I built a machine with AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT 12-Core Processor, 3800 Mhz, 12 Core(s), 24 Logical Processor(s),XPG Gammix S70 Blade, Aorus X570 Master, Force MP 600 SSD for CACHE files, then regular disk drives for storage. Also 32 GB RAM. My machine is 3 years old. I thought it was getting out of date because it was taking forever to upload images and process files. Turned out my machine is still great. 2 problems, the Windows operating system and a faulty disk drive (not the one with my images!. I replaced the disk drive then 4 Windows updates later, my fast machine was operating efficiently. So yours is no doubt too old so time to update. I chose AMD due to all the criticisms of the Intel chip of the time. I back up my entire library, 8 TB, on a separate disk I store in a safety deposit box. Cheaper than online so far. Enjoy the process. As I am a senior, the fine detail work is becoming more of a challenge but it is a good challenge.
Starting new PC build
- Thread starter Midway
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This is a good topic. I also have been considering a PC build, haven't done one in over 10 years. Wondering if you all are doing exclusively INTEL builds, no AMD Ryzen or other brand/type of CPU? Is this personal choice, default choice, or is there a performance reason related to photography post-processing? Ah I see DurhamWolf posted something similar while I was typing.
TomRC
Member
If you do any serious video editing you need to go either Mac or Intel PC. Intel has "quick sync" on the chip which allows for hardware decoding of certain codecs like 10 bit 4.2.2 H264/H265 and others. AMD while arguably as fast or faster and as of late more stable than Intel by most accounts, AMD doesn't offer a similar type of video decoding technology for some of these video codecs a lot of us use. In terms of video editing a very powerful Intel PC should yield the best video exporting times but in terms of the actual smoothness of editing video Macs are hard to beat. I've seen some videos of relatively inexpensive Macs putting high priced Windows machines to shame on the video editing side of things.
If only photo editing AMD is a very solid, stable and reliable platform and hopefully Intel is ironing out the current kinks!
If only photo editing AMD is a very solid, stable and reliable platform and hopefully Intel is ironing out the current kinks!
joe43
Well-known member
I am very interested in this topic as I need to replace my old win 10 desktop I had custom built for me at MicroCenter. I will likely have MicroCenter build me a new one with win 11 pro.
I am thinking to switching from Intel to a AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 8 core CPU or a AMD Ryzen 9 9900Z 8 core CPU.
Motherboard? Likely ATX size with lots of ports. Recommendations appreciated.
Case? Mid Tower desktop
One SSD for the software--1 TB
Second SSD for the images to be processed? 1 TB. I really do not understand how best to use a second SSD or if one is really needed.
HDD for internal image storage--24 TB or 20 TB
GPU will be needed. GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB RAM?
Lots of quiet fans for cooling.
Image editing. Right now no video editing.
Software used is DXO PL 8 elite edition, NIK Collection, Nikon NX Studio; Adobe Photography suite will be loaded, but used infrequently.
I am thinking to switching from Intel to a AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 8 core CPU or a AMD Ryzen 9 9900Z 8 core CPU.
Motherboard? Likely ATX size with lots of ports. Recommendations appreciated.
Case? Mid Tower desktop
One SSD for the software--1 TB
Second SSD for the images to be processed? 1 TB. I really do not understand how best to use a second SSD or if one is really needed.
HDD for internal image storage--24 TB or 20 TB
GPU will be needed. GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB RAM?
Lots of quiet fans for cooling.
Image editing. Right now no video editing.
Software used is DXO PL 8 elite edition, NIK Collection, Nikon NX Studio; Adobe Photography suite will be loaded, but used infrequently.
OP - You are one year and one generation newer than my build https://bcgforums.com/threads/new-windows-pc-build-for-post-processing.31364/
Midway
Well-known member
Nice. I wanted to get the ASUS ProArt Z790-CREATOR WIFI motherboard but I was having trouble finding any motherboards in stock. The ProArt series is better suited for my needs than the ROG series. Some of the ProArt advantages over my motherboard are 10Gb and 2.5Gb Ethernet vs. my single 2.5Gb and 8 SATA ports vs my 4.
