ProfScott

I am trying to spec out a new Windows-based computer to be used primarily for my photography. I have used Apples for years but my main IT guy (my brother) is a Windows guy and that is what I use at work. Money is an object, so I don't want to spend a fortune, but with that in mind, a nephew who builds computers has suggested this (among other things):

AMD - Ryzen 5 1600 3.2 GHz 6-core processor
32GB memory
Asus - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6GB Dual Video Card
Also thinking about 4TB Hard Drive (with two 4TB portables for back up)

Any thoughts or comments? Do I need 32 GB of memory? And, is video card a good idea?

Your ideas are greatly appreciated.

Scott

rcarol

I have built more than several computers and I would say that a video card is highly desirable. I'm running 16GB of memory on my desktop and I have found it more than adequate for all of my photo processing. If you do video processing you may want to consider 32GB. I highly recommend a 512GB (Minimum) SSD for your operating system and applications.

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

You definitely want the separate video adapter. Most built-in video adapters share the motherboard RAM which can degrade the machine's overall performance. 32GB RAM would mitigate that a fair amount, however.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I would specify a 500GB M2 SSD for OS and applications (250GB would be adequate, but SSD is getting less expensive all the time). For imagery storage, unless I had several TBs of imagery, I’d put that on SSD also. Personally, I have completely given up on rotating media HDs in favor of SSDs, but I have less than 1TB of photos. If I had several TBs, I’d use two internal mirrored 4TB HGST or enterprise quality WDs. One internal and one mirrored external would work also. I’d also include a Blu Ray/MDisk drive for archive.

ProfScott

Thanks all for your comments. The SSD drive is not intended for photo storage, but for keeping all of my operating systems and software. So, I am considering upping to 512 GB SSD internal, but depends upon system storage needs. Not sure at this point I want to pay for SSD storage for photos. Maybe down the road when it gets cheaper and becomes the standard for multiple TBs.
Mirrored internal drives is a good idea, but I want to have triple redundancy, so will use the cloud or additional external hard drive to get to that level of security.
Didn't include in original notes, but DVD/CD writer has been spec'd out, as well.
Thanks again. Look forward to more comments.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Stay with the 32 Gb Ram (always easy & cheap to add more later if ever needed) and you should be good to go. I have a 256 SSD just for OS and programs as your good plan, I run more programs than probably 80% of people, and my SSD is only half full, so if need to cut budget that might be an area but in computers bigger is always better. Currently, storing photos on a large SSD is like having a Corvette in the garage to store gasoline in the tank.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

A reliable Corvette with no moving heads or rotating parts to fail...😎. Concur with keeping a 3rd DR copy in the cloud.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I'm high on Asus motherboards, but prefer Nvidia graphics cards. Just make sure your motherboard has the connectivity options you want like wired TCPIP, wireless, and bluetooth. As far as a processor goes, an i7 4 core at 3.6Ghz is more than enough. Anything more is gravy. As far as mem goes, you'll get away with 16Gb, but 32Gb is better. If you can afford 64Gb, go for it. Go with a 256GB or 512TB SSD (depending on what is on sale) then add a couple of 1TB or 2TB drives for pics, videos, music and backups. Believe me, you will love the boot speed and shut down speed of an SSD. Then you'll need a processor cooler, power supply and case. Go for a tool-less case. Buy an OEM version of Windows 10. Once you register it, it will only work with the motherboard it was loaded on. An important decision will be on which monitor to go with. I would recommend looking at a photo monitor like a Benq 24", but a 27" would be a little nicer. Go with a less expensive wired keyboard and mouse, unless you plan on using it for gaming as well. Remember, if you build it, there is no one to call to fix problems, so prepare to spend time online asking for help.

david vt Loc: Vermont

Hi. All comments good. Search for threads on this (including mine) from the past, as this comes up every few months.

The dual HHD in RAID 1 mirrored configuration is good, as HHD will eventually fail (just a matter of when). You and the others are right - you need a 3rd backup as well, preferably kept off site (cloud or other).

