[SOLVED] Computer system for photography

[Guest]

Hi all!

So I am a photographer, and I use Photoshop and other programs to edit my pictures, as well, my pictures are shot in RAW so they are fairly large files. My current desktop computer doesn't seem to run very smoothly or quickly, whether I am editing in Photoshop or just looking at my images. It is very sluggish. I made sure things are up to date with the hardware and the windows itself, but it is still quite slow. I was thinking of upgrading but I am not sure what I would need for editing. Like do I need a good CPU or like 64 Gb of ram? I am not sure what is important for hardware in terms of photography editing. What build would you recommend? Also, in regards to price, I would like to keep it under $1000. $1200 would be the max I would be willing to go.

Thanks for the help and suggestions!

 

[Andy11466]

Unless you're video editing even a quad processor and 8GB ram would be enough.

 

[tennis2]

Yeah, I haven't had any issues working with RAW files in Photoshop/Lightroom even with a 2c/4t laptop CPU and 8GB RAM.

I think it's best if you start by listing your current system specs.

If we do get into a compete system overhaul, does your stated budget only include the tower, or do we need a monitor(s) in that total also?

 

[Phily21]

Yeah, I haven't had any issues working with RAW files in Photoshop/Lightroom even with a 2c/4t laptop CPU and 8GB RAM.

I think it's best if you start by listing your current system specs.

If we do get into a compete system overhaul, does your stated budget only include the tower, or do we need a monitor(s) in that total also?

Hi tennis

For some reason I couldn't reply to anyone's post, so I had to create another account. In regards to your questions my budget only includes the tower. I have 2 monitors so no need to worry about that.

 

[Phily21]

Yeah, I haven't had any issues working with RAW files in Photoshop/Lightroom even with a 2c/4t laptop CPU and 8GB RAM.

I think it's best if you start by listing your current system specs.

If we do get into a compete system overhaul, does your stated budget only include the tower, or do we need a monitor(s) in that total also?

Hi tennis

For some reason I couldn't reply to anyone's post, so I had to create another account. In regards to your questions my budget only includes the tower. I have 2 monitors so no need to worry about that.

And my current desktop build is;
CPU: AMD A10-7850k
RAM: 8.00 GB DDR3
MOBO: ASUSteK computer
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce G7 720

 

[tennis2]

Would you consider photography to be a career, side job, or hobby?

 

[Phily21]

Would you consider photography to be a career, side job, or hobby?

I would say a side job more than a hobby or career.

 

[Phily21]

Would you consider photography to be a career, side job, or hobby?

I would say a side job more than a hobby or career.

 

[tennis2]

I haven't responded to you on purpose. I'm waiting until AMD announces/launches their Ryzen 3xxx CPUs before I put a list together for you. We'll know by the end of this week.

 

[Phily21]

I haven't responded to you on purpose. I'm waiting until AMD announces/launches their Ryzen 3xxx CPUs before I put a list together for you. We'll know by the end of this week.

Oh, no problem at all. Thanks for looking into this for me. Much appreciated.

 

[tennis2]

Well, it sounds like Ryzen 3xxx won't be released until Q3/Q4, so I'll throw this out as a placeholder.
Photoshop benchmark
Illustrator benchmark
Seems for both programs, once you get over 6 cores/threads, frequency dictates performance.

Ryzen 2600X = $220 - Not on sale
Gigabyte B450 Aorus = $90 - Not on sale
2x8GB DDR4-3000 = $100 w/ promo code EMCTUUU27 - on sale, but can get for this price any time.
512GB HP EX920 SSD = $90 - Not on sale
WD Blue 4TB HDD = $85 w/ promo code EMCTUUU24 - Good price.
Asus Strix RX570 4GB + 2 Free Games = $130 after MIR and promo code EMCTUUU29 - Good price.
EVGA 550 G3 = $60 after MIR and promo code EMCTUUU24 - Good price
Fractal Design Define Mini C = $70 - Average price.
Windows 10 = $10 - Typical

Total = $855 + tax.

 

[Phily21]

Well, it sounds like Ryzen 3xxx won't be released until Q3/Q4, so I'll throw this out as a placeholder.
Photoshop benchmark
Illustrator benchmark
Seems for both programs, once you get over 6 cores/threads, frequency dictates performance.

Ryzen 2600X = $220 - Not on sale
Gigabyte B450 Aorus = $90 - Not on sale
2x8GB DDR4-3000 = $100 w/ promo code EMCTUUU27 - on sale, but can get for this price any time.
512GB HP EX920 SSD = $90 - Not on sale
WD Blue 4TB HDD = $85 w/ promo code EMCTUUU24 - Good price.
Asus Strix RX570 4GB + 2 Free Games = $130 after MIR and promo code EMCTUUU29 - Good price.
EVGA 550 G3 = $60 after MIR and promo code EMCTUUU24 - Good price
Fractal Design Define Mini C = $70 - Average price.
Windows 10 = $10 - Typical

Total = $855 + tax.

Wow! Thanks for putting this together. This looks great. I think later this week I will begin ordering the parts to put together.

Thanks again for your time to build this computer. Much appreciated.