New Computer - Configuration Help

I asked a similar question about 3 1/2 years ago regarding my almost 8 year old WIN 7 machine. While I did purchase a 2.5k 27" Benq monitor, I still have what is now an 11+ year old WIN 7 machine. I can't run Turbo Tax or a recent version of Lightroom Classic on Win 7. I think it's finally time for an upgrade before my aging hard drive decides to crash. Also sometimes the machine sometimes acts like it is in cardiac arrest and requires 1 or 2 cold re-starts to finally operate properly. Lightroom can also feel agonizingly slow to operate.

 

A few limitations first:

- I want a WIN 11 machine (not a Mac) since I really don't want to learn a totally different OS and I have in house tech support for Windows which would not help with a Mac (he would shrug shoulders and walk away).

- I am not a professional photographer and currently shoot m43. I don't plan on ever getting a high pixel count FF and doubt that m43 will grow beyond 30+ mp in the next 5-8 years. I also don't do video.

- I will buy a machine and will not build it. Currently looking a Dell XPS desktops since there are few companies that will custom build a machine for a reasonable amount.

- I am not planning to spend more than $1,500 and would like to spend less.

 

Questions:

- I plan to get at least a 500 gb solid state drive plus at least a 1tb standard drive. Does this make sense or should I consider just getting a 1tb SS drive? Should I consider getting an external drive instead of a large internal standard drive? Surprisingly, I only have about 250 gb of photo files, since I do delete unwanted photos on a regular basis.

- The machines I am looking at do have video cards and there are some reasonable cost upgrades, and some upgrades that cost $ hundreds. How do I evaluate the benefits of upgrading the video card for use with Lightroom?

- Minimum RAM I am considering is 16 gb. Should I get 32gb of RAM given the m43 sized Raw files I anticipate processing?

- Any advice how to transfer photo files and help Lightroom quickly find their locations?

 

I want to thank you in advance for any help.

Mine is on its last legs after many years, Was at Best Buy last Friday both to see about repair (No!) and to look at something new. There are a couple of relatively inexpensive HP All in one Desktops that will fill my needs. Graceful, economical on space and attractive. Some are "customizable" direct from HP, and when I looked at their site the other day, some were on sale. I got better than 8 years out of the current HP all in one with heavy use.

What about your monitor? Do you have a calibratable one? Do you print?

 

Whatever you decide, go a little bigger and more powerful. You never know. You're shooting M43 now but that could expand later and you may decide to create slide shows using video to play on Youtube or on your smart TV using its USB jack like I do. Video needs more processing speed and memory although 16mb should be ok for now. Either buy the 32 or make sure you can plug in in 16 MB expansion memory later if you ever need it.

 

Your new XPS will certainly speed up Lightroom. A couple of considerations. I have a Logitech keyboard. The keys light up - handy at night. Western Digital has 1TB hard drive you plug into one of the USB drives for around $60. They also have 2 and 4tb for a little more money. Great for plug and play backup.

If you have a credit card that extends the warranty one year at no additional cost, don't forget to use that card.

What about your monitor? Do you have a calibratable one?

ANY display can be calibrated and profiled!

Some are better at this than others, depending on how and where the calibration takes place. But the facts are, any of them can be calibrated and then profiled.

Disclaimer: I have no specialist knowledge of PC' or Laptop specs!

 

In general, the specs you have in mind look more than enough for Lightroom (and much more!). I think the 'much more' is just as important as Lightroom. For example, I tend to have Lightroom, Photoshop, a LR/PS plugin, Outlook and up to 16 Chrome tabs running together. So my 4 year-old W10 laptop with 128GB SSD and 16GB RAM struggles at times. The newer 'ÁI' plugins (I use Topaz) especially consume a lot of processing power and are slow to run.

 

Here's a link that may help you: Hardware Recommendations for Lightroom Classic CC (Puget Systems)

 

My gut feeling is that all PC components need to be 'in balance' to get optimum performance. So that no one component (for example a relatively slow processor) is a bottleneck in what otherwise is a 'high-performance system. A reputable and knowledgeable supplier should be able to advise you on things like processor, graphics card, etc. that are a suitable match given your other components (SSD, RAM, etc.

 

My response to your questions are:

 

- I plan to get at least a 500 gb solid state drive plus at least a 1tb standard drive. Does this make sense or should I consider just getting a 1tb SS drive? Should I consider getting an external drive instead of a large internal standard drive? Surprisingly, I only have about 250 gb of photo files, since I do delete unwanted photos on a regular basis.

