Best Desktop Computer for Photo Editing in 2026

One of the most common questions I get asked is what desktop computer I’d recommend for photo editing. It’s a fair question, because picking the right machine can make an enormous difference to your workflow. A sluggish computer turns what should be an enjoyable editing session into an exercise in patience.

I’ve been building my own desktop computers for years. It’s a hobby I genuinely enjoy, and combined with my computer science degree and background in software development, it means I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what actually matters when it comes to specifications for photo editing.

The good news is that you don’t need to build your own computer to get excellent results. There are plenty of pre-built options on the market that will handle photo editing brilliantly. But even when buying a pre-built system, knowing which specifications are important (and which you can safely ignore) will help you get the best results for your budget.

In this guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned from years of building and testing photo editing computers. I’ll break down each component so you understand what to look for, and then I’ll recommend some specific pre-built systems across a range of budgets. All of this advice is current as of 2026.

What is a Desktop Computer Anyway?

For the purpose of this guide, I will be defining a desktop PC (personal computer) as a stationary computer that is meant to be used on a desk or table by a single user. Whereas a laptop or notebook is a smaller computer which is designed to be portable, normally featuring a built-in screen.

Traditionally the term “PC” was used to primarily describe Windows based computers rather than Macs, but this guide covers both Windows and Mac as a Mac is also a personal computer.

 

Desktop Computer versus Laptop for Photo Editing

Before getting into the guide, you might be wondering if a desktop PC is better than a laptop for photo editing.

I’ve already written a detailed guide to the best laptop for photo editing as well as the best monitors for photo editing. However, whilst a laptop can do a lot, it just can’t beat a high-powered desktop when it comes to editing your photos.

This mostly comes down to power and heat. A laptop computer is always going to be constrained by how much power it can draw due to its small size. That small size makes it harder to dissipate heat, which can be an issue with high intensity workload like photo and video editing.

A desktop PC on the other hand can use much higher-powered components as there is more room for airflow as well as for larger fans. So, the excess heat generated by higher powered components can be more easily removed. This is why desktop PCs often feature a number of fans.

Of course, the argument isn’t one sided. If you travel a lot and need to edit on the go, or prefer not to be tied to a home office and like to work from places like coffee shops, then a desktop isn’t going to work for you.

So I personally have always had a home desktop computer as well as a laptop. I use the laptop when traveling or working away from home (.e.g, coffee shop) and my desktop when I am at home.

 

What to Look for in a Photo Editing Computer

When you look at the specification sheet for a computer, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. There’s a lot of jargon involved, and a lot of numbers thrown around.

I’m going to cut through all that and explain exactly what you need to be looking for and why, so you can be sure you are picking the right setup for your needs. This will also save you from spending unnecessary money on components you don’t need.

There are four main specifications you need to focus on when it comes to picking a desktop computer for photo editing, and I’ll go through each of these now. I’ll also cover some other things to consider which are less critical but worth keeping in mind.

 

Best Processor for Photo Editing Computer

The first specification to consider is the processor the computer comes with. The processor is the part of the computer which actually does the majority of the computing. At its core, a computer is a very fancy calculator which spends a lot of time doing math. You don’t actually see any of that happening as it’s all hidden away thanks to clever software developers who create applications for us to use. But those applications are just code, and the code is turned into math.

The processor is the component which does all that math. It is often referred to as the brain of the computer. The more powerful the computer, the more calculations it can do, and the faster it will let you do things.

Photo editing can be quite a complex task for a computer to deal with as it usually involves working with millions of pixels of image data, so you need a fast processor to be able to handle that and not have to wait around as your photo editing software overloads the processor and slows you down.

As of 2026, there are three main choices when it comes to processors for desktop computers. Those are processors made by Intel, AMD and Apple. I have used processors from both Intel and AMD inside my desktop computers for photo editing, and have had good results with both. I’ve also used Apple’s processors, which are only available in Apple laptop and desktop computers. If you buy an Apple computer these days, you’re going to get an Apple processor inside.

Whoever actually makes the processors though, the main thing when choosing a processor for photo editing is to get a relatively recent mid-range or higher model.

So, what are you actually looking for?

First, some terminology and background.

Pretty much every year, Apple, AMD and Intel release a new series of processors, which are known as a processor generation. Generally speaking, as long you purchase a mid-range or higher model from the current or previous generation, you are going to be fine.

