ronsmith Loc: Morrinsville. New Zealand

Hi Folks
I note the question has been asked before, but sometime ago and things tech change fast.
I need to upgrade from my present system too something with more power for photo and video editing.
So what are some of the latest specs that are being used at present?
I'm switching back to a Windows operating system from Apple....you ask why? cheaper and windows is much easier to upgrade
Regards and thanks.... Ron

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Look at Micro Center for their power spec gaming computers. They are very reasonable and have what you need. I got mine on sale for 1200.00. Good outfit great service.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

This article is a year old since the last update but this is the build they had as their "Ultimate" for photography and it is what I used to have mine assembled. Perhaps the parts have come down in price by now, I spent almost $2000 because I used an iBuyPower gamer full case that I had modified for photography back when the i7 was the latest and greatest. So I had the HDD(2) and SSD(1 for the C drive/apps). I also kept my old keyboard and mouse and later swapped my Asus Graphic Arts 27" monitor for a BenQ 32" Graphic Arts/Photo Monitor.

If you click back to the home page you will find a drop down menu with links to their "Ultimate" build for several years back. And the components for those are generally still available and down in price.

https://photographylife.com/the-ultimate-pc-build-for-photography-needs/2

Oh, my favorite local tech assembled it for me for less than $300 and did all the tweaking etc. I gave him all the components and told him to not hurry, work on it when he had free time. He was having a slow week and I got it back on the third day. He confessed he had it done 1/2 day earlier but was playing with it to know what it would be capable of so he could recommend the same build to other clients with a "need for speed".

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There's lots of sources for Windows equipment. Anything defined as 'gaming' is going to be good for digital editing. In today's world of larger image files, look at 16GB RAM, 1TB of disk, lots of USB ports for connecting devices, preferably now at USB 3.0. At least 1GB on the video card. The brand and clock spec of the chip isn't that important as you can't sell 'gaming' equipment if it's not good enough to the minimums of that purpose.

Consider the desktop vs laptop, where a desktop (typically on the floor next the desk) is cheaper. Consider the size of the monitor, making sure you have space (geography) on your physical desk for the monitor size selected. How close / far will you sit? Is there room for the size monitor being considered?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

If you’re up for assembling your own (not hard), here’s a component list I’ve suggested a few times. Fast processor, plenty of memory (32GB), nice video card with 4GB VRAM and 2TB of SSD storage. This is a machine that will last you awhile and can be upgraded as needed. If you need more than 2TB of storage and don’t want to spend the $ for all SSD, you can add an HGST UltraStar enterprise class Drive (4 or 8GB) for ~$150 more. If you go that way, you could decrease the SSD to 1TB. You could also build this with one of the hot new AMD CPUs with a different motherboard. Personally, for monitors, I prefer 2 smaller monitors rather than one large one, but the monitor choice is another discussion.

Intel 11700 CPU ($418)
Asus Z590-LGA motherboard ($269)
Crucial 16GB x 2 (32 GB total) ($160)
Samsung 960 2TB m.2 NVME SSD ($200)
GeForce 1650 super w/4GB VRAM ($160)
Corsair 650-750W power supply ($80)
LG BluRay/MDisc Drive ($60) - optional
Case and CPU cooler ($60)
Windows 10 64 bit License ? Depends on whether you have a license you can migrate...

claytonsummers Loc: Orange County, CA

I would wait if I can. Computer prices are sky high right now because availability is low. I just had to buy a new PC for work. It is only an I5, 8gb ram and 256 ssd but was $1000. Last year this pc was about $500

Dik

The new M1 chipped Macs blow Windows machines out of the water, performance wise, and they’re affordable.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

The benchmarks I’ve read don’t show that - performance favors one or the other CPU depending on the application. They are nice machines, but expensive, and the current MI has a max memory of 16GB and cannot be upgraded or purchased with more. Compare the price of a new 24” IMac with the price of the build I posted above. If you like the Mac interface and OS and the compatibility with other Apple devices, and aren’t concerned about the price, limited memory or the lack of upgradability, then you should buy a Mac, but performance and “affordable” price aren’t valid reasons.

Dik

Check out this: https://petapixel.com/2021/03/10/real-world-test-photoshop-for-apple-silicon-is-a-game-changer/

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I could post a half dozen benchmarks that show the opposite. If you love Macs, fine, but don’t try to sell them on price or performance compared to a fast PC. I know Mac users are excited about the M1, which is an interesting device, and its low power consumption is a great benefit for portable computing, but let’s be a bit more balanced concerning performance, upgradability and price.

Dik

OK, you win.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

You might try Puget Systems

rcarol

I have both an M1 Mini with 16GB of memory and an Intel I9 which I built from scratch. These two systems are comparable in speed with the Intel system having a slight edge.

Larry Maxon

Also, don't forget to get an external hard drive to store your photos on. Otherwise they will eat up your memory.

rck281 Loc: Overland Park, KS

I just built a very similar computer with a few minor changes. I would recommend a Samsung 980 Pro Nvme drive instead of the 960. The 11th generation CPUs provide 1 socket of PCIe 4.0 and its higher speed. Might as well take advantage of it.