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Archive 2009 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

jrasmussen
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p.5 #1 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

I agree that if you are going to PS CS4 64 bit, you need as much compluter as you can afford.

Get as much RAM as possible (at least 8 GB and maybe 12 or 24 GB). Get at least an i7 equivalent CPU (QUAD processor). Get at least 1 TB of FAST RAID 1 configured hard drive. Get a NVIDIA or ATI 1GB video card. Get Windows 7 home premium or Ultimate.

You also need a good photo quality printer, and a good monitor.

I would also recommend that you invest in at least a monitor claibration tool like Eye One.

Dec 10, 2009 at 11:41 AM

AdamStewart
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p.5 #2 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

Hi Tom im curious what you went with for your final setup and what would you change now if anything? Im looking to buy a pc that sings in the same price range you seemed to be in.

Dec 15, 2009 at 02:08 AM

MichaelKirk
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p.5 #3 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

Looking over AVA's website I'm interested in what they have to offer. My Dell has just crapped out so I'm looking for a new desktop as well but Tom's setup is beyone my budget. I've been tossing back and forth between the 27" imac and a new PC with Windows 7 and think I'm leaning toward an AVA PC.

First off I'm pretty much a computer idiot so customizing a unit gets lost beyond picking the processor and hard drives. Can anyone suggest a build from AVA (custom or not) that would be around $1200-1500 as I would still need a monitor which is going to add another $600. Always looking for something that offers the biggest bang for the $$. Use is pretty much the same as everyones here. 90% of the time I'm in Lightroom 10% PS. I shoot RAW so large file sizes.

Thanks,
Michael

Dec 28, 2009 at 09:13 PM

A.Erekhinski
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p.5 #4 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

My PC:
Windows 7 64bit + PS CS4 64bit on:
- Intel Pentium Core i7-950 3.06GHz
+ ASUS LGA1366 P6T X58-ICH10R
+ 12 Gb RAM
+ 300+1000+2x1500 Gb HDD
+ NEC2690WUXi.
+ Canon 9000 Pro
+ Epson V750 Pro
I like it. Photoshop takes 60% of RAM and works really rapidly.

Dec 29, 2009 at 05:41 PM

c.d.embrey
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p.5 #5 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

The best computer to run PhotoShop is sitting on the desks of the re-touchers I hire!! I believe both of them use Mac's and Eizo monitors.

I don't own any printers either.

Dec 29, 2009 at 06:33 PM

Tom K.
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p.5 #6 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

AdamStewart wrote:
Hi Tom im curious what you went with for your final setup and what would you change now if anything? Im looking to buy a pc that sings in the same price range you seemed to be in.

I wouldn't change a thing. You can pop a few more HD's in there is you want. AVADirect builds an incredible PC. Quality craftsmanship is very evident in their builds. This thing is quiet too, which was important to me.

# ANTEC, Performance One P183 Black Mid-Tower Computer Case, ATX, No PSU
# ANTEC, Signature 650 Power Supply, 650W, 24-pin ATX12V EPS12V, One 6-pin + One 8-pin PCIe, SLI Certified
# ASUS, P6T Deluxe V2, LGA1366, Intel� X58, 6400 MT/s QPI, DDR3-2000 (O.C.) 24GB /6, PCIe x16 SLI CF /3, SATA 3 Gb/s RAID 5 /6, HDA, GbLAN /2, FW /2, ATX, Retail
# INTEL, Core� i7-920 Quad-Core 2.66GHz, LGA1366, 4.8 GT/s QPI, 8MB L3 Cache, 45nm, 130W, EM64T EIST VT XD, Retail
# NOCTUA, NH-U12P Copper CPU Cooler, Socket 1366
# CORSAIR, 12GB (6 x 2GB) XMS3 PC3-12800 DDR3 1600MHz CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.65V SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
# GIGABYTE, GV-N96TSL-1GI, GeForce� 9600 GT 650MHz, 1GB GDDR3 1800MHz, PCIe x16 SLI, VGA+DVI, HDMI, Retail
# WESTERN DIGITAL, 150GB (WD1500HLFS) WD VelociRaptor�, SATA 3 Gb/s, 10000 RPM, 16MB cache
# WESTERN DIGITAL, 1TB WD Caviar� Black� (WD1001FALS), SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 32MB Cache
# RAID, No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
# LITE-ON, iHDS118 Black 18x48x DVD-ROM Drive, SATA, OEM
# LITE-ON, iHAS324 Black 24x DVD�RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ Smart Erase, SATA, Retail
# SILVERSTONE, SST-FP35 Black Internal 30-in-1 Card Reader & I/O Panel Device , 3.5" Bay, USB
# MICROSOFT, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Edition, OEM
# WARRANTY, Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)

Dec 30, 2009 at 01:06 AM

MichaelKirk
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p.5 #7 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

Tom K.

