The OS depends on if it will be solely for graphics purposes.  NT is a much
more stable platform with more support in the graphics arena (most
higher-end graphics apps. such as Lightwave and 3D Studio won't even run on
a 95/98 box).  NT also offers the administration of end users if you are on
a network.

98 would be the only choice if you intend to play any games on this box, as
NT only has an implementation of Direct X 3 (via SP 3+) and the current crop
of games require ver. 6.0 or 6.1.

I would highly recommend an NT box for design purposes.

As for the video card, I swear by Matrox cards on the low end (under $500)
The 2d quality (which is all that will matter working with the programs you
listed) is unsurpassed (although the voodoo 3 boards come close...)  The
current Matrox card of choice is the Millennium G200 8 MB.  The G400 will be
shipping within a few weeks (mid-June).  I have pre-ordered the G400 MAX
with 32 MB memory.  The white paper on the G400 shows it to be the current
leader in 2d/3d performance as well as quality.  If you want the best
(again, under $500), wait for it.  The G400 MAX runs $250.

Above the $500 mark, it gets VERY specialized.  You can't go wrong with a
card from Intergraph, Elsa, or Apian.  Contact their sales dept. or their
respective web sites to determine which card will fit your needs.

I hope this helps.  I too am a MAC convert, so if your client needs any
advice, send her to the mailing list...one thing I will mention off the bat
is to pick up a copy of "MAC Opener."  This will let you read any MAC
formatted media on the Windows box...

Brad Boutwell
BDB Design
Tulsa, OK


********************

Good evening all,

I have a client that needs a box for graphics design. The programs that
will be run on it are Adobe Illustrator, PageMaker, Photoshop,
Streamline, perhaps others of that kind, maybe even Auto CAD.

What would be the best video card to use on a project like this? What
OS, NT or 98?

She's used to working on a Mac and I've told her that PCs can undertake
graphics nowadays with no problem so I need a box that can stand up to a
Mac doing graphics.

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