TriX wrote:
In general, the fast CPU, a decent amount of RAM (16-32GB) plus SSD storage is a good fit for PP, but you don’t need the high end video card with 8GB (or more) of VRAM. It won’t hurt, but it’s overkill unless you do a lot of video editing. A decent video card with a GPU and 2GB of VRAM should be fine for PP.
Ednsb, I hope this gives you insight into PC building. PCs have advantages over Macs price and free and more programs available. DIY building saves money and gives you future updating ability. Also DIY pride.I agree with TriX. With a lot of research reading the opinions of experienced professional PC builders, and component reviews I would add a few details to his description.
you don’t need the high-end video card with 8GB.: True, the consensus is that NVIDIA card all under $200 with 1050Ti 4 gig @ $140 at the low $ end is fine for photos. Some photo programs work with INVIDIA program langrage. [Google Deepdreams for example]
Fast CPU: While historically Intel has been the leader; the table has been turned and AMD is ahead especially in the function for the dollar. Mine is Ryzen 5 3600. The latest has X added at the 3600 and have few features that add cost with diminishing return.
RAM: The price is rock-bottom at about $100 for 36 gig. Speed, yes why not, mine is 3200. I advise reading the latest review of brands. Remember not all memory is geared to work best with AMD CPUs. Adjusting the MOBO BIOS for your memory is important since the speed is not maxed in the BIOS without setting the BIOS to take advantage of the speed.
Storage: We went from old mechanical to Solid-state [SSD] and now M.2 slot on MOBO for our C Drive. There is a faster type, but it is more expensive; just how fast can you snap your fingers and tell the difference??
MOBO: Mine is MSI Gaming Plus, I wanted an MSI Tamahalk, but the supply was "out of stock." The Gaming Plus is excellent and has provision for those beautiful Mystic Color RGB lighting. Every Circus needs colored lights. Again read a lot of reviews. Make sure to update the BIOS before adding the CPU... yes true read on that.
Power Supply: The need for heavy-duty power supplies is no more altho from what I have read the power consumption from your wall plug is economized from within the Powersupply unit. Mine is a semi-modular 550w. Semi-Modular means major cords to MOBO are attached but the rest are plugin if needed.
Case: Mine has three 5.5" openings for adding DVD reader sized items. One is for DVD, tho optional if needed you can use a USB external. Another slot is for card reading and it too is optional since USB plugins are useable. The important one is for a dual SSD hot swap drawer unit. My SSD for photos in one and the other is used for inserting drives for backup, which I [should but dont] do monthly. Continuous backup is iffy. Consider if you get a virus it is backed up on your continuous backup. An SSD stored in a safe non-static place is just that - safe.
Fans: Colored oscillating Circus lights of course. How many and where, there are lots of pro Tech guys with opinions. Universal tho is more in than out so as to create a positive pressure vs sucking in dust. Besue to add dust filters to the in-fans.
Drivers: Be sure to upgrade, update, your hardware drivers. Corrupted or outdated drivers can cause the Blue Screen of Death!! -- Especially when a W-10 update has a driver eating bug.
When you build your own, you know what to upgrade when the world changes. The building of your computer is easy and foolproof. The plugs on the MOBO being so individualized you can not put item A in slot B.
To me building your own computer is as critical and as much fun as the new lens or camera body. Slow editing is frustrating, fast computer with fast editing is a feel-good need.
Additions or changes to my comments are welcome... old but not too old to learn. Thank you TriX for your base comment that prompted me to think out the subject and reviewing my build.