Computer Upgrade (Page 2): As long as the 32MB RAM is a typo, and you have 32GB Ram, you should be fine. As others have pointed out, the main thing you need is more storage space.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Fabulous1too wrote:

I'm totally befuddled by the scenario I put myself... (show quote)

As long as the 32MB RAM is a typo, and you have 32GB Ram, you should be fine. As others have pointed out, the main thing you need is more storage space. 500GB is adequate for the operating system and programs such as Adobe CC, but if you take any quantity of photos, you will very soon run out of space.

A desktop computer can hold a lot more hardware than a desktop, but if the laptop is better for you, it is easy enough to increase its capabilities. The only true limitation to a laptop is monitor size for editing. But if you want a larger monitor, you can buy one and plug it into the laptop. I've got multiple drives inside my desktop and external drives as well. The external drives take up space, but that is a minor issue, compared to the benefit of being able to make multiple backups of my images.

My suggestions: Go to the Microsoft websites for a download of Windows 10. Purchase an external HD or two, no smaller than 2TB. I use 4TB internal and external HDDs as well as a 500GB SDD, and feel comfortable that it will be a while before they will be filled up. And I have around 16,000 photos, adding more all the time, plus all my documents, LR Catalog, and Accounting program with backups.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I bought a Win10 key umber from eBay for about $15, and it let me install Windows 10 back onto my computer after an update ruined Windows.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

As others have noted, your current PC configuration is more than ample to run Win 10 and editing applications. It is possible you may have undetected malware that impedes the operation. I agree with others. Download/purchase if necessary Win 10 Pro 64bit. If you still have issues, I suggest you find a reliable computer shop nearby and avail their services. You do not need additional hardware.
Good luck,
Mark

Fabulous1too wrote:

I'm totally befuddled by the scenario I put myself... (show quote)

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Fabulous1too wrote:

This is what I have: Windows 8.1, Intel core i-7, 64-bit, the processor is AMD FX 8300 eight-core processor (8 CPUs) 3.3Ghz with a 32MB Ram (upgraded from a 16MB) and 500g solid state HD, sounds like I know what i'm talking about but I'm not really that computer savvy.

From your quote above you have something mixed up here. You list two CPU processors as your processor. You can't have an Intel core i-7, and a AMD FX8300 eight-core processor on the same motherboard. It's one or the other.

In any case, I'd go ahead and upgrade to the newest Microsoft Windows 10 software. You should be able to do the upgrade free. I know, the free 1 year window has passed, but I upgraded my old HP Intel i7 computer 6 months after the free upgrade window passed. All you have to do is state in the upgrade page that you fall into a certain category (I can't remember what those were) and they will allow the upgrade. Worked for me.

limeybiker

This is what you have: Windows 8.1, Intel core i-7, 64-bit, the processor is AMD FX 8300 eight-core processor (8 CPUs) 3.3Ghz with a 32MB Ram (upgraded from a 16MB) and 500g solid state HD,

As previously stated you either have intel or you have AMD, two different processors made by two different companies and not compatible.

Your specs are better than average.

I am running Windows 10 on an old Dell XPS 400 EX Windows XP, that is ten years old.

Download Windows 10 free instructions here.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/heres-how-you-can-still-get-a-free-windows-10-upgrade/

Download Malwarebytes FREE, from here https://www.malwarebytes.com/products/ install and run.

It will find and delete any malware that is slowing down your PC.

Download and run CCleaner free edition from here http://www.ccleaner.com/download

Run regularly, it will clean out temporary files etc.,

kmpankopf Loc: Mid-Michigan; SW Pennsylvania

1. Stay away from Big Box (or vendor) sales people. Best Buy sells good stuff for the masses, but you are not the masses. You have a need for the PC.

2. Stay away from friend's horror story about MS updates. You don't know the entire story.

3. Find a high schooler in the family. They'll know.

4. Seems like you machine has enough HP to get it done. The big thing is making sure you have 64 bit.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

kmpankopf wrote:

1. Stay away from Big Box (or vendor) sales people. Best Buy sells good stuff for the masses, but you are not the masses. You have a need for the PC.

2. Stay away from friend's horror story about MS updates. You don't know the entire story.

3. Find a high schooler in the family. They'll know.

4. Seems like you machine has enough HP to get it done. The big thing is making sure you have 64 bit.

If his current Windows operating system is 64 bit then you can upgrade to Win 10 64 bit. If it is 32 bit, then will need a clean install to move to 64 bit.

