I'm looking to build a PC primarily for using Adobe Photoshop and a bit of Premiere for video editing. I've got four bundle options from Micro Center that I'm considering, and as a beginner, I'd love some advice.
1. **Intel Core Ultra 7 265K**, ASUS Z890 AYW Gaming WiFi, **32GB DDR5-6000** for **$430**.
2. **AMD Ryzen 5 7600X3D**, ASUS B650E-E TUF Gaming WiFi AM5, **32GB DDR5-6000** for **$430**.
3. **AMD Ryzen 7 7700X**, Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX v2, **32GB DDR5-6000** for **$399**.
4. **AMD Ryzen 5 7600X**, ASUS B650E Max Gaming WiFi, **64GB DDR5-6000** for **$410** (I initially bought a kit that only came with 16GB and added 3 more sticks).
Photoshop really uses a lot of RAM, so I'm leaning towards the fourth option with 64GB. However, if the others offer better value overall, I'm open to suggestions. I've heard the Intel chip might be better for productivity; is that true?
Also, I'm thinking about pairing my build with either a new **Intel b570** for **$219** or a refurbished **RTX 3060 12GB** for **$229**. I'm not gaming much besides esports titles, so any advice on which graphics card would be better would be appreciated!
4 Answers
Go with the Intel chip; if you’re mostly doing video editing, the Intel Core Ultra 7 would give you a speed advantage. Plus, Micro Center typically allows RAM upgrades, which might come in handy later on!
I’d recommend staying away from using four RAM sticks for best performance. For your needs, the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X should work well. You can make solid use of its capabilities without getting caught up in needing the X3D option for Photoshop.
Definitely pick the RTX 3060 12GB. The 7700X is a great choice for productivity, and it'll handle light gaming really well too!
If you go with the fourth option, you might want to get 2x32GB sticks instead, which would still keep your costs around the same. Do you still think 7700X is the best for that setup?
For more memory, I advise against using four sticks; 2x24GB would be a solid choice if you're looking for more than 32GB. But remember, for purely Photoshop work, the 7600X + additional RAM is a better fit. It’s amazing how much RAM can help with your needs!
Photoshop doesn’t really utilize all those extra cores, so for your needs, I think the 7600X with additional RAM would be totally fine. But if you're looking at video editing more seriously, the 265K could also be a solid investment since it has great performance in that area.
I realized I could get a 2x32GB kit instead. Would that be my best bet across all options? I want to dive more into video editing and streaming eventually. Should I consider the Intel chip more seriously for that?
The motherboard definitely makes a difference, don't worry if you're not familiar with all the tech stuff yet!
But why go for an X3D if you're not gaming? You can get good performance from a Gen 4 NVMe drive instead without overspending.