I thought the SATA limitation would hurt since I use a lot of internal storage but having 5 M.2 slots lessen or eliminate the need for all the SATA ports. As long as I am waiting for other required parts to finish my build, the ProArt and many other motherboards are now readily available. For an editing build, I do think the ProArt is a better choice for a motherboard. I will have an useless but fun light show in my office though
.I built a machine with AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT 12-Core Processor, 3800 Mhz, 12 Core(s), 24 Logical Processor(s),XPG Gammix S70 Blade, Aorus X570 Master, Force MP 600 SSD for CACHE files, then regular disk drives for storage. Also 32 GB RAM. My machine is 3 years old. I thought it was getting out of date because it was taking forever to upload images and process files. Turned out my machine is still great. 2 problems, the Windows operating system and a faulty disk drive (not the one with my images!. I replaced the disk drive then 4 Windows updates later, my fast machine was operating efficiently. So yours is no doubt too old so time to update. I chose AMD due to all the criticisms of the Intel chip of the time. I back up my entire library, 8 TB, on a separate disk I store in a safety deposit box. Cheaper than online so far. Enjoy the process. As I am a senior, the fine detail work is becoming more of a challenge but it is a good challenge.
Nice. I wanted to get the ASUS ProArt Z790-CREATOR WIFI motherboard but I was having trouble finding any motherboards in stock. The ProArt series is better suited for my needs than the ROG series. Some of the ProArt advantages over my motherboard are 10Gb and 2.5Gb Ethernet vs. my single 2.5Gb and 8 SATA ports vs my 4.
I thought the SATA limitation would hurt since I use a lot of internal storage but having 5 M.2 slots lessen or eliminate the need for all the SATA ports. As long as I am waiting for other required parts to finish my build, the ProArt and many other motherboards are now readily available. For an editing build, I do think the ProArt is a better choice for a motherboard. I will have an useless but fun light show in my office though
Ha ha. I opted to not install any of the lights. Mine is all black and gold. I am using a BenQ monitor but want one of the large ProArt monitors. What is your monitor choice?
Midway
Well-known member
I have always used Intel CPU's and just went with what I am familiar with. As I started researching after I had already ordered an Intel CPU I started to read reports of stability issues with 13th and 14th generation Intel CPUs. I am hopeful recent BIOS and microcode updates have minimized if not resolved the issues and I am not a gamer and won't be editing many hours every day like a gamer plays. For gaming, AMD is pulling well ahead but I think for editing Intel is still a good option.
Midway
Well-known member
I have an NEC MultiSync PA272W that still calibrates accurately for 99.3% coverage of AdobeRGB color space for photo editing paired with a Dell 6K U3224KB Monitor for video. The Dell has a nice built in dock I can connect my MacBook Pro M2 Max series to.
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Jack McEwan
Well-known member
I was in a similar situation. My Dell 8930 was about 5 years old and in need of replacement. The Dell 8930 contained an Intel i9 9900 CPU, 32 Gb of RAM, a GeForce RTX 2080 GPU, 1 TB SSD, and multiple HDDs. Unfortunately, PC manufacturers like Dell are currently selling computers that have limited room for expansion and/or connectivity. For these reasons I decided to build a PC.
Most motherboards are marketed to the gaming community and not to photographers. In contrast, this build was centered around the ASUS Z890 ProArt Creator motherboard seen in image 2. This motherboard was selected for its ability to accommodate two 3.5 inch HDDs, 2-3 2.5 inch SATA SSDs, and a total of 4-5 PCIe NVMe M.2 SSDs. It has multiple Thunderbolt ports and 2.5 and 10 Gb Ethernet ports.
