Help with new computer good enough to run Adobe Photoshop (Creative Cloud £9.95 per month)

[Steven33639232nnsv]

I'm sorry for continuing to post and ask questions, but I am trying to understand more about computers and what I need to run Photoshop, I have literally just received this note from someone who builds computers. I take it this setup would not be good enough to run Photoshop for what I need, if someone could explain why....I might be a little closer then to understanding things!!!

Dear Customer,
Thank you for reaching out to us regarding your need for a computer optimized for Photoshop usage. We understand that you're looking for a cost-effective solution that will efficiently handle graphic-intensive tasks without the need for high-end gaming capabilities.
Considering your requirements, we recommend the following configuration:
Processor: Intel Core i5
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 240GB SSD + 1TB HDD
Graphics Card: GTX1660
Operating System: Windows 10
Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi
This configuration strikes a balance between performance and cost-effectiveness, providing ample processing power and memory to handle Photoshop tasks smoothly. The inclusion of a solid-state drive (SSD) for the operating system and applications will contribute to faster load times.
As you're planning to use the online (Cloud) version of Photoshop, a dedicated graphics card is not a necessity for your specific use case. The integrated graphics on the selected processor should be sufficient for your Photoshop needs.
If you have any specific preferences or budget constraints, please let us know, and we can further customize the configuration to better suit your requirements.
Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions or if there's anything else we can assist you with.
Best regards,
Customer Service

[davescm · Accepted solution]

'As you're planning to use the online (Cloud) version of Photoshop, a dedicated graphics card is not a necessity for your specific use case. The integrated graphics on the selected processor should be sufficient for your Photoshop needs.'

Photoshop CC uses your GPU and runs locally. There are some functions such as AI and neural filters, which use cloud processing, but even they require a GPU.  Compositing of layers has moved to the GPU. I would go for not less that an RTX 3050/3060
The system requirements for Photoshop are here: https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/photoshop/system-requirements.html

Dave

[Steven33639232nnsv]

Right, okay, thanks for that. I posted this an hour or two ago

computer tower ( i7 2nd gen 2700 2.7GHz processor 16GB
Ram RTX3050 V2, PCIe4, 8GB DDR6 graphic card wifi
card 500w psu 80+ browns 1tb SSD)

I was then told 8GB would have to be upgraded to 16GB, but the table you just gave me the link says 8GB would be okay...I am now confused totally.

[davescm]

There are two columns in that system requirements table that I linked.  8GB is the absolute minimum. 16GB is recommended. Personally I would use the 'recommended' spec as the 'minimum'.

Dave

[Steven33639232nnsv]

Yes, and if the people who put together these computers charged the same for 16GB as 8GBs, then I would be happy to buy the 16GB!!!  🙂 I am already stretched past my budget, well past it. I could always up grade later....so this would work? Sorry if I sound a bit tetchy, I don't mean to be, but it has been a very long day! Thanks for your help and I do mean that!

[davescm]

If you go for minimum spec (8GB) Photoshop will open and you might get away with work on small pixel sized images with just a few layers.  But if you try and do more you will run into issues.  Photoshop should only use about 70% of RAM (the operating system needs some too) which means that from 8GB it only has around 5.5 GB to manipulate the image(s), run filters, store history states...etc.  It will quickly run into issues with 8GB - hence the recommendation of 16GB.
Just trying to be honest - pixel processing, in these days of larger images, involves shifting a large amount of data around 🙂

Dave

[Steven33639232nnsv]

I have a basic understanding of what you are saying, but the work I want to do first would only involve 2 layers, quite basic, with the layer that needs 'editing' ie by the oil painting filter, probably no bigger than say 1,000 pixels x 600 pixels (and probably a bit smaller than that). I realise after getting involved with Photoshop I may move onto new and larger projects....but by then I will have built up m finances and been able to afford a better and more advanced machine.

[D Fosse]

As you're planning to use the online (Cloud) version of Photoshop, a dedicated graphics card is not a necessity for your specific use case.

By @Steven33639232nnsv

They may know how to build computers, but they clearly don't know how Photoshop works.

We all understand you need to shave the budget, but Photoshop is a resource-intensive application, and some component specs are just absolute baseline minimum. If you go below that, the application will simply not run properly and you will run into constant problems. That's not about what you will use it for, but what the application needs to operate at all.

Here's what I would consider absolute minimum:

• i5
• 16 GB system RAM
• 500 GB system drive (+ additional for images and assets)
• RTX 3050 or 4050
• 550 watt power supply

[Steven33639232nnsv]

I understand what you are saying, indeed about the RTX3050, so I realise I have to spend more.....come across a machine that seems high spec, with an RTX3050....to be told by another expert that this RTX3050 only has 8mb on it's card and this should be higher!!! I feel as though I am banging my head against a brick wall. I understand some of these computer builders don't fully understand Photoshop, but then again some of the experts on here don't realise that what I need Photoshop for is (I think) fairly basic....2 layers only, quite small images etc. I have just had this spec through from a local computer builder, what do you think?

[davescm]

Don't confuse RAM with VRAM. 16GB is the recommended RAM size. 8GB is fine for the GPU VRAM.

Dave

[Steven33639232nnsv]

To be fair I wasn't the one confused by this, in one of the other threads I listed the 3050 and an expert said the 8gb on it wasn't really enough. However, thanks for that, it clears up the only thing that I was doubting, thanks (and to D. Fosse) as well.

[D Fosse]

some of the experts on here don't realise that what I need Photoshop for

By @Steven33639232nnsv

What we're trying to tell you is that this is not about what you're using it for. It's about what Photoshop needs just to operate. What it needs to just run idle without really doing anything, without crashing instantly.

With the specs I listed above, you will also be able to do actual work, even if only on a basic level.

[jane-e]

@Steven33639232nnsv wrote: "As you're planning to use the online (Cloud) version of Photoshop"

Adding to what's been said:

The web version of Photoshop is not the full version of Photoshop — it is very streamlined and is in Beta. It is included with any paid subscription to Photoshop, so if you purchase the Photography plan, it includes the web version.

If you haven't gotten a trial before, you can get a 7-day trial to make sure the web version does what you want it to do, such as the oil painting filter. I don't use the web version, but I do use the iPad version, which does not have oil painting.

If you purchase a computer that does not run Photoshop (for desktop) and then discover that the web version does not do what you think it will, then you have wasted your money.

Photoshop for Web is in beta, so questions about it are in the Photoshop beta forum. You might ask there about specific features that you need.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-beta/ct-p/ct-photoshop-beta

Jane

[Steven33639232nnsv]

I have already tried the free trial and did everything I wanted to apart from the oil painting filter, which was due to my 2007 graphics card. I realise the version I am going for is basic, but it covers what I need....there is no wasting of money as the computer I am buying has been okayed now by 3 different experts and if I want to go further my Photoshop work I can always upgrade my monthly plan.

[davescm]

Just for clarity, Photoshop is the same in every plan be it Photography plan, Single app, or full CC package. 

Dave