Desktop computer for Lightroom Classic: My desktop is wearing out and I am buying a new desktop. I use Lightroom Classic. I will use a Benq, 32 inch monitor. It has been recommended...

hlpeterson

My desktop is wearing out and I am buying a new desktop. I use Lightroom Classic. I will use a Benq, 32 inch monitor. It has been recommended that I buy a gaming computer for picture quality and speed. I am especially interested in picture quality. What computer and/or computer components do you recommend? I am already committed to buying 32GS of RAM. Thanks

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

Adobe says a gaming computer is unnecessary for Photoshop. I hardly think that Lightroom would require more computing power than Photoshop.

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

If you have that $3K monitor you should future proof you other hardware as well. A gaming computer with a Minimum of an 8GB graphics card will suite you well. If you can afford 12-16GB, better yet. The new versions of the software most of use is going to be AI based and that all runs on the graphics card. On ram, 32GB should be plenty. I made that switch 3 years ago and would not change anything.

hlpeterson

Thank you!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

terryMc wrote:

Adobe says a gaming computer is unnecessary for Photoshop. I hardly think that Lightroom would require more computing power than Photoshop.

But speed, so many people need speed.

I just get OTS computers, never had a problem. Our last desktop (as well as my laptop) was 12 years old before I replaced them.
(I'm not a speed daemon.)

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

hlpeterson wrote:

My desktop is wearing out and I am buying a new desktop. I use Lightroom Classic. I will use a Benq, 32 inch monitor. It has been recommended that I buy a gaming computer for picture quality and speed. I am especially interested in picture quality. What computer and/or computer components do you recommend? I am already committed to buying 32GS of RAM. Thanks

Mac mini with M2 Pro, 32GB unified memory, at least 1TB internal storage... It's extremely quick and hard to choke. Add external Thunderbolt 4/USB4 drives with Thunderbolt 4 cables, and you can edit and export almost anything with no hesitation.

On a Mac like that, ALL the memory is shared among ALL the processor cores, and the system allocates it dynamically as needed. You won't run out of video memory.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

In Adobe forums it is sometimes suggested that gaming GPUs with gaming drivers are not always suitable. If that is what you have and it is from Nvidia, there is the option of getting "studio" drivers.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

bsprague wrote:

In Adobe forums it is sometimes suggested that gaming GPUs with gaming drivers are not always suitable. If that is what you have and it is from Nvidia, there is the option of getting "studio" drivers.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Fortunately, the OP already has a great monitor, suitable for photography and the graphic arts.

The biggest mistake PC users make is buying a gaming MONITOR for photography. Gaming monitors are optimized for high contrast and high frame rates, which often reduces the color accuracy. Life is full of trade-offs... Ideally, you would have two different types of monitors if you do gaming and photo editing.

BebuLamar

I think a workstation class computer is better suited than a gaming computer.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

burkphoto wrote:

Fortunately, the OP already has a great monitor, suitable for photography and the graphic arts.

The biggest mistake PC users make is buying a gaming MONITOR for photography. Gaming monitors are optimized for high contrast and high frame rates, which often reduces the color accuracy. Life is full of trade-offs... Ideally, you would have two different types of monitors if you do gaming and photo editing.

Ideally is relative...
I just have two OTS monitors.
They work well.

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

Mac mini’s are the best value on the market but as the poster is a pc guy I can only wish him a Merry Christmas.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Ednsb wrote:

Mac mini’s are the best value on the market but as the poster is a pc guy I can only wish him a Merry Christmas.

Yeah... Well... I threw it out there for anyone who is looking for a new computer for serious photo/video editing. However, I do expect Apple to release new M3 Mac minis and M3 Pro Mac minis in the Spring, along with new MacBook Air M3 models.

I have an M1 MacBook Air (8 cpu, 8 gpu, 16 npu, 16 GB memory, 1TB storage) that is plenty sufficient for LrC/Ps and light 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro. I have never been able to make it choke. It barely ever gets warm, and it has NO FAN. Apple Silicon is amazing.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

burkphoto wrote:

Yeah... Well... I threw it out there for anyone wh... (show quote)

Yep, as I told you earlier my iMac24 with upgraded SSD and 16 Gb of memory using M3 silicon is AMAZING... Why need more speed for LR as it is mostly organizational ? Of course everyone has diff. objectives. Tanks again for the Apple info...

photoman43

hlpeterson wrote:

My desktop is wearing out and I am buying a new desktop. I use Lightroom Classic. I will use a Benq, 32 inch monitor. It has been recommended that I buy a gaming computer for picture quality and speed. I am especially interested in picture quality. What computer and/or computer components do you recommend? I am already committed to buying 32GS of RAM. Thanks

Make sure you get a GPU or video card with enough Ram for your monitor and any software you will be using in addition to Lightroom. Check out the info at Puget systems as they have suggested configurations of needed hardware for desktops running photo software.

Consider having a desktop custom built for you by micro center or some other similar store. This way you get what you need. Extra cooling fans are always in my custom built desktops.

GPU