A significant amount of time was spent making sure the components of the build were compatible both electronically and physically. The components of the build are:
Motherboard- ASUS Z890 ProArt Creator WiFi
CPU - Intel Ultra Core i9 285K
RAM - G. Skill Trident Z5 DDR5 96GB
GPU - ASUS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 ProArt
OS SSD - Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2
Storage SSD - Samsung 990 Pro 4TB NVMe M.2
20 TB Seagate EXOS Enterprise 7200 RPM SATA III HDD
Air Cooler - Noctua NH-U12A Chromax Black
PSU - Seasonic 1200 Watt Vertex PX-1200 ATX
Case - Fractal North XL
I have 7-8TB of photos on the Dell 8930. One option for additional storage would be NAS at a cost of $2-3K. This build has sufficient storage for my needs and is cheaper than NAS, but it has a 10Gb Ethernet port should you want to go that route. BTW, a 20TB HDD costs about $350, whereas an 8TB NVMe M.2 SSD goes for around $1000 and is much faster.
The attached images are snapshots taken quickly during the build and are numbered 1 to 6.
1. Shows the empty case that will house the build. The side and top panels and the walnut wood grill have been removed. Three 140mm intake fans can be seen on the front of the case. The Fractal fans supplied with the case were replaced with Noctua 140mm fans. For all the fans the build is very quiet.
2. The ASUS motherboard. The CPU (processor chip), RAM sticks, two SSD's, and the GPU have to be attached. The CPU cooler consisting of two 120mm fans and a radiator also had to be attached. BTW, the CPU socket contains over 1800 tiny pins. Something to think about when you’re latching it down!
3. These items have been attached to the motherboard and it has been installed in the case. The motherboard was then wired to the power supply, fans, case power switch, LEDs, and front panel connectors. Two 140mm fans exhaust hot air from the rear and top of the case. The CPU air cooler with two 120 mm fans can be clearly seen.
4. The reverse side of the case shows wiring and the 1200-watt power supply.
5. Success! Monitor screen following first boot.
6. The completed build with the side panels attached.
Comparing the performance of this build to the Dell 8930 is like comparing a Porsche to a VW! I’m not a gamer and have no complaints regarding the performance of this build with Photoshop, Capture One, and DaVinci Resolve.
NB: I had difficulty loading the first two images, but their omission does not seriously affect the content. My apologies!
Most motherboards are marketed to the gaming community and not to photographers. In contrast, this build was centered around the ASUS Z890 ProArt Creator motherboard seen in image 2. This motherboard was selected for its ability to accommodate two 3.5 inch HDDs, 2-3 2.5 inch SATA SSDs, and a total of 4-5 PCIe NVMe M.2 SSDs. It has multiple Thunderbolt ports and 2.5 and 10 Gb Ethernet ports.
A significant amount of time was spent making sure the components of the build were compatible both electronically and physically. The components of the build are:
Motherboard- ASUS Z890 ProArt Creator WiFi
CPU - Intel Ultra Core i9 285K
RAM - G. Skill Trident Z5 DDR5 96GB
GPU - ASUS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 ProArt
OS SSD - Samsung 990 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2
Storage SSD - Samsung 990 Pro 4TB NVMe M.2
20 TB Seagate EXOS Enterprise 7200 RPM SATA III HDD
Air Cooler - Noctua NH-U12A Chromax Black
PSU - Seasonic 1200 Watt Vertex PX-1200 ATX
Case - Fractal North XL
I have 7-8TB of photos on the Dell 8930. One option for additional storage would be NAS at a cost of $2-3K. This build has sufficient storage for my needs and is cheaper than NAS, but it has a 10Gb Ethernet port should you want to go that route. BTW, a 20TB HDD costs about $350, whereas an 8TB NVMe M.2 SSD goes for around $1000 and is much faster.
The attached images are snapshots taken quickly during the build and are numbered 1 to 6.
