This is an illustrative scenario, not an account of a specific client engagement. Consider a 12-person agency doing brand strategy, motion graphics, and digital marketing. They outgrow their old machines and decide to refresh the entire office. A one-size-fits-all approach is the wrong answer: there are three distinct job functions here with three distinct computing needs.
The Tier Breakdown
Tier 1 — Strategists and Account Managers (4 machines): These roles use web browsers, Google Workspace, Figma, and presentation software. No 3D. No video. A capable processor and fast SSD are what matter.
- Intel Core i5-13600K, 32GB DDR4, no dedicated GPU (using integrated), 1TB NVMe
Tier 2 — Motion Designers (5 machines): After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Premiere Pro. GPU acceleration matters. Memory bandwidth matters. This tier needs real VRAM.
- Intel Core i7-14700K, 64GB DDR5, RTX 4070 Ti Super 16GB, 2TB NVMe
Tier 3 — Lead Designer and Creative Director (3 machines): The heaviest After Effects and Cinema 4D projects. Real-time previews of complex motion work. Maximum RAM and GPU.
- Intel Core i9-14900K, 128GB DDR5, RTX 4080 Super 16GB, 2TB NVMe PCIe 5.0
The Logic
Putting the same machine on every desk either under-equips the creative team or wastes money on the account managers. Role-matched hardware lets the total budget go further while making sure no one is waiting on their computer.
A deployment of this size is not just hardware. Budget for OS configuration, software installation, and onboarding for whoever will manage the fleet afterwards — those are part of the job, not an afterthought.