Since it looks like your "in the know" with computers - any chance you could help me out a bit. I'm looking for more of a budget system from AVA keeping the price under $1500 for the system as a monitor will add anotther $600 for me. Main use is Photography. 90% of all my time is in lightroom and 10% PS.

Thanks for any suggestions
Michael

Tom K. wrote:
I wouldn't change a thing. You can pop a few more HD's in there is you want. AVADirect builds an incredible PC. Quality craftsmanship is very evident in their builds. This thing is quiet too, which was important to me.

# ANTEC, Performance One P183 Black Mid-Tower Computer Case, ATX, No PSU
# ANTEC, Signature 650 Power Supply, 650W, 24-pin ATX12V EPS12V, One 6-pin + One 8-pin PCIe, SLI Certified
# ASUS, P6T Deluxe V2, LGA1366, Intel� X58, 6400 MT/s QPI, DDR3-2000 (O.C.) 24GB /6, PCIe x16 SLI CF /3, SATA 3 Gb/s RAID 5 /6, HDA, GbLAN /2, FW /2,...Show more →

Dec 30, 2009 at 09:21 AM

Nickle S.
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p.5 #8 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

MichaelKirk wrote:
Tom K.

Since it looks like your "in the know" with computers - any chance you could help me out a bit. I'm looking for more of a budget system from AVA keeping the price under $1500 for the system as a monitor will add anotther $600 for me. Main use is Photography. 90% of all my time is in lightroom and 10% PS.

Thanks for any suggestions
Michael

Michael,
This is a little over your budget, but it has a lot of bang for the buck.

CUSTOM DESKTOP COMPUTER Core� i5 / i7 DDR3 Mainstream Series System $1764.85

THERMALTAKE Element S Black Mid-Tower Case, ATX, No PSU, SECC
THERMALTAKE Toughpower� XT Standard 650W Power Supply, 80 PLUS� Bronze, 24-pin ATX12V V2.3 EPS12V V2.92, Retail
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4, LGA1156, Intel� P55, DDR3-2200 16GB /4, PCIe x16 SLI CF /2, SATA 3 Gb/s RAID 5 /7, HDA, GbLAN, FW /2, mATX, Retail
INTEL Core� i7-860 Quad-Core 2.8GHz, LGA1156, 4.8 GT/s, 8MB L3 Cache, 45nm, 95W, EM64T EIST VT XD, Retail
NOCTUA NH-U12P SE2 CPU Cooling Fan, Socket 1366/1156/775/AM3/AM2, 2x 120mm Fans, Copper/Aluminum, Retail
CORSAIR 8GB (4 x 2GB) XMS3 PC3-12800 DDR3 1600MHz CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.65V SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216, GTX 260 576MHz, 896MB GDDR3 1998MHz, PCIe x16 SLI, DVI /2, HDTV Out, Retail
WESTERN DIGITAL 74GB WD VelociRaptor�, SATA 3 Gb/s, 10000 RPM, 16MB cache
WESTERN DIGITAL 500GB WD Caviar� Black� (WD5001AALS), SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 32MB Cache
RAID No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
SONY AD-7241S Black 24x DVD�R/RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ Lightscribe, SATA, OEM
ALPS DF354H Black Internal 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
MICROSOFT Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, OEM
WARRANTY Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)

Nicholas
www.copperhillimages.com

Dec 30, 2009 at 10:11 AM

Tom K.
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p.5 #9 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

+1 to what Nickle S. said.

Dec 30, 2009 at 12:22 PM

mrladewig
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p.5 #10 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

I think one of my database servers at work would probably make a smoking Photoshop machine. 64bit windows server 2003 (will start building 2008 servers soon), 16 cores, 32GB RAM, fiber channel to 60TB storage device (or dual RAID arrays for the older machines). Might be a bit above your price threshold (certainly is above my personal price limit).

In the performance tests I've seen, the Mac Pros wipe the floor with normal PCs. If I was just looking to make a fast photoshop machine, I'd probably look saving up to go that route.

