Gaming computer for photo? Wondering if a "gaming" computer is acceptable to use for photo work. Costco has an MSI desktop going on sale Nov 25 for $1100

mikedent Loc: Florida

Wondering if a "gaming" computer is acceptable to use for photo work. Costco has an MSI desktop going on sale Nov 25 for $1100 - MSI Codex R Gaming Desktop - 12th gen Intel i7, 12G Nvidia RTX3060 card, 32 G Ram, 2TB HD and 1 TB SSD. May be overkill for basic processing but my Lenovo i5 is more than5 years old, maybe it's just GAS...thanks!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Yes, 'gaming' computers are excellent choices for digital photography editing. You need to consider your monitor too, an expense that is $200 to $500 more for a high-def mid-level model.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Edited.... I misread and thought you were asking about gaming laptops. Most of my reply doesn't apply. This part does.

Costco is a great place to buy electronics. They have a 90 day satisfaction guarantee. My wife bought a Surface laptop, found she didn't like it and 45 days later got all her money back. Costco is also a great place to buy chickens. Go figure!

mikedent Loc: Florida

CHG_CANON wrote:

Yes, 'gaming' computers are excellent choices for digital photography editing. You need to consider your monitor too, an expense that is $200 to $500 more for a high-def mid-level model.

Thanks- I would probably keep current monitor at first and see how the display looks. I don't do more than basic editing, no PS graphic work, so may not need a screen upgrade..

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

mikedent wrote:

Thanks- I would probably keep current monitor at first and see how the display looks. I don't do more than basic editing, no PS graphic work, so may not need a screen upgrade..

That's like buying a pro body camera and still using your entry-level kit lens .... You could probably drop a terabyte of storage and find the funds for a monitor upgrade too in that bundle.

The harder things about shopping for a monitor are: a, making sure you get one that fits, not exceeds, the intended space on your desk / work area. Then b, finding a model that is great for photography, rather than gaming or TV watching. You probably should shop separately for the monitor, and not at Costco for this more specialized equipment.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

bsprague wrote:

Edited.... I misread and thought you were asking about gaming laptops. Most of my reply doesn't apply. This part does.

Costco is a great place to buy electronics. They have a 90 day satisfaction guarantee. My wife bought a Surface laptop, found she didn't like it and 45 days later got all her money back. Costco is also a great place to buy chickens. Go figure!

Their pizzas are pretty good, too!

mikedent Loc: Florida

bsprague wrote:

Edited.... I misread and thought you were asking about gaming laptops. Most of my reply doesn't apply. This part does.

Costco is a great place to buy electronics. They have a 90 day satisfaction guarantee. My wife bought a Surface laptop, found she didn't like it and 45 days later got all her money back. Costco is also a great place to buy chickens. Go figure!

Thanks for your input!

mikedent Loc: Florida

CHG_CANON wrote:

That's like buying a pro body camera and still usi... (show quote)

Yes, good advice, read similar ideas in Photography Life..

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

mikedent wrote:

Wondering if a "gaming" computer is acceptable to use for photo work. Costco has an MSI desktop going on sale Nov 25 for $1100 - MSI Codex R Gaming Desktop - 12th gen Intel i7, 12G Nvidia RTX3060 card, 32 G Ram, 2TB HD and 1 TB SSD. May be overkill for basic processing but my Lenovo i5 is more than5 years old, maybe it's just GAS...thanks!

Gaming COMPUTER, yes, but gaming MONITOR, no. If you intend to post-process images and print them, you need a wide-gamut monitor, preferably one with 10-bit color and at least a 99% P3 color gamut capability. Cheap monitors and gaming monitors are generally inaccurate and very frustrating for photo editing tasks.

I recommend the LG 27UP850-W 27” UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS Monitor as a reasonable candidate. It is the one I use. It is a close match to the internal displays of Apple MacBooks.

BenQ also makes some excellent photo/graphics editing monitors.

I use and recommend the Datacolor SpyderXElite calibration and ICC profiling kit to keep your monitor honest and in sync with printers and labs.

mikedent Loc: Florida

burkphoto wrote:

Gaming COMPUTER, yes, but gaming MONITOR, no. If y... (show quote)

Thanks -- maybe they will go on sale too! Actually a 24inch would fit my desk better.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

mikedent wrote:

Wondering if a "gaming" computer is acceptable to use for photo work. Costco has an MSI desktop going on sale Nov 25 for $1100 - MSI Codex R Gaming Desktop - 12th gen Intel i7, 12G Nvidia RTX3060 card, 32 G Ram, 2TB HD and 1 TB SSD. May be overkill for basic processing but my Lenovo i5 is more than5 years old, maybe it's just GAS...thanks!

That was the basis of my laptop.
Works great.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

mikedent wrote:

Wondering if a "gaming" computer is acceptable to use for photo work. Costco has an MSI desktop going on sale Nov 25 for $1100 - MSI Codex R Gaming Desktop - 12th gen Intel i7, 12G Nvidia RTX3060 card, 32 G Ram, 2TB HD and 1 TB SSD. May be overkill for basic processing but my Lenovo i5 is more than5 years old, maybe it's just GAS...thanks!

Yes, I used an iBuyPower gamer for almost 8 years before I felt I was falling behind, then I just upgraded the motherboard and CPU and added more RAM. I also have an Asus gaming laptop as my backup/portable in case we take a trip.

If it can run games including 3D in real time, it can handle photo and video editing. I paired it with a 32" BenQ graphic arts monitor.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

mikedent wrote:

Wondering if a "gaming" computer is acceptable to use for photo work. Costco has an MSI desktop going on sale Nov 25 for $1100 - MSI Codex R Gaming Desktop - 12th gen Intel i7, 12G Nvidia RTX3060 card, 32 G Ram, 2TB HD and 1 TB SSD. May be overkill for basic processing but my Lenovo i5 is more than5 years old, maybe it's just GAS...thanks!

Excellent choice for image/video processing but I'm not too sure about MSI brand quality?

bwa

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Depends on your needs and speed requirements.
(I'm still using my 10 year old HP desktop for primary editing. Works just fine for what I do.)

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

mikedent wrote:

Wondering if a "gaming" computer is acceptable to use for photo work. Costco has an MSI desktop going on sale Nov 25 for $1100 - MSI Codex R Gaming Desktop - 12th gen Intel i7, 12G Nvidia RTX3060 card, 32 G Ram, 2TB HD and 1 TB SSD. May be overkill for basic processing but my Lenovo i5 is more than5 years old, maybe it's just GAS...thanks!

Absolutely. Gaming computers are great.

The difference between them and another is usually more memory, better graphics, cpu, and speed. Your right there at what I paid for mine, but twice the storage.

If your system was five years old, that means your monitor is too. Do what your can to also get a new monitor. Don't put it off and wait. I did and I'm still waiting. Things get in the way.

Good luck.

If you still have and doubt after the responses here read this https://streamersplaybook.com/gaming-pc-vs-regular-pc-whats-the-difference/