New build for photo editing

[shank118]

Hey guys. I'm looking to build a PC mainly for photo editing, using Lightroom and Photoshop, budget around $1200. After some reading online, I'm inclined towards a Ryzen 5 3600 build, with a 2TB HDD for storage and an Evo Plus 500GB for OS and metadata needed for the photos. I've come up with the following build and would like to hear your thoughts:

CPU+Mobo : Ryzen 5 3600 + MSI B450 Tomahawk Max (or Asrock B450M SL)

RAM : G-Skill Trident Z 3600 MHz CL16 16GB

SDD : Samsung Evo 970 Plus M.2 Nvme 500GB

HDD : Toshiba 2TB 7200rpm

GPU : Zotac GTX 1650 Super 4GB

Power Supply : Cooler Master MW 550w 80+ Bronze semi-mod

Casing : Tecware Nexus

I also came across the following build :https://www.aftershockpc.com/welcome/rts_details/3151

This seems to be using a Gigabyte B450M DS3H which according to the official specs only supports up to 3200 MHz but they paired it with a 3600 MHz ram? If not for that it seems like a good deal.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Yua Mikami]

There's a comparison video of ram 3200mhz is the best

 

[NightRaven49]

...

Casing : Tecware Nexus

I also came across the following build :https://www.aftershockpc.com/welcome/rts_details/3151

This seems to be using a Gigabyte B450M DS3H which according to the official specs only supports up to 3200 MHz but they paired it with a 3600 MHz ram? If not for that it seems like a good deal.

Thank you in advance!

please avoid the tecware nexus, airflow is really restricted (only 1 thin side intake) and your parts will suffer from higher than usual temperatures.

also the ds3h has really bad vrms, do avoid it unless u have a 2nd gen ryzen and not oc-ing. for 3rd gen i would recommend msi's boards like the tomahawk in your initial selection, but they are going oos fast.

There's a comparison video of ram 3200mhz is the best

for 3rd gen ryzen 3600mhz is the best. but then again for a workstation rather than gaming build, ram frequency is not that important.

 

[shank118]

please avoid the tecware nexus, airflow is really restricted (only 1 thin side intake) and your parts will suffer from higher than usual temperatures.

also the ds3h has really bad vrms, do avoid it unless u have a 2nd gen ryzen and not oc-ing. for 3rd gen i would recommend msi's boards like the tomahawk in your initial selection, but they are going oos fast.



for 3rd gen ryzen 3600mhz is the best. but then again for a workstation rather than gaming build, ram frequency is not that important.

Oh I didn't know about the case. Thank you for that! Any case with good airflow that you can recommend? I won't be oc-ing but I guess the tomahawk will be my choice. If not, which is the next best mb you would recommend?

Also, are there any parts I can save on or is this configuration quite optimal already? I'm planning to get everything from Sim Lim, not from online sources.

 

[Rashkae]

Oh I didn't know about the case. Thank you for that! Any case with good airflow that you can recommend? I won't be oc-ing but I guess the tomahawk will be my choice. If not, which is the next best mb you would recommend?

Also, are there any parts I can save on or is this configuration quite optimal already? I'm planning to get everything from Sim Lim, not from online sources.

You could get an Adata 8200 for the ssd, or the WD Black from Amazon.sg

 

[Hein]

Hey guys. I'm looking to build a PC mainly for photo editing, using Lightroom and Photoshop, budget around $1200. After some reading online, I'm inclined towards a Ryzen 5 3600 build, with a 2TB HDD for storage and an Evo Plus 500GB for OS and metadata needed for the photos. I've come up with the following build and would like to hear your thoughts:

CPU+Mobo : Ryzen 5 3600 + MSI B450 Tomahawk Max (or Asrock B450M SL)

RAM : G-Skill Trident Z 3600 MHz CL16 16GB

SDD : Samsung Evo 970 Plus M.2 Nvme 500GB

HDD : Toshiba 2TB 7200rpm

GPU : Zotac GTX 1650 Super 4GB

Power Supply : Cooler Master MW 550w 80+ Bronze semi-mod

Casing : Tecware Nexus

I also came across the following build :https://www.aftershockpc.com/welcome/rts_details/3151

This seems to be using a Gigabyte B450M DS3H which according to the official specs only supports up to 3200 MHz but they paired it with a 3600 MHz ram? If not for that it seems like a good deal.

Thank you in advance!

