Need help on best PC configuration for video animation

Hi everybody,
I’m planning to buy a new PC for my job in graphic design (photoshop, illustrator, InDesign) and video animation and editing (Premiere and above all AfterEffects).
I’m hesitating between two computers. Would you mind advising me about the configuration that would be the best for my activites?
For information Dell advises me to buy the T3500. But as it is the most expensive, I’m not 100% confident about it…

Dell Studio XPS 8100
• Intel Core i5 Processor 650 (3.20GHz, 4MB)
• Graphics Card - Single 1GB Nvidia GeForce GTS 240
• 6144MB (2x2GB) (2x1GB)1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory
• 1.2TB Dual Hard Drive Raid 0 “Stripe” (2x640GB - 7200rpm)

Dell Precision T3500
• One Intel® Xeon®Processor W3505(2.53GHz,4MB L3, 4.8GT/s,130W,DC)Memory runs at 1066MHz
• 3GB DDR3 1066MHz ECC-UDIMM (3x1GB)
• 320GB (7,200 rpm) SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive with NCQ and 16MB DataBurst Cache™
• 256MB PCIe x16 ATI Fire Pro V3750 (2xDP+DVI or DP+2xDVI or DP+DVI+VGA) Graphics Card

Thanks a lot for your help!

Im not sure what youve been quoted for the DELLS but i would suggest perhaps buying your own custom build PC. And defo go i7.

I recently got a new i7 920, ASUS mbd, 12GB OCZ DDR3 memory, a 128SSD (already had a 400gb sata for my data), Antec 1200 case, noctua heatsink all for about £1100, oh and including Windows 7 too.

Its lightning quick and can handle anything I throw at it.

I do alot of multitasking, music mixing in adobe Audition, run alot of progs @ once for web design, DW, browsers, FW, PS, Outlook etc and its great.

My GFX card is a ATi HD 4850 X2 i think, 3GB memory GPU

Its a good combination of Processing power and ALOT of Ram you will need for what your wanting to do. RAM is key for video editing and heavy graphical work. Id say dont go less than 6GB DDR3, ideally 12 to future proof you and have ur system last you a good 4-6 years.

For extra umph go for a SSD for ur progs n apps, n use an old or 2nd SATA drive for ur docs n data. Fireworks on my system loads in an instant!

As HyperHedgehog say, you need a good processor and lots, lots of RAM. In addition, I would say that if you’re doing this professional, a good graphic card is a must with a lot of dedicated RAM (that is, that the graphic card has its own RAM and doesn’t use the computers RAM)

I would have to agree and say throw out the Dell options and build your own. If you decide to build your own, toss out a budget and I will compile something for you.