Best PC for Photoshop & Lightroom: 2025 Guide

May 4, 2025

أجهزة كمبيوتر احترافية لمعالجة الصور باستخدام Photoshop وLightroom

For decades, photo editing was done in darkrooms using chemicals. Today, digital transformation has reshaped the photography industry and redistributed the tools of power, making software like Photoshop and Lightroom the cornerstone for every photographer and designer.

But with this technological leap, a fundamental question arises that every visual creative asks: What device can truly keep pace with this heavy software without hindering the creative workflow?

The answer lies in a precise understanding of these programs' requirements and matching them with the appropriate device components. Therefore, in this article, we review the most prominent recommendations and ideal specifications for choosing the best computers dedicated to professional photo processing using Photoshop and Lightroom!

What You Need to Run Photoshop and Lightroom Efficiently

To achieve optimal performance in photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom Classic, careful selection of computer components is required. Here are the most important specifications for these components:

a. Processor (CPU)

Adobe programs rely heavily on high processor frequency more than the number of cores. According to expert experience, processors with high frequency offer better performance in active tasks such as editing and navigating between photos.

Recommended Best Processors:

Intel Core i7-13700K: Characterized by high frequency and strong performance in single and multi-core tasks.
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X: Offers a balance between frequency and core count, suitable for various editing tasks.

b. Graphics Card (GPU)

The graphics card provides a tangible boost in accelerating 3D filters, AI effects, and rendering complex layers in modern Photoshop versions.

Although Adobe itself only requires DirectX 12 support and a minimum of 1.5 GB of video memory, adding a dedicated card significantly enhances workflow smoothness and dramatically reduces waiting times.

Best Graphics Card Recommendations:

NVIDIA RTX 4060: An economical card, capable of handling most GPU-Accelerated Tasks without difficulty.
NVIDIA RTX 4070: Offers advanced performance for complex filters and heavy layer rendering, with a higher frequency margin that ensures immediate response during editing.
AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT: Shows performance comparable to mid-range NVIDIA cards, with full support for GPU acceleration in Photoshop and a smooth editing experience within a competitive price range.

c. Random Access Memory (RAM)

Random Access Memory (RAM) is considered the decisive factor in professional photo editing for achieving a smooth workflow and multitasking without delay. It stores temporary data for filters and previews and allows opening several large-sized images simultaneously without slowdowns.

Adobe programs initially recommend a minimum of 16 GB for running Photoshop and Lightroom efficiently. However, for professionals and those dealing with huge RAW files or extensive catalogs, 32 GB is preferred to ensure complete smoothness and reduce "paging" operations to the hard disk.

It's not just about capacity; memory frequency also contributes to the speed of data transfer between the processor and RAM. Experiments have shown that moving from DDR5-4800 to DDR5-6000 increases digital imaging task performance by about 4%-5%. Therefore, in 2025 builds, DDR5-5600 or higher is recommended to take full advantage of platform speed and support for 13th and 14th generation Intel processors, as well as AMD's Ryzen 7000.

d. Storage (SSD)

SSD storage units are essential when dealing with huge photo libraries and RAW files, as they significantly reduce boot times, program opening times, and preview loading compared to traditional hard drives.

Expert recommendations have shown that the best setup includes two drives:

Primary Drive (OS/Programs): 1 TB NVMe SSD, to ensure the system and Adobe platforms launch at high speed.
Secondary Drive (Photos and Projects): 2 TB capacity, whether a traditional HDD or an SSD, with a preference for a secondary SSD if the budget allows, to speed up access to catalogs and avoid external drive slowdowns.

With this design, you maintain your system's speed during editing and separate system data from work files, providing high stability and performance without getting bogged down waiting for files.

e. Display and Resolution

Display resolution and color accuracy form the cornerstone for accurately evaluating details and color consistency when editing photos.

2K or 4K resolution screens provide exceptional clarity for small details and subtle tones, while full 100% sRGB coverage and a high percentage of Adobe RGB ensure color consistency between editing and printing or the web.

