PC for Video / Photo Editing

[Garybee]

Hi Everybody,

Having bought my first PC Specialist PC back in 2010 I'm looking to update toward something that will run Adobe Premiere pro smoothly. I've configured a spec but I'm not really sure whether to go for an I7 CPU and also what would be the recommended graphics card. Wont be using the machine for gaming and the only other demanding software could possibly be sound mixing (DAW). Would be grateful for any advice - my budget is around 1100 without peripherals..

Case
PCS 6003B BLACK CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i5 Six Core Processor i5-10600K (4.1 GHz) 12 MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® H410M-A: Micro-ATX, DDR4, USB 3.2, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 2400MHz (1 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 - HDMI
1st Storage Drive
500GB SEAGATE BARRACUDA 120 2.5" SSD, (up to 560MB/sR | 540MB/sW)
2nd Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE


Gary

 

[Scott]

With the Adobe suite you ideally want a GPU with a higher level of CUDA cores. The normal go-to is the RTX 2060. This is to offer proper acceleration. I don't think the budget is there though so the 1650 Super is a fair shout.

This would be a good starting point. If you feel that you can spare the extra for a serious performance bump then I would consider the 3800X with a CoolerMaster 240 Cooler. This would take you £200 over budget, but it would be a VERY significant performance bump. You could drop the 256GB M2 scratch drive to free up some cash.

Case
FRACTAL FOCUS G BLACK GAMING CASE (Window)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 SUPER - HDMI
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
2nd M.2 SSD Drive
256GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (1900 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
STANDARD AMD CPU COOLER
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00002]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 15 to 18 working days
Price: £1,078.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/tDxJh04rXR/

 

[Garybee]

With the Adobe suite you ideally want a GPU with a higher level of CUDA cores. The normal go-to is the RTX 2060. This is to offer proper acceleration. I don't think the budget is there though so the 1650 Super is a fair shout.

This would be a good starting point. If you feel that you can spare the extra for a serious performance bump then I would consider the 3800X with a CoolerMaster 240 Cooler. This would take you £200 over budget, but it would be a VERY significant performance bump. You could drop the 256GB M2 scratch drive to free up some cash.

Case
FRACTAL FOCUS G BLACK GAMING CASE (Window)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Six Core CPU (3.6GHz-4.2GHz/36MB CACHE/AM4)
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF X570-PLUS GAMING (USB 3.2 Gen 2, PCIe 4.0, CrossFireX) - RGB Ready!
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 SUPER - HDMI
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
2nd M.2 SSD Drive
256GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (1900 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
NOT REQUIRED
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
STANDARD AMD CPU COOLER
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX200 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 10 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KK3-00002]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Google Chrome™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 15 to 18 working days
Price: £1,078.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am4-gen3-pc/tDxJh04rXR/

Thanks Scott, thats really helpful, so you'd go for AMD over Intel for the CPU then, I hadn't really considered that option

 

[Scott]

Thanks Scott, thats really helpful, so you'd go for AMD over Intel for the CPU then, I hadn't really considered that option

Definitely. Strictly speaking the Intel is more optimised for Adobe. The trouble is that Intel doesn't have an upgrade path any more, all their chips are from the 2015 architecture. They are more expensive, run hotter, have loads of security problems and, when it comes to multi-threaded applications, are left in the wake of AMD.

With the X570 motherboard you have at least another generation of AMD chips that will fit in it. It's HIGHLY likely that the next generation again will slot straight in. This means that in a year or 2, when you feel you want to bump up the power, you can simply drop in a new chip.... sell the old one.... and you're off again with a "new" system. With the Intel platform you would need at the very least a new motherboard (£200ish plus the chip) and by then DDR5 may be the only sensible choice, so you would need to swap out the RAM too.

 

[Garybee]

Definitely. Strictly speaking the Intel is more optimised for Adobe. The trouble is that Intel doesn't have an upgrade path any more, all their chips are from the 2015 architecture. They are more expensive, run hotter, have loads of security problems and, when it comes to multi-threaded applications, are left in the wake of AMD.

With the X570 motherboard you have at least another generation of AMD chips that will fit in it. It's HIGHLY likely that the next generation again will slot straight in. This means that in a year or 2, when you feel you want to bump up the power, you can simply drop in a new chip.... sell the old one.... and you're off again with a "new" system. With the Intel platform you would need at the very least a new motherboard (£200ish plus the chip) and by then DDR5 may be the only sensible choice, so you would need to swap out the RAM too.

Thanks again Scott really appreciate your help

 

[Charlas]

Intel works better for some stuff in Adobe suite, but even if you use the cuda (well nvenc) acceleration for encoding output the AMD parts tend to do better in premiere... Photoshop though is an Intel first product, so I'd go AMD personally if buying a desktop now. Intel still the only sensible (non DTR laptop) laptop solution at the moment as can't get the new Gpu's on AMD.

 

[Garybee]

Intel works better for some stuff in Adobe suite, but even if you use the cuda (well nvenc) acceleration for encoding output the AMD parts tend to do better in premiere... Photoshop though is an Intel first product, so I'd go AMD personally if buying a desktop now. Intel still the only sensible (non DTR laptop) laptop solution at the moment as can't get the new Gpu's on AMD.

Thanks very much 😁