Best computer (Page 7): A lot of the advice for the biggest, most powerful machine is not so much that the average hobby photographer needs it for photos all the time. But they help...

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

A lot of the advice for the biggest, most powerful machine is not so much that the average hobby photographer needs it for photos all the time. But they help with video.
However the main reason is that many people have more than their photo apps open.

I have seen people with a web site open, email open, background music playing and editing a photo.
It takes a lot of RAM and speed to run a computer at anything other than "snail mode" like that.

Then they complain "The salesman at ABC Computer store told me this Whiz Bang Super was a very fast and powerful machine. But it runs slow when I am editing photos. I will never trust ABC Computer or Whiz Bang again."

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

robertjerl wrote:

A lot of the advice for the biggest, most powerful... (show quote)

Hahahaha - REALLY FAST for one thing,
Not quite so for running 27 things.

The most apps I've ever had running concurrently is a genealogy program, web browser with multiple tabs, and either Word or Notepad. When I balance the house accounts: Quicken and a browser; when editing photos: an editor and File Explorer, no other 'tasks' going.

I'm the type of person who concentrates on the task currently at hand, not six.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Longshadow wrote:

Then I could br - make lunch br - make a cup of co... (show quote)

That’s great for you. I also don’t often focus stack over 100 images, but I do in occasion and sure I’ll go make a sandwich while my computer chugs away. I am happy that it no longer takes two hours, but that processing is an edge case. Where the speed is important is when I sit down to edit 50 47mp images. Taking a minute or two to edit each image is a big difference over 4-5 minutes for each image.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

SuperflyTNT wrote:

That’s great for you. I also don’t often focus stack over 100 images, but I do in occasion and sure I’ll go make a sandwich while my computer chugs away. I am happy that it no longer takes two hours, but that processing is an edge case. Where the speed is important is when I sit down to edit 50 47mp images. Taking a minute or two to edit each image is a big difference over 4-5 minutes for each image.

Then by all means get a fast super computer! You need it.

Point was, that's what mostly everybody tells people to get, a fast super, duper computer.
Whether they need one or not.

Somebody says "I need a new computer", everyone want them to get the best available.
I have NEVER heard ANYONE say just get one off the shelf with XX RAM and XX Hard drive.
Oh, I'm sorry, SSD drive, HDs are so passe now.

I need a car.

Get a Boss 302 Mustang.

No one says get a VW bug.

Everyone will push the Mustang because it's so great, cool, and fast.

But I need it to go get groceries.......

But the guy down the street is a sales rep and always on the road.
(Get the Mustang)

Some people can't handle a program taking 30 seconds to start.
Some can.

Don't make it sound like a custom built, $2,500 computer is the only option for everybody,
just because the suggester has to have it.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Longshadow wrote:

Then by all means get a fast super computer! You n... (show quote)

But the OP had a 3K budget and as I understand it, wants (a) a computer for image processing, and (b) wants it to last for quite a while. Given those parameters, I absolutely stand behind the turnkey and assemble-it-yourself recommendations I made earlier in the thread (and I also suggested a potential downgrade on the CPU and video card to save $). I researched the assemble it yourself option for the best performance/$ with the secondary consideration of building a machine that would be useful for at least 8 years. It’s exactly what I would build for myself if I needed a new machine for photo processing, and I’m getting close. My last custom build is ~9 years old, and while it’s still acceptable, it limits the SW I can use. (I tried Topaz Products when they were on sale over Christmas, and waiting several minutes for each iteration is unacceptable to me - my time is more valuable to me than that). BTW, I do absolutely endorse purchasing an off lease enterprise class machine as an alternative to save $.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Terry in Indiana wrote:

Hi Valerie! After getting frustrated waiting on my... (show quote)

Yes!!! Gaming computers are the way to go. Everything the Gamers are after in a computer is directly applicable to photography needs. Especially with all the AI type software now available with more on the way.

And gaming computers are fast enough that you will still be happy with it more years into the future. I have a 6 year old gaming computer and it easily out performs a much newer non gaming computer due to a more powerful GPU. And GPU's have come a long ways in the last 6 years.

Another thing my gaming computer gives me are a lot more front panel USB ports. Most computers like to give a person 2. That's just not enough.

And also, the gaming computer allowed more internal hard drives. I fill it up. And even lay foam on the bottom of the cabinet, and add more.

Good choice on your direction.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Mikeg50 wrote:

That Gizmodo article on Intel processors you linke... (show quote)

Your opinion will change once you start using AI type software. And this is the direction software is headed.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Mikeg50 wrote:

My computer is 3 weeks old and I purchased it without a graphics card. In no way at all is it slow.

Start using AI software and you will suddenly find out what slow is.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TriX wrote:

But the OP had a 3K budget and as I understand it,... (show quote)

If you need it, go for it!
Not everyone does!
Not everyone is dismayed at a few minutes for the computer to do something.
(My backups take over three hours, I need a faster computer, not.)

I think it's not helpful to newbies to be suggested to get a supped up system if they don't need it.
People ask for a budget and suggesters spend all of it.
Hopefully they realize and are not intimidated, like people suggesting a $3,000 camera setup.
Funny how people think that others should get a system (camera, computer, monitor, editor) that they want and think everyone should have.

Just because there is a $3000 "budget" doesn't mean it all has to be spent.

No wonder members that may no be able to afford a $3K camera or computer don't speak much here.

Get what you need, not what someone else thinks you should have.
Maybe it's just their delivery. Maybe they really believe that people should have what they have.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

JimH123 wrote:

Start using AI software and you will suddenly find out what slow is.

Haha, not in my lifetime. I've no need for AI software, nor a desire for it.
But to each his own.

BebuLamar

Longshadow wrote:

If you need it, go for it! br Not everyone does! b... (show quote)

$3K camera is OK for me as I don't buy camera often but computer has to be bought more often. The internet simply kill it in time. So $3K is high for me for a disposable item. I tend to buy used.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BebuLamar wrote:

$3K camera is OK for me as I don't buy camera often but computer has to be bought more often. The internet simply kill it in time. So $3K is high for me for a disposable item. I tend to buy used.

My cameras are 12 and 16 years old.

(Both under a thousand when I got them.

)

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

TriX wrote:

But the OP had a 3K budget and as I understand it,... (show quote)

A good GPU makes a huge difference with Topaz. They recently added raw processing so I’m gonna try batch processing raw. I’m sure it’ll take a while to process multiple images. That’s when I’ll make a sandwich.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Longshadow wrote:

If you need it, go for it! br Not everyone does! b... (show quote)

No surprise that it’s the same naysayers that rail against upgrading cameras that don’t think you should get the best computer you can afford. You may be on a limited budget and great if you’re happy with what your budget supports, but if somebody asks about upgrade and lays out a budget then it’s pretty reasonable that people would suggest systems that approach that budget. It’s also perfectly ok for you to suggest a more modest solution, although you should include the caveat that it may not be great with more current versions of software. But there’s really no need for you to try and put negative spin on those that suggest the higher end systems, (which seems to be what she’s looking for).

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

SuperflyTNT wrote:

No surprise that it’s the same naysayers that rail... (show quote)

(Negative spin is your interpretation.

)