From time-to-time generational improvements are significant enough that it’s worth going for the most recent generation, but for the most part anything from the current or previous generation will be fine. A quick Google search for recent processor reviews will normally reveal if it’s worth paying a premium for the latest and greatest generation.

Naming conventions tend to be somewhat confusing when it comes to computer processors, a fact which is not helped by the occasional decision by processor manufacturers to entirely change naming conventions.

As a rule of thumb though, when comparing processors from the same company, the bigger the number the more powerful the processor. And, of course, the higher the price.

I’ll now do my best to explain this naming convention, but honestly, you can skip this explanation if you want, and just take my recommendations at the end of this section. For those of you truly interested in learning more about this (I know you’re out there), read on.

Let’s start with examples of processor names from recent generations of processors from AMD, Intel and Apple:

• Intel: Intel Core i5-13600K (2022), Intel Core i7-14700K (2023), Intel Core Ultra 7 265K (2024).
• AMD: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (2022), AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (2024).
• Apple: M4 Max (2024), M5 (2025)

In all the cases, the numbers tell you what generation of processor you are looking at. Information is also provided to tell you and where in the range it falls.

With Intel, the 13 in i5-**13**600K refers to the generation, which preceded the i7-14700K. The numbers after the generation refer to the relative performance, so the 13**600**K is a mid-range processor, whilst the 14**700**K is a higher-end processor.

The i5 and i7 prefixes weren’t adding much beyond indicating that a bigger number meant a faster processor, which might be why Intel changed its naming convention with the Core Ultra 200S series (codenamed Arrow Lake) in late 2024. Under this new scheme, processors have names like Core Ultra 5 245K, Core Ultra 7 265K, and Core Ultra 9 285K.

The bigger the number, the more powerful the processor. One thing to be aware of is that Arrow Lake requires a new motherboard (the LGA 1851 socket and Intel 800 series chipset), so it isn’t a drop-in upgrade if you already have a 14th generation system. For new builds, Arrow Lake is the current generation. For upgraders who already have a compatible motherboard from the 14th generation, sticking with that platform can still make a lot of sense.

So that was Intel.

With AMD, the first number refers to the generation, so the 7700X is from the generation before the 9700X.

Like Intel, the numbers after the generation refer to the relative performance, so the 7**700**X is a mid-range processor whilst the 9**950**X is a high-end processor.

Finally, Apple has the easiest naming convention. The number after the “M” refers to the generation, the higher the number the more recent the chip. Then, a chip can be regular, Pro, Max or Ultra. Each of these just represents faster performance, the Pro being faster than the regular, the Max being faster than the Pro and so on.

Explaining processors would definitely be easier if all the processor manufacturers followed naming convention as simply as Apple does.

Anyway, you might be wondering what exactly makes the processor faster. Again, it’s not super important to understand, but basically it will have more processing cores, operate at a faster frequency (essentially perform more calculations per second), and as a side effect, consume more power.

The best price to performance tends to be with the processor that is a couple of spots below the highest end processor in the line-up. The highest end processors are normally more expensive, and the extra performance is not usually worth that price premium.

So for example, with AMD, I’d suggest the Ryzen 7 9700X over the Ryzen 9 9950X. With Intel’s current Arrow Lake generation, the Core Ultra 7 265K is going to be better value than the Core Ultra 9 285K. The same was true with the previous generation, where the 14700K was better value than the 14900K. If you have an unlimited budget, then by all means get the top end processor. But for most people, the gains won’t make a very significant difference to their photo editing workflow.

One thing I should mention: Puget Systems, who build custom workstations and run thorough benchmarks, currently rank the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K as the top pick for Lightroom Classic. However, early reviews of Arrow Lake showed some disappointing results in Photoshop specifically, though this has improved with software updates. If Photoshop is your primary application, the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X actually ranks very well in Puget Systems’ benchmarks and is a safe choice.

To cut a long story short, my processor recommendations for a photo editing computer in 2026 would be:

Intel: Core Ultra 7 265K or 14700K or higher. The Core Ultra 200S series (Arrow Lake) is the current generation and the 265K offers excellent performance, particularly in Lightroom. The previous generation 14700K remains a perfectly good choice, especially if you find it at a lower price or already have a compatible motherboard.

AMD: Ryzen 7 9700X or 7700X or higher. The Ryzen 9000 series is the current generation, and the 9700X is a great sweet spot for photo editing. The previous generation 7700X is still very capable and worth considering if you spot a good deal.