1. Shows the empty case that will house the build. The side and top panels and the walnut wood grill have been removed. Three 140mm intake fans can be seen on the front of the case. The Fractal fans supplied with the case were replaced with Noctua 140mm fans. For all the fans the build is very quiet.
2. The ASUS motherboard. The CPU (processor chip), RAM sticks, two SSD's, and the GPU have to be attached. The CPU cooler consisting of two 120mm fans and a radiator also had to be attached. BTW, the CPU socket contains over 1800 tiny pins. Something to think about when you’re latching it down!
3. These items have been attached to the motherboard and it has been installed in the case. The motherboard was then wired to the power supply, fans, case power switch, LEDs, and front panel connectors. Two 140mm fans exhaust hot air from the rear and top of the case. The CPU air cooler with two 120 mm fans can be clearly seen.
4. The reverse side of the case shows wiring and the 1200-watt power supply.
5. Success! Monitor screen following first boot.
6. The completed build with the side panels attached.
Comparing the performance of this build to the Dell 8930 is like comparing a Porsche to a VW! I’m not a gamer and have no complaints regarding the performance of this build with Photoshop, Capture One, and DaVinci Resolve.
NB: I had difficulty loading the first two images, but their omission does not seriously affect the content. My apologies!
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Midway
Well-known member
That's a really nice build with great cable management. 14th and 15th generation Intel CPU's are close enough in performance but a plus for you is I haven't heard of stability issues in the newer generation. I do wish I had waited for an ASUS ProArt motherboard but I have a slot to add a 10Gb PCIe card if I need to. Even with only 4 SATA ports on my ROG, I only need three for now, plus I have two M.2 slots open. I probably won't ever use M.2_1 since it shares lanes with my PCIEX(16) slots.
I have all the bits and pieces I need finally including the fan extension cables that arrive today so I can finally connect everything and install Windows 11 Pro. That is an anxious moment. I hope my experience is a success too. I did a BIOS Flashback update today. I had never updated the BIOS that way before. No way to know if it worked until I connect a monitor and boot up the system. I learned you don't even need a CPU or memory installed when updating the BIOS that way. The blinking lights on the motherboard connector and USB stick flashed as described so I think every thing went OK.
I still plan on installing Windows with just a single drive installed. Is that how you loaded the OS? Everyone I have asked recommends waiting to connect the rest of my drives until after the OS is installed. That is a pain because I need to remove the graphics card to install the other two M.2 SSDs.
Congratulations on a successful build.
Roy
Well-known member
My last PC is too old too.
I couldn't wait for a ARM RISC option so I just bought a i9 Beelink NUC until then ...
Jack McEwan
Well-known member
I installed both SSDs at the same time, thus avoiding having to remove the GPU to install the second SSD. The SSDs I used were different size drives 2 TB for the OS and 4 TB for everything else. During Windows installation the size of each drive is identified. Therefore there was no confusion as to which drive to install Windows on.
The moment you flip the power switch on a new build is definitely a nail-biter! Your anxiety has been certainly shared by numerous PC builders.
The Z890 ProArt motherboard was brand new when I built the PC and I didn't update the BIOS. Since then several BIOS updates have been introduced largely to enhance the performance of the system for gamers. The PC is running perfectly and I've been debating updating the BIOS. Newer is not always better.
One major advantage of the Intel Ultra Core CPUs is the 40% power reduction compared to previous generations, making them easier to cool and increasing their reliability.
I want to take the opportunity to wish you success with your build. Enjoy your new computer!
Dave63401
Well-known member
Joe,
I just bought a MicroCenter with similar specs.
https://www.microcenter.com/product...AM;_2TB_Solid_State_Drive;_Microsoft_Windows_
Seems good but only had it for 2 1/2 weeks and light video and photo processing.
