New Computer: I need a new computer...(I did a search in here.) With technology changing so much, does anyone have any advice that is new? 16 gigs ram and 2 T. Is that adequate? Maybe...

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

I need a new computer...(I did a search in here.) With technology changing so much, does anyone have any advice that is new? 16 gigs ram and 2 T. Is that adequate? Maybe something better.
Thanks...Marsha
Windows and Desktop.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I need a new computer...(I did a search in here.) With technology changing so much, does anyone have any advice that is new? 16 gigs ram and 2 T. Is that adequate? Maybe something better.
Thanks...Marsha

Laptop or Desktop? Apple or Windows?

Pixelpixie88 Loc: Northern Minnesota

Oops...thanks PixelStan.
Desktop and Windows.

mikewskier Loc: NE Florida

@Pixelpixie88 What software do you use for PP?

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I need a new computer...(I did a search in here.) With technology changing so much, does anyone have any advice that is new? 16 gigs ram and 2 T. Is that adequate? Maybe something better.
Thanks...Marsha
Windows and Desktop.

Adequate for what?

For most people that would be overkill.

For phot editing it would give room to grow into as programs get larger.

To run AMAZON, not nearly sufficient.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

Oops...thanks PixelStan.
Desktop and Windows.

No problem. I am an Apple guy and don't want to convert you.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

16 gigs is OK but more is better.
2TB is probably OK, assuming you don't have a LOT of photos or large files or if you do, that you store them on an external drive(s). If you can fit two drives into the desktop that would be good.

My desktop is running with 24 gigs, a 256GB SSD for C: and a 2TB spinner for D:. It's 5 years old and doing OK, but programs are getting larger so a larger SSD will probably address future software bloat.

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I need a new computer...(I did a search in here.) With technology changing so much, does anyone have any advice that is new? 16 gigs ram and 2 T. Is that adequate? Maybe something better.
Thanks...Marsha
Windows and Desktop.

Since I'm an Apple Guy, I don't have any advice on a Windows desktop, but I wouldn't limit myself to 16gb og memory. It's fairly cheap so get as much as you can afford.

mflowe Loc: Port Deposit, MD

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I need a new computer...(I did a search in here.) With technology changing so much, does anyone have any advice that is new? 16 gigs ram and 2 T. Is that adequate? Maybe something better.
Thanks...Marsha
Windows and Desktop.

Seconding Dirtfarmer, I would def go for a ssd for storage. Capacity? I don't really know. I have 2tb and it's enough for me but don't know your needs.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

It depends on your requirements, "need for speed", and storage.

I have an 8 year old HP desktop that has 8Mb of RAM and a 2Tb drive which is only 18% is currently used.
I don't worry about a ten second start-up for programs if they take that long.
(I use Canon's DPP, Elements 19, and Photo Impact pro, and the system is fine for me.)

More RAM and space is always better.

But many will help you spend your money, and everyone has their own opinion of what to get.

morkie1891

For Windows more ram is always better. Also, the new AI software require stronger graphics cards. They currently suggest 4gb minimum on the card.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I need a new computer...(I did a search in here.) With technology changing so much, does anyone have any advice that is new? 16 gigs ram and 2 T. Is that adequate? Maybe something better.
Thanks...Marsha
Windows and Desktop.

There virtually is no such thing as too much with computers and image processing. Don't listen to the people out there who are trying to still keep their antique Windows XP systems working with Photoshop CC or Lightroom CC variants. Yes, at a min. 2T HDD and or 512GB SSD + 1T HDD; and 24 to 32 GB RAM, Windows 10. DELL towers for me at this time, a XPS. A Dell Alienware Gamer could be a really good Photo PC (down grade sound card to save a little $).

bejamin Loc: South Texas

I tell folks get as much memory,RAM, as you want to afford. Then get a 1Tb drive as boot drive then a USB second external drive for data storage of photos etc. That should be at least 2Tb. But RAM is most important then processor. Good luck

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Pixelpixie88 wrote:

I need a new computer...(I did a search in here.) With technology changing so much, does anyone have any advice that is new? 16 gigs ram and 2 T. Is that adequate? Maybe something better.
Thanks...Marsha
Windows and Desktop.

If you want speed, use the new SSD M.2 internal for OS (500GB is plenty) and a second drive, a SSD too. Memory, 16GB is good enough, 32GB maybe better but be aware of diminishing returns. If you can upgrade the memory later on there is no need for larger amount of memory at the moment.

All folks mentioning the need for space are pack rats. Once an image is worked on and used it goes onto an external storage that really depends on how many USB drives you have - basically limitless -. When in storage speed is really not that important. What is it the durability of the storage media. What I am saying is a large internal drive is not needed.

Note: I would encourage you to have three drives, the third one being dedicated to temporary data created by both the OS and software used. It simplifies backing up, drive cleaning and correcting errors created by temp files. Believe it or not this must be the fasted drive in the computer.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Rongnongno wrote:

...All folks mentioning the need for space are pack rats. Once an image is worked on and used it goes onto an external storage that really depends on how many USB drives you have - basically limitless -. When in storage speed is really not that important. What is it the durability of the storage media. What I am saying is a large internal drive is not needed.

Guilty.
I keep everything except pure junk. All my images are on an external drive because there are more than 2TB of them.

Rongnongno wrote:

Note: I would encourage you to have three drives, the third one being dedicated to temporary data created by both the OS and software used. It simplifies backing up, drive cleaning and correcting errors created by temp files. Believe it or not this must be the fasted drive in the computer.

Drive C: should be where you put the OS. If you have a large C: drive, the third drive mentioned above could be a partition on that drive. Looks like a separate drive. The second internal drive should be large enough to hold all your emails, word processing files, program configuration files, spreadsheets, and miscellaneous stuff. Images, ok if there aren't too many of them, but they tend to expand rapidly, and if you do video, they expand even more rapidly.

Of course you should also have a couple more external drives for backup purposes.