Apple: M4 Pro or M5 or higher. Apple’s M5 is the newest chip generation (launched October 2025 in MacBook Pro and iPad Pro), and M5 Pro and M5 Max models are now available in laptops. For desktops, the Mac Mini still ships with M4 and M4 Pro, and the Mac Studio with M4 Max. All of these are excellent for photo editing. An M5 Mac Mini is expected in spring 2026, but hasn’t arrived yet at the time of writing.

Processor recommendation: Computer with an Intel 14700K processor or higher or an AMD 7700X or higher or an M4 Pro or higher

 

Amount of Memory for Photo Editing Computer

There are two types of computer memory to consider when buying a computer. One is volatile memory, also known as RAM (random access memory), and the other is non-volatile memory, also referred to as storage memory. Storage memory is where your actual data like photos is stored and I’ll cover that in the next section.

RAM is basically short-term memory. It’s very fast, but has the downside that it needs to be powered to work. So when you turn your computer off, it gets wiped.

RAM is used by the computer’s processor to store information while the computer is in operation. So when you open up a computer application, it’s loaded into RAM. The more complex the application, and the more applications you open, the more RAM you need. If you’ve ever opened up a few applications at once and noticed that your computer seems to slow down, it’s likely because it’s running out of free RAM.

When your computer runs out of RAM, it has to start moving data in and out of RAM as it needs it. So for example, if you have a web browser open and then you switch to a photo editing application, if you have enough RAM this will happen very quickly as both applications can stay in RAM.

However, if you have run out of RAM, your computer will have to take time to unload the browser from RAM and load the photo editing application into RAM from storage. This can take time and will make the transition between applications feel sluggish.

When it comes to photo editing, you need to make sure you have enough RAM so your computer doesn’t have to swap anything in and out of RAM. Photo editing applications can use a lot of RAM, and I have observed Lightroom for example using in excess of 25GB of RAM by itself.

The absolute minimum amount of RAM I’d recommend for a photo editing computer is 16GB, but unless you are on a very tight budget I’d suggest at least 32GB for a superior experience.

Personally, I use 64GB for all my desktop and laptop computers as this means I can open up multiple applications and not have to worry about things slowing down if I have a lot of applications open, such as Lightroom and Photoshop at the same time, along with browser windows, e-mail applications, word process documents, and so on.

That said, memory is a relatively easy upgrade to do yourself on most desktop computers. So, if you are working within a tighter budget then you can get a computer with 16GB of RAM and then upgrade it yourself later on.

Memory recommendation: 16GB minimum, 32GB ideal, 64GB+ for large workloads

 

Storage for Photo Editing Computer

The other type of memory that is important for photo editing and storage is non-volatile memory. Unlike RAM, non-volatile memory doesn’t need power to retain data. So when you turn your computer off, the data stays in place until you turn your computer back on.

Most people will refer to this kind of memory as a hard drive, storage drive, solid state drive (SSD), or disk drive.

This type of storage is used for a number of things. When you install an application on your computer, that takes up some storage. When you actually launch the application, it is copied from the storage into RAM for fast access. All your files are also stored on non-volatile memory, such as your photos, videos, documents etc. When you actually open the file, it’s loaded into RAM for quick viewing.

The first thing you need to decide is how much storage you need. This will be a personal decision as it’s based on how much data you have, or plan to store.

Generally, a RAW image file will be somewhere between 20 megabytes and 80 megabytes. So, 20,000 images would require roughly a terabyte (1 TB) of storage space. You’ll also need room for your operating system, application files and anything else you choose to install.

I’d recommend at least a 1TB storage drive, but ideally 2TB or more to give you some room to expand.

The other decision you have to make is the type of drive technology. Storage drive technology has changed over the years, from mechanical hard disk drives (HDD) to solid state drives (SSD). The former can offer higher capacity at lower prices, but is significantly slower. An SSD is more expensive but much faster.

I’d highly recommend an SSD for a photo editing computer. If you have a large archive of image files then a separate mechanical hard drive for image storage purposes might make sense, but I’d recommend that your main storage drive where you install your applications be an SSD.

As with memory, storage is also quite easy to add to a desktop computer. So you don’t have to settle on a final amount to start with. You can always add more later, either as internal drives or as external drives.

If you are wanting to add memory storage some options are this SSD from Western Digital, and this large hard drive from Seagate.

Storage recommendation: 1 TB SSD minimum

 

Graphics Card for Photo Editing Computer

As photo editing applications become more and more sophisticated, they have started to require more specialized hardware to perform at their best. One example is the rise of AI powered editing features, such as object replacement and noise reduction, which can require a lot of processing power to work quickly and effectively.

