Computer build for Adobe - drawing a blank when it comes to graphics cards

liamtech · 29-09-2024 12:18PM #1

Hi all

I am about to build a system for my girlfriend. The primary purpose would be to use the Adobe software suite, including After Effects, and Advanced 3D Renderer

Iv spec-ed up a few systems ranging from a Ryzen 5800X, to a Intel Core i5-12600KF - also spec-ed up a beast with an i9 12900. Im trying to keep within a budget of 800 odd euro, but i want to max this out as much as possible. So a saving on CPU, will allow me to push the RAM up to perhaps 32 or 64GBs - with room to add extra over the life time of the machine

Where i am totally drawing a blank is with the Graphics card. Frankly im stunned by the requirements, which seem excessive. Never the less, it requires minimum spec of 4GB GFX RAM, and a certain standard of graphics card would be the minimum.

https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/after-effects/using/advanced-3d-renderer.html#renderer-specific-requirements

https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/after-effects/system-requirements.html

While there are cards at around 100-150 available, im getting a tonne of mixed messages RE what card would be suitable, and what would function without any issues -

Examples of the conundrum would be an Intel Arc based graphics card - which are reasonably priced. But i have found comments online stating that there are issues with support within Adobe - and this even after Adobe included a wide range of compatible Arc's on the above system requirements links

Has anyone any experience with these software suites, and could you point me in the direction of a chipset/card that would do the business? On Paper if i lower the RAM, and CPU, i could budget for up to 350 for the graphics - but my worry is il do this, and then it will turn out to have been less important compared to other components (ram, ssd, cpu, etc etc)

Thanks in advance

Raichų · 29-09-2024 12:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058371210/computer-build-for-adobe-drawing-a-blank-when-it-comes-to-graphics-cards

Is this for professional use (ie this is your partners job and she needs the PC for work) or is it a hobby/side gig where she won’t be required to meet specific deadlines?

in any case you won’t need some sort of NASA super rig to work these programs. Looking into previous gens say RTX 2000 or 3000 series might save you quite a few dollary doos without sacrificing performance too much. Bear in mind what’s more important is the overall computing power than the video rendering aspect of GPU. It is important with video editing but less so for say photoshop which is more CPU based.

If we go with adobes basic recommendations they suggest fairly standard cards some of which could be gotten quite cheap (a GTX 970 for example is very old now and not expensive at all, but still a decent performer if this is for a hobby rather than pro work).

I think pairing the likes of a Ryzen 5 or 7 with an RTX 2060 would cost in or around €300-350 for both. The 2060 has 6GB vRAM so plenty if the bare minimum is 4GB. There are indeed video cards specifically tailored towards adobe users (video editors etc) but unless the projects are really time sensitive and/or massive you really won’t need to go crazy in spending.

Remember also the joy of a PC is the modular aspect. If you get up and running now with a “budget” system you can save up to swap out parts in the future! Just be mindful about bottlenecking the system. Which would be pairing up CPU/GPU where one is significantly more powerful than the other!

liamtech · 29-09-2024 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122665294#Comment_122665294

https://www.memoryc.ie/66403-gainward-rtx3050-pegasus-oc-nvidia-geforce-rtx-3050-6-gb-gddr6.html

Looking at the above card and reckon it can fit into the budget fairly easily - seems to be better than the 2060 - i think!?? I havent built a gaming rig in nearly 15 years tbh!

If this would do the trick, id be inclined to reinvest the budget in a better CPU and some extra RAM - i have taken note that adobe users claim more cores, threads, will have a large advantage

In terms of use i would say 'side gig professional' would cover it? Definitely beyond hobby work, but she isnt working for pixar!! She does some work and usually doesnt run into difficulty on a Lenovo Laptop with integrated GFX - its an 11th Gen Intel 8 core, with 16gb - that said, some of her more recent work has trounced this laptop - i dont do anything Adobe related, but its like having to wait a period before she can move on to the next part - which is crippling - hence we decided to do a build. She will not require portability hence we are in tower territory

I really appreciate the advice!

Raichų · 29-09-2024 03:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122665688#Comment_122665688

What is your budget for the entire system? Also does that budget account for essentials such as KB+M, Monitors etc? If it’s going to need multiple monitors bear in mind the 3050 only has a single HDMI, DP & DVI port each.

if you can give me a rough idea of the budget for the system I can come back to you with what I’d think is the best bang for your buck in terms of price to performance.

liamtech · 29-09-2024 04:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122665776#Comment_122665776

id say the limit is around900-1000

Where i am at today is the following

AMDRyzen 9 5950X 3.4GHz 64MB L3 AM4 CPU

A520MDS3H V2 Motherboard

GainwardRTX3050 Pegasus OC NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6 GB GDDR6

32GBG.Skill DDR4 Aegis 3000MHz PC4-24000 CL16 Dual Channel Memory Kit(2x16GB) X2 total 64GB

XilencePerformance A+ XN240 power supply unit 850 W 20+4 pin ATX ATX Black

CorsiarForce MP510 240GB SSD 2280 NVMe M.2

Bog Standard Tower

Im landing that at around the 900 euro mark

In terms of peripherals i have a KB and Mouse -

In terms of a monitor, we will probably pick one up second hand - we have a HDMI Full HD TV which will serve as a secondary for now if needed - BUT!

Im allowing for some drift on the monitor, - im typing this using a 21" DVI AOC, which she can use if necessary - in terms of dual display we are not looking for anything like that at present - certainly it will be a possibility in the future, but for now, she has managed well with a laptop single display - so im unconcerned - multiple screens is possible and can be a project for another day

Really do appreciate the advice pal - i think i did OK with the above? But if im missing anything serious, do let me know - the chip is max power 16 core, 32 thread, so thats where the big bucks are

liamtech · 29-09-2024 04:05PM

Another point for consideration

If there is an Off-The-Shelf option, i would obviously consider it

The trouble i have had is that when i go for maximum ram, and or Maximum GFX etc the options in budget end up efficient in some way

https://www.laptopsdirect.ie/cyberpowerpc-amethyst-intel-core-i5-12400f-rtx-4060-16gb-ram-1tb-m.2-ssd-ga-ld22239/version.asp

That one there is a contender and the graphics is better than mine - and it has a monitor!

BUT

6 cores/12 threads

16gb ram

And iv been encountering this phenomena for days - i could of course, upgrade the ram in the above - no problem

But i dont wanna even consider swapping a CPU from an Off-The-Shelf

liamtech · 29-09-2024 05:01PM

Alternative Build

Intel Core i9-12900KF 3.2 GHz 16-Core LGA1700

Gigabyte H610M S2H V2 Motherboard DDR 5 Support

Gainward RTX3050 Pegasus OC NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6 GB GDDR6 (same as above)

Xilence Performance A+ XN240 power supply unit 850 W 20+4 pin ATX ATX Black

CorsiarForce MP510 240GB SSD 2280 NVMe M.2

64 GB of DDR5 (second hand with a warranty)

Computer build for Adobe - drawing a blank when it comes to graphics cards

Comments