Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

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Archive 2008 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Chip Payet
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p.1 #1 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Ok, I'm going to be in the market for a new home PC very soon, because my current one has neither the processing power nor memory (either HD or RAM) to handle LR2 and CS3 comfortably. Especially LR2 -- it's slowed it WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY down.

I'm looking at a QuadCore 2.8gig processor, 1333 front-side bus
1TB internal HD, a secondary 500GB external HD
4GB RAM
1GB video card

Besides these, what other items make a noticeable difference in photo-editing? I'm looking to get about the best currently available, as I (and my wife) don't want to have to get a new one for several more years.

Aug 19, 2008 at 01:25 AM

vidoprof
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p.1 #2 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Chip,

I will tell you that your photo rig doesnt need THAT great a video card. Anything over 256mb of ram is fine for a photoediting computer. I cannot post a link to another website because of forum rules but PM me and i will send you the link.

Also you might consider a 64 bit OS and getting 8 or even 16 gigs of RAM since 16 gigs can be had for around $400 now. The Quad core is also not going to be better than a faster dual core (I dont think CS3 or LR2 support more than dual cores (I really think they are only single core to be honest but there is a lot of discussion on the net about it). It is FOR SURE NOT quadcore capable. The next version will probably be though.

Although if you are multiple tasking the extra cores will help. I would tell you to get another HD and run some kind of RAID to get an increase in performance. You also might want to get another drive and run the scratch disk on that and then set the page file on yet another drive. This MIGHT be overkill though and cost a significant amount of money. What's your budget? I will tell you that you will want your OS and files on separate disks and that the OS drive should be FAST. You might look into the Samsung drives or if money is no object the new Raptor drives. Then you want something BIG for your files (doesnt have to be fast at all).

Hopefully I helped and if you need anything else let me know and I will repost here. I have a friend that has a DROBO which he loves and I am looking into. You can add HD's on the fly and increase the storage. Its pretty much like RAID but the drives can be different sizes. It's a little pricey but you dont have to buy all the same drives and reconfigure RAID arrays etc, you just add drives as you need them which means you can add a bigger drive later (which will probably be alot cheaper than buying them all now).

I have 4x 750 gig drives that are Samsung Spin somethings that are blazing fast and run nice. then I have my OS on a 320gig WD HD that is fast.

Let me know if I can help anymore

Ryan

Aug 19, 2008 at 03:14 AM

palexy
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p.1 #3 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

I'll take a shot Chip.
I know there's some debate as to 2 vs 4 cores for Photoshop now, but the next iterations will presumably take full advantage of 4 (or more?) cores. So you should have enough cpu power and ram.
You may want to consider a different harddrive setup. For example, using a separate scratch disk for photoshop will speed up your processing. I also like to keep my storage drives separate from my boot drive (if you want fast, I like WD raptors for boot drives, they're screaming fast and have a very high MTBF rating). I have my storage drives setup in a raid (10) array so that one-two drives failing won't take out all my photos.

Finally, I was also curious as to why a 500 gig external drive? Assuming this is for backups, I'd suggest getting at least as big a drive as your internal drive.

Good luck.

Aug 19, 2008 at 03:15 AM

dan727
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p.1 #4 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Just don't buy a hard drive based on size. For starters you can browse these performance charts:

3.5" Hard drive charts

Drives had different read/write technologies and if you want to maximize performance you can match the application you would run the most to the hard drive that does best. I always liked the seagate barracudas... 5 year warranty, quiet,reasonably fast, and good all around drives. Go with on that has a lot of cache.

And as others have pointed out... no need for a 1TB video card. Lots of ram on a video card is nice... but the only programs that can actually use 1 tb of video ram are games. There is not much of a price difference between a 256 meg card and a 512 meg one.

Aug 19, 2008 at 03:36 AM

UCSB
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p.1 #5 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Three very important aspects of photo editting computer: a) high quality monitor; b) Wacom Intuos3 6x4 tablet; c) color calibration system.

Aug 19, 2008 at 04:52 AM

hidden_Markov
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p.1 #6 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

I am a big fan of broken up drives as well. One OS (100gb should be fine for many years unless your a harcore gamer who doesn't delete games when you beat them), throw in a cheesy 40gb for a scratch, and for storage a 500gb + drive.