The computer’s central processing unit, or CPU, is a general processor, which can do a lot, but for specialist tasks such as specific graphics tasks and AI workloads, a different type of processor is needed. Enter the graphics processing unit (GPU), also known as a graphics card.

For a long time, graphics cards in computers were primarily sold to people wanting to play computer games. Gaming involves generating a lot of image data on the screen, and a graphics card is a specialized chip that can process that type of data very quickly.

Over time, GPU manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD have expanded the capabilities of their graphics cards. The capabilities that make them good at processing image data also make them good at handling other workloads such as AI tasks and specific computational functions that CPU’s have often struggled with.

The majority of photo editing applications these days, including Adobe’s Lightroom, Photoshop, and tools for image denoising for example, can make use of a systems graphics card to speed up their tasks. This is especially obvious in AI powered tasks, where the GPU can do in seconds what a regular CPU might take minutes to do.

As such, I would highly recommend including a graphics card in your photo editing computer build. The good news is that you don’t need anything super high end, as even a mid-range graphics card can handle photo editing tasks with ease.

In my experience, NVIDIA has traditionally produced the more capable graphics cards for photo editing tasks, and their products have always worked well for my needs.

I’d recommend something like the NVIDIA RTX 5060, or its predecessor the RTX 4060. The first number refers to the generation, with 5 being the current RTX 5000 series (Blackwell, released throughout 2025) and 4 being the previous RTX 4000 series. The higher the second number, the faster (and more expensive) the card. So the 5070 is faster than the 5060, and the 5080 is faster still.

The full RTX 5000 lineup is now available: the RTX 5060 at $299, the RTX 5060 Ti at $429 (for the 16GB version), the RTX 5070 at $549, and then the higher-end 5070 Ti, 5080, and 5090 above that. For photo editing, the RTX 5060 is a great starting point. If you want a bit more headroom, particularly for AI features like noise reduction and object removal, the RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB of VRAM is worth considering. Adobe now recommends 16GB of VRAM for Lightroom Classic, and that extra memory gives the GPU more room to work with large RAW files during AI-powered tasks.

If you spot a good deal on the previous generation RTX 4060, that’s still a perfectly capable card for photo editing. But at the same $299 price point, the newer RTX 5060 is the better buy.

You don’t need the latest and greatest graphics card for photo editing. Which is good, because the higher-end cards are very expensive bits of hardware.

Note, if you are purchasing a Mac, the Apple “M” processors have powerful built-in graphics-card capabilities, so don’t need a separate card to perform well.

Graphics card recommendation: NVIDIA RTX 5060 ($299) or RTX 5060 Ti 16GB ($429) or higher. The previous generation RTX 4060 is also fine if you find a good deal.

 

So those were the key specifications that you will want to consider when it comes to choosing a desktop computer for photo editing. The above list will also be helpful if you already have a desktop computer and are wondering if there’s anything you can upgrade to make your photo editing application run better.

 

Price for a Photo Editing Computer

You might be wondering what sort of budget you need for a photo editing desktop. Below I’ve listed some ranges. Note that this price does not include your monitor for photo editing, and not all computers include peripherals such as a mouse and keyboard, which may add to the cost.

• $600 – $1000 USD: whilst it is possible to get a photo editing computer at this price point, trade-offs will have to made to hit the budget. So you might have to skip a graphics card, have less RAM, or a lower end processor
• $1000 – $2000 USD: I’d say this is a good sweet spot for a good desktop computer for photo editing. You should be able to hit all my recommended specifications
• $2000 USD +: As with any purchase, you can always spend more! Above this price point you are starting to venture into higher end territory. Whilst this may make sense if you also plan to play the latest gaming titles, or work with massive image files like panoramas, for most users the return on investment will swiftly diminish as the price increases.

The brands I list will also all have a range of different options at different price points, and most builds can be customized to suit your budget. With the knowledge you have gained from the previous section, you can decide where to save and where to spend your money appropriately for the best results.

Of course, you can also build your own desktop PC for photo editing. These days the cost savings of doing that are only likely to be a couple of hundred dollars. It can also be fairly challenging if you aren’t familiar with the process, and of course you won’t get any support if you encounter issues. All that said, if you like the idea of having complete control and want to do it yourself, my guide should give you an idea of which parts to prioritize.

 

Recommended Photo Editing Computers

I’m now going to list a number of pre-built photo editing computers to consider. Many of these are going to be marketed as gaming PCs. That’s because the specifications required to run photo and video editing software well are not dissimilar from those required to run a computer game.