Harry0 Loc: Gardena, Cal

kmpankopf wrote:

1. Stay away from Big Box (or vendor) sales people. Best Buy sells good stuff for the masses, but you are not the masses. You have a need for the PC.
2. Stay away from friend's horror story about MS updates. You don't know the entire story.
3. Find a high schooler in the family. They'll know.
4. Seems like you machine has enough HP to get it done. The big thing is making sure you have 64 bit.

I was just about to say the same things.
The store is made to sell you what they have on hand. NOT fix what you have,
The M$ rep $ound$ like he ha$ an affiliate intere$t in that company. Yours is already better.
So, let me ditto this. Get a bigger SSD drive to replace your existing. Do a clean install if you can. Reinstall your programs, as you find you need them. Keep your old drive as a backup- get a USB cable to connect it to your computer.
Take your time- happiness will occur.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

An SSD for Operating System & programs is an excellent suggestion, Susan & others.
Mark

SusanFromVermont wrote:

As long as the 32MB RAM is a typo, and you have 32... (show quote)

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

If you have a 6 year old computer, it's 5 1/2 years too old. Technology "completely" changes every 18 months. Even if you try to upgrade it, sooner rather than later it will not be able to handle upgrade needs so you will have wasted you money.

Having said that, if you are on a budget get the most memory you can. Than try to make sure the processor is the fastest you can buy.

Are you looking at laptop or desktop? Desktops tend to be cheaper so you can get more bang for your buck.

There are a few websites that sell refurbished equipment. woot.com is one of them. Get on their mailing list. They often have really good deals come up. Here is a link.

https://www.woot.com/category/computers/laptops?ref=w_cnt_cdet_pc_2

Here is a link to desktops.

https://computers.woot.com/plus/consumer-desktops-17?ref=w_cnt_wp_4

I run all of the software you do but I bought a MacBook Pro a little over a year ago. Already obsolete.

Good luck!

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

CaptainEd wrote:

I don't see the recommended system keeping up with what you have. 8GB of RAM is not enough. Processor wise, the current generation i-5 will be a lot faster, but photo editing is RAM intensive. 8GB could offset processor gains. Here's a good comparison of 8th gen processors (9th gen is available now as well) with Photoshop benchmarking tools: https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Photoshop-CC-2018-CPU-Performance-AMD-Ryzen-2-vs-Intel-8th-Gen-1136/

I agree that 8 GB of RAM is not enough. I have 16 GB on an iMac and I just ordered more RAM to double that because sometimes LR/PS get bogged down, especially when doing brush strokes and other edits like that. I have a 4 GHz intel i7 processor on my iMac. When I had a Windows machine, I had it built and my computer guy put an AMD chip in it. He said it was better.

From the link you provided, intel is a little better than AMD

Good luck. Hope that helps.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

They say you can't be too rich or too thin, or have too much RAM. Get 16GB, not 8.

Peter571

First of all the I-7 CPU is an intel CPU, the other, is an AMD processor-- determine which one you have--you can't have both in you computer. The intel I-7 processor is now in its 9th generation model and there is a world of difference in performance between the earlier version and say the 7th generation one. If you got your computer 6-years ago your I-7 CPU will be an earlier version one and (i.e. if that's what you have.) will be a slow performer in Windows 10 environment. 32 GB of ram is way more than you need to run Widows 10 and editing software. I have no work knowledge about the AMD processor. A possible boost to you existing computer performance might be to install a mid level video card with 2-3 GB vram. For example, Lightroom will check to see if you have one installed and utilize it--that will offload video processing to it and also free up system ram. I have a 7th generation I-7 CPU with 16 GB ram and a mid level video card (3 GB vram)--there is no delay of any sorts with Windows 10 and video processing 24 GB raw files.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Not necessarily! I have a 12 year old enclosure, Intel i7, 32 GB RAM, 2 GB dedicated graphics card, 1 TB SSD, a 1 TB and 2 TB sata data drives, 5 externals for backup, ... I run 5 or 6 photo editing programs, including LR Classic CC and 2019 Adobe Photoshop CC, ... My processor and motherboard were upgraded in 2012. She does not need new hardware other than possibly RAM and larger SSD and of course backup drives. Certainly not a new PC.
Respectfully,
Mark

coolhanduke wrote:

If you have a 6 year old computer, it's 5 1/2 year... (show quote)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

I heard that although the free upgrade has expired it actually still work.

Yes, it will, but you will probably need a number. I downloaded for free when it was available, and it worked fine. After a Win10 update, Windows would not run. I tried to reinstall it, but it wanted a number - a number which I never received. Someone recommended looking on eBay for aWin10 activation number. I got one for about $15, and it worked. This was on a Dell desktop from about 2008.