Building a family PC

W

Willxx789

OK, so I would like some advice and I apologize for this being one of those it depends on questions but here goes. So I would like to build a person in my family a PC that is good for Video and Photo Editing with one of the primary software solutions being PhotoShop, the online higher-end version but other solutions may also be used.

I have been impressed looking at some used Zeon processor based systems but I am struggling between a good mix of processors/cores and video cards and video memory. Are there some tools that help with that kind of configuration? The user knows Windows so I guess I would prefer that for an operating system but I might be able to get by with a system running VMWare or similar virtual systems. I can handle secure access between the two systems using some VPNs or SSH access in combination with other secure access.

Now, let me throw in another challenging part of my question. How much bandwidth would I need and graphics and processing capabilities would I need for a mobile solution with a laptop accessing the too big to carry workstation solution? So the laptop would only be used to demonstrate the techniques used on the workstation with a few how-to steps primarily in a classroom or a sales setting for demonstrations while the heavy-duty lifting would still be done on the workstation.

And for bonus points, any recommendations for the best performing remote access solution with the highest level of graphics? I am familiar with some of them but not with a comparative analysis so what are your thoughts? VNC, Remote Desktop, Chrome Remote Desktop, etc? I think most of this will need to be on a Windows-based solution with maybe an iOS or Mac application sometimes running on a guest system (but if that is not an option then we can go with a standalone iOS solution for those needs. The user knows Windows and iOS so I guess I would prefer those.

I know no one is going to have a quick simple answer but I would really like to hear from anyone that might tell me how they designed a solution like this and any advice they can give me on maybe one or two of the components.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.
 
Well, I am not sure but probably around $750 to $1,000 if I could pull that off with refurbished components. It will need a good video card that can handle Photoshop video and photo editing. I have no idea why this question was moved to the Family PC forum because this is definitely not in a family pc arena. This is about professional video and photo editing, yes it is not high end at the moment but it should be able to grow into higher-end capabilities. I am also planning on it having a life as a backup system for multiple laptops and desktops for many users, but at first only 4 or 5 users. Maybe whoever moved this posting can give us some insight into why this is a family PC topic? I am thinking it might be a system suited for running several Linux virtual systems for handling the backups and then another Windows virtual system for handling higher end Photoshop systems. This would also require more RAM but with a good combination of CPUs and multiple cores then a good set of a few CPUs with say 8 cores each the system might be able to handle some serious rendering but I am not sure how well that would run remotely for say teaching classes and maybe some workload for another user doing more high end graphics on another virtual machine. Some users might be local and some remote depending on how good the internet service will be.

I will have to see how well a system can deliver good graphics remotely, and see what can be done over various types of connection speeds. I think the teaching part will work OK with a remote connection but doing any real production work might be a bit of a challenge. I would love to hear from someone with some experience in this type of computing remotely. Also, the remote connecting machines will be higher end laptops that will have the capabilities to do Photoshop work on their own and will probably be a mix of Windows and iMacs. I am not the Photoshop user so I will be working with the creative people regarding that, I will handle the PC setup and configuration, as well as the backup capabilities.

Thanks, Will
 
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I'm not gonna lie to you Will, but your description of what you want sounds so mixed up, I can barely make sense of your needs.
Do you want 1 or 2 computers under the 1000 dollar range, if you tell us 2 computers.
I could go ahead and whip up a 650 budget build intel or amd build depending on the current prices now.
That will be aimed at video/photo production, the other half will go for a good quality laptop brand such as HP, Dell.
Your budget may need to be 1200 bucks flat to get exactly what you want without over drafting the bank account..

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813144154
Mobo for that core i3 quadcore I linked up

Use this drive for backing up your video/photos/documents, split the 2 terabyte into 1 gb partitions.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100167523 600003269 50001306 600457689
I have one now in my machine and this what I use it for, anything else is a no go but it has lasted 2 years and still healthy.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236339
You use this for windows 10, yes it will boot quickly if not faster than leading ssd drives, make sure you defrag every night.

This will fit inside your budget if you get it used, plus PNY makes good GTX cards.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M27X9WI/?tag=httpwwwtechsp-20

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139040
I highly recommend this since you will want to store it away alot and bring it back out.
This case is like my raidmax helios case, its very light to pick up and easy to transport.
Plus it will have a steel frame so it won't bend like a trash can

The rest of the parts I will let you figure out if you decide to go with intel.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTJTO2O/?tag=httpwwwtechsp-20
 
I would recommend for a latest generation 8 processors with compatible mother board and a very good graphics card. EVGA GeForce GTX1050Ti 4GB GDDR5 PCI-E Graphics Card
 
Mightweb said:
I would recommend for a latest generation 8 processors with compatible mother board and a very good graphics card. EVGA GeForce GTX1050Ti 4GB GDDR5 PCI-E Graphics Card
Click to expand...

Six cores would be plenty for most users and power user gamer groups.
 
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