Unless you need to store a huge number of image files (which you don't) I would go for 1a 1 (or 2) tb SSD. Rotating hard drives are considered 'old technology' these days. They're slower and more susceptible to damage and wear and tear through having moving parts. For storage solutions of up to, say 10 tb, they're of course much cheaper than SSD's. But for 1-2 tb storage, the price gap between rotating hard drives and SSD's has reduced dramatically over the past couple of years. Internal SSD's tend to be more expensive than external SSD's but are faster. There are also some configuration 'tricks' in Lightroom that allow you to choose where Lightroom stores things. So accessing a single photo from an external SSD may (in technical terms) be marginally slower than from an internal SSD but I suspect that you may not even notice the difference. Stuff that Lightroom accesses often (thumbnails, cache, etc.) are better stored on an internal SSD.

- The machines I am looking at do have video cards and there are some reasonable cost upgrades, and some upgrades that cost $ hundreds. How do I evaluate the benefits of upgrading the video card for use with Lightroom?

In the article via the link above, the video cards shown don't seem to have a great effect on performance. But Adobe does seem to become more effective in utilizing graphics cards. I have no clue about video cards but I suspect that the higher-priced graphics cards are targeted towards 'gamers' which is graphics-intensive.

 

- Minimum RAM I am considering is 16 gb. Should I get 32gb of RAM given the m43 sized Raw files I anticipate processing?

I would definitely go with the 32GB option. 64GB is probably an overkill for now. 16 GB used to be 'high-end' 3-4 years ago but is more 'mid-range these days.

 

- Any advice how to transfer photo files and help Lightroom quickly find their locations?

Not really. Transferring data/photo files can be done either via on-line storage (which might take a while ;)) or via an external SSD/memory stick. You'll need to transfer all your Lightroom catalogs too. Initially, Lightroom won't be able to find any photo's in a catalog. But the 'Find Photo' function does a pretty good job of locating photos within a folder. I'm not sure how well it works across multiple folders.

You can find some tips at helpx.adobe.com and in the following video.

 

For Adobe's explanation of video card requirements, see this.

More and more functionality is moving to GPU on all Adobe imaging products. That's where you want to look for the best performance and from a manufacturer that updates the drivers often as this is often the cause of many issues on Adobe products.

Also see: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/acr-gpu-faq.html

In general, I tend to be wary of 'minimum requirements' for Windows or application software. Simply because 'minimum requirements' sometimes (often?) mean that the software will run but might give a far from optimum or best 'user experience'. I usually search for 'recommended ...''

 

But I like the link in Adobe's article to videobenchmark.net. It doesn't give a lot of price information but the breakdown into different 'performance' categories is useful. I particularly like the 'best buy' button! I also like the fact that Adobe explains which graphics card features it doesn't use.

 

F

dobe's explanation of video card requirements, see this.

I think it's finally time for an upgrade

 

You think?

 

At this point you would perhaps do better to hire a "computer whiz" -- if you can find one-- and have them configure a whole new machine and modern software from scratch.

 

You seem, to me at least, to be waaay beyond the stage of needing an "upgrade"-:rolleyes:

All components have gotten better in these 11 years. Yet performance upgrade is just incremental. Different options are nearly limitless, but budget keeps project on earth. You could look for factory build computer with AMD 5700G, 16GB, gpu with 4GB memory, 1TB m.2 SSD and preinstalled windows 11. I do not know if such thing actually exists in US.

 

Best way to transfer data is likely x ethernet cable and windows network shared folder.

I'd second go with an XPS, just get the max RAM you can without breaking the bank. For example, when your RAM requests start to cost a third as much as the basic machine, I wouldn't go there. I would get the 1TB SS drive. It will remove any worries you have that programs will start to encroach on your scratch RAM. Many Windows-based programs (e.g. Adobe) do not allow you to install on anything other than the C drive, so having a large startup drive is important. I had a 250 GB SSD and it ran out of space. I would get the biggest internal hard drive (non SSD) you can too, again, but no need to go wild. I have a 3TB drive. For home use so far this is fine and my machine is 9 years old. I, too, am sparing with my shots and do not take video.

I run Lightroom classic and Premiere Elements (video) with 500mb image files for stills (4x5 scans). What do you think about these specs for the Dell XPS?

Dell XPS Desktop with up to 11th Gen Intel Processor | Dell USA

I agree that a 250 GB SSD is potentially too small. I have two computers, and the one with the most software on it has a 500 GB SSD with 217 GB used. My laptop has a 1 TB SSD but considerably less space used.

If you work with Lightroom Classic using Smart Previews, or 1:1 preview, lots of images, it doesn't take long to fill 1TB drive with that data (and your catalog, etc). Your boot drive can be 500GB, SSD but don't even think about storing all your raws, rendered images, the catalog, previews there unless you don't have many images to work on. Rather, dedicate an external driver for just that data. Use the "Store Presets with Catalog" preference in LR so they reside there too. Now cloning (backing up) just that data is fast and easy, even to the cloud and other drives. You can take one of these drives to any machine that has LR and have access to that data. This can be a non SSD, (the difference in performance isn't overwhelming). If you can afford a big and fast SSD, fine.

