2D Design and Layouting Build

[cracer]

Hi,

i will have to look into getting some sort of new setup due to defects.

That's about how I use my current two devices:

PC: 2D Design and Layout projects (60%), Office and general productivity(40%).

Notebook: Same as above, but around 20 vs. 80%

 

Specifically I am doing Layout Projects in InDesign and (when it finally is released, in Affinity Designer), as well as illustrations and graphics design with PS, Gimp, and Illustrator. There are often big files, so I reckon since it's all 2D CPU and RAM is more important than GPU acceleration. Sometimes, the InDesign files have up to 10GBs (reports with many embedded graphics; big Posters for plotting with loads of dpi...)

 

Until now I am using an AMD A10 5800k (=FM2 socket) build with 8GB of RAM at home and an Acer E111 with Celeron quadcore and 8GB for mobile use.

I have to change something about the PC anyway, as I can't resolve its shutdown issues. I've litterally rebuilt it 3 times, with a new PSU, new Mainboard, swapped in different RAM, different system and different drives, checked all internal and peripheral devices. No issues found, PC still shuts down. I suspect the CPU or RAM to be at fault, so... I've had it and will build a new System.

 

Specifically I'd like to get a new CPU, new Mainboard und RAM (and if the money is enough a new case) and keep the drives, PSU etc. since they're all new and/or free of troubles. This is the most cost effective solution imo. Replacing both my devices with a mobile workstation (Thinkpad with graphics Card for ~1000-1300€) doesn't seem worthwhile, as I mostly need the performance at home and for spontaneusly exporting graphics files in a different format or adding/hiding a few layers the notebook is good enough. At home I need the performance to handle bigger projects, to work with a decent Drawing pad and keyboard, monitor etc. Therefore I am leaning towards building a partially new PC.

If you think otherwise, I'm open for advice.

 

So, what's the best bang for the buck Combo of CPU, MB and RAM atm?

Do I need a GPU or is a Ryzen APU okay?

Is a higher clock more important for InDesign and Photoshop than more cores; i.e. should I rather get a top quadcore than a mediocre six-core CPU?

Some goes for the RAM: should i rather get 8GBs of top notch RAM or 16GB with less mhz?

 

If possible, I'd like to stay within 3-400€ for these parts, if it's particularly beneficial for futureproofing with a certain part I'd try to have 500€ on the side for this...

 

I am looking at a bundle of AMD Ryzen 5 2400G (4x 3,6GHz), ASUS Prime B350-Plus Mainboard, 8GB DDR4 RAM (3200Mhz) for 350€ at a local store. If I source the parts indvidually and from different shops, I'm unable to beat the price by more than 10€, so I'm inclined to get everything with proper warranty locally.

 

Do you reckon this is a sufficient  setup? Or should I rather get a lesser CPU with a dedicated GPU?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Jurrunio]

Couldnt find enough information on how Indesign uses hardware. Does your old system feel slow or anything when it doesnt screw up?

 

Faster RAM makes it run faster, but you'd probably need more RAM to get the project loaded in the first place.

 

As for the CPU, different tasks in the same software can prefer more cores or more single core performance, so in total it needs both core count and single core performance 

 

An entry level gaming GPU is already enough. I'm not sure if Indesign uses CUDA acceleration, but Photoshop does and it's better than with OpenGL/OpenCL. AMD GPUs only work with the latter two while Nvidia works with all 3, so better get an Nvidia card for that instead. GT cards dont support CUDA though, so the cheapest is the GTX 1050. With this card, APU is no longer the only way to go as you wont be using its GPU.

[DocSwag]

The stuff you're doing from the Adobe suite is generally more single threaded, so I believe Covfefe lake is a better option ATM

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-ryzen-5-2600x,5579-7.html

 

An i5 8400 would probably be an OK choice. If you wanna OC maybe an 8600k

[cracer]

Thanks a lot!

So your suggestions are e.g. an i5-8400 CPU, 6x 2.80GHz, which is around 160-170€ atm, and a GTX 1050 is around 150€. That leaves around 100-max. 200€ for RAM and Mainboard, which seems doable.

 

@Jurrunio as long as it doesn't shut down i am content with my current PC's performance. Sure, faster is always better, but I don't feel like it's completely overwhelmed by the tasks i am doing. If it wasn't shutting down randomly I'd keep it as it is or maybe consider upgrading in a few years when hopefully all he mining hype is dead again...  

[Jurrunio]

2 hours ago, cracer said:

@Jurrunio as long as it doesn't shut down i am content with my current PC's performance. Sure, faster is always better, but I don't feel like it's completely overwhelmed by the tasks i am doing. If it wasn't shutting down randomly I'd keep it as it is or maybe consider upgrading in a few years when hopefully all he mining hype is dead again...  

mining only affected prices of mid range graphics cards and high wattage power supplies. Things you're buying arent affected.