Need a new PC desktop (Page 5): My recommendation is DELL. When you order from DELL, you configure the computer for your needs. The XPS series is a starting point. You will want: 32 GB...

delder Loc: Maryland

DirtFarmer wrote:

Budget? br br My old PC got really slow with LR/P... (show quote)

My recommendation is DELL.
When you order from DELL, you configure the computer for your needs.
The XPS series is a starting point.
You will want:
32 GB of RAM (or more)
i7 or i9 processor,
Discreet GPU w. At LEAST 6GB on-board memory.
[REMEMBER, This handles much of your Post Processing]
Large internal SSD and disk drive.

Yes, this build WILL cost you some money, but much of these features will cost even MORE to change later [if even possible]

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

jerryc41 wrote:

Someone may have mentioned this, but having an SSD as the C drive with a large HDD for data is ideal. If you get a new computer, you can simply move the D drive from the old to the new.

Well said. I have an SSD and it is incredibly fast. Especially quick with Lightroom, Photoshop, Topaz etc

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

jerryc41 wrote:

I have desktops and laptops, but I consider a desktop to be a "real" computer. That's old-fashioned thinking, I know, but that's the way I am - old-fashioned. It's easier to get inside a desktop if I want to make changes.

Agree, easier to replace a hard drive or add a better graphics card

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

crbuckjr wrote:

My desktop PC is old and way too slow. I want a good one mainly for managing and editing photos. I use Lightroom Classic, Photoshop, Topaz AI (Denise, etc) have 45 mb images……100,000 images…..etc.

Would like to upgrade to a desktop that will last a while. Want to stay with PC.

Would appreciate knowing about good reviews of such desktops, other sources of help, or specific recommendations.

Thanks much

Chuck

Go with a Dell you will never be wrong.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I had my local computer shop custom build one for me in 2021. I carefully explained how I used a computer and they offered several options.
I Googled your area and found this shop in Naples. Why not pay them a visit or at least call them.
https://www.paradiseprotech.com/services

Good luck,
Mark

achesley Loc: SW Louisiana

So many choices out there depending on what you want to do. Bought a new HP tower a few months back. Made sure it had the newest 7 engine. Like that it had an SSD reader as I take lots of pictures. Don't use CD reader that much so order a plug in and very happy with it. Have made a few music cd's for my vehicle just to see if it works, DiD! Or in case I want to watch one of my old CD Movies.
Just so many choices. Good luck in the decision making and get what you want , not what you read that would be the best for you. ;-)

crbuckjr Loc: Naples FL

thanks....I have used them in the past...they built a previous desktop for me......I am just wondering if there aren't some quite good desktops out there and what are the pros and cons of customized building vs off the shelf.....

delder Loc: Maryland

crbuckjr wrote:

thanks....I have used them in the past...they built a previous desktop for me......I am just wondering if there aren't some quite good desktops out there and what are the pros and cons of customized building vs off the shelf.....

Dell will essentially "Custom Build"
Your Desktop for you
[Using DELL Compnents]
You DO get factory support and an extendable warranty.

crbuckjr Loc: Naples FL

sounds like a good way to go.....thanks

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Real Nikon Lover wrote:

Approximately 3 years ago I bought an "IBUYPO... (show quote)

Thanks for that.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Sorry - I did NOT read all 5 pages.

BUT - Here's what I built recently:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-779437-1.html
The 24 TB Raid 5 Data Drive is pure extravagance and overkill.
As long as you do regular data drive back-ups, a Single 12 TB NAS certified HDD would be plenty (Seagate Ironwolf recommended).
I DO strongly recommend consideration of a System/program drive (1 - 2 TB SSD) and a separate data drive (Terrabyte HDD). For best speeds, a third, smaller SSD - say 250 GB - would be helpful as a swap drive (where Winblows thrashes stuff to free up your main RAM memory) - but certainly not necessary.
-
I guess it all comes down to: Just how much you wanna spend!!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Merlin1300 wrote:

Sorry - I did NOT read all 5 pages. img src="htt... (show quote)

I've been doing regular backups of seven data files - Pictures, Files, etc., but I realize I should be backing up the entire D drive more often.

A separate system/program drive is almost a necessity, in my opinion.

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

jerryc41 wrote:

I've been doing regular backups of seven data files - Pictures, Files, etc., but I realize I should be backing up the entire D drive more often.

A separate system/program drive is almost a necessity, in my opinion.

It's really helpful to have software installed and running that takes care of the backup automatically, without intervention beyond setup. Some cloud systems can do both local and cloud backups simultaneously so you have the local backup you need for most uses, while also getting the cloud backup for emergency use.

CaptKK Loc: Edmond OK

If you use an Iphone, you really should consider a Mac. When I download my camera pics to the Mac, they are automatically added to my photos on my iphone and backed up to the cloud. If I need to show or send somebody a picture, whether it was taken with my camera or my Iphone, they are all on my iphone in the same place and easy to find. All computers have pros and cons, and Macs are no exception, but the seamless integration between the Mac and the Iphone is a huge time saver. I used to build all my computers, so I know the limitations of the Mac. But as I have discovered, the older I get, the less I want to deal with the technical stuff.

CliffMcKenzie Loc: Lake Athens Texas

“Been there, Done That and Got the Tee Shirt” – and on wow, glad I did. Thanks to many very good UHHoggers who helped in the design of C17 – a desktop computer designed to tackle the current vision of the coming of AI in photography. Starting down the traditional path with Dell, Puget Sound (good people) and two companies in CA, it became clear I could not get it built to specifications. Trusting UHH input and my CPA\ former CFO we had a couple build it in Dallas. The C17 weighs 62lbs, has 13 almost CD size fans, liquid cooling (yes, uses both) and is capable of internally handling 12 Stata SSDs.
Motherboard: Asus ProArt Z790-Creator WiFi
Memory: 64 - DDR5 6000
GPU: RTX 2080 Ti Founders Edition
Processor: i9 13th Generation (13900k)
Hard Drives: (2) Stata SSD
Power Supply: 1350
Monitors: (2) BenQ SW270C

Logitech high-end keyboard & mouse plus an array of external HHD for backup.

The anticipated problem was cooling the computer. The system is designed to average 50ºC and to automatically shutdown at 100 ºC. The system is averaging 39 ºC. The initial problem was fans correctly slowing down, the system not understanding two cooling systems and it assuming something is about to go wrong. Simple bypass regarding CPU fan setting solved the problem.

Results beyond your imagination. A recent shoot needed 120+ images processed overnight. One of my last steps was to batch process the images through Topaz DeNoise allowing the software to review each image and adjust. This was all via “round tripping” through LRC. Time per image, wait for it, 2 seconds.

What is better – Topaz AI, Topaz DeNoise, Topaz Sharpen or Lightroom denoise? You can judge in seconds with all products almost at once. In and out of PS…not a problem.

Cost less than $7K, most likely close to $6.5k.

Private message me if you need more detail…and thanks to UHH.