Minx Loc: Vermont

I did go searching for this topic, but all I could find was from several years ago. So I'm going to ask again.
I need to update from a W7 computer as it will not update the new LR & PS stuff. When I go out online it seems that a Gaming computer is the route to go. I do have some guidelines to go by, but wanted to see what this group could suggest. I've gotten good info previously here so hope this time will prove fruitful. Thanks for anything you can suggest.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Here's a nice, recent, 8-page discussion from May 18: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-697403-1.html

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

I'd get great pleasure out of me spending your money, but you might find that a little presumptuous. That said, sure, a 'gaming' computer might probably fit the bill. It'll likely have the video capabilities required for today's processing needs, and have the RAM and the 4 or 8 or more core processor oomph you think --very possibly rightly-- you may need, but making images is not playing games, and a few grand ain't peanuts. Everything's relative.

Not knowing what you're presently running (hardware-wise), it just might be that what you've already got could be sufficient. Or maybe it isn't, I don't know. Basically, I, too, was dismayed --a year or so ago-- when my present (main) rig --which by industry standards is now approaching dinosaur-hood-- was incapable of updating various of the previous year's updates of Lr or Ps and etc., and found it frustrating. It wasn't that my rig lacked the oomph, it was that my rig lacked to OS to make it shine as brightly as the specs I'd built into it (i.e., I built the rig to the specs I'd chosen/could afford when I researched and bought the various components necessary for an image making computer rather than those that would be required for somebody playing peer-to-peer on-line games) said it should/could.

So I bit the bullet, and spent the hundred bucks (or whatever it was I spent) and updated to Win10. Frustration resolved; case closed.

In effect, someone who's shooting jpgs with, say, a 24mp camera, and whose processing needs are minimal (maybe straighten, or adjust color temp, or do other minor adjustments) does not need the sort of rig they might find at WETA Studios or Disney or anywhere heavy-duty GCI stuff/mega post-processing capabilities are a must. Me, I routinely process images that often number in two or three Gbs, and I'm doing so quickly and easily on a --OMG!-- now six year old build. If you're contemplating/expecting to do things like that, and doing so on your present computer would take forever --or consistently crash--, then yeah, maybe you need a newer rig.

repleo Loc: Boston

Contact one of the computer experts at B&H. They are photography savvy and can advise you on the best set up to meet your needs and budget.

tcthome Loc: NJ

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/xps-desktop/spd/xps-8940-desktop/xd8940ms06s?view=configurations&configurationid=4e709758-1d69-4308-b595-ab7e73c6d058

Your monitor is still good?

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Just like with camera equipment, there are multiple avenues available with our computer support equipment. And just like with our camera equipment, it is not necessary to have the most esoteric, top-of-the-line computer equipment to get satisfactory results. Just like with our camera equipment, manufacturers and those around us love using FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) to keep us buying the latest stuff.

It is important, though, to keep up to date with operating system software, and it's a good idea to keep your user software fairly current as well.

Although I have a pretty powerful desktop computer, my main machine right now is a Dell Latitude e6320. That computer was introduced in 2011, but it is a far cry from a 2011 computer today. It has 16GB of RAM and a 2TB solid state drive, runs the Adobe suite just fine, and performance is completely acceptable, even though not quite as fast as a more modern machine.

By the way...Dell's official position is that it won't support 16GB. That would be true if I had not kept the BIOS firmware updated through the years. But they want to sell me a new computer, not help me keep mine updated and running. I'm not interested in a new computet, because in general, they are designed and constructed in a way that makes running upgrades quite a bit more difficult.

So hear what folks say, but feel free not to go completely nuts, unless you just want to. By the way...would I like to have more memory? Yes. And someday I might. But it's a luxury, not a requirement.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A gaming computer is good for gaming, usually with a very expensive graphics card.

Processor -
http://gizmodo.com/dont-waste-money-on-intels-top-processor-1791426602
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404674,00.asp
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/intel-core-i9-vs-i7-vs-i5-cpu/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/core-i5-vs-i7
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/210703-intel-core-i5-vs-core-i7-which-processor-should-you-buy

Memory -
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-much-ram-does-your-pc-need-probably-less-than-you-think/
http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-much-ram-does-your-pc-need/

Graphics card -
https://www.newegg.com/insider/how-to-choose-graphics-card/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xif6O8ekxuU
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-buying-guide,5844.html
https://techguided.com/how-to-choose-a-graphics-card/


Photo Processing -
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/the-best-desktop-computer-for-photo-editing
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-pc-for-photo-editing
https://digitalphotographycourses.co.za/best-computer-photo-editing/
https://www.photoworkout.com/best-desktops-for-photo-editing/

tcthome Loc: NJ

You might want to check out the new Mac Mini from Apple. Getting good reviews photo & video post processing if you don't mind switching to Mac. It could be the best bang for the buck right now.

MrMophoto Loc: Rhode Island "The biggest little"

Obviously you have a lot in information already to filter through, so I'll just add some advice my brother gave me about four years ago. I was in the same situation, I needed to upgrade my base system and didn't know if I should use a desktop, laptop, PC or Mac. My brother (MIT graduate in Computer science, worked for Microsoft for years and retired at age 37. Also a Mac enthusiast) If you're used to a PC operating system, do you want to learn another one (Mac) You can buy a lot more machine in a PC than a Mac, but generally it won't last as long. "Apple just doesn't make cheap stuff". Gaming computers, desktop or laptop, will have the graphics capabilities, speed, memory, etc. required to process photos, but it is designed for a different purpose. Basically, buy as much computer and as newer a model as you can afford. I bought a Dell Inspiron gaming machine (a little over $1100 direct from Dell) and four years later it still runs great and has never given me any problems

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I had mine built by a local computer shop. Glad to share the specs. PM me.
Mark

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

My stock answer to this question: When I need a new computer for photo processing I go to my local (not big box) computer store and tell them what I'm looking to do. They ask a few questions (no, I am not a gamer) and will then recommend a number of computers that will more than meet my needs. My local store sales people and technicians all are salaried employees and do not work on commission, so they have no desire to oversell me. I even go there when I'm looking for something that is non-photo related.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Yup!! Me too! I go to my local shop, Safehaven computers. They built my current PC.
Mark

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

Here is my 2¢.

2-3 years ago I got a note from HP that my laptop would no longer be supported by warranty nor parts.

I spent 18 plus months reading and learning. I'd log on to manufactures sites, only to be left hanging with out answers to my questions.

Finally I found a local independant repair man who lead me to AVADirect.com. I wanted no moving parts, M.2 drives. One drive for programs, one for data, a video card that I didn't have to wait on, and a processor to run it all. And it had to be a laptop.

Every company that lets you build on site lead me to a gaming computer. Ok.

Getting the two 1TB storage drives I wanted was a problem. Getting 32 GB of memory was challenging. With AVA, you pick the base model that has the OS, processor, graphic card, screen size, refresh rate, external ports, and keyboard that you want. Then you add the size and brand of memory, storage drive 1, 2, and 3. You can also add software, virus protection, mice, monitors, carry bags, on and on. I built many variations before I decided on features and price.

Before you press the buy button, call and talk to a rep. They are knowledgeable and will confirm that you are on the right track. And they may even save you a few bucks.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I sent the originator of the post this PM:

You have received a wealth of suggestions and information regarding your inquiry. It would be interesting and courteous to receive your replies.
Mark

Minx Loc: Vermont

Thank you all for the information you've given me. Now it's myself that has to go through it all and figure it out for me. Thank you again all of you.