The Ultimate PC Guide For Adobe Photoshop In 2024

[@Johnmell100]

Good video Craig, you've got yourself another subscriber.

[@gouravcullen6779]

Good video, but you should have made the video for every budget people, your choices are not cup of tea for everyone. Not everyone can afford to build a pc on i91400 series. Your video is just for one particular rich guy or who already became pro.

[@utopiacomputers]

Hello thanks for your comment. We do touch on this topic nearer the end of the video stating that you're best to go with the fastest CPU, RAM and Storage you can afford. However we'd be more than happy to dedicate another Photoshop video for a more reasonable budget. We'd love to hear your thoughts on which price range you'd like to see in the next Photoshop video. - Ryan

[@gouravcullen6779]

@@utopiacomputers Make 3 categories, for the people who are getting into the industry of graphics design or video editing or 3d . Make another intermediate setup, give some options what they can follow to upgrade if they are getting clients and need up their games now. Then comes the professional rated build. I can't give you a particular price range category, because your video is watched by many countries and they have different prices than in your country. So it's gonna be helpful if you do the category wise. When a kid who wants to pursue graphic design or video editing watch your ultimate pc guide for Photoshop and your recommendations, that may make the kid's mind think, I have to get that processor, that GPU, they will ask their parents to get those configurations, which is not affordable to all.

[@utopiacomputers]

@@gouravcullen6779 Thanks for taking the time to share your insights. We will take all this into account as we work on our next videos. Cheers, Craig

[@utopiacomputers]

Just finished the script for our next long form video. It's going to be on Unreal Engine 5. I've taken this into account. Might not be of interest to you as an application...but wanted to let you know that we take the feedback of our viewers really seriously! Thanks - Craig

[@ktg6506]

AreYouAfanOf that tog spot? The colors, the music and your opening tagline…Wow!

[@utopiacomputers]

thanks for the amazing feedback!

[@jackmcewan6308]

Hi Craig. A key point you didn’t address is noise reduction software. I use DxO PureRaw 4 on a Dell 8930. This computer is about 4 1/2 years old and I’m considering a new one. It has an i9 processor with a GeForce RTX 2080 8 GB GPU and 32 GB of RAM. The OS is Windows 11. PureRAW 4 is GPU intensive utilizing 100% of the 2080 (per Windows Task Manager) for perhaps 20 seconds to several minutes to process an image. I usually do RAW processing in Capture One and export a tif to Photoshop to finish the processing. I usually load several images into PureRaw 4 and have to shut down the other applications to efficiently perform noise reduction with this software. Many photographers use PureRaw 4 and any suggestions for optimal GPU selection would be appreciated.

[@utopiacomputers]

Hi there! Thanks for bringing this up- PureRAW 4 is indeed a GPU-intensive application, so optimising your GPU is key for this kind of workload. Based on your setup and workflow, it sounds like you're already using a solid system, but if you're looking for an upgrade, here’s what to consider: 1. GPU Power for Noise Reduction Software: DxO PureRAW 4 and similar programs rely heavily on the GPU for noise reduction, especially when batch processing multiple RAW images. Since you're maxing out your RTX 2080, an upgrade to a more powerful GPU could significantly reduce processing times and improve multitasking. RTX 4080: These cards offer a big leap in performance, providing excellent efficiency for high-intensity tasks like noise reduction and image processing. VRAM (Memory): A key factor here is VRAM. Your current 8 GB of VRAM may be limiting performance when handling larger batches or higher-resolution images. Consider a GPU with 16 GB or more of VRAM for smoother multitasking. 2. Balancing CPU and GPU: Your i9 processor is still a very capable chip, but if you’re considering upgrading the whole system, make sure the CPU can keep up with the faster GPU. The latest Intel or AMD CPUs like the i9-14900K or AMD Ryzen 9 9950X would be ideal partners for top-tier GPUs. 3. RAM and Storage: 32 GB of RAM is usually enough for most photo editing tasks, but if you find that you’re regularly pushing your system with large batches, you could consider upgrading to 64 GB. Also, make sure you’ve got a fast NVMe SSD for the OS and software, which helps with overall system responsiveness. 4. Workflow and Multitasking: Since you’re having to shut down other applications while running PureRAW 4, the GPU upgrade should give you more headroom for multitasking. The latest RTX cards also offer improvements in memory bandwidth, which will help manage running Capture One, Photoshop, and DxO simultaneously. Final Thoughts: Upgrading to a 4080 with 16 GB of VRAM would be a solid step forward. It’ll not only improve your PureRAW performance but also future-proof your system for other resource-intensive tasks. Pair that with a newer-gen CPU and faster RAM if needed, and you’ll have a powerful workstation that won’t make you choose between programs. Thanks for taking the time to share our workflow and for the support of our channel! Much appreciated, Craig

