Computer for Photoshop

[jamello]

I am trying to build a new PC for photoshop and was thinking of pulling the trigger with the items below.

My Budget is less than $2k for everything but monitor, mouse and key board
i did not include the case which is part of the budget.

Would this build be sufficient for photoshop and some movie editing?


Im not sure if i need an more RAM or another hard drive.

Currently in the build
I have SSD hard drive for OS
1TB for other stuff and back ups
10,000rpm 74 gb Hard drive for use as a scratch disk


I was reading forums about using a scratch disk for PS and im still confused

1.) should i go with 6GB RAM or 12 GB ( and use RAMDisk to partition some of the 12 GB for a scratch disk)

2.) or should i go with a 3rd Hard drive that's fast and use that as a scratch disk.


3.) In general for PS and other movie editing software would I need 12GBs ?

4.) Should i go with SSD hard drive at all?

I will be running 64 bit Vista, and I might break down and play Wow but thats pretty much it.



Any help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks



1 Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive $129.99 1


Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920 $279.99 1

BFG Tech LS SERIES LS-550 550W Continuous @ 40°C ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.8 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply $79.99 1


Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive $99.99 1

ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard $289.99 1



LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 $24.99 1

Intel X25-M SSDSA2MH080G1 80GB SATA Internal Solid state disk (SSD) $363.00 1

OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK $130.00

1 SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB 512-bit (256-bit x 2) GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card $274.99

 

[octopus41092]

So for photo editing, what you'll mainly be needing is a fast CPU, Hard Drive, large amounts of RAM and maybe a semi-decent video card

You can re-use the SSD for your OS and programs. The 1TB you can use for storage.

I gave you two builds, they don't include tax and shipping but they also don't include rebates. The first allows you to get a really good system for only about half of your budget. I'm sure you could find other things to spend your money on. The second build allows you to get pretty much a top of the line system for still less than $2000. Also, the case can really be anything but I opted for the Antec Twelve Hundred because it has ample room, keeps things cool and it looks nice.

"Cheap" Build:
1 x Corsair 650TX 650W Power Supply - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005

1 x Core i7 920 - $279.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115202

1 x Gigabyte GA-EX58 LGA1366 ATX Motherboard - $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128375

1 x G.Skill 6GB RAM DDR3 1600 - $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231225

1 x WD Velociraptor 300GB HD 10,000 RPM - $229.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136322

1 x LG Black 22X SATA DVD Burner - $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827136152

1 x Powercolor HD4830 - $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131129

1 x Antec Twelve Hundred - $154.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129043

Total: $1184.92

Ideal Build:
1 x Corsair 650TX 650W Power Supply - $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005

1 x Core i7 940 - $559.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115201

1 x ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - $249.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131359

2 x G.Skill 6GB RAM DDR3 1600 - $104.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231225

1 x WD Velociraptor 300GB HD 10,000 RPM - $229.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136322

2 x LG Black 22X SATA DVD Burner - $24.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827136152

1 x Sapphire HD4850X2- $234.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102813

1 x Antec Twelve Hundred - $154.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129043

Total: $1789.90


If you want to spend all $2000, there are other things that you could buy like a Blu-Ray drive, or SSD's, multiple hard drives, a HD4870X2 or whatever. But I really didn't think that those were necessary for you so I didn't include them.

Since you do a lot of photo editing, the second build would allow you to hook up 4 monitors. I don't know about the color reproduction of these monitors though. If you wanted 30" monitors you could get that but in my opinion they're not worth double the price.

4 x Hanns-G 28" LCD Monitor - $359.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824254026

 

[jamello]

Thanks for the Builds. I think I will forgo the SSD and do the Ideal build. But Im still unsure if I should get another HD for scratch disk or more RAM.
Will 6 GB RAM be enough or should I get 12 GB?

 

[videogames101]

Originally posted by: jamello
Thanks for the Builds. I think I will forgo the SSD and do the Ideal build. But Im still unsure if I should get another HD for scratch disk or more RAM.
Will 6 GB RAM be enough or should I get 12 GB?

how large and how many pictures you'll be working with?


(that determines RAM)

 

[stuckinaz]

A purpose build Photoshop box is only needed if you are going to be working with large image files. If you are simply working with 8 megabyte digital camera photo you probably don't need to worry about building a Photoshop box. With that said here's the thread I recently started that has good advice for a Photoshop build:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=27&threadid=2278728

The first and perhaps most important question is: Which version of Photoshop do you have?

From what I've learned while helping a friend build a Photoshop box is that if you have the latest CS4 version of Photoshop, which is 64-bit, you can fully utilize a 64-bit OS and Photoshop will use as much memory as you can cram on the motherboard.

If you have CS3 or an earlier version of Photoshop you will be limited on the amount of RAM available to Photoshop, no matter how much RAM your motherboard can hold, or Vista-64 can access. And if you run out of RAM photoshop will slow down.

