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Custom Computer Build for Photo Editing
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Aug 3, 2022 23:34:48   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Rongnongno wrote:
See, it goes so fast, it hard to keep up!


Ron is really correct, you can assemble a FAST Intel machine with the best name brand parts yourself for $1500 or less plus monitor in an an hour or two for the HW. It will likely take you the rest of the day though to install Windows and all your applications. I’ll be glad to post the parts list.

Intel I7 12700K. $370
Asus Prime Z690 MB $205
32 GB Corsair Vengance DRAM $117
1TB Samsung 980 Pro m.2 SSD. $139
EVGA 3060 12GB graphics. $395
CoolMaster Case. $80
CoolMaster CPU cooler. $55
EVGA 650W Power Supply $39
OS (possibly migrated from old machine) - $100 if not (OEM)

You can save $100 by dropping back to an EVGA 2060 12GB and more if you can reuse any existing components such as case, PS, power supply, etc.

i just built this exact machine except 64GB DRAM, and I guarantee it’s as fast as any machine you’ll find, Mac or Windows, short of a data center except a substantially pricier I9 or xeon based machine. If you find the process too daunting, consider paying your local shop a couple of hundred dollars to assemble it and load Windows.

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Aug 4, 2022 05:22:29   #
rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines
 
TriX wrote:
Ron is really correct, you can assemble a FAST Intel machine with the best name brand parts yourself for $1500 or less plus monitor in an an hour or two for the HW. It will likely take you the rest of the day though to install Windows and all your applications. I’ll be glad to post the parts list.

Intel I7 12700K. $370
Asus Prime Z690 MB $205
32 GB Corsair Vengance DRAM $117
1TB Samsung 980 Pro m.2 SSD. $139
EVGA 3060 12GB graphics. $395
CoolMaster Case. $80
CoolMaster CPU cooler. $55
EVGA 650W Power Supply $39
OS (possibly migrated from old machine) - $100 if not (OEM)

You can save $100 by dropping back to an EVGA 2060 12GB and more if you can reuse any existing components such as case, PS, power supply, etc.

i just built this exact machine except 64GB DRAM, and I guarantee it’s as fast as any machine you’ll find, Mac or Windows, short of a data center except a substantially pricier I9 or xeon based machine. If you find the process too daunting, consider paying your local shop a couple of hundred dollars to assemble it and load Windows.
Ron is really correct, you can assemble a FAST Int... (show quote)



That's the right answer!!! Stay away from the high priced, proprietary machine!!! I built a lower specs Windows 10 Machine for even less (a lot) money, and it performs beautifully. (My GPU is an NVIDIA GeForce 1650 with 4 GB, CPU AMD Ryzen 5 3400G and I have 32 GB RAM, 650 W Power Supply and appropriate MB and case. I'm using my existing 6-year old Acer 23" monitor, which performs more than adequately. I keep Windows, drivers and software updated, of course.)

A 500 GB SSD is plenty big for Drive C:, with a spinner of whatever size is appropriate for the second drive, which should contain everything not necessary for proper functioning of the OS.

Have fun!!!

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City


Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

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Aug 4, 2022 06:25:22   #
jlg1000 Loc: Uruguay / South America
 
Rongnongno wrote:
Very expensive way to go.

Build your own, anybody can do that. It is like Lego.


Right, and as a bonus, you can choose any specs you could want.

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Aug 4, 2022 06:26:27   #
tcthome Loc: NJ
 
Rongnongno wrote:
Folks, we are in I11 generation now...

I hope Mac has updated their game!!!


M1 !!!

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Aug 4, 2022 07:12:39   #
James Van Ells
 
I got a new one a year ago and bought a gaming machine. The most important part is the video card and you need at least 6-8 gig on a high speed card. Mine came with 16 gig or ram and I bumped it up to 32 and work great with Topaz. I can render a 50 gig image in a few seconds. I did add a 500gig solid state drive for my Lightroom catalog and a 4 terabyte drive for my photos. I use remote drives for additional storage.

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Aug 4, 2022 07:17:37   #
dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC
 
Orphoto wrote:
Ok, some ultra fast research. Just Google Xotic PC. Near the top of the listings are questions about the company's reputation. It does not look so good. See for yourself.


Thanks, Orphoto. That is what I was wondering about. For whatever reason, I did not see that link 'sitejabber' earlier in the year. I used Xotic on the recommendation of someone I respect, but I am there with the other 1.5 star reviews. My reason for the post was to try to understand if my issues are because of my lack of computer savvy, or if others have had the same bad experience.

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Aug 4, 2022 07:57:11   #
jlg1000 Loc: Uruguay / South America
 
James Van Ells wrote:
The most important part is the video card and you need at least 6-8 gig on a high speed card.


Well... kinda.

I've got a powerful - albeit 4 years outdated - GPU (NVIDIA GTX-1060) and performed some tests in which I used some editing programs and did a bunch of crazy stuff, and the GPU usage barely moved. Even with the so called "AI" functions, it did not much.

As can be seen, the highest blips in the graphs show about 20%-25% GPU usage, so I could use a much older graphic card - up to 12 years old according to Moore's Law (4 + 2^3) - and would still be fine.

Please note that the program I used to test the GPU isolates the programm, so there is no interference from other software.









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Aug 4, 2022 08:27:22   #
AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio
 
dmeyer wrote:
Curious to know if anyone has used Xotic PC to build a computer specifically for photo editing? How long ago, what operating system, CPU, RAM, etc. Were you happy with the company?

P.S. I see that some comments already are going away from the question being asked. Really would like to hear from anyone who has used Xotic PC specifically. Thanks!


