Hello all,
I am currently looking into a new desktop with the aim for graphic design, 3d CG and video editing, e.g. Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Topaz AI Tools, Blender 3d, DaVinci Resolve, etc. Thinking of purchasing in the next few weeks/months.
My Current PC Specialist build from 2014 is still going strong, but unfortunately, the CPU is so old that Adobe no longer supports it due to a lack of ‘AVX2 support’ and Windows 11 is not supported.
Main Monitor: BenQ SW271C (UHD, 10-bit colour, 60Hz)
Second Monitor: Huion 16-inch tablet screen (UHD, 60Hz)
Budget: ~£2500-3500 depending on if I upgrade the GPU.
Below is using options available in the Custom PC builder > Workstation > INTEL® Z790 WORKSTATION
Any advice or suggestions would be welcome.
Many thanks,
Steve
CPU:
Intel i9-14900KS
A quick read around the web suggests Intel might be slightly better for this use case. Although, I'm willing to hear arguments for an AMD system.
Motherboard:
ProArt Z790 Creator WiFi
Or are there advantages to the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero?
I am not sure what's best for this, I want future proofing if possible.
RAM:
64gb Corsair Vengeance DDR5 6000MHz
Although, for a little more money, there is the option of 96 GB 5600 MHz. I’m not sure I would be regularly making use of 96 GB at the moment, so it might be a waste of money. I do regularly work with large multi-layered files and have had situations with multiple smart objects that have caused Photoshop to struggle on my current 32GB system (but that is also probably down to my current storage drive situation).
GPU:
I currently own an Asus 2080ti ROG Strix, and it will probably make sense to wait longer before upgrading. That said, GPUs are getting used more and more for Photoshop tools/filters and AI tools like de-noising and upscaling.
Plus, I have a 4k 10-bit monitor and a 4k Huion screen tablet (The Huion tablet screen is currently set up to mirror the main monitor, so it is not always on.) I would like to potentially change to a two-monitor setup at some point. So, it might make sense to upgrade. However, with the GeForce 5000 series imminent, is it worth waiting a while?
Main Drive:
2TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2
However, for a little more money, do I get more speed but less storage with the 1TB Crucial T705 Gen 5 M.2?
I currently have two additional HDD drives for bulk storage, but I would like to have some space on the system drive for editing larger files/projects, taking advantage of the faster drive times. My current system is running on a ~500 GB SSD but is already very full, and it’s basically just running Windows and apps, so I feel like 2TB is preferred.
Cache Drive/Scratch Disk:
I’ve read this is recommended, but not sure what’s the best solution. Is it still a useful thing to have, considering the speed of NVMe drives?
Is it wiser to have maybe two smaller drives? For example, one 1TB for the system/apps and another 1TB for active projects/files? Would a separate Cache Drive/Scratch Disk still make sense?
Power Supply:
Corsair Modular 1000 RMx Series?
Would 1000W suffice for this level of system, factoring in a potential GPU upgrade and additional drives? Or am I just wasting money at this point?
On the last build, I had a 600W supply but had to upgrade once I got the 2080ti, effectively adding ~£150 to the cost of the graphics card.
Processor Cooling:
iCUE H150i Elite Capellex XT?
I assume more money roughly means better, but is there a sweet spot? The most pricy ones have an LCD, which I am not fussed about. I do not care for RGB, but it seems like most of the coolers and fans on offer have it.
Case:
FRACTAL NORTH TG XL (BLACK) or CORSAIR 7000D?
It seems the options have reduced in the last few months since I have been looking? You seem to get a few more options if you go down the 'Gaming / Professional' builder. I would like to have space for possible upgrades, and some of these GPUs are very large. Would need to have space for the additional storage drives.
I quite like the look of FRACTAL NORTH, but I’m probably willing to sacrifice aesthetics for other benefits.
Also like the CORSAIR 7000D, but it seems you pay a premium for the black version?
Both these are quite pricy, but not a fan of the cheaper options available on the builder.
Extra Case Fans:
How many? Max out the case?
Not fussed about RGB, so probably the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 Fans? or are the RGB Corsair fans also superior at cooling or quieter?