For a win desktop, I would get 32 GB Ram; 1 TB SSD, 8 TB HDD or larger, dedicated video card with its own RAM--amount dictated by the software you run (likely need 4 TB or 6 TB), extra cooling fans, and the ports you need, USB 3.1, etc. If you live near a microcenter store, have them build one for you as opposed to buying a brand name machine. If you want a brand name, check out desktop towers made by Lenovo. Make sure your video card has a port needed by your monitor. I prefer display ports for monitors these days.

[...] the machine sometimes acts like it is in cardiac arrest and requires 1 or 2 cold re-starts to finally operate properly. Lightroom can also feel agonizingly slow to operate.

Those symptoms usually signal that a hard drive failure is imminent.

 

My suggestion is to buy a new SSD, pronto, and clone your existing system drive while it is still working. If the drive is duplicated successfully, replace the hard drive with the SSD--your system should work like new again (and probably be faster than when it was new). Then you can take your time while shopping for a new machine. System-size SSDs are typically priced from around $100 or so at local discount stores, and many of them include the cloning software.

Edited February 16, 2022 by royfisher

One more thing ...

 

It's high time that you upgraded your PC. It's still worth keeping an eye on how 'typical' specs change over the next 3-5 years and upgrade as necessary. I do voluntary work to help mostly elderly people sort out computer, phone, Wifi and internet problems. And yes some of them have old and outdated PC's. TBH, I would refuse to help anyone with an 11+ year old WIN 7 machine other than to say: "You need to buy a new computer". And to help them choose (new, refurbished).

Video Editing, Post Production, Rendering Workstations by Digital Storm

 

I just came across these guys, might be a start, but it seems they are building 'windows workstations for photography with a range of models. They have about a $2,500 model that looks pretty good for a standard workstation. Dell XP's have some solid choices. I do think you need at least 32 GB of system Ram and I would go for 1TB ssd for main drive. I just don't know about the other things like graphics cards etc. Someone in this thread mentioned that Adobe and the software industry is moving towards putting more of the work in processing on the GPU. So I would contact the vendors, ask them what they recommend, figure out what you are willing to pay and I'm sure you'll find something that works really well. Or you can get a Mac :)

More about GPU and Lightroom:

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/lightroom-gpu-faq.html

 

Photoshop and GPU:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/photoshop-cc-gpu-card-faq.html

 

ACR and GPU:

https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/acr-gpu-faq.html

XPSs generally come with a perfectly adequate dedicated video card, although you can upgrade all its components easily when you buy it or in the future. Gamers might prefer a high performance card or if you are doing CAD design work full time, or perhaps even a lot of 8K video, but these are not needed for someone just working with stills. As Andrew says, all your data is better stored on the other (large) internal HD drive, not your SSD start up drive.

Thank you all for your help and for the time and effort answering this question. The links to the Lightroom GPU requirements were very helpful as was the discussion of RAM and HD recommendations. While I will likely get 32gb of RAM, I am still a bit trying to think through the HD configuration. My LR catalog is only 280mb and I only have about 250gb of photo files. I was thinking that a 500GB SSD plus a 2TB HD would likely be sufficient. In terms of processor, I will have my in house tech support review the Dell XPS options and pricing. We will add the new machine to the existing LAN in order to copy files.

I think your 500GB SSD plus 2TB HDD perspective is right. I've been a keen photographer for quite a long time and my 15 years of digital work, including all the Tiffs, jpegs & versions for website and Blurb etc altogether runs to about 3.6TB, which I have on 2 HDD. So its going to take you a while to fill 2TB I think, so if & when you get close to that you can then have another HDD installed. I presume you will back everything up on external drives.

 

I'm buying a new machine tomorrow with 1TB SSD and a total of 6TB in HDD space (also XPS- see my thread below which included some great advice). but as of now I'm working with a 500GB SSD boot drive that has 160GB of unused space. Equally I'm going to stick at 16GB RAM - I've coped comfortably so far with 12GB on my current XPS and of course RAM is also expandable.

Regarding image storage, my win 10 desktop has two 12 TB HDDs in addition to a 1 TB SSD for programs. Both of the HDDs are getting full. Err on buying more storage than you think you will need. And they work better if 10% or more is kept open. .

Joseph did you read the bits about 250GB of digital pictures so far in total? The bit about no video? The bit about Micro 4 thirds? May I suggest that you are looking at someone here whose photography habit is very, very different from yours. And who has a budget. What's right for you is not likely to be right for him.