[@jackmcewan6308]

@@utopiacomputers Thanks Craig for your very comprehensive list of suggestions. I’ll probably upgrade in the next year. I want to see how Intels 15th generation CPU’s perform and of course their reliability. Trying to decide whether to build it myself or having Puget Systems do a minimal build and adding to it. I’m in the US and have a credit card that pays the sales tax for items purchased from B&H. This way I can save considerably on high budget items such as the GPU. Again thanks for your very helpful suggestions.

[@fotomanal]

Any recommendations or specs for motherboard???

[@utopiacomputers]

Great question. Start with the CPU, then consider the use case and connectivity. For productivity and creative apps like Photoshop, look for features like Thunderbolt and plenty of USB ports. Next, think about your case size: ATX, mATX, and ITX. These determine the size of the board and the number of features you'll have access to. Once you have done all this, then, you should have narrowed your choices down to a more manageable range. If you want more advice, then feel free to ask and I'll try to help! Thanks for watching and for asking a nice question. Cheers, Craig

[@fotomanal]

@@utopiacomputers Many thanks for your quick reply!!

[@utopiacomputers]

@@fotomanal It's all good! Here to help!

[@RLKostadinov]

Hi, do you recommend 14900 KF i9 or 14900 K i9 is best option for Photoshop?

[@utopiacomputers]

Hey there! Both the 14900KF and 14900K i9 are fantastic options for Photoshop, but here's the scoop: the 14900K has integrated graphics, which can be handy if you ever need a backup in case your dedicated GPU has issues. If you’re always using a dedicated GPU, the 14900KF might save you a bit of cash. Performance-wise, they’re pretty much identical. Hope that helps! Happy editing and thanks for supporting our little channel! Cheers, Craig

[@christopheryow951]

Thank you it’s been a big help.

[@davidf6326]

Hi Craig. Your team have just built a PhotoPro Ultimate for me (with one tweak - K processor instead of KF), which will be shipping tomorrow (Monday) and I've been giving some thought to the most effective workflow and how to configure Lightroom, Photoshop and the OS accordingly. Before coming across Utopia, my plan had been for a two internal disk configuration, with an SSD (for OS, applications and the images which I'm actively editing) combined with a 4TB HDD for storing images after editing (including, of course, those which I'll be migrating from my current machine). Finally, I was planning an external 4TB HDD purely for backup (which I'll still be needing, of course). I hadn't considered a separate scratch disk and I'm now unsure how to organise the workflow and how to configure Lightroom and Photoshop to use the three internal disks in the most effective and efficient manner. Have you or the guys have ever produced a set-up guide/cheat sheet for that purpose? Also, as you know, the storage drive in the Utopia PhotoPro Ultimate build is an HDD. In the video, however, you suggest an SSD. I'm now wondering whether I should have upgraded to that option? My understanding is that the third disk is used exclusively for storage of processed images, so its speed (or lack thereof) shouldn't have any great impact on the edit workflow. Is that correct or am I missing something? Put another way, is there any significant benefit(s) to using an SSD for the storage disk?

[@utopiacomputers]

Hey David, Thanks for your great questions and, of course, for choosing Utopia for your next workstation! Your PC is indeed build, tested and ready to wing it's way to your desk! First up, SSD or HDD for long term storage. Your HDD will be fine. This drive won't be for live projects, just for storing completed work before offloading to archival backup - either local or on the cloud. We haven't made a cheat sheet or video for Scratch disks, but I think it's a great idea. I'll add this to our content list and get it produced as soon as we can. I've asked your system builder to give you a call and double check everything before we ship. You're PC is a great spec so you should be good to go. In the meantime, this is a quick guide for setting up Scratch Disks: How to Configure the Scratch Disk in Photoshop Open Photoshop: Start by launching Photoshop on your computer. Access Preferences: On Windows, go to Edit > Preferences > Scratch Disks. Select Your Scratch Disk: In the Scratch Disks section, you’ll see a list of available drives. Check the box next to the drive(s) you want to use as a scratch disk. You can select multiple drives if you have more than one, and Photoshop will use them in the order they’re listed. Prioritise Drives: If you select more than one drive, you can prioritise them by dragging the drives up or down in the list. Photoshop will use the first drive in the list until it's full, then move on to the next one. Confirm and Restart: Click OK to save your settings. The changes will take effect when you restart Photoshop. Monitor Performance: If you notice any performance issues, you can always go back and tweak your scratch disk settings. Keep an eye on your available storage too, because a full scratch disk can slow things down. Cheers, Craig

