Best computer for photo editing

[Gnifrus]

I am needing to upgrade my computer to deal with the AI editing programs used by Topaz Labs. Their minimum recommendations are 8GB of system memory (RAM) and 2GB of graphic card memory. Ideally I would like to get more of both. My price point is around $3,000. Not sure if that is wishful thinking or not. Also I use a windows system. Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[Strodav]

There is no best, but there are some things you want to look for. Computers built for gaming do well for image processing, so look for gaming machines, but with i7 or i9 processors with a base frequency in the 4Ghz range and a turbo boost around 5Ghz. Put in as much memory as you can afford, minimum 16GB. You system drive should be and SSD. I recommend 2TB and this is where you will store you smaller number of "portfolio" shots in addition to being your system drive. Put in a 2nd SSD for image processing, mine is 2TB, then a 4TB HD for raw image storage (raw images from camera to this drive). The graphics processor is critical as Adobe and Topaz can both use the processing power and memory of the graphics card to process your images. Look for a higher end card with at least 8GB GDDR6. You should be able to find a machine like this off the shelf for under $3000. I recommend talking to Dell, they will help you configure the machine of your dreams. I am not a Dell fanboy, but their warranty and service, including in home service, is pretty good, but you will want to look at an higher end warranty package.

 

[Gnifrus]

Thanks for your advice. Peter

 

[Rickbb]

I do computers for my day job, and many people do like Dell, but not me. I've been very happy with the service life of HP's. (We are talking a few thousand units.)

You can either get a system designed for gamesters or build you own on different web sites that should suit your needs quite well. As Strodav said, get all the memory and HDD you can afford. Any NVIDIA GTX 10XX card with 4GB or better, or the AMD equivalent, will be fine.

With your budget you should be able to get a really good one.

 

[jcdeboever]

I am needing to upgrade my computer to deal with the AI editing programs used by Topaz Labs. Their minimum recommendations are 8GB of system memory (RAM) and 2GB of graphic card memory. Ideally I would like to get more of both. My price point is around $3,000. Not sure if that is wishful thinking or not. Also I use a windows system. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Your best option is a local brick and mortar computer store in your area to build you one. You will get exactly what you want or more within your budget and reputable computer stores will install high quality hardware that will last you years. Think about a high end display as well. You should be able to do both with that budget. You don't need to get an expensive graphics card.

 

[Warhorse]

If you can hold off till "black Friday" you can save quite a bit of money. Last black Friday I bought an MSI gaming laptop with 17" screen, I7 processer, 64GB RAM, 2TB SSD, 2TB HDD. All upgrades by Computer King. $1600. Has been running perfectly at easily 8-10 hours a day.

 

[Rickbb]

MSI motherboards have a very good rep. They are used in serious gaming and in crypto mining rigs. They make bomb proof graphics cards as well.

 

[Space Face]

MSI motherboards have a very good rep. They are used in serious gaming and in crypto mining rigs. They make bomb proof graphics cards as well.

I had an MSI curved screen with a new PC I bought earlier this year and the back light bleed was dreadful. I sent it back, got a refund and bought a Hanspree screen from a local dealer.

I also got an MSI games controller ant that went faulty after a couple of months of light use. I've maybe just been unlucky but MSI did not leave me with a good impression of their workmanship.

 

[AlanKlein]

Whatever you buy, make sure you get a parts and labor warranty for one year. I pay with American Express as they extend warranty by one year. So in effect, I get two years. Check the warranty terms as there's differences between Amer Express cards. Also note, many other credit cards have extended warranties as well at no additional cost. Check before you buy. Also I get 1 or 2% back from the credit card company. You may be able to get a new card that gives a couple of hundred back. But you have to purchase a couple of thousand in the first three months which you're going to do. Another good deal.

Unless you're handy, I would get a complete unit from Hp or Dell rather than building your own. If you have issues with it down the road, you want to have good support. I've found Dell very good. They also have complete backup literature and service manuals that are very good that would take you through repairs and replacement directions if you get a hardware defect. FYI I run Windows 10.

Finally, consider getting the monitor separately. A calibratable monitor from NEC with their Spectraview "puck" allows you to automatically calibrate it. The cost for these is high. So include that when figuring the computer you;re going to get. I'm not familiar with Dell's monitors, if they calibrate, etc.

Here's a good selection you can build up from. remember the monitor.
New Dell XPS 8940 Desktop Special Edition | Dell USA

 

[AlanKlein]

Here the NEC monitors with Spectraview calibration. Click on the Spectraview selection button toward the bottom left.
Displays | NEC LCD Sizes 32, 40, 42, 46, 52, 55, 70, 82 | NEC MultiSync Monitor | Desktop Monitor | Widescreen Computer Monitor | Direct View LED Displays | LED Walls | LED Display Module by NEC Display

 

[Rickbb]

MSI motherboards have a very good rep. They are used in serious gaming and in crypto mining rigs. They make bomb proof graphics cards as well.

I had an MSI curved screen with a new PC I bought earlier this year and the back light bleed was dreadful. I sent it back, got a refund and bought a Hanspree screen from a local dealer.

I also got an MSI games controller ant that went faulty after a couple of months of light use. I've maybe just been unlucky but MSI did not leave me with a good impression of their workmanship.

Well that would suck. I used to have 5 crypto rigs with MSI mobo’s and each had 6 MSI Nivida 10xx cards in each. They ran 24/7 for almost 2 years no issues at all.

 

[Space Face]

MSI motherboards have a very good rep. They are used in serious gaming and in crypto mining rigs. They make bomb proof graphics cards as well.

I had an MSI curved screen with a new PC I bought earlier this year and the back light bleed was dreadful. I sent it back, got a refund and bought a Hanspree screen from a local dealer.

I also got an MSI games controller ant that went faulty after a couple of months of light use. I've maybe just been unlucky but MSI did not leave me with a good impression of their workmanship.

Well that would suck. I used to have 5 crypto rigs with MSI mobo’s and each had 6 MSI Nivida 10xx cards in each. They ran 24/7 for almost 2 years no issues at all.

Yeah, they certainly get great reviews. Just bad luck for me I guess.

 

[Tropicalmemories]

Just reading some of these specs is like reading computer geek porn.

I suddenly feel very inadequate in the hardware department.

 

[Space Face]

I suddenly feel very inadequate in the hardware department.

Transpose hardware for bedroom and that's what the wife says about me

 

[Jeff15]

Have one made to your spec, I did...