I think a part of any "Photoshop-Box-Build" should include the upgrade price to CS4 if you don't already have it. Simply to get 64-bit memory access and better multi-core/thread support.

Vista-64 + CS4 + lots of RAM is perhaps the best way to get a screaming Photoshop box. It won't be the cheapest, but if you are doing any kind of serious (or even semi-serious) Photoshop work with large image file sizes it's the only way to go.

In addition to Vista-64 and CS4 I would go with a Core i7 CPU, 12 GB RAM and two physical hard drives. With two HDs you can put your O/S, Apps and O/S-Swap file on the first drive and the Photoshop scratch disk on the second drive. Do not put O/S swap and scratch file on same physical drive.

 

[themisfit610]

Yep.

Vista x64 and Photoshop CS4 (plus lightroom2!) play very nice.

I'd save a little cash and get DDR3 1333. IIRC, the 1600mhz isn't necessary.

I have 8GB of RAM, and Photoshop absolutely loves it.

If you're working with RAW files (and you should be), then you will really appreciate the RAM. With Lightroom 2 (~5000 10 megapixel RAWs) and CS4 open, I can get memory usage up to 6-8GB on a heavy batch export. So, I'd suggest 12GB for RAM, ditch the raptor, and pick up another 1TB drive. Use that for scratch, but you will rarely be going to scratch with that much RAM

Don't underestimate the importance of a good LCD, and a calibrator. I strongly suggest you get at least a 24" LCD, with an IPS panel.

Also, get a halfway decent GPU. Even a 9600gt would be plenty fast. I think Adobe prefers nVidia, but I'm not sure. Both Lightroom and Photoshop benefit from GPU acceleration.

~MiSfit

 

[jamello]

Thanks for all the help. I have been using my current computer to edit photos taken with my Rebel xti. I also been using movie maker and easy creator a lot to make slide shows. With my current set-up it has been a daunting task trying to edit something in PS then transfer to movie maker and then added/ splicing a song to fit select number of slides. I have been saving for a while to get new computer to replace the one my buddy help me build back 2004. My current computer is AMD athlon 1.81 Ghz 1.0 GB RAM and 80Gb HD. I maybe going a little overboard with my current build but I really enjoy manipulating photos in PS and like to do slide shows and eventually would like to be able to edit and splice video. I want to build a computer that will allow me to all that and more.

I plan on getting CS4 +vista 64. My next expense will be a new monitor.

Thanks for all the great input I will reconfigure my build and add it to a post.

Just to clarify, If i have enough RAM (12 GB) I dont need a to use a fast HD for a scratch disk. I can just use another TB HD as a scratch disk?

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: jamello
Thanks for all the help. I have been using my current computer to edit photos taken with my Rebel xti. I also been using movie maker and easy creator a lot to make slide shows. ...

Just to clarify, If i have enough RAM (12 GB) I dont need a to use a fast HD for a scratch disk. I can just use another TB HD as a scratch disk?

A fast disk would help movie maker renders as well.

As for 12GB ram, it's very likely overkill for you with an xti. Do you need to have 50 images open for editing at once?

I retouch for a living - often gigantic images (billboards, etc) - and I'm fine on a machine with 6GB and fast drives.

 

[Deadtrees]

For xti and the work you do, 12GB is a overkill.
Hell, I use 5D mk2 (21MP camera) and 6GB of RAM is more than enough even when I open up .
Also, I wouldn't worry about a fast stratch disk because with 64 bit version of CS4 fully uses all the memory you throw in. Thus, it doesn't utilize stratch disk as it was with previous Photoshop.

P.S: I just opened up 35 of 5D mk2 images and the memory usage for Photoshop was only 3.1GB. Simply put, don't worry about 12GB of ram and stratch disk.

 

[Lemodular]

As someone have mentioned earlier, don't skimp on the display AND calibrator. I stress the later because you will essentially be wasting your time perfecting the image only to find that it will not reproduce properly. I shoot a D80 and pp with only 4 gigs of ram, although I could use a little more, I do not think it slows it down too much. Personally, I would prioritize my hardware budget in the monitor, cpu, ram, video card, hdd (for storage and backups), mb, ,optical drive (blu-ray if you want a little future proofing). I think you can't go wrong with all that have been suggested.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Getting lots of ram would benefit you if you decided to use RAMDisk, which would be ideal for a scratch drive since it's faster than even SSD drives. I'd suggest getting a tb hard drive or two for sheer data storage, and maybe a Velociraptor for the boot drive for your OS/PS.

 

[Deadtrees]

Fast scracth disk was important prior to 64 bit version of CS4 because of its 32 bit memory access limitation.
On 64 bit version of CS4 and windows, such limitation is quite gone and that PS won't be bottlenecked by having to access HDD.

 

[jamello]

Thanks for all the input and letting me know that 12 gb RAM would be overkill for me. I can go with 6gb and save some cash and put it towards a new monitor.