[@davidf6326]

@@utopiacomputers Hi Craig. Thanks for your reply and also for arranging for one of the team to call me to discuss the options. Barry phoned me this morning and he ran through the relative virtues of using a hard disk or an SSD for the storage component. He also offered to modify the existing build to my preference, despite the build having already been completed and the machine packaged up for despatch. I decided to take him up on that offer and so the configuration now incorporates three SSDs. I guess it's a little strange to now continue our conversation on KZbin rather than by email, but I felt that the service Utopia provided today - and, for that matter, the earlier assistance from Ryan during the preceding ordering process - was worth sharing on a public forum. Thanks to all involved. David

[@utopiacomputers]

@@davidf6326 Always here to help! Looking forward to you receiving your new workstation! Cheers!

[@m.m.gaming6788]

In my area ssd and nvme are twice expensive than hdd sometimes more. So for storage hdd is still good option for me

[@utopiacomputers]

Spot on, HDDs have their place, and the performance hit of a HDD means you can store what you need on your budget, then it's all good in my book! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Cheers, Craig

[@jarkdoke]

Great video, Craig. I'm an 2D illustrator working with hundred layers on Photoshop, currently using laptop Nitro 5 with Ryzen 7 5800H + GTX 1650 + 32GB RAM. I feel this not really smooth with the photoshop, bit laggy. I'm interested to pick a Laptop with Intel Core Ultra 7 + Intel ARC IGPU, would it be better? Thank you!

[@utopiacomputers]

Thanks for your kind words and support! I've got limited experience with Intel Arc in laptops and Adobe applications. I would advise that the next generation of Arc is just around the corner (Battlemage). Perhaps wait until that lunch to see what the performance is like? I'd also say that something like an Nvidia RTX 3050 or 4050 will give you solid and reliable performance in Photoshop, no questions asked and is what I would choose. If you have any other questions or want to dig deeper on this point, just ask! Cheers, Craig

[@ccayco]

I'm also a professional illustrator with the same use case in Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint. The biggest factor for a laggy experience, both with moving around the canvas, crashing, and/or stuttering when using larger brushes, is ram quantity. If you can up the ram in your laptop, you should do that. 32gb isn't that much if you're handing files with that many layers. If you decide to move on to a new computer, I would recommend against a laptop and go desktop. Mostly because for the price of a laptop, you can buy a prebuilt pc (if you don't want to build your own), AND THEN upgrade the ram. Find a pc that runs ddr4 instead of ddr5 (because you don't need ddr5 speed ram for illustration work), since ddr4 systems will be much cheper to buy and 128gb ddr4 3200 ram kits are VERY inexpensive now. I have 128gb ddr4 3600, Ryzen 7 3700x, GTX 1660 Super, and I can handle pretty much any canvas/task size with zero lag on the biggest brush setting in Ps, CSP, Ai, Pr, Zbrush, and Flash.

[@utopiacomputers]

@@ccayco Nice share! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I agree on choosing a desktop over a laptop (when you don't need the portability of a laptop). Desktops do indeed deliver better performance and upgradability. Cheers, Craig

[@japostata]

@@ccayco Thank you so much for sharing this info, much appreciated. I need to upgrade my ancient system but I've been out of the loop when it comes to hardware. It's been frustrating to search for terms like 'workstation', 'productivity or 'graphic design pc build' and most results are fake-surprised faces going: Can you actually game on this workstation? Your comment just answered all remaining questions in a most satisfying way. So again, thank you. Also, your cahnnel looks dope, going to check it out next :)

[@ryanbrownphotography]

Great video Craig and team Utopia!

[@utopiacomputers]

Thanks for the support and taking the time to comment! Cheers, Craig

[@markdonnell6326]

Hi Craig. Great video. I'm a keen amateur photographer and building a PC (current laptops not up to the job) on a budget for running MS Office, Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, watching KZbin etc. Do you think this setup is adequate? Processor - Intel Core i5-12600K Motherboard - Gigabyte B760 GAMING X AX DDR5 Memory - Crucial Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL46 Memory Cooler - Noctua NH-D15 chromax black Power Supply - Corsair RM650 (2023) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Case - Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case Striping out of PC and Laptops I have. Graphics - AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition, (Hopefully CPU graphics or this will do for a while) Storage - Crucial P3 2TB PCIe M.2 2280 SSD | CT2000P3SSD8 Samsung SSD 870 EVO, 1 TB SSD Western Digital Black Wd10jplx-00mbpt0 1tb HDD Seagate BarraCuda 4 TB HDD ST4000DM004 (extra backup for photos)

