So, my gf is a computer graphic designer in last year of school. She has a shitload of money and she doesn't know what to do with it so she wants her first desktop.

She has something like 1000 $ to put in it but has no idea what to buy. I can help her a little but I'm no expert in big configs.

The main question is for the GPU actually, though any help is welcome. AMD vs Nvidia has been discussed over and over, but as far as gaming PC were concerned. As Nvidia's main advantage are the drivers, mostly for gaming, wouldn't AMD take the upper hand for a 3D artist PC ?

I would go with Nvidia currently cause there's more of that type of software that offers CUDA acceleration. A GTX 970 would be a good start and their drivers are better too ...

970 specs sure looks neat, but the 1000 $  bill may include 2 screens, thus 400$ GPU would be too much.

Though after googling a little it does seem superior to every other GPU in  that price range.

Damn! 

2 displays is worth a lot of money so there's really not much your GF can do with a $1000 ... 

OP, would your GF accept used parts ?

What programs does she use? Does she make 3d models? Or like printed media and photoshop stuff?

There is no "the drivers are better" that is pretty much bullshit.. on both ends, it equals out eventually anyways.
there are ALWAYS going to be hiccups along the way on both ends.

I'd say go for something that is recommended by the software developer for their program. if you are thinking 3d modeling programs

The only thing you don't describe though.. and it is the most important part.

what does your GF want to run on the machine, program + version. does she run several of them at the same time? that needs to be taken into account too.

so give us some more info and you can expect some thought-out answers :)

A typical use would be Maya + Photoshop, on dual screen, working in real time on high res textures. But now she also started working on vg and I'm not sure (she doesn't know yet either) what she will use.

So she needs a good amount of RAM or that, more than you would need on a typical gamer PC (most games be fine with 4-6GB), and of course high end CPU and GPU.

If she was going 2D only, she would go mac like every 2D folk =p