Never heard of them! I always build my own desktops.

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Aug 4, 2022 09:51:21   #
chemsaf Loc: San Diego
 
In 20 19 I carefully compared Xotic and Puget Systems. I wanted a workstation. I went with Puget. If I had wanted a laptop built to my specs I would have gone Xotic.

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Aug 4, 2022 10:04:22   #
MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama
 
Yep... As soon as I can sabotage my wife's Dell, I would like to see about a 24 " iMac.

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Aug 4, 2022 10:10:25   #
Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx
 
I build my own, have for decades, but unless you are very good at handling delicate electronics, I don't recommend it. When building, there is always a possibility of static discharge blowing up you CPU or some component on your motherboard. Getting the thermal paste right on the cpu can be a bit tricky. Just picking the right components can be a bit daunting unless you are use to reading specs and understand some of the jargon.

You are not only the builder, but also your own support. What happens when you are done with the build, but the OS won't load? What happens if you do get it running, but it crashes on you, or won't come out of sleep mode, or you have networking problems, ... Unless you are good at this stuff, find a supplier with a good reputation, buy what you can afford, but make sure you buy the extended support / warranty.

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Aug 4, 2022 10:13:33   #
photoman43
 
I have used MicroCenter to build me custom desktops with windows. I am on about my fifth or sixth one right now. I have never had any issue with any of them. I replaced them when I needed upgraded stuff inside. I have never been able to justify Mac stuff as it has been too expensive compared to what I could get on a windows pc or laptop.

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Aug 4, 2022 10:56:41   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
jlg1000 wrote:
Well... kinda.

I've got a powerful - albeit 4 years outdated - GPU (NVIDIA GTX-1060) and performed some tests in which I used some editing programs and did a bunch of crazy stuff, and the GPU usage barely moved. Even with the so called "AI" functions, it did not much.

As can be seen, the highest blips in the graphs show about 20%-25% GPU usage, so I could use a much older graphic card - up to 12 years old according to Moore's Law (4 + 2^3) - and would still be fine.

Please note that the program I used to test the GPU isolates the programm, so there is no interference from other software.
Well... kinda. br br I've got a powerful - albeit... (show quote)


The problem with that 12 year old graphics card/GPU is that (for example), the current version of LR/PS requires more than 1GB of VRAM and later versions of open GL/CL for some tools to run. I think a perhaps more realistic test is to either disable the GPU or use an older card with smaller VRAM and then compare the time GPU hungry applications such as the Topaz AI suite take to process and render an image. I’ve actually done that, comparing a 2GB (AMD FirePro) and a later 8GB (EVGA Radeon) card on the same system, and the time difference was very large (a second or two vs 20-30 seconds) and certain processing functions were completely unavailable with the smaller card. The newer card with more VRAM made a BIG difference, hence the reason that LR/PS, Capture One, Topaz and other PP aps while having a minimum of perhaps 1-2GB VRAM, recommend 6-8GB for best performance.

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Aug 4, 2022 11:03:12   #
TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC
 
Strodav wrote:
I build my own, have for decades, but unless you are very good at handling delicate electronics, I don't recommend it. When building, there is always a possibility of static discharge blowing up you CPU or some component on your motherboard. Getting the thermal paste right on the cpu can be a bit tricky. Just picking the right components can be a bit daunting unless you are use to reading specs and understand some of the jargon.

You are not only the builder, but also your own support. What happens when you are done with the build, but the OS won't load? What happens if you do get it running, but it crashes on you, or won't come out of sleep mode, or you have networking problems, ... Unless you are good at this stuff, find a supplier with a good reputation, buy what you can afford, but make sure you buy the extended support / warranty.
I build my own, have for decades, but unless you a... (show quote)


I agree that you need (very) basic skills and the ability to read the MB manual and be familiar with the internal parts of a computer, but a simple $5 (max) grounding strap takes care of the ESD issue, and It’s just not that hard to smear paste onto a CPU. However, you are certainly correct that you are your own support, so if you’re not “computer savvy”, the money to have a pro assemble (and debug if necessary) is well spent as I mentioned previously. And if you’re relatively computer illiterate, then a stock prebuilt machine with the on-site service option or a Mac might be a better choice.

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Aug 4, 2022 11:19:04   #
jlg1000 Loc: Uruguay / South America
 
TriX wrote:
The problem with that 12 year old graphics card/GPU is that (for example), the current version of LR/PS requires more than 1GB of VRAM and later versions of open GL/CL for some tools to run. I think a perhaps more realistic test is to either disable the GPU or use an older card with smaller VRAM and then compare the time GPU hungry applications such as the Topaz AI suite take to process and render an image. I’ve actually done that, comparing a 2GB (AMD FirePro) and a later 8GB (EVGA Radeon) card on the same system, and the time difference was very large (a second or two vs 20-30 seconds) and certain processing functions were completely unavailable with the smaller card. The newer card with more VRAM made a BIG difference, hence the reason that LR/PS, Capture One, Topaz and other PP aps while having a minimum of perhaps 1-2GB VRAM, recommend 6-8GB for best performance.
The problem with that 12 year old graphics card/GP... (show quote)


It's not about the VRAM amount... it's about the CUDA Compute Capability (if you use NVIDIA... I've never used ATI).

When a program starts, it checks that with:

__host__ ​cudaError_t cudaGetDeviceProperties ( cudaDeviceProp* prop, int device )

If the Compute Capability is below the instruction set used in the program, then it either fails with some kind of error or emulates the GPU with CPU, greatly reducing performance.

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