[@utopiacomputers]

Hey there! Thanks for watching the video and for reaching out! Your proposed setup looks solid, especially for a budget build focused on photography and everyday tasks. Here's a quick rundown on each component and some quick thougths: Processor: Intel Core i5-12600K Why: The i5-12600K is a great choice to balance performance and cost. It’s got enough power to handle Photoshop and Lightroom without breaking a sweat. Motherboard: Gigabyte B760 GAMING X AX DDR5 Why: This is a good mid-range motherboard that supports DDR5, which is a nice future-proofing feature. Memory: Crucial Pro 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL46 Why: 32 GB of RAM is excellent for Photoshop and Lightroom. DDR5 is fast, but keep in mind that the 12th gen chip won't support full speed here. Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black Why: Noctua coolers are known for their exceptional cooling and quiet operation. The NH-D15 will keep your CPU cool even under heavy load. Power Supply: Corsair RM650 (2023) 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Why: 650W is more than enough for your build, even with the potential GPU upgrade in the future. Plus, the 80+ Gold rating ensures efficiency. Case: Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case Why: Great choice for airflow and build quality. It’ll keep your components cool and look good doing it. Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition Why: This GPU is pretty dated but should handle basic tasks and light Photoshop work. Integrated graphics on the i5-12600K could be better for your needs, so consider testing both to see which performs better. Storage: Crucial P3 2TB PCIe M.2 2280 SSD: Perfect for your OS and software. Fast and spacious. Samsung SSD 870 EVO, 1 TB SSD: Great for storing your photos and working files. Western Digital Black 1TB HDD: Handy for extra storage. Seagate BarraCuda 4 TB HDD: Ideal for backups and archiving your photos. Extra Thoughts This is a cracking budget/mid-spec Photoshop system! Remember that your RAM won't run at full speed under a 12th gen chip, but performance will still be solid. It could be worth considering seeing what AMD's new chips do. Intel has always been the king of productivity, but we're excited to see what AMD brings to the table regarding Photoshop performance. But in short, your build looks good to go! Overall, your setup is well-balanced and should serve you well for photography and general use. If you find the GPU lacking, you can always upgrade it later. But for now, this build will definitely get the job done. Happy building and happy photographing! Feel free to ask me any more questions you might have. Always here to help and thanks for supporting our channel and helping us build a community here! Cheers! Craig

[@kahosin890]

My biggest problem is that my photoshop's UI is very laggy. When scrolling, panning, typing..Everything is so slow. I have a 3500x CPU and a 2060 GPU. Should I prioritize CPU first?

[@utopiacomputers]

Hey, thanks for taking the time to reach out. Your CPU and GPU are solid for Photoshop. You shouldn't be experiencing issues on basic projects. However, performance issues might be due to insufficient RAM, poorly configured RAM (XMP is BIOS) or slow storage. Ensure you have at least 16GB of RAM and an SSD (preferably NVMe). Also, optimise Photoshop settings: go to Preferences > Performance and adjust memory usage to 70-80%, and reduce cache levels. Lastly, make sure your OS and drivers are up to date. Try all this and still having issues, let me know, and I'll try to help more. Cheers, Craig

[@kahosin890]

@@utopiacomputers Thanks for your reply! I have all of those including the XMP settings. I'm not sure what else to change in bios. Upgraded my ram from 16 > 48 GB and still nothing. I have an SSD M2 with Photoshop. I might try the storage one. Currently it's less than 50gb free

[@utopiacomputers]

@@kahosin890 I'd suggest that 50GB free is more than enough and not where the issue lies. Double-check your drivers. You could also try reinstalling Photoshop. Good luck! Cheers, Craig

[@christopherfarrell-artist3557]

Do you have a separate SSD scratch disk ? - this is very important for performance.

[@mhlovelady]

Thanks for a great video. I'm getting a new PC built tomorrow, so this helps very much.

[@utopiacomputers]

We're glad we could help! Enjoy your new PC when it arrives. *cough* we hope it was a Utopia PC *cough*

[@smileinurhand]

Thanks for the video on Helping Photographers! However, many of the plugins now require at least 4GB VGA. Also, Lightroom AI masking requests VGA now. I have seen some videos like yours and then made a PC with AMD 7 5700G. It failed. Again, I have an AMD RX 6600 8 GBI installed it for VGA. when I started having problems with lightroom and then when I asked for help from the Adobe community, many of them advised me from personal experience that Nvidia would be perfect for Adobe products. Now I have borrowed an Asus GTX 2060 6GB from my friend and am using it. It works great. So next time you should do more research and make some discussion with real world experience then make the videos. Thank you.

