I'm looking to build a budget desktop for photo editing, mainly using Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. I don't game, so this system will focus solely on photo work like RAW editing and exporting. I initially thought about getting a Mac Mini M4, but the high SSD prices pushed me to consider a Windows build instead. Since I'm in IT, I'm comfortable with assembling the PC myself.
Here's my budget: around $600 to $800, and I'm located in the United States. I already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and I prefer a quiet build with decent airflow without flashy components.
Originally, I was thinking of:
* 16GB RAM
* 2TB SSD
* 1TB HDD
* A budget CPU (I'm not up to date on current CPU options)
* Do I need a GPU?
However, SSD prices are really high, making it tough for me to stick to my plan. Now, I'm thinking about:
* A 1TB SSD for the OS and Lightroom catalog
* A 2TB HDD for archiving and exports
This seems more affordable, but I'm unsure if it's the best setup. I have a few questions:
1. Is the 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD configuration sufficient for a photography workflow?
2. What components should I consider within a $700 to $900 budget for Lightroom and Photoshop?
3. Is this set-up a better value compared to the Mac Mini M4, especially regarding Apple's storage prices?
I want to ensure the machine is faster than my current i5-8250U laptop but without overspending. I'm also considering potentially running some virtual machines, but that's not a major concern right now. If I could manage this under $600, that would be great, but I'm unsure about the current market prices.
3 Answers
Honestly, I think the Mac Mini with an external SSD might be tough to beat at this price range. The M4 chip is excellent for photo and video work, especially if you stick to your budget. It offers some solid performance and would make a great choice if you can swing it.
Just a heads up, though, if you go for the M4 with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, it might push you over budget, but you could look into ways to manage storage with an external HDD.
If you can stretch your budget to around $1500, you might want to consider getting a laptop that connects to a monitor. You could find a solidly specced older Lenovo Legion or MSI laptop that would perform well for your needs.
The current market is pretty rough. If you're aiming for new parts within your budget, it’s pretty challenging. You might want to consider used parts to stretch your budget if you can. But it won't be easy sticking to your original plan with new components.
I agree! Normally, I'm not a fan of Macs, but for this budget and your needs, it seems like the best option.