I am currently looking into a new desktop with the aim for graphic design, 3d CG and video editing, e.g. Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Topaz AI Tools, Blender 3d, DaVinci Resolve, etc. Thinking of purchasing in the next few weeks/months.
My Current PC Specialist build from 2014 is still going strong, but unfortunately, the CPU is so old that Adobe no longer supports it due to a lack of ‘AVX2 support’ and Windows 11 is not supported.
Main Monitor: BenQ SW271C (UHD, 10-bit colour, 60Hz)
Second Monitor: Huion 16-inch tablet screen (UHD, 60Hz)
Budget: ~£2500-3500 depending on if I upgrade the GPU.
Below is using options available in the Custom PC builder > Workstation > INTEL® Z790 WORKSTATION
Any advice or suggestions would be welcome.
Many thanks,
Steve
CPU:
Intel i9-14900KS
A quick read around the web suggests Intel might be slightly better for this use case. Although, I'm willing to hear arguments for an AMD system.
Motherboard:
ProArt Z790 Creator WiFi
Or are there advantages to the Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero?
I am not sure what's best for this, I want future proofing if possible.
RAM:
64gb Corsair Vengeance DDR5 6000MHz
Although, for a little more money, there is the option of 96 GB 5600 MHz. I’m not sure I would be regularly making use of 96 GB at the moment, so it might be a waste of money. I do regularly work with large multi-layered files and have had situations with multiple smart objects that have caused Photoshop to struggle on my current 32GB system (but that is also probably down to my current storage drive situation).
GPU:
I currently own an Asus 2080ti ROG Strix, and it will probably make sense to wait longer before upgrading. That said, GPUs are getting used more and more for Photoshop tools/filters and AI tools like de-noising and upscaling.
Plus, I have a 4k 10-bit monitor and a 4k Huion screen tablet (The Huion tablet screen is currently set up to mirror the main monitor, so it is not always on.) I would like to potentially change to a two-monitor setup at some point. So, it might make sense to upgrade. However, with the GeForce 5000 series imminent, is it worth waiting a while?
Main Drive:
2TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2
However, for a little more money, do I get more speed but less storage with the 1TB Crucial T705 Gen 5 M.2?
I currently have two additional HDD drives for bulk storage, but I would like to have some space on the system drive for editing larger files/projects, taking advantage of the faster drive times. My current system is running on a ~500 GB SSD but is already very full, and it’s basically just running Windows and apps, so I feel like 2TB is preferred.
Cache Drive/Scratch Disk:
I’ve read this is recommended, but not sure what’s the best solution. Is it still a useful thing to have, considering the speed of NVMe drives?
Is it wiser to have maybe two smaller drives? For example, one 1TB for the system/apps and another 1TB for active projects/files? Would a separate Cache Drive/Scratch Disk still make sense?
Power Supply:
Corsair Modular 1000 RMx Series?
Would 1000W suffice for this level of system, factoring in a potential GPU upgrade and additional drives? Or am I just wasting money at this point?
On the last build, I had a 600W supply but had to upgrade once I got the 2080ti, effectively adding ~£150 to the cost of the graphics card.
Processor Cooling:
iCUE H150i Elite Capellex XT?
I assume more money roughly means better, but is there a sweet spot? The most pricy ones have an LCD, which I am not fussed about. I do not care for RGB, but it seems like most of the coolers and fans on offer have it.
Case:
FRACTAL NORTH TG XL (BLACK) or CORSAIR 7000D?
It seems the options have reduced in the last few months since I have been looking? You seem to get a few more options if you go down the 'Gaming / Professional' builder. I would like to have space for possible upgrades, and some of these GPUs are very large. Would need to have space for the additional storage drives.
I quite like the look of FRACTAL NORTH, but I’m probably willing to sacrifice aesthetics for other benefits.
Also like the CORSAIR 7000D, but it seems you pay a premium for the black version?
Both these are quite pricy, but not a fan of the cheaper options available on the builder.
Extra Case Fans:
How many? Max out the case?
Not fussed about RGB, so probably the Thermaltake TOUGHFAN 12 Fans? or are the RGB Corsair fans also superior at cooling or quieter?