So i should go for 6gb RAM and a fast HD for OS/ applications and one large HD for storage?

I guess the reason why I am trying to go big is to help with all the issues and long rendering times that i deal with now. Even though I am amateur photographer and a OK photoshop user I want to explore more into these areas and I don't want to be restricted by computers capabilities. Plus im tired of going over to my buddies house to use his computer every time I want to do something in movie maker. Again thanks for all the help it is greatly appreciated.



I completely overlooked the importance of getting a new monitor.

What should I look for in a new monitor? Are there any recommendations? Contrast ratio? , resolution?
Based on the prices I probably want something less than a 30"

Is there anything else anyone would recommend? (software/hardware) Some previous posts referred to lightroom 2

 

[themisfit610]

Lighroom 2 is amazing. It's a workflow / library management application. Basically, it keeps a database of your library of images (all RAW.... right? ) and allows you to perform adjustments on them in a non destructive way. I use it almost exclusively now, and then output 16bpc ProPhoto TIFFs into Photoshop for the shots that need some real magic. It has wonderful batch processing abilities, and you can actually tag images and search your entire library based on these tags.

It's really changed the way I do photography.

As far as the LCD, I think a 24" is perfect. Don't get a bargain bin monitor, but there are lots of good options out there.

~MiSfit

 

[jamello]

I think my build is almost finalized and I plan to purchase everything after I get paid this Friday.

octopus41092 Thanks for the input about the Hanns G monitor and Power supply.

Hanns-G 27.5 3ms widescreen lcd HDMI

Misfit I don't think this is an IPS panel and after looking up what IPS is I dont think I can afford one right now.

Should I wait until I can afford an IPS panel or would I be fine with the Hanns G?


Thank you to everyone else for all your insight and steering in the right path (away from SSD and more RAM) and preventing me from purchasing parts that would be overkill for what I need. I cant wait to build this already and play with lightroom2

I currently have a lian li case which I think I will re-use to save some money. I've had this case since 2004, should I replace or get new fans for this case or should it be ok?

lian li pc-v1000

Here is the rest of the build

1 x intel i7 2.66 ghz $ 288.99

1 x ASUS P6T deluxe V2 1366 intel Atx $289.99

Sapphire radeon HD 4850 X2 2Gb 512 bit GDDR3 $299.99

OZC gold 6 GB (3 x 2GB) 240 pin DDR3 1600 $114.99

COrsair 650W sli ready compatible with i7 power supply $94.99

WD Raptor 74 GB 10000rpm $99.99

WD black caviar 1TB 7200 RPM $119.99

LG 22x dvd burner $ 22.99

Vista home premium $99.99

I am going to transfer my current mobo, cpu and HD to this case so I can reuse my old one.
Raidmax Atx mid tower with 500w power supply

I was almost under budget but then I forgot about Vista. :frown:

 

[rob25]

Hi, im in the same boat, I have also been investigating about updating my system for cs4 & because ive ventured into the world of Panorama stitching & Hdr.
Firstly the monitor:
http://accessories.us.dell.com...bsd&cs=04&sku=320-7825

This is a Dell 2209wa 22"" e-ips, $275 aprox, read good reviews about it.

...& as someone mentioned, a calibrator, I have a Spyder3 pro.( I tried the elite software & serial of a friend & It also works.)


As far as scratch disks go from what I have read ,on the adobe site & other places:

Have it on a fast drive, different from the disk which may contain any large file you are working on & better if it is not on the same drive as the os.

So my conclusions for this would be if you are working on very large files the best would be:
1- 64 bit vista
2- lots of ram

disk setup

1 fast disk for os& cs4
2 x 500 gb set up in raid 0 (Double up the transfer speed)/ 1 tb disk in raid 1 (mirror,Backup) for data
1 fast disk for scratch
I dont know how important the scratch disk would be if you had a lot of ram.......

I hope I am in time for my advice.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: jamello

Thank you to everyone else for all your insight and steering in the right path (away from SSD and more RAM) and preventing me from purchasing parts that would be overkill for what I need. I cant wait to build this already and play with lightroom2

Your entire system is overkill.

An e8400/Phenom II mobo/cpu/ram combo will cost you $350-$400 and perform on par with the system you spec'ed.

If you have CS3 or an earlier version of Photoshop you will be limited on the amount of RAM available to Photoshop, no matter how much RAM your motherboard can hold, or Vista-64 can access.

Misleading at best.

Using a 64-bit OS with CS3 will not prevent the allocation of 3-3.5Gb of memory address space to PS. If, for instance, you are using 4x2Gb of RAMs, the remaining 4-5Gb of RAMs will be available to the OS and other apps for background services and multitasking. My recollection it's the same for CS4.

I don't use CS4 but it is my understanding that the maximum size for a PSD file is 2Gb and a TIFF file 4Gb (as for CS3).