That said, I would wager I run bigger files through photoshop than just about anyone on this response with 16bit tiffs from 4X5 scans at 2400ppi with multiple layers including luminosity mask layers. They start at 115-120 megapixels. They are usually well above 1GB per file, many above 2GB. I do this on a Core2Duo machine with 32 bit Windows XP, 3GB RAM, 1GB video RAM, 2x250GB drives and 1x1TB drive. I sometimes need to wait for operations to complete, but it never crashes. I run the 32 bit OS because it is required for one of my scanners. I backup to a bufallo terastation.

Dec 30, 2009 at 03:27 PM

Tom K.
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p.5 #11 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

The MAC version of Photoshop CS4 is not available in a 64 bit. Big problem. You compare a Mac Pro to a "normal" PC. Shouldn't we compare apples to apples?

When I had a XP I had to wait for files to process in Photoshop. Mine never crashed either. Of course the object is speed and waiting and waiting and waiting for a panoramic stitch to complete was a chore. My new PC flies so much faster it is amazing to me.

Edited on Jan 03, 2010 at 12:02 PM · View previous versions

Dec 30, 2009 at 04:13 PM

Nickle S.
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p.5 #12 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

Guys,

nVidia is presenting these 3 free stunning screensavers on their website. You need a fairly powerful graphics card and the latest DirectX to run them.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/cool_stuff.html#/screensavers/1051
http://www.nvidia.com/object/cool_stuff.html#/screensavers/1052
http://www.nvidia.com/object/cool_stuff.html#/screensavers/1053

http://www.3planesoft.com

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/resultsForCategory.aspx?displaylang=en&categoryid=2

Nicholas
www.copperhillimages.com

Jan 03, 2010 at 08:47 AM

Tom K.
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p.5 #13 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

Those are incredible Nicholas. Thanks for posting.

Jan 03, 2010 at 12:04 PM

MichaelKirk
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p.5 #14 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

What do you guys think of these two options for a new system?
The 2nd one is the one Tom suggested for me.
The 1st one is the one that Joseph Mundy suggested from AVA to save a few $$ as I really need to keep the price down. I would still like to see it under $1500, but I get a feeling that is not going to happen.

On a side note, I have a new WD 1TB Black internal HD from my current system that I would move to this system so in the end it would have 2 1TB drives (drives 2 & 3). I would use the 2nd as a Backup as well as an external drive.

...and one additional question. I assume that the 74GB WD VelociRaptor�, SATA 3 Gb/s, 10000 RPM is used only for the OS? Should I assume the 74GB drive in big enough and the extra $25 for the 150GB is not necessary?

CUSTOM DESKTOP COMPUTER Core� i5 / i7 DDR3 Mainstream Series System $1669.04 $1669.04
COOLER MASTER Elite 330 Black Mid Tower Case, ATX, No PSU, Steel
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX TX Series Power Supply, 650W, 80 PLUS�, 24-pin ATX12V EPS12V, SLI Ready
ASUS P7P55-M, LGA1156, Intel� P55, DDR3-2200 (O.C.) 16GB /4, PCIe x16, SATA 3 Gb/s RAID 5 /6, HDA, GbLAN, FW, mATX, Retail
INTEL Core� i7-860 Quad-Core 2.8GHz, LGA1156, 4.8 GT/s, 8MB L3 Cache, 45nm, 95W, EM64T EIST VT XD, Retail
COOLER MASTER Hyper TX3 CPU Cooler, Socket 1156/775/AM3/AM2/754/939/940, Copper/Aluminum, Retail
CORSAIR 8GB (4 x 2GB) XMS3 PC3-12800 DDR3 1600MHz CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.65V SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked, GTX 260 626MHz, 896MB GDDR3 2106MHz, PCIe x16 SLI, DVI /2, HDTV Out, Retail
WESTERN DIGITAL 74GB WD VelociRaptor�, SATA 3 Gb/s, 10000 RPM, 16MB cache
WESTERN DIGITAL 1TB WD Caviar� Black� (WD1001FALS), SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 32MB Cache
RAID No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
SONY AD-7241S Black 24x DVD�R/RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ Lightscribe, SATA, OEM
ALPS DF354H Black Internal 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
MICROSOFT Wireless Media Desktop 1000, Keyboard & Mouse, Black, Wireless, USB, Retail
MICROSOFT Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, OEM
WARRANTY Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)