[@HPZ-10]

great video, I wanted to ask if an intel ultra 155h, 32gb ram with igpu(intel arc) would be strong enough to run multiple layers

[@utopiacomputers]

Hey, thanks for watching and commenting! Your Intel Ultra 155H with 32GB of RAM should handle multiple layers in Photoshop just fine. The Intel Arc iGPU will be enough for basic tasks and standard edits, but you might hit performance limits with GPU-heavy features like advanced filters or very large files. For most users, it’ll perform well, but if you work on more complex projects, a computer with a dedicated GPU might be something to consider down the line. Happy editing, Craig

[@REBOOT19]

Xeon e5-2630v3 top😊

[@sarahcroft9433]

Great video- thanks- I know zero about any of this but for any kind of work future I need to upgrade my solid state dell to photoshop compatable …..- when you say you recommend nvidea rtx 4060 cards- do you mean this from Argos please? MSI Nvidia RTX 4060 Ventus 2X 8GB Graphics Card

[@utopiacomputers]

Hello, thanks for your kind comments, we're glad to have helped you! With regards to the graphics card, it would be best to speak to one of our team to help you out. Dells are notorious for not allowing customers to upgrade their desktops easily. If you can email our sales team, with the model number of your Dell we can look at what it can and cannot support :) - Ryan

[@sarahcroft9433]

Wow, many thanks Ryan, that sounds great!

[@muzo8]

Hello, I am dealing with e-commerce and I am a simple Photoshop user. Can you recommend me a mini PC with a ready-made system for this job? thanks.

[@utopiacomputers]

Hello thanks for getting in touch! We do have a great selection of Photoshop systems available to browse on our website. If you scroll down near the bottom of the following page we have 3 small desktops ready for Photoshop: utopiacomputers.co.uk/pages/best-pcs-for-adobe-photoshop They are MATX in size however, we'd be more than happy to configure you a smaller form factor if you wish.

[@oasean]

Thank you for a cogent, succinct review by an authoritative source.

[@utopiacomputers]

Awesome, loving the kind words! We're working on our next videos and hope to have more uploaded soon! Cheers, Craig

[@Bachwaa]

Hello Craig, i work in Photoshop and my files are generally saved in .PSB formats because of larger sizes. i am building my Rig with 14700K+32gig 6000Mhz+ 2TB NVME. I was going to get 4070TIsuper but now i am looking to wait for 50 series to come. Can you suggest me the cheapest GPU option for my work for next 2 quarters? Thanks.

[@utopiacomputers]

Hey there! Thanks for reaching out. Your rig is shaping up nicely! That 14700K and 32GB of 6000MHz RAM combo is going to make Photoshop a breeze. Now, about that GPU... Given your work with large PSB files, having a dedicated GPU will certainly help, but since you're waiting for the 50 series and just need something to tide you over, let's find a cost-effective option. Here's a Quick Breakdown: Budget-Friendly GPU: GeForce GTX 1660 Super: It’s an older card, but it still packs a punch for Photoshop tasks. It’s not as powerful as the 4070Ti, but it’s definitely capable and won't break the bank. Why the GTX 1660 Super? Performance: It handles Photoshop's GPU-accelerated features like a champ. Think smoother zooms, panning, and faster filter applications. Price: You'll save some cash, which you can put towards that shiny new 50 series when it drops. Availability: It’s widely available, so no hunting around required. A Couple of Tips: Stay Updated: Keep an eye on driver updates from NVIDIA. They often improve performance and compatibility with Adobe apps. Consider Your Workflow: If you’re working with 4K monitors or multiple displays, even a budget card will be better than onboard graphics. Generative AI Note: Just a heads-up, for generative AI features in Adobe Firefly, most of the heavy lifting happens on Adobe’s servers, so your internet connection will play a bigger role here than your GPU. Waiting for New Hardware? Waiting for the new series to arrive is always tempting. But by the time you get that shiny new GPU, you might then be tempted by the latest CPUs. Since you're primarily working in Photoshop, the GPU requirements are less demanding. Much of the cutting-edge AI processing in Photoshop, like the stuff with Adobe Firefly, is done online, so a top-of-the-line GPU isn't as crucial as you might think. Top Tip for RAM Compatibility: If you’re thinking about getting a 14900K down the line, a top tip is to make sure your RAM supports XMP (Extreme Memory Profile). You may also need to tweak your BIOS settings for full stability. JaysTwoCents is doing some brilliant content on this right now, so definitely check him out. If I can add more value than what he is already doing, I'll do my own take on this. While the GTX 1660 Super is a great stopgap, if you find a good deal on a 3060, it might be worth considering as it will give you a bit more longevity and performance for the price. Good luck with your build, and happy editing! Thanks for watching and commenting. Great questions like this add value to everything we are trying to build on our small channel! Let me know if you have any other questions. Cheers, Craig 😎