Good for performance, also good in case one drive dies. Storage, replace and restore off back up on your external solution. OS, replace and reinstall OS and apps. Both together on a single drive....pack a lunch, you'll need it. Gonna take a while. Scratch drive dies, ehh no biggy. 40 gb are dirt cheap lol...

Aug 19, 2008 at 06:43 AM

Chip Payet
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p.1 #7 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Wow, thanks guys -- definitely some info here I did not know how to do, so I guess I need to go back to the drawing board. I do have a bit of time, as I have to pay off some credit card debt, but it won't be long. I don't even know how to set some of this stuff up, but my office IT guy can definitely do it for me.

I do need a better monitor, too, but that will have to wait a bit longer; already have color calibration and a Wacom tablet - couldn't live without them.

Aug 19, 2008 at 09:56 AM

JimboCin
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p.1 #8 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Chip:

There are several excellent articles available that discuss what to look for in a computer to optimize CS3 speed. One is from Adobe, and can be found at:
http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb401088

The other is from Microsoft, and can be found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/prophoto/articles/pixel.aspx

I think you will find that both processor power and RAM are important. First, get the fastest processor you can afford. Second, get at least 4 GB RAM. Third, consider hard drives (RAID, etc.). Forth - video card. The Microsoft document discusses this in much detail.

JimR

Aug 19, 2008 at 07:34 PM

DubRepublic
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p.1 #9 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Sounds similar to my current set up.

I'm running a XW8400 workstation.
Dual Xeon Quadcores - 2.33ghz w/ 1333 fsb (8cores)
Four 300gig SAS 15,000RPM drives (total 1.2 terrabytes)
8gigs ECC RAM
NVIDIA FX5500 video card w/1gig RAM

As one of the members suggested above I keep things seperated to increase performance. I'm also running a 64bit OS which allows me to assign 4gigs of RAM to PS and the rest to any other applications that are running.
Disc 1 - OS and Program Files
Disc 2 - LR catalogue & previews
Disc 3 - Scratch disk
Disc 4 - RAID backup

Connected to the workstation is a terrabyte MediaVault server via a gigabit ethernet switch. It is setup as a 500gig RAID for constant backup. All of my original images and working files are on this server and away from the main workstation. The gigabit switch and connection allow me to access and process files without noticable lag.

Edited on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:23 PM

Aug 19, 2008 at 08:22 PM

ajkessler
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p.1 #10 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

vidoprof wrote:

I will tell you that your photo rig doesnt need THAT great a video card. Anything over 256mb of ram is fine for a photoediting computer.

Fine for today's maybe. Not for the future. GPU's are going to be handling a lot of processing in the future. 512 cards can be had for WELL under $100. I'd get something like that, and then upgrade to a 1gb later, as those are still pretty pricey. The card I bought 9 months ago for >$250 is now under $100 after rebates

It is FOR SURE NOT quadcore capable. The next version will probably be though.

That's the point though. If you're building a machine, it should last 5+ years with minor upgrades. CS4 (probably not)/CS5 will handle 4 cores. CS5 will be out in 2-3 years, so...

Although if you are multiple tasking the extra cores will help. I would tell you to get another HD and run some kind of RAID to get an increase in performance. You also might want to get another drive and run the scratch disk on that and then set the page file on yet another drive. This MIGHT be overkill though and cost a significant amount of money. What's your budget? I will tell you that you will want your OS and files on separate disks and that the OS drive should be FAST. You might look into the Samsung drives or if money is no object the new Raptor drives. Then you want something BIG for your files (doesnt have to be fast at all).

RAID is a bit of a scam imo. Performance wise there are some gains to be had. Safety wise, most of the time if a drive dies, your data is in jeopardy, despite what RAID claims. Drobo seems to work from what I've read. Much easier and cheaper just to use an external drive and back up that way, unless you're editing and need backup of lots of data (ie hundres/thousands of new shots a week, plus edits of older stuff). Otherwise, this advice is pretty solid.

Edited on Aug 19, 2008 at 09:24 PM

Aug 19, 2008 at 09:24 PM

vidoprof
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p.1 #11 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Just an added note. I would say that you should wait until you absolutely NEED the computer. The longer you wait the cheaper everything will be and the next thing will be out. You CAN spend forever waiting though and never get anything.

There are TONS of forums on how to build machines and what to buy etc etc.

