Looking for a new system, ideally only want to spend $5k… Hit me with what you reckon!
Best Desktop for Photoshop / Lightroom?
LAndreNaples on 05/06/2024 - 13:31
Comments
Not fussy
As suggested below, I would go Windows. If you can build your own machine, you can get a hell of a machine for like $2.5k, I got an i9, 12GB Graphics Card and 96GB of RAM for just under $2.5k. Buying one elsewhere would probably be a little bit more.
As like get a shop to build it?
@AndreNaples: You can buy a prebuilt machine through many of the deals here and some will offer upgrade options when you purchase.
$2.5k is enough to buy a top-end machine. Because you're not a gamer you can choose a machine that has a mid-range GPU, just for the CUDA acceleration, to save money. The relatively modest RTX 4070 for e.g is enough for Photoshop (see the PUGET systems link below by another commentor). At a certain point you will get diminishing returns so don't spend $2000 on a RTX 4080.
I have no doubt that AI will also become important for artists and photographers in the future, so I would suggest not spending your entire $5k budget on this current build. Who knows, maybe our next desktop parts will incorporate Neural Processing Units and we'll be sticking Qualcomm-made ARM chips into our CPU sockets instead of Intel or AMD.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/3/24170295/qualcomm-teases-s…
@AndreNaples: Yeah you could. Or if you know someone who can build one for you. I bought all the parts and built mine, but you obviously need the knowledge on how to do it.
5k will get you one hell of a Mac.
Maybe $2.5K for the Mac as the Studio Display costs $2.5K
I'd get the Max MacBook Pro 15 inch. In fact, I got it. Connected to four random cheap external displays I collected over the years. I'll legit cry when it stops working, will need to commit some serious crimes to replace it.
Yes all the 5K displays are pricey, but photographers may need the colour accuracy and optimised resolution
Refurbed Mac Studio. Or just get a MB Pro and use it as a desktop laptop since they all have the same chips anyway.
The websites will tell you what you need.
I feel like they undercook those specs
As a graphic design myself you don't need much for Photoshop/Lightroom.
But I would say if you're going to future proof your design work such as illustrator, premiere and/or after effects even other apps, your graphics card will be important to render animations at the fastest time possible with NVIDIA Cuda.
I would go for windows imo, I worked with apple at uni for 5 years and the amount of BS I had to deal with cause add-ons and such weren't compatible with Mac ticked me off.
As far as Lightroom is concerned, it will run like a dog no matter what you throw at it. Consistently the worst performing but essential app I’ve been using since I preordered version 1
You speak the truth.
If you're actually comfortable dropping $5k and want something straightforward, I'd go with a Mac Studio or MacBook Pro and configure them till $5k.
If you want to save as much money as possible while still getting a high performance device for your needs, I'd build a PC or buy a pre-built. Unless someone here gives you a specific recommendation, you will need to familiarize yourself with specs and parts (which isn't necessary with Mac).
Do you already have a good monitor btw? That matters more than some think for photoshop/lightroom.
Windows or Mac?