Two other items to pay attention to
-USB ports. Get several, make at least a few of them 3.0, and make sure several are on the front of the machine so you can plug card readers into them.
-Monitor. For photography, your computer, in terms of being able to edit, is only as good as your monitor. Good monitors are expensive - invest some of your budget here.

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

I agree with the other comments here on RAM and video card. I do not have an SSD but may on my next computer. I always have two computers configured and use one for video and as a spare for my photo editing with Adobe cloud. I hear you on multiple backups of the photos. I never used to have a problem but as I upgraded equipment those photo files can really start hogging the storage space. Depending on your photo size get as big a storage drive as you can afford. I do not use cloud storage preferring to handle the storage myself. So I have a number of USB external 2 TB hard disks, even they are getting full now. I also store a duplicate of all my photos on a NAS drive in the basement which makes it easy to share on the home network. I also burn files to DVD which is a third backup choice until that medium goes obsolete. I lost a motherboard on a windows 10 machine a few years ago and the shop had to reinstall windows and killed all my data files on the hard disk. I guess windows 10 does not like major component changes as it ties the installation to things like motherboard s/ns and such. Or so I am told. Anyway I lost my data and was very glad I had the files available in local storage.

Woodsman Loc: North of Peterborough Ontario

Good point on USB ports. As computers particularly laptops are getting thinner the ports are getting fewer and fewer. To get around this I use a externally powered USB hub for my external devices. I also use one port for a USB extension cable so when I am plugging in card readers and USB sticks I do not wear out a port on the PC through repeated insertions. I learned that one the hard way.

I also recommend getting a good cooling fan array in a plastic case if your using a laptop. The laptop sits on the case and it really helps cool the laptop They are cheap and I have them on all my laptops. They are USB powered and I have one where the USB port is passed through to a port on the cooling array so you can still plug a peripheral in and not use a USB port just for a cooling array. I use my extended port for a USB dongle for a wireless mouse and keypad combo.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I second the SSD. I just built my newest computer (mostly used ebay parts, but it's still pretty loaded)

Once adding the SSD and putting my programs and operating system on that, and keeping my working photos (I put photos I'm done with on external drives, and the cloud to stop from filling up, and slowing down my HDD's) My computer now literally starts up in about 4 seconds, and photoshop, and lightroom, which used to take several minutes, now opens up in seconds as well. Everything also renders much quicker. I have a Ryzen also, with 8 cores, 16gig ram, a GTX 970 graphics card, and am a LOT happier than I've ever been with performance. What really sped everything up was the SSD. Actually, if I would have known it would make that much difference, I probably would have started with the SSD in my old HP system to see if it would speed it up. I may not have had to go to the expense of starting over. I will tell you, the new box is pretty cool, though, glass panel, LED fans, etc. The cool factor alone kind of makes the upgrade worth it. The looks don't mean anything, but they make me happy.

Polock

i use a
Rizon 3, 16G, Radion550.
250G ssd for the os, 4tb WD black, divided into 4, and a 128G ssd scratch disk
think about saving on a graphics card and getting a nice monitor and a second cheap monitor

gerdog

Looks like your brother is more interested in gaming. The GeForce card is not necessary for your stated needs. I tend to stay away from AMD chipsets. Sometimes they run hotter than intel. You don't "need" 32 GB memory, but it is worth the small added expense. You need to ask him what the final cost will be, so you can compare it to other options.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

You have received a lot of good advice on components. Once you decide on the components, make sure you choose a motherboard that is not only compatible with everything, but also [if you decide to go with 16GB] has room for expansion to 32GB. Also use a tower that is large enough to not crowd your components. And perhaps later make some changes!

I upgraded my computer system recently, and luckily it was already pretty good. That made the project less expensive than building a new one from scratch. I am not a computer expert, in fact received some excellent help from UHH. Also I was told about a group that builds computers that are suited for whatever task you need them for. They have specifications on their website and other good information specifically for LR and PS. There is a lot of overlap, but you can get a good idea of what you need so BOTH will function at their best. Your brother I am sure will be your best resource, but it never hurts to look at what other experts have come up with. https://www.pugetsystems.com/