[@Bachwaa]

@@utopiacomputers thank you very much for this detailed explanation. You are correct about focusing more on CPU than gpu but since I am already investing in all this why not to put in little more and make it a good gaming pc as well. Cheers.

[@utopiacomputers]

@@Bachwaa Can’t argue with that logic! Thanks again for your great question. All the best with your new build and happy gaming 😎 Cheers, Craig

[@rikkiranjandas5320]

This is exactly what i needed. Thank you so much

[@utopiacomputers]

Awesome, feedback doesn't get much better than that! Thanks for the words of support, and looking forward to bringing more valuable content to our little community soon! Cheers, Craig

[@cosmicfxx]

AMAZING AMD vs. INTEL video, THANK YOU! Regarding scratch disc ... is 250GB definitely enough, not a 1TB ...? Also, would a scratch disc be as efficient if shared with other files and folders (like just archived storage, not programs) if there is enough space in the SSD, or will the scratch disc work best if only for PS temp files?

[@cosmicfxx]

Ps ... any advice suggestions for a good midrange laptop for Photoshop? I'm SOOOO confused by all the options out there ... from your video I decided to stick with Nvidia and Intel for stability, but I also know laptop GPU's are not as good as their desktop counterparts ... is it the same for CPU's? Also, so many laptops seem to perform differently usig same CPU and GPU ... really confusing which way to go and what to choose. I'd really appreciate any advice and guidance.

[@utopiacomputers]

Thanks for the awesome comment! It's a balance running the business and making videos, but we love it and hope we can keep growing so we can justify more time for the channel :) A 250GB SSD for your Photoshop scratch disk can be enough, depending on how large the files you work with are and the kind of projects you're handling. If you're working on average projects (e.g., images under 1GB), 250GB will be fine. However, if you’re working on very large, multi-layered PSD files or high-res RAW images, you might run into space limitations. The Cost of SSDs are so low now, so most can justify the £50-£60 for a reasonable 1TB SATA SSD - they key being not to start using the drive for other things as you will potentially reduce performance. Cheers, Craig

[@utopiacomputers]

I totally get it-laptops can be super confusing, especially with all the different options and specs that seem similar but perform differently. Let me break it down for you. Intel and Nvidia for Stability: You’re on the right track sticking with Intel and Nvidia for Photoshop-those two are a solid combination for reliability and driver support, especially for creative applications like Adobe Photoshop. Laptop GPU vs. Desktop GPU: You’re spot on that laptop GPUs generally aren’t as powerful as their desktop counterparts. Even when you see a laptop labelled with an RTX 4060 or 4070, it won’t match the performance of the desktop version. That said, mid-range Nvidia GPUs (like the RTX 3060 or 4070 mobile versions) are still really good for Photoshop tasks, especially if you’re not doing intensive 3D work. What About Laptop CPUs? It’s the same story with CPUs. A laptop version of an Intel i7 or i9 won’t be as powerful as a desktop version because laptops need to manage heat and power differently. But don’t worry, modern laptop CPUs-like Intel 13th Gen i7s or even i5s-are plenty powerful for Photoshop. Just make sure you look for the H-series or P-series (like an i7-13700H) because they’re built for performance, while U-series chips are more focused on battery life and tend to be slower. Why Do Laptops with the Same CPU/GPU Perform Differently? Great question. It comes down to a few things: Cooling: Laptops with better cooling systems (more fans, heat pipes, etc.) can run their CPUs and GPUs at higher speeds for longer. This is called thermal throttling, where a laptop with poor cooling slows down under heavy load to avoid overheating. Power Delivery: Some laptops limit how much power can be fed to the CPU and GPU to conserve battery or stay within design limits. This can impact performance even if two laptops have the same specs. What Should You Look For? Here’s what I’d recommend for a mid-range laptop for Photoshop: Intel i7 (H-series) or Ryzen 7 (H-series) CPU. These offer a great balance of performance and efficiency. Nvidia RTX 3060/4060 or higher. This will give you the CUDA cores and power for fast filters, liquify, and future-proofing. At least 16 GB of RAM (32 GB if possible). Photoshop loves RAM, especially with big files or multiple layers. SSD (512 GB minimum, preferably 1TB). You’ll need fast storage for scratch disk space and to keep things snappy. Some good brands to consider: Dell, ASUS, MSI and if you are lucky enough to be in Europe...Utopia >> www.utopiacomputers.co.uk :) Final Thoughts: Stick with a brand that has a good cooling system and high build quality. Reviews will help here-check for ones that mention thermal performance. And if you can, get your hands on one with a colour-accurate display (ideally with 100% sRGB coverage) to make your Photoshop work easier on the eyes.

