and are prized for their versatility. The drawback is that they do not run graphics calculations as quickly as a MAC with its RISC processor.

PCs utilize a CISC processor (Complete Instruction Set) designed to execute different types of code. MACs use a RISC processor (Reduced Instruction Set), designed to execute similar code, or repetitive calculations quickly. Repetitive calculations are common with the graphics and 3D modeling programs. Since PCs do not naturally process graphics quickly, be sure that your new system has a good graphics card and cache. The cache is crucial to graphics processing as it stores information near the CPU for faster indexing.

Graphics cards such as Nvidia and Radeon are popular. Standard cards are 64 megs, but opt for a 128 meg card if possible.

Charlene Russ is an instructor with Eclectic Academy, and is currently teaching Introduction to 3D Studio Max.  She teaches novice students the basics of 3D design and modeling techniques.  She is also an adjunct instructor with a Florida community college in the Digital Arts dept.  Charlene's personal site is Chromacrys Media: Graphic Design, which features a wide gamut of useful design related information.