PC part selections for Photography PC (Photoshop+Lightroom)

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Hey, I am building a PC for a photographer to run Photoshop + Lightroom, to last for 10ish years, and I am looking for critique, or point out something I am not considering regarding the parts selection
I am going to for an AM5 based build because the APUs are a great value, and it has great update upgrade potential (zen 6/7)

Upgrading from i7 4930k (6 ivy bridge cores) + GT 710 + 48GB RAM
Country: Greece, prices include VAT

PC Parts

CPU+GPU+CPU Cooler

Ryzen 7 8700G (8 Zen 4 cores + 12RDNA CUs), 254Euro
This seems APU looks to provide excellent value, it is more CPU focused rather than GPU focused which is what is needed, and it also comes with a simple included cooler
if I wanted something faster, I would have to go for Ryzen 7 7700 + RX 7600 for double the price

Motherboard

ASROCK B650 PG LIGHTNING 140Euro
Has lots of USB IO and VRM
The only downside is that it does not support PCIE 5

RAM

64GB 6000Mhz CL36 198Euro
or
64GB 5600Mhz CL36 174Euro
I am not sure if going to expensive RAM is worth it, I am thinking of going for the 5600Mhz option to both same some money, and have better system stability.
The main advantage to the 6000Mhz is that it will be better when/if the CPU is upgraded.

Note: the 8700g has an officially supported speed to

SSD

Kingston NV3 54Euro
This is decent gen4x4 SSD, the SSD will be used for OS + programs, not for storing data, so there is no need to go for a high durabiltity drive

PSU

BE QUIET PSU PURE POWER 12 M 750W 116Euro
This seems to have good reliability and safety features based on reviews, it is definitely a bit overkill but, buying smaller capacity does not save the much money, and it allows for future upgradability
the 650W costs 104
the 550W costs 86E

CASE

BitFenix Shinobi XL (reused from old build) 0 Euro
Has 4 USB 3.0 5GBPS front panel connectors, I may have to connect 2 of them to the internal USB3 motherboard connector and the other 2 to the internal USBC connector with an adapter

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Photoshop and Adobe is still notoriously bad on AMD GPUs, when it comes to performance.

However, an A310 for $115 would be more than enough to cover for that, so I think this is a solid plan.

I would recommend going for a B850 over a B650 today, ASrock LiveMixer is a nice pro budget board.

I would also reconsider the SSD to a SN850X, Renegade or 990 Pro - not a top priority but it allows you to fully utilize some functions in Adobe products.

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I would probably get a 7700/7700x instead and get a dedicated GPU. The 7700/7700x has an integrated GPU it’s just not as fast as the 8700G. But it is faster than that GT 710. Close to a GT 740 if I remember correctly.

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Sounds about right for two RDNA2 cores from TechPowerUp’s benches and relative performance ratings. 8700G’s 12 RDNA3 cores for like US$ 10 more than 7700X here. There’s the downclock from 88 instead of 142 W PPT but also the lower idle power.

So I’m not sure I see 7700X + dGPU as all that distinct from 8700G + maybe dGPU later. Unless going used or quite old stock entry level dGPU pricing’s about as much as either CPU, though, so it’s a big cost riser up front.

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8700G has 20 Pcie 4.0 lanes 16 usable.
7700X/7700 has 28 Pcie 5.0 lanes 24 usable.

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What is the data storage solution in place for the images / video / data? Need to keep a copy of the original / current editing file / final production files. I understand keeping the data and os / app drives separate and agree with that logic but file sizes are growing and growing so don’t neglect your data storage needs!

What monitor is currently being used? Going to want something that displays the photos / video correctly for the desired application (usage not editing app)!

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that would cost 55Euro more and the only benefit I can see is PCIE5.0, which I am not sure if it is worth it, if ther ware a B850 version of the PG lighting I would consider it

Even if I go with the 8700g, this can be replaced with CPU + dGPU later (zen6/7, RDNA 5/6) in 5-7ish years (when people are dumping AM5 builds for AM6)
8700g + dGPU is not the only upgrade options
Note: The upgrade option is nice to have, though it may never be used

And I want to avoid paying 250Euro for a rx7600 upfront.

  1. a bunch of external hard drives are used, the 1TB capacity of internal drive is a bit overkill
  2. we already have a good monitors, no need to upgrading them
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I would say this build is a good compromise (using German PCPP, feel free to change to your region and plan accordingly):

PCPartPicker Part List

Type Item Price
CPU AMD Ryzen 7 8700G €249.89
Motherboard ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi €189.90
Memory Kingston FURY Beast 2x32 GB DDR5-5600 CL36 €175.64
Storage Kingston KC3000 1.024 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 €83.90
Case BitFenix Shinobi XL -
Power Supply SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 750W 80+ Gold Semi-modular €90.59
Total €789.92

Now, if this turns out to be too slow, a quick upgrade to an Arc A380 for €125 - But then a case can be made for that combo plus a Ryzen 7900 for €285. This gives you a very good performance boost. More than enough for Adobe products:

PCPartPicker Part List

Type Item Price
CPU AMD Ryzen 9 7900 €285.00
Motherboard ASRock B850 LiveMixer WiFi €189.90
Memory Kingston FURY Beast 2x32 GB DDR5-5600 CL36 €175.64
Storage Kingston KC3000 1.024 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 €83.90
Video Card Sparkle GENIE Arc A380 6 GB €124.99
Case BitFenix Shinobi XL -
Power Supply SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 750W 80+ Gold Semi-modular €90.59
Total €950.02

I feel more confident in this route than the 8700G, and the value skyrocket - for a mere 20% more money you increase core count with 50%, get a better cooler and also double your GPU performance. AMD APUs really bring very little value to the table these days on the desktop. But, your choice.

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With all of this being said I hope you have a good monitor! Any Arc GPU will get you the necessary performance for Photo Editing, but you’re definitively going to have some serious thought about the displays! Asus ProArts can range from €300 onwards but are decently performing.

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Great! Have you looked at / considered a nas - network attached storage for the daily data backup storage? Would make looking for day easier and for allowing access from multiple people to edit files if your workflow is setup for it. Making a major backup from the nas is way easier as all the data is in one spot!

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