New build needed - Photoshop etc

[pjproby_2019]

I am looking for some help please?

My current build is 5 years old – i5-4690K, 16GB RAM, Radeon RX580, SSD, Win10 Pro etc. It is not over-clocked. It has performed well but USB connections are a bit temperamental recently – sign of impending problems? – and I need better performance during photo editing, so it is time to put a new build together.

Usual workload is office / wp / internet / music plus a lot of photo editing (Lightroom, Photoshop, On1 Photo Raw) and use of virtual machines with VirtualBox. Some gaming. No over-clocking planned. Backup is an additional consideration because volumes have grown significantly so I want to be able to back-up at speeds faster than USB 2.0 / 3.0.

I don’t need the very latest equipment but I want to get 4/5 years out of this build, so I want equipment that is at least reasonably current. I have not specified a specific budget – money is important but my priority is to get an efficient configuration to meet the needs I have set out here.

My previous builds used Intel processors, but I am willing to use AMD if there is significant performance / financial benefit from doing so.

I plan to retain and incorporate the following in the new build – RX580 GPU, disks, monitor, keyboard / mouse.

I am looking for the following new components:

- Case, probably ATX, to hold up to 4 x SATA disks, 1 x CD/DVD, front panel with minimum 4 x USB (2 x USB 3) and fast output port. Looks are not critical and I’m not planning on using LEDS or additional fans.

- Processor. If Intel, I would look towards i7.

- RAM 32GB, with the option to go higher if necessary e.g for photo editing.

- Processor cooler: preferably a closed water cooler (such as Hydra)

- Motherboard: Needs to support 32-64MB Ram, 4 x Disks, 1 x CD / DVD, ideally on-board wireless, 1 x GPU, up to 8 x USB (minimum 4 x USB 3.0), high-speed output to backup.

- Power: Probably 650W, to be checked.

- External disk drive(s) for faster backups.

- Windows 10: Basic or Pro.

I have not put forward my own recommended specs because I am really out of touch with the Intel technology and chip-sets and have no previous experience with the AMD technology. I am hoping that Forum Members will suggest options based on what I have provided here.

Thank you in anticipation.

PJP

 

[EsaT]

Welcome aboard.

Likely USB ports of the case are wearing down, if you meant front USBs.
If problem is back USB ports, then there are many equally likely places for cause.

Better to wait for Zen2 Ryzens.
Especially virtual machines is something which can use cores/threads.
And unless going for buttrape, murder and robbery priced products Intel can only give them equally to AMD's mid models.
(and Zen2 would still have advantage in single core performance and definitely in power efficiency)


With limited number of SATA ports better use NVMe for OS and programs to save SATA ports for big storage.
(Corsair MP510 has good price, or Kingston KC2000)
X570 mobos are likely all going to have two M.2 slots anyway.
Though it's still open if they're power hogs with chipset running always hot and small fan running, in which case current AM4 model motherboard could be option.

Are you building PC yourself, or want preassembled PC?
More case options could be available if building yourself.
With fashion of inflexibility, unconfigurability and unversatility destroying case selections, most actually don't have 5.25" bay anymore.
Also number of 3.5" bays is dropping fast, if you've got mechanical drives.


For CPU cooling average waterpipe cooler has only lower cooling per noise in continuous load than high end heatpipe coolers.
£43 gets heatpipe cooler matching £140 waterpipe cooler.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/scythe-scmg-5100-mugen-5-rev.b-cpu-cooler-hs-046-sy.html

For power supply Seasonic Focus Plus Gold is sure choise for good bang per buck.


As for backupping USB 3 is capable to 400MB/s which far exceeds speed of mechanical HDDs and is only fair 100MB/s behind SATA SSDs.
Besides rear ports many motherboards come with two USB3 headers.
So it would be possible to have four front USB3 ports, but for some totally inexcusable reason most cases still drag ancient USB2 ports instead of going for all USB3.
Though with enough 5.25" bays you can add more easily
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/akas...-front-bay-for-usb-2.0-3.0-3.1-hd-059-ak.html
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/akas...-card-reader-incl.-usb-3.0-hub-cm-03p-ak.html

There are even 5.25" hot swap devices for HDDs if you use normal HDDs for backupping.
Thogh like said, USB3 is enough to max mechanical HDD.