The best monitors for photographers include:

BenQ PD3220U: A 31.5-inch 4K IPS display, covering 99.2% of sRGB and 86.7% of Adobe RGB, with precise factory calibration to ensure color consistency from the start.
ASUS ProArt PA279CRV: 27-inch 4K IPS with 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, and 99% DCI-P3, accompanied by professional factory calibration and multiple adjustment options for the ideal mode.
Dell UltraSharp U2723QE: 27-inch 4K IPS, covering 100% sRGB, 98% DCI-P3, and 89% Adobe RGB, equipped with IPS Black technology for improved contrast and flexible USB-C connections with Power Delivery support up to 90 watts.

Professional Photo Processing PC Builds

Every experienced photo designer knows that choosing the right computer components is necessary to achieve smooth responsiveness and accelerate heavy operations. Here are 3 tiered builds to suit different budgets and needs, with a focus on real performance without exaggeration:

a. Economical Professional Build (Less than 5000 SAR)

This build is suitable for beginners and hobbyists and meets their requirements for photo editing and handling RAW files, running Lightroom and Photoshop smoothly in light to medium projects.

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7600X
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super
Memory: 16GB DDR5
Storage: 1TB SSD NVMe
Case: PCD CASE RGB

b. Mid-Range Build (Up to 8000 SAR)

A balanced build for Photoshop professionals who can invest more and work on larger projects that require higher speed:

Processor: Intel Core i7-13700K
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4060 Ti
Memory: 32GB DDR5
Storage: 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD

c. Advanced Professional Build (Above 12,000 SAR)

A premium option for photo studios or those working on processing large batches of images. It is suitable for heavy tasks, dealing with large files at high resolution, and working efficiently on multiple screens:

Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
Graphics Card: NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti
Memory: 64GB DDR5
Storage: 2TB SSD NVMe + 4TB HDD

To purchase these builds or customize them according to your needs, visit pcd and choose your preferred build!

Comparison Between Mac and PC for Photo Processing

For every professional or amateur photographer looking for a device that keeps pace with their photo editing requirements, the battle of choosing between Apple Mac devices and professional PCs is one of the most important purchasing decisions. Here is a brief and practical comparison between the two platforms, based on reliable sources and real experiences:

Criteria	Professional PC	Apple Mac (M2/M3)
Customization	High - Allows you to freely choose the processor, graphics card, memory, and storage, with the possibility of later modification.	Limited - Fixed configurations from the factory; components cannot be changed after purchase.
Upgradeability	Yes - You can easily upgrade components even after years of use.	No
Performance/Price	Better - Similar or higher performance for a lower cost, with flexible upgrade options to suit different budgets.	Relatively more expensive.
Software Support	Excellent - Full support from Adobe and professional editing tools on the Windows environment.	Integrated support from Adobe and all editing applications on macOS.

Tips for Improving Photoshop and Lightroom Performance

If you want to speed up Photoshop and Lightroom without them hindering your creative work, follow these four tips for immediate and stable performance and to keep your focus on your work:

Enable the option to use GPU in program settings: To accelerate layer rendering and filter application, this reduces waiting time when navigating between photos and when using heavy tools.
Organize files on separate drives: Allocate a fast SSD for the operating system and programs, and another for cache files (Scratch Disk), Lightroom catalog, and RAW images. This distribution reduces read/write congestion and speeds up image loading and switching between modes.
Use a high-resolution external monitor: To get wider color gradients and higher clarity during editing compared to standard laptop screens.
Ensure all drivers are updated: Make sure to install the latest version of graphics card drivers specifically; continuous updating ensures compatibility with new performance features and closes gaps that might slow down the programs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing a professional computer for photo processing remains linked to the size of your projects and the type of files you work with. Therefore, be sure to invest in a powerful processor, a fast SSD, and a screen with high color accuracy to ensure a smooth and obstacle-free creative experience.

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