I'm currently using an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and an AMD Radeon RX 6700XT, but it struggles a lot with heavy photo and video editing tasks in programs like Lightroom, Photoshop, and DaVinci Resolve. I'm considering an upgrade to an AM4 setup, specifically looking at the Ryzen 9 5950X or 5900XT, but I also want to add another 16GB of second-hand RAM to get 32GB total. My main question is whether these processors are still adequate for demanding creative workflows in 2026, taking into account overall user experience and not just raw performance metrics like rendering speeds.
4 Answers
You absolutely need more RAM. Aim for at least 32GB, and 64GB if you're working with large files. The 12-core systems like the Ryzen 9 will help, but if you're mainly using Photoshop, you might find that a Ryzen 5800XT does just as well since it doesn't fully utilize more than 8 cores.
From what I hear, both Photoshop and video editing can be really demanding on RAM. I’ve got 32GB in my system (Ryzen 5600X / 6750XT), and I rarely go over 16GB usage even with games and a million Chrome tabs. When I built my PC in mid-2023, RAM was pretty affordable, so it made sense to go for the extra capacity.
That sounds great! I can see the value of having ample RAM now, especially considering my current struggles. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I’m running a Ryzen 3950X with a 2080 Ti, and for me, it does just fine for video and photo editing. But if you feel lag even with your current setup, it could be the RAM holding you back since it sounds like you're really pushing the limits with your tasks.
I appreciate that! But honestly, I've been getting poor performance even after tweaking settings for maximum efficiency, so I'm hoping upgrades will solve the issues.
Honestly, you need to prioritize your RAM upgrade first. 16GB is pretty tight for creative tasks, and that might be your main bottleneck. Getting to 32GB will probably make a significant difference in your editing workflow.
That makes sense! Thanks for the advice, I'll focus on that upgrade first.
Good to know! I'm really hoping that bumping to 32GB will enhance my editing experience beyond just the import and export speeds.