DELL Precision 3660

[taxineil1]

Hi,I was thinking of buying this PC but have just been told that it wont work because it needs a discreet GPU.This has the following:

• Intel Core i5 12th Gen. Processor
• 16 GB RAM , 1000 GB SSD
• Intel UHD Graphics 770
• Windows 11 Home
• Motherboard chipset: Intel B660
• Trusted Platform Module (TPM)    Can anybody help?Thanks

[Conrad_C · Accepted solution]

You were advised incorrectly. The official Photoshop System Requirements do not say a discrete GPU is required; check that link. The latest version of Photoshop runs productively right now on many computers that have integrated graphics only, including on my 8th Gen Intel processor with integrated graphics only. Whether your computer has integrated graphics or a discrete GPU, it does need to meet the minimum “Graphics card” requirements listed in those system requirements.

If you need minimum performance, your computer can meet the minimum requirements shown at the link above.

If you need OK performance, integrated graphics will work, but a discrete GPU will be better, and you should aim for the Recommended level of the system requirements, not Minimum. Your system requirements show a 12th Generation Intel processor, which is the latest version, and the integrated graphics on those is pretty good…but to get the most out of it, you might want more than 16GB RAM.

If you need the highest level of performance, then you want a discrete GPU. (Note for Mac users reading this: A discrete GPU is not necessary for high performance on Macs, because the graphics built into Apple Silicon processors can perform at the level of some discrete GPUs.)

[taxineil1]

Thanks very much for your help,can you tell if its possible to add a card to the system I've chosen?I know how to fit them,but the ways of motherboards defeats me.

[Conrad_C]

The PC description in the first post doesn’t have enough detail to indicate how it supports graphics cards. The specs shown are similar to many laptops today. But, if it really is a PC tower with card slots, then the graphics probably could be upgraded with a card. I am more of a Mac guy so I am not the best person to be recommending PC graphics cards, but given what you said about this being more of a hobby, there should be some midrange graphics cards that should work well enough. But before spending any money on that, start by using the graphics already included with the 12th Gen Intel Core processor and see if that is good enough, because again, the integrated graphics hardware in the 12th Gen Intel Core processors is significantly better than what was available a few years go.

[J E L · Accepted solution]

Hi @taxineil1 , another thing to consider is how much hard drive space you'll have with the 3660. Photoshop likes to have a lot of free disk space, and I recommend a 1T SSD if you tend to use up space quickly. You can use external drives and cloud accounts for file storage, but to run heavy programs you do need to think about system space. I also think you'll be happier in the long run with the i7-12700 and at least 32 GB of installed RAM to take you through the years ahead. Of course, all this depends on what other software you need to run and exactly how you use Photoshop. Budget is another big factor, too. Hope that is helpful.

[taxineil1]

Thanks for that.I'm only a hobbyist and dont do huge amounts at once,I just want to buy something thats fast and future proof,also the large size makes it easier to add more memory,drives etc.In fact the more I think about that the more I may get an equivalent HP instead,I believe any old memory wont work with Dell only their rather expensive own.I've got 4 different ram sticks in me Pavilion and they all get along happily.I'm only replacing it because its 7 years old and gets a bit crabby now and then....bit like me 🙂