[@jackstrawful]

But what about all the innovations Adobe has been bringing into Ps with AI tools? I’ve been an editor of real estate photography for over 20 years and I’m finding that my very job description is changing - I’m becoming less a photo editor and more just a manager of AI. I think I’m already at a point where any hardware that would speed up the AI processing would improve my workflow a lot more than anything that would help my more traditional editing tasks.

[@utopiacomputers]

Hey, Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! You’ve hit the nail on the head there! Adobe’s AI tools are truly game-changing, and it’s fascinating (and sometimes a bit overwhelming) to see how our roles are evolving because of them and other AI tools! I completely get where you're coming from. As tech keeps advancing, it feels like ever da is a school day with these powerful AI tools. And yeah, with this shift, the hardware that can handle all this AI processing smoothly is becoming crucial. It sounds like you've go the right idea, be open to new tools and techniques and enjoy the journey. As it stands the processing for these tools is a mix of on your workstation and in the Cloud. With that single threaded CPU performance is still key to getting the best out of the application. Again, thanks for sharing our insights with us and for supporting our small channel! Cheers, Craig

[@jackstrawful]

@@utopiacomputers Glad to have a space to share. I had been thinking I needed to find the right mix of Performance cores and Efficiency cores, the more the better, so it’s good to know about the single-threaded performance, that should simplify things, thanks. I have been interested in the new refresh of Intel’s lineup - ending the ‘i’ moniker with the 14th gen and switching to Ultra - because I know they have a whole new architecture, including a new discrete unit that’s all about running AI - but I never like buying the 1st gen of a product (tend to not be optimized well compared with the outgoing veteran specs) so I think I’ll hold off on that til next year and just look for a sale on a budget gaming laptop from ‘22 or ‘23, with the best single core performance I can find, to hold me over - my 5 yr old Lenovo Legion w/ an 8th gen i7 and gtx 1050ti has really been struggling to keep up lately, even though it does have 16GBs RAM (finally upgrading from DDR4 to DDR5 may do more good than the newer processor anyway, lol)

[@AR-vf7vg]

Sorry I'm not able to follow.. Primarily for Lightroom hi-rez fineart photography and printing (with some photoshop) (From memory) is a HP Z2 mini G9 2× 2Tb ssd i9 64 ram atx3000 graphics ..bad..? I need the pc to be small. (Monitor Eizo 2700X) Thank You !!!! 64 Ram

[@utopiacomputers]

Hello! Those HP systems are great however, they are more tailored towards CAD users, since they use the RTX Pro range of graphics cards. Our recommendation would be to find something that uses an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card as this will not only give you more performance, it will save you some cash at the same time!

[@AR-vf7vg]

@@utopiacomputers THANK YOU 🙏🙏🙏

[@edwardillingworth5660]

Thanks for the video. Just wondering if the specs you provide will benefit using Lightroom Classic as well?

[@utopiacomputers]

Hey, thanks for taking the time to comment and for the great question. In short, yes the requirements for Lightroom and Photoshop are very similar. High-frequency CPU, 16GB RAM minimum, 32GB recommended, with more than that only for those with huge catalogues or very large image sizes. If you have any other questions be sure to ask. Cheers, Craig

[@huwmorgan51]

I don't know where you get your information, but an RTX 4090 is 3x faster than a 4060 in Passmark, a good measure of AI performance. I don't think a 4060 will scale to handle AI as Adobe releases more and more functionality.

[@utopiacomputers]

Thanks for getting in touch. Yes the RTX 4090 is much faster than the RTX 4060 in passmark. However, as we stated in the video, when it comes to Photoshop 2024 there is little to no need going above the RTX 4060. Photoshop 2025 comes with new 3D features that will of course require more powerful GPUs same goes with the AI features. We'll be testing this over the next few weeks and will be releasing a new and updated video next year. Stay tuned as we've got some interesting results with the CPUS!