If you have a high MP camera, I would advise to up to 32Gb RAM... My 16Gb get used up quite fast when both LR and PS are running

 

[Diningrat]

I have Asus B450-F complete set for sale. Bought on the 13/06/2020 from PC Themes. Went into casing for 4 days and secured a X570 mobo - helped a friend in need of urgent cash . PM me if you keen. Definitely selling less than RRP.

 

[Mythmaker]

U need alot more ram than 16GB, especially if you start shooting star trails and events. 32gb is good (enough for events), 64gb is better (star trails).

Need a fast CPU also, otherwise ACR is sluggish. Don't think 3600 can make it unless u can live with the lag when selecting pictures in ACR.

There used to be a time where GPU doesn't matter. These days with the rise of AI, GPU is needed for the plugins.

2TB storage fills up fast. If you are going mechanical hdd, consider the WD Elements 8TB/12TB from Amazon. It doesn't cost that much more actually.

In short, a rig for photo editing doesn't come cheap. Cut the things that are not needed and go for the main stuff like:

1) you don't need fast rams. U need lots of rams.
2) you don't need a tomahawk, really. A cheap asrock pro4 will do.
3) please don't use coolermaster psu, they are crap.
4) you dont need a samsung nvme. Consider xpg sx8200 pro for cheaper and good replacement, they rank among the best in photo editing benchmark.

 

[hg2]

If u deal with 4k, 8k, raw photos in PS. 3700x, 32Gb is the starting point. Once you open a few photos it will eat up all the RAMs and feel laggy if CPU is not fast enough and takes forever when applying filters in photoshop. i9/Ryzen9 is the entry point for video transcoding.

If you are extremely patients and got lots of time to burn (e.g, retiree). Just ignore this post

 

[Mythmaker]

If u deal with 4k, 8k, raw photos in PS. 3700x, 32Gb is the starting point. Once you open a few photos it will eat up all the RAMs and feel laggy if CPU is not fast enough and takes forever when applying filters in photoshop. i9/Ryzen9 is the entry point for video transcoding.

If you are extremely patients and got lots of time to burn (e.g, retiree). Just ignore this post

Even for people with lots of time, there is also a limit

When I came back from Japan last year and processing a 800+ image star trail, even with 24GB of ram, it took about a min to select a layer in the stack (I was using i5 4670 though)

The whole thing just stalls and photoshop stopped responding a few times. Opening the layers already took about 2 to 3 hours and editing it looks like anytime will crash, quite scary.

 

[alamakazim]

Just buy a dumb camera with meitu or hdr effects

Most of the time...U just hoard the photos... Never view after processing

 

[Mythmaker]

Just buy a dumb camera with meitu or hdr effects

Most of the time...U just hoard the photos... Never view after processing

The "dumb camera with meitu or hdr effects" will never be able to shoot these

https://500px.com/darrenphotography

 

[alamakazim]

The "dumb camera with meitu or hdr effects" will never be able to shoot these

https://500px.com/darrenphotography

u sure u shoot it... or u shoot then process... those tok kong one... also need to process...

of cos if u are doing for a living,, then by all means get something super duper to process... else dont fall in the category ... u take tons of photo... at the end of the day... all inside harddisk... harddisk crash also havent view it

 

[shank118]

Thank you for all the replies guys. Looks like I'll have to get 32gb RAM then. Any recommendations for an alternative motherboard besides the Tomahawk? Asrock B450M Pro 4 was mentioned. Any others you would recommend?

Also, a casing with good airflow and a power supply? How about the Corsair CX 550w?

 

[origamii]

Thank you for all the replies guys. Looks like I'll have to get 32gb RAM then. Any recommendations for an alternative motherboard besides the Tomahawk? Asrock B450M Pro 4 was mentioned. Any others you would recommend?

