RogueTr00per
Honorary Master
Is the performance gain between 3600MHz and 3200MHz neglible? Rather get 3200MHz and save some money? Then CL16 or better?
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Is the performance gain between 3600MHz and 3200MHz neglible? Rather get 3200MHz and save some money? Then CL16 or better?
I'd pay the extra grand and get 2 x 16gb 3200mhz, it's always nice having limitless ram headroom relative to what you will be using a system for.The 12600 isn't worth the price bump over the 12400 - Intel are asking for ~30% more money for 9% higher boost clock. That's a poor proposition - you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the 2 CPUs with the naked eye (they would benchmark a few percentage points apart).
I think 10 grand should be enough to get you going - I'd consider this a good budget build.
View attachment 1241460
Is the performance gain between 3600MHz and 3200MHz neglible? Rather get 3200MHz and save some money? Then CL16 or better?

As far as I know, Photoshop likes single-threaded performance, so you'll want to go Intel.A graphic designer relative has asked me to recommend a desktop build for photoshop/coral draw. I've been living in the Mac world for the past 12 years so i've really lost touch with pc components and their relative performance.
Budget is not really an issue but given the fact that they work with fairly large and complex photoshop files(multiple gigs) what is an optimal build from a price/performance perspective. While money isn't really an issue, i don't want to waste money on specs given the primary task is just photoshop and not gaming.
Any thoughts?
A graphic designer relative has asked me to recommend a desktop build for photoshop/coral draw. I've been living in the Mac world for the past 12 years so i've really lost touch with pc components and their relative performance.
Budget is not really an issue but given the fact that they work with fairly large and complex photoshop files(multiple gigs) what is an optimal build from a price/performance perspective. While money isn't really an issue, i don't want to waste money on specs given the primary task is just photoshop and not gaming.
Any thoughts?
Adobe has come a long way with supporting multi-core CPU's, I work with Adobe Lightroom a lot and it will send my 16 core 3950x to near 100% CPU use sometimes.As far as I know, Photoshop likes single-threaded performance, so you'll want to go Intel.
Probably something along the lines of an i5-12600, 32GB DDR4-3200, B660 motherboard, and a GPU of sorts, maybe a 3050 or 3060. SSD storage and a case with decent airflow (Phanteks P500, Fractal Meshify C) and a 650W PSU and you should be okay, I think.
Not a Photoshop guy so others might have better input.
Thanks. Appreciate the info.As far as I know, Photoshop likes single-threaded performance, so you'll want to go Intel.
Probably something along the lines of an i5-12600, 32GB DDR4-3200, B660 motherboard, and a GPU of sorts, maybe a 3050 or 3060. SSD storage and a case with decent airflow (Phanteks P500, Fractal Meshify C) and a 650W PSU and you should be okay, I think.
Not a Photoshop guy so others might have better input.
The M1 Macs dont support more than 16GB ram unless you go for the new Macbook Pro laptops. If the new M2 iMac Pro's were out it would be an easy recommendation. They need a desktop.Why not just recommend a Mac then?
A graphic designer relative has asked me to recommend a desktop build for photoshop/coral draw. I've been living in the Mac world for the past 12 years so i've really lost touch with pc components and their relative performance.
Budget is not really an issue but given the fact that they work with fairly large and complex photoshop files(multiple gigs) what is an optimal build from a price/performance perspective. While money isn't really an issue, i don't want to waste money on specs given the primary task is just photoshop and not gaming.
Any thoughts?

Hi Forumites,
So I took the plunge and upgraded as follows:
CPU: Intel i9 12900K
MBD: Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X
RAM: 32GB (2x16GB Fury KF552C40BB-16)
AIO: ML360L V2 ARGB
I have two issues:
1. I can't seem to get the memory running stable on 5200MHz with XMP, do I need to set manual timings?
2. CPU Stress test is causing thermal throttling quickly. I'm using Intel(R) Extreme Tuning Utility. Is anyone else experiencing this issue with this cooler? Should I use a special thermal paste?
View attachment 1242542
The memory was sold as a 2 stick kit or did you have to get 2 single sticks? The "16" at the end of the model number seems to indicate it was sold as a single stick which means it's not guaranteed to work at its rated speed in a 2 stick arrangement. I'd check the QVL first and see what it says...in either case, I think you're going to probably want to check in with the store.Hi Forumites,
So I took the plunge and upgraded as follows:
CPU: Intel i9 12900K
MBD: Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X
RAM: 32GB (2x16GB Fury KF552C40BB-16)
AIO: ML360L V2 ARGB
I have two issues:
1. I can't seem to get the memory running stable on 5200MHz with XMP, do I need to set manual timings?
2. CPU Stress test is causing thermal throttling quickly. I'm using Intel(R) Extreme Tuning Utility. Is anyone else experiencing this issue with this cooler? Should I use a special thermal paste?
View attachment 1242542
I know it is a beast to cool, but in theory a 360mm AIO should be enough.
There does seem to be problems with some coolers though:
![]()
Intel Alder Lake CPUs Have Issues With Some AIO Cooler Models
Intel Alder Lake CPUs are having some mounting problems with a few liquid coolers. Intel Alder Lake CPUs are out, proving that the hype surrounding them wasn't a bunch of hot air before release.www.techtimes.com
It's never nice spending that much money and not everything works as expected![]()
Thanks for the memory tip. It was indeed 2 single sticks. Will take it up with them.The memory was sold as a 2 stick kit or did you have to get 2 single sticks? The "16" at the end of the model number seems to indicate it was sold as a single stick which means it's not guaranteed to work at its rated speed in a 2 stick arrangement. I'd check the QVL first and see what it says...in either case, I think you're going to probably want to check in with the store.
The cooler thing could be a mounting issue - I'd suggest running stock or even with a power limit till you can check with the store again.
The memory was sold as a 2 stick kit or did you have to get 2 single sticks? The "16" at the end of the model number seems to indicate it was sold as a single stick which means it's not guaranteed to work at its rated speed in a 2 stick arrangement. I'd check the QVL first and see what it says...in either case, I think you're going to probably want to check in with the store.
The cooler thing could be a mounting issue - I'd suggest running stock or even with a power limit till you can check with the store again.

It's how many sticks were tested together. They only tested it in a single stick config because it's only sold as a single stick.From the Gigabyte website:
View attachment 1242594
I see it is supported, but what does the "Memory socket support" mean?
So turned out there was an issue with one of the pipes not pushing through the liquid. Changed the cooler out from a ML360L V2 ARGB to a Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix. Only unit they had in stock.Yeah, it sucks when that happens.