 

[Quartz]

Backup is an additional consideration because volumes have grown significantly so I want to be able to back-up at speeds faster than USB 2.0 / 3.0.

Repurpose your existing PC as a NAS and backup over the LAN.

- Processor cooler: preferably a closed water cooler (such as Hydra)

Since you're not overclocking, an air cooler like the Noctua DH series is going to be better and quieter.

So it would be possible to have four front USB3 ports, but for some totally inexcusable reason most cases still drag ancient USB2 ports instead of going for all USB3.

Probably because some OSs - notably Windows 7 - don't support USB 3 during the install process.

 

[pjproby_2019]

EsaT / Quartz Thank you both for responding. On the specific points raised:
- I will build the system myself.
- I currently use a closed water-cooling system (Corsair Hydro) and am very happy with the way it keeps processor temps down. However, I note your comments about air-cooling and I will keep an open mind on this.
- I hadn't planned on going NVMe at least initially - I saw this as a possible performance upgrade. I will use 1 x SSD (Windows etc) plus 1 x spinning disk (data, photos etc) initially and might add a second of each depending on volumes.
- My backups are USB 3.0 to WD My Passport USB drives, and are way too slow, which is why I am thinking of a new external faster drive (not sure what that would be!). If it matters, my current motherboard is Gigabyte Z97x SLI.
- I may well use NAS but not right now - first get this new build up and running - and in any case I think I would take the safer route by buying a NAS system and software (Synology, QNAP etc).

I'll have a look at the specs etc of the Seasonic and Noctus components.
At this stage I would like to get a likely spec for an Intel i7 config (processor, RAM, Motherboard). I want faster than an i5 so I'm assuming i7-8700, but need help in terms of motherboard / chipset and RAM.

I would also like to get the same config for an AMD-based system. Is it too soon to get this? does that need to await the formal release of the new processors?

I can research cases although I would be very happy to get a recommendation or two. I would appreciate any suggestions re a faster (than WD My Passport) external disk device tho not going as far as NAS at this time.

Thanks again
PJP

 

[pjproby_2019]

Hi I want to move ahead with this upgrade.

On reflection, I will also retain the case and power supply – both seem to be in good shape.
My shopping list is motherboard, processor, processor cooler and RAM.

The processor should give me a sizeable performance improvement over my i5-4690K. Choice between Ryzen 5 3600 and Ryzen 7 3700X.
Opt for 3700X.

CPU Cooler: either Nochua NH-D15 or Dark Rock Pro.

I would favour an X570 motherboard to future-proof as much as possible. Immediately I will use 6xSATA, at least 3 x USB3 and 4 x USB 2. One GPU. No overclocking. I may add an M2.ssd later.
Maybe Gigabyte Aorus Elite or ASUS Prime X570 ?

I will probably start with 16GB (2 x 8) RAM, and add 16GB if necessary. 3200 or 3600? Which Brand?


I would welcome any suggestions / alternatives, particularly for the motherboard and RAM, so that I can move ahead with this upgrade.
Thanks again.
PJP

 

[pjproby_2019]

One last input on this build:
My own list is the following:
- Processor, Ryzen 3700X
- Processor Cooler (Air) , start with stock cooler and if not happy get either Dark Rock Pro or Nochua NH-D15
- Motherboard (X470), either Gigabyte X470 Aorus Ultra Gaming OR Gigabyte Aorus Gaming 5 WiFi
- RAM, 2 x 8GB Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro Black 3200
Approx cost £550-650.

Happy (delighted!) to get any comments
- Would it be better to add a Dark Rock / Nochua cooler from the beginning? Seems they are much quieter?
- Motherboard, This the best choice? generous with SATA, USB, supports M2.SSD, WiFi etc (No overclocking planned)
- RAM. Is 3200 the right / best option?
Thank
PJP