CUSTOM DESKTOP COMPUTER Core� i5 / i7 DDR3 Mainstream Series System $1889.91 $1889.91
THERMALTAKE Element S Black Mid-Tower Case, ATX, No PSU, SECC
THERMALTAKE Toughpower� XT Standard 650W Power Supply, 80 PLUS� Bronze, 24-pin ATX12V V2.3 EPS12V V2.92, Retail
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4, LGA1156, Intel� P55, DDR3-2200 16GB /4, PCIe x16 SLI CF /2, SATA 3 Gb/s RAID 5 /7, HDA, GbLAN, FW /2, mATX, Retail
INTEL Core� i7-860 Quad-Core 2.8GHz, LGA1156, 4.8 GT/s, 8MB L3 Cache, 45nm, 95W, EM64T EIST VT XD, Retail
NOCTUA NH-U12P SE2 CPU Cooling Fan, Socket 1366/1156/775/AM3/AM2, 2x 120mm Fans, Copper/Aluminum, Retail
CORSAIR 8GB (4 x 2GB) XMS3 PC3-12800 DDR3 1600MHz CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.65V SDRAM DIMM, Non-ECC
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked, GTX 260 626MHz, 896MB GDDR3 2106MHz, PCIe x16 SLI, DVI /2, HDTV Out, Retail
WESTERN DIGITAL 74GB WD VelociRaptor�, SATA 3 Gb/s, 10000 RPM, 16MB cache
WESTERN DIGITAL 1TB WD Caviar� Black� (WD1001FALS), SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 32MB Cache
RAID No RAID, Independent HDD Drives
SONY AD-7241S Black 24x DVD�R/RW Dual-Layer Burner w/ Lightscribe, SATA, OEM
ALPS DF354H Black Internal 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
MICROSOFT Wireless Media Desktop 1000, Keyboard & Mouse, Black, Wireless, USB, Retail
MICROSOFT Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, OEM
WARRANTY Silver Warranty Package (3 Year Limited Parts, 3 Year Labor Warranty)

Thanks,
Michael

Jan 04, 2010 at 08:22 PM

sjms
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p.5 #15 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

you know by the time this thread completes the technology will have changed about 3 times.

Jan 04, 2010 at 09:37 PM

johnip
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p.5 #16 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

Save 10 bucks and ditch the floppy drive.

And if you aren't going to overclock it, don't waste the money on an aftermarket cooler.

Jan 04, 2010 at 09:39 PM

sjms
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p.5 #17 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

Tom K. wrote:
Those are incredible Nicholas. Thanks for posting.

it is a shame though that the makers of even the nvidia web site, who i hope are somewhat well educated, have proven to be lacking in their command of the english language. the singular of the word wallpaper is wallpaper. the plural or multiple of wallpaper is simply wallpaper NOT wallpapers.

Jan 04, 2010 at 09:43 PM

Nickle S.
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p.5 #18 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

MichaelKirk wrote:
What do you guys think of these two options for a new system?
The 2nd one is the one Tom suggested for me.
The 1st one is the one that Joseph Mundy suggested from AVA to save a few $$ as I really need to keep the price down. I would still like to see it under $1500, but I get a feeling that is not going to happen.

On a side note, I have a new WD 1TB Black internal HD from my current system that I would move to this system so in the end it would have 2 1TB drives...Show more →

Michael,

My main drive is a partitioned 150G Raptor, OS and programs are using 83 of the 150G. Of course I'm running a ton of programs, but if moving up to 150G will cost you $25, I say do it. Can you get by with just one 1T HDD? That could save a few dollars.

I agree about the floppy, I don't know when you'd have a use for it, so that could go.
The CoolerMaster case is a beaut, you will love it.

As far as the heatsink goes, for $23.69 you're getting a very modest yet very capable CPU cooler, that's a good choice in my opinion. And if you decide to overclock sometime in the future (or preferably during construction

) , you've got the additional heat covered. The stock Intel heatsinks are pathetic and are barely able to keep systems stable. I don't understand why they even bother. You've got a lot of horsepower under the hood, keeping that chip cool is not the place to save a few dollars.

But the "guts" of your rig - the i7/860 chip + the 8G Corsair RAM + ASUS P7P-55 + nVidia GTX260 will give you a smokin' machine, if you can afford it, pull the trigger and don't look back. I have no doubt they will do a super job with the build and your photo programs will be "nuclear".

Nicholas
www.copperhillimages.com

Jan 04, 2010 at 10:13 PM

Dpic_arctic
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p.5 #19 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

I feel sorta silly asking this, but is it cheaper to build your own computer buy one "assembled"?

Jan 15, 2010 at 03:34 AM

Bifurcator
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p.5 #20 · Best Computer for Photoshop?

BYO is much cheaper these days again for mid to high-spec machines.

Jan 15, 2010 at 06:33 AM

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