Dave
Midway
Well-known member
I had already updated my motherboard to the latest BIOS via the Flashback method and today turned everything on and prepared to install Windows 11 Pro only to find the power and reset buttons on the front of the case aren't working. I proceeded to use the power button on the motherboard and loaded 11 Pro via USB but I was not able to connect to the internet. I found the ASUS Z790 motherboards don't load the necessary drivers to connect to the internet. Some searching and I found out I needed to download the LAN driver from a different PC, put it on a USB, do a fresh install, select manually install LAN driver, and all is good with the Windows install.
That leaves the issue of the power button. I already returned one Cooler Master HAF 700 EVO case due to a manufacturing defect that would not allow me to install the power supply. The case was a pain to pack up and return but at least trying to install the power supply was my first step and nothing needed to be un-installed.
With my build essentially done other than installing the rest of my drives and cleaning up the cabling, returning and exchanging would not be fun and will be a last resort.
I'm assuming it is just a simple wiring issue on the front panel connector that plugs into the motherboard. I'll sort it out Monday and everything else looks good. I'll wait to start transferring programs and files. Murphy's Law was bound to rear its ugly head.
That leaves the issue of the power button. I already returned one Cooler Master HAF 700 EVO case due to a manufacturing defect that would not allow me to install the power supply. The case was a pain to pack up and return but at least trying to install the power supply was my first step and nothing needed to be un-installed.
With my build essentially done other than installing the rest of my drives and cleaning up the cabling, returning and exchanging would not be fun and will be a last resort.
I'm assuming it is just a simple wiring issue on the front panel connector that plugs into the motherboard. I'll sort it out Monday and everything else looks good. I'll wait to start transferring programs and files. Murphy's Law was bound to rear its ugly head.
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Wow - a lot of light in that box!
Jack McEwan
Well-known member
Looking good! Congratulations on your build!
Midway
Well-known member
That is an understatement. My two previous builds had been with the previous generation Cooler Master HAF X case that I loved. It was big and very easy to assemble components in. I wanted faster USB connectors on the front and the older HAF X didn't have them so I went with the next generation of what I was used to. It has faster USB connections, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C, 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (3.0). That will come in handy with a new Prograde CFexpress Type B Single-Slot Card Reader. I might end up using one of the rear motherboard thunderbolt connections though for even faster load speeds.
Not sure how I feel about all the bling. I need to load the software and find something less dramatic. The shifting rainbow waves of colors are extreme. The front glass ribs are even more intense. Who knew that could be built into fan blades.
If you do have time to prepare you can use NTLite which allows you to make a custom installation ISO which can include loading drivers for your new hardware (previously downloaded) into the installation ISO as well as OS updates and many other options.
A quite comprehensive piece of software, worth a look when you change your hardware and before installation of your new Windows OS.
Midway
Well-known member
You are asking a lot. I feel I am fairly technical, worked for a few IT companies including Cisco Systems, but I was in sales
I hope not, from what I have seen as your build has progressed I considered that you would be able to handle NTLite, it takes some getting used to but it is worth it when dealing with new PC builds.
The suggestion was also intended for anyone who may be in a similar position and to provide a solution for the driver problem with new hardware not included in the OS's available.
I was in IT support, but know little about sales!
Midway
Well-known member
Thanks, I will give it a try if needed, my OS was installed perfectly after manually loading the LAN drivers . My troubleshooting has pointed to the case front panel cable as the issue. Shorting the power pins on the motherboard header turns the computer on so that points to something on the front Cooler Master cable, not the motherboard. Hopefully I can fix the issue and Cooler Master will ship me a new front panel power connector kit if I can't fix the problem. I do NOT want to take everything apart and rebuild. I am hoping and expect it is something simple.
TonyF
Well-known member
Been PC for years and now thinking that the graphics card industry is lagging behind especially with their PCIe generations. Maybe still OK for gaming but not good for content and video creators. It seems we are forced to pay too much for a card when moving to the next PCIe gen would double the interface speeds at a fraction of the cost. I'd like to stay with PC, as its what I know, but are we being ripped off?