[@MickPayton]

Hi, can anyone help a non-tech person to choose the best display panel for photoshop please? I'm using an old HP Omen 17.3inch LCD IPS laptop at the moment but I need to buy a new laptop. The variety of screens is baffling me, I'm quite happy with the IPS LCD one that I have. So there's a lot of LED screens around now, some are QHD some are FHD, I've seen demonstrations on KZbin of blooming with LED panels which puts me off. I can't afford an OLED anyway. Anyone help please?

[@utopiacomputers]

Hello Mick, thanks for getting in touch! As you mentioned the large amount of screens that are available today is quite overwhelming however, for Photoshop opting for and LED panel is a great option. LED technology offers benefits such as lower power consumption and thinner form factors compared to traditional LCD panels. However, not all LED panels are created equal, and some may exhibit issues like blooming, where bright areas bleed into darker areas. This is more of a panel-specific issue rather than a general problem with LED technology, so it's important to read reviews and do your research before purchasing. As for resolution, if your budget allows, consider opting for a QHD panel for the added detail it provides. And when it comes to LED panels, just be sure to research and read reviews to find one that doesn't suffer from issues like blooming. We do offer a selection of laptops with QHD LED panels with up-to 100% sRGB colour space perfect for a Photoshop user like yourself. If you have any specific laptops in mind or further questions, feel free to ask! - Ryan

[@MickPayton]

@@utopiacomputers Thanks for your reply and very informative video. I'm currently using a 7yr old HP Omen 17inch with IPS display. Looking on your website I'm thinking of the Stratos 17 with 32GB 5200 ram, 4070 card, 2 x 1TB Samsung 990 drives. Is the display QHD? What are your feeling on this setup for Photoshop use please?

[@utopiacomputers]

@@MickPayton Thanks for getting back in touch Mick. The Stratos-17 is a fantastic laptop , certainly one of the best on the market in my opinion. Yes it comes with a brilliant QHD display, great for pixel peeping! I've replied to your email that you just sent us. Speak to you soon :) - Ryan

[@MandM_IMO]

Yes in theory that is true. However, the number of defected 13th and 14th gen CPU's on the market makes building an Intel PC a Russian Roulette. And if you were "lucky" and got one of those CPU's your productivity will be worse than with a PC with Intel 10th gen. Also, the Intel is a mini heater that drains power like crazy.

[@rod7434]

Mindful if you have dual GPU’s one integrated, one discrete, photoshop is a mess.

[@utopiacomputers]

Hello Rod, thanks for pointing this out. We would also recommend going into the NVIDIA or AMD control panel to edit the 3D settings for Photoshop. You can also do this in the preferences setting in Photoshop. Usually the defaults are good to go however, like you said some issues can occur and this is one way to troubleshoot these.

[@albertcamus6611]

Hey All, Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom DO NOT scale well with higher end hardware. 4060 vs 4090 is negligible due to the way the programs are coded. Unlike video editing, 3d render software, PS will not perform better, Also more ram =/= better performance. Most of the time PS will never touch 32GB. You usually want to make sure a lot of RAM is used rather than thinking 20% or RAM usage = good.. Point is, do not spend money on hardware that is not needed. I disagree with the pricing of this software based on price to performance and rather look at the features I will use in projects. So unless you are doing video editing, 3d rendering, you do not need that extra head room. even a 12900k (great 2nd hand prices) or a 5800x3d are good enough to run multiple layers etc. 13/14 gen have stability issues, skip 15th gen crap, and wait for what intel has to offer after, OR go for AMD. they are solid cpu's and future support is great. just my 2 cents if comparing performance. But go ahead and get the hardware if you want it.. not because it will perform better.

[@utopiacomputers]

Thanks for your comment! We're 100% on your side with this, overspending can easily be on when purchasing a PC for Photoshop or any photo editing software. As mentioned in the video the RTX 4060 is our go to with Photoshop and the RTX 4090 although great for applications like 3D rendering, Unreal Engine or gaming, it's very close to the performance of the RTX 4060. We do understand that some of our clients want the very best, and although might not be fully beneficial today, they would like to know it will last for years to come with new features coming every few months that require more performance. You're spot on with the CPUs too, be sure to stay tuned as we'll be updating our Photoshop video for 2025 with the release of AMD and Intels line of chips. The results are eye opening! Have a great day

[@thewarriorofice]

Dude, you repeat yourself a lot

[@utopiacomputers]

Hey, thanks for taking the time to comment. I always try to be succinct in what I'm saying but I'll be sure to keep on improving! Cheers, Craig