I am planning a Photoshop workstation as an upgrade to my old notebook, mainly for preproduction artwork for entertainment media. This will be my first build, so please feel free to point out any mistakes, small and large.
My primary concerns are:
- Photoshop brush performance (single core CPU), and general system responsiveness.
- Storage: including redundancy and backups in case of hardware failure.
- Silence: I would prefer the system as inconspicuous as possible.
- Modularity and expandability: I plan to review the system every six months and upgrade as my needs change.
- Cost: I hope to spend according to my needs but not beyond.
- CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core
- CPU cooler: stock Intel
- Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H110M-S2HP Micro ATX
- RAM: 8 to 32 GB Kingston ValueRAM 32GB DDR4-2133
- Storage: 3 to 5 x Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" SSD
- GPU: none
- Case: Silverstone Kublai KL 07
- PSU: Corsair RMx 550W 80+ Gold
- OS: Windows 10 retail / Linux
- CPU cooler: how does the Intel perform in terms of noise? I could later replace it with a Scythe Ninja 4.
- Motherboard: Would the single fan header pose a problem? The Silverstone case has 3 case fans. Could fan splitters realistically resolve this, ie. three fans connected to a single header? For a possible solution I found this: Phobya 3-Way PWM Splitter Cable
- RAM: What are your opinions on fast/expensive RAM? I sense this is mainly an issue for servers and gamers.
- PSU: Here I feel really uncertain. I would like sufficient wattage for future upgrades, possibly including a GPU, while maintaining quiet operation. Maxing the system specs on pcpartpicker displays a total power draw of 327W, which incl. 5 x SSD and 1 x GTX1060 GPU. Tomshardware’s review of the RMx550 showed the fan kick in at 275W, but I assume a scenario where every system component draws peak load is quite rare, if not wholly theoretical.