PM me for the website i used to build my last two machines. I just got ordered the Drobo btw so I will let ya know how it works out. I LOVE the fact that you can swap out drives on the fly with larger ones when you need to. Plus it handles any backup system you have.

Just remember, different hard drives for OS, scratch, and files.

Ryan

Aug 19, 2008 at 10:28 PM

vidoprof
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p.1 #12 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

BTW. I totally agree about the RAID thing. I can't see (testing shows) there is not a HUGE performance gain (unless you are doing RAID 5 with Massive read/writes)

Ryan

Aug 19, 2008 at 10:29 PM

hidden_Markov
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p.1 #13 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

RAID is a bit of a scam imo. Performance wise there are some gains to be had. Safety wise, most of the time if a drive dies, your data is in jeopardy, despite what RAID claims.

RAID for personal use I will agree. Enterprise level, has its place and is vital. Of course at enterprise you aren't running $50 blue light special cards, the built in small chip in your motherboard, or even software raid...Not saying they are bad, home use they can be nice to tinker with.

Aug 19, 2008 at 11:44 PM

kevinsullivan
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p.1 #14 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

The difference between a "serious" (even if not ultimate) monitor and a well calibrated mass market monitor is pretty dramatic. I recently moved to a NEC 2690. I use a dual monitor set-up. The second monitor is a *good* (not cheap) mass market LCD. There's a night and day difference. Just one example: the whites on the NEC are actually white!

The 2690 is over $1K -- $1300 if the calibration hardware and software are included. So, while the monitor is not a $5K olympian thing, it's far from cheap.

In any case, I do strongly recommend a 2-monitor set-up: one for the image and one for all the photoshop (or whatever) dialogs/tools/panels/etc.

Aug 20, 2008 at 02:36 AM

R.H. Johnson
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p.1 #15 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

I run Intel x64 Duo Xeon 2.66 ghz Quad Core V8 media creation work station 32 GB FB-DIMM RAM 2 tera byte RAID 1 ATI 1GB HD 2900XT video card.

Aug 20, 2008 at 02:37 AM

vidoprof
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p.1 #16 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Markov, I totally agree that it does have its place in the enterprise environment as well, but that isnt here. I doubt he is needing that. That drobo (i dont work for them i sware) looks better and better everytime i see it work.

RH: uhh is that you showing off or something. Your post didnt help one bit. He isnt asking what people have, so telling us what kinda rig you have is pointless unless you want to brag.

BTW I have
This computer

Ryan

Edited on Aug 20, 2008 at 03:26 AM

Aug 20, 2008 at 03:20 AM

R.H. Johnson
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p.1 #17 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

i'm braggin.................

RAID is a bit of a scam imo.

embedded raid is a pain in the @ss but it work very good.

Edited on Aug 21, 2008 at 12:05 AM

Aug 20, 2008 at 11:59 PM

steve g
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p.1 #18 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

I put a velociraptor in my latest build. Unbelievably quick as my main apps drive and remarkably quiet.

Think about it if you have the cash to spare.

Also I second the comments about a separate scratch disk, and I agree that RAID doesn't offer much advantage and plenty of disadvantages, especially if 1 drive dies.

steve

Aug 21, 2008 at 08:00 AM

ScooberJake
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p.1 #19 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

Not trying to hijack, I think this is on topic. Two questions:

1) Should the scratch drive be fast? I have a ~6 year old 80 gig HD from a previous build. Ok to use for scratch? I'm sure it can't be fast by today's standards.

2) A question about HD partition strategy. I have two 500 gb drives (both fairly new SATA) and the 80 gig referenced above (ATA). Any suggestions on how to configure this? My current plan is:

SATA1 Partition 1 for OS and programs (~40 gb)
SATA1 Partition 2 for File backup (~460 gb)
SATA2 Partition 1 for Files
SATA2 Partition 2 for OS backup (do I need this?)
ATA Partition 1 for scratch
ATA Partition 2 for junk (digital copies of DVDs for putting on iPod, etc.)

I certainly don't claim to understand this stuff too well, any advice would be appreciated.

Aug 21, 2008 at 03:52 PM

jerryrock
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p.1 #20 · Build the ideal PC for photo-editing

The Photoshop scratch disk needs to be as fast or faster than the OS drive.

Aug 21, 2008 at 05:49 PM

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