Also, a casing with good airflow and a power supply? How about the Corsair CX 550w?

can try superflower/seasonic brand for psu

 

[lhseong]

Hey guys. I'm looking to build a PC mainly for photo editing, using Lightroom and Photoshop, budget around $1200. After some reading online, I'm inclined towards a Ryzen 5 3600 build, with a 2TB HDD for storage and an Evo Plus 500GB for OS and metadata needed for the photos. I've come up with the following build and would like to hear your thoughts:

CPU+Mobo : Ryzen 5 3600 + MSI B450 Tomahawk Max (or Asrock B450M SL)

RAM : G-Skill Trident Z 3600 MHz CL16 16GB

SDD : Samsung Evo 970 Plus M.2 Nvme 500GB

HDD : Toshiba 2TB 7200rpm

GPU : Zotac GTX 1650 Super 4GB

Power Supply : Cooler Master MW 550w 80+ Bronze semi-mod

Casing : Tecware Nexus

I also came across the following build :https://www.aftershockpc.com/welcome/rts_details/3151

This seems to be using a Gigabyte B450M DS3H which according to the official specs only supports up to 3200 MHz but they paired it with a 3600 MHz ram? If not for that it seems like a good deal.

Thank you in advance!

I have similar build but with cheaper components, you can refer to my build at right side.
Overall, Pick Adata SX8200Pro or WD Black SSD is a good choice compare to Samsung due to budget.
The casing is cheap but no good airflow. FYI, the CPU does hit 85C++ when full load with stock cooler. So a case with good airflow is recommended.
For example, CORSAIR 275R, SilverStone or those casing with front/top/rear with 12/14mm fans for better airflow.
2TB HDD will fillup quickly if you keep RAW files, but you always can expand it with an external HDD such as WD/Seagate 14TB HDD.
I used Canon 6D 20MP photo and Gopro8 4k video edit without issue, just CPU hit high temp when doing exporting.

 

[cesc88]

I have similar build but with cheaper components, you can refer to my build at right side.
Overall, Pick Adata SX8200Pro or WD Black SSD is a good choice compare to Samsung due to budget.
The casing is cheap but no good airflow. FYI, the CPU does hit 85C++ when full load with stock cooler. So a case with good airflow is recommended.
For example, CORSAIR 275R, SilverStone or those casing with front/top/rear with 12/14mm fans for better airflow.
2TB HDD will fillup quickly if you keep RAW files, but you always can expand it with an external HDD such as WD/Seagate 14TB HDD.
I used Canon 6D 20MP photo and Gopro8 4k video edit without issue, just CPU hit high temp when doing exporting.

Actually, how do we check that the airflow is good?

 

[lhseong]

Actually, how do we check that the airflow is good?

For me, I check the inflow and outflow.
So 2 front 12/14cm inflow fans and 1 12/14cm rear outflow fan with a CPU tower cooler is already a good airflow.
Always, consider the cable management to avoid any blockage to airflow.
Add 1-2 fans at rear top also help to cool down the build.

 

[royfrosty]

I would advice you to get 32gb worth of ram especially for LR and PS.

I have used PS and tried 16gb vs 32gb. I find that with 32gb opening more layers in PS will be a lot more responsive and i noticed, if you starve PS with RAM, things start to be pretty slow for a while as they are trying to “manage” low RAM capacity.

A good try is, when you load layers of up to 100 RAW files, 16gb your PS tend to work slightly slower than you have more RAM.

Drop 3600 to 3500. Chances are you will appreciate the higher clock speed. You dont need until 6c/12t. 6c/6t should suffice. Channel that budget to push for 32gb RAM instead. Get at least a 3200Mhz RAM.

For SSD, i dont think you will really need the fast NVME drive. Just get a regular SATA SSD but bigger storage size. Like 1tb onwards.

 

[shank118]

I have similar build but with cheaper components, you can refer to my build at right side.
Overall, Pick Adata SX8200Pro or WD Black SSD is a good choice compare to Samsung due to budget.
The casing is cheap but no good airflow. FYI, the CPU does hit 85C++ when full load with stock cooler. So a case with good airflow is recommended.
For example, CORSAIR 275R, SilverStone or those casing with front/top/rear with 12/14mm fans for better airflow.
2TB HDD will fillup quickly if you keep RAW files, but you always can expand it with an external HDD such as WD/Seagate 14TB HDD.
I used Canon 6D 20MP photo and Gopro8 4k video edit without issue, just CPU hit high temp when doing exporting.

Thank you for the reply. Your casing is more of the cube kind right? Is that why the airflow isn't so good? I was wondering ifthe nzxt h510 or fractal design meshify c mini would work; they seem to have a few fan slots. Also, would it be a good idea to get a cpu cooler then?

For the power supply, is a smaller form psu unit necessary if I'm getting a mid tower case?

Oh and how does the B450m Pro 4 do? That is one of the motherboards I'm considering. Is it compatible out of the box with 3600 or have to do a bios update?