You may also note that because they are gaming PCs, they are going to have features that gamers often appreciate, such as colorful lighting, lots of fans, and side windows.

The good news is that these lights can be toggled off if you aren’t into that aesthetic. Fan speeds can also be controlled to reduce noise.

However, I’ve also included some options that are a bit less “gamer looking” to suit all tastes.

You’ll notice that some of the Windows PCs I recommend use previous generation processors (Intel 14th gen or AMD Ryzen 7000 series) rather than the very latest. That’s absolutely fine. As I mentioned in the processor section above, the previous generation remains very capable for photo editing, and pre-built systems with those chips often offer excellent value for money. I’ve flagged where a system uses a current generation chip versus a previous one.

I’ve ordered these options approximately by price, but pricing always varies so do check.

Also be aware that there are often many variants of a PC with the same name, so always check the exact components included before purchasing.

 

Acer Aspire TC-1775-UR12 Desktop

My first desktop computer, which I got over three decades ago, was an Acer. In fact, Acer has been making desktop computers and laptop since the 1980s. So they have been doing this for a while.

I’m including this option on the list for those of you with a tighter budget (although also check out the budget friendly Mac Mini for another option).

The Acer is missing some key features I’d normally recommend in a photo editing computer, but if you are on a restricted budget it will still get the job done, and certainly most regular photo editing tasks will work just fine. However, if you were hoping on doing much advanced AI based edits such as object replacement or AI powered noise reduction you might want to look further down the list.

The key components include an Intel Core i5-14400 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It doesn’t have a separate GPU, and the memory and storage are also a little low. However, for the price it is hard to argue with.

Of course, with any desktop computers on this list, you can always upgrade some components later such as the memory down the road.

Key specs: Intel Core i5-14400 processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, no GPU

Check price on Amazon here

 

MSI Codex R2 Gaming Desktop (B14NUC5-212US)

If you’re looking to spend around $1,000 on a photo editing computer but still want a discrete GPU, then the MSI Codex R2 Gaming Desktop is a good option.

This currently comes in at just over $1,000, but for your money you still get an Intel Core i5-14400F processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, 32GB RAM, and a 2TB SSD (note different variants and configurations are available).

Ideally of course you’d get a slightly faster processor for photo editing, but considering this pre-built desktop from MSI does include a discrete GPU and 32GB of RAM, it should be able to handle most photo editing tasks relatively well.

Key specifications: Intel Core i5-14400F CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 32GB RAM,2TB SSD

Check price on Amazon here and Newegg here

 

iBUYPOWER Slate 8 Mesh Gaming PC (SMA7R78XT02)

iBUYPOWER are a relatively popular brand of good value pre-built gaming PCs which you can purchase in the US from retailers including Newegg, BestBuy, Amazon, and Adorama.

The Slate 8 Mesh gaming PC is one of the better specified desktop computers I’ve found at this price point, and it meets all the requirements you would want for photo editing.

The key specifications include an AMD Ryzen 7 9700X CPU, AMD Radeon RX 7800XT 16GB graphics card, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and a 1 TB NVMe SSD. It also comes with a mouse and keyboard, so all you need to add will be a good monitor for photo editing.

Key specs: AMD Ryzen 7 9700X CPU, AMD Radeon RX 7800XT 16GB GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD

Check price on Amazon here and Newegg here. Best Buy have a similarly priced option but with an Intel processor and NVIDIA GPU here (model SMI7N4601).

 

Apple Mac Mini

The Apple Mac Mini is a diminutive device which packs a punch far above its size thanks to Apple’s impressive “M” line of processors. These processors have been custom designed by Apple to excel at the sort of tasks that Apple computers are commonly used for, which happens to include photo editing.

The Apple Mac Mini is available in a number of configurations, but I’d recommend getting the version with the M4 Pro processors. This is notably faster than the M4 in tasks such as exporting images and performing AI tasks. That said, if you are on more of a budget the M4 processor is still more than capable and models are available for under $600, which is a bargain.

The standard storage is 512GB but I would suggest getting the model with at least 1TB so you don’t run out of space for applications.

The main downside to the Mac Mini is that it can’t be upgraded, so you can’t increase the RAM or internal storage. You can purchase it direct from Apple and add storage (up to 8TB), but Apple charges a hefty premium for storage upgrades.

Of course, you can add external storage via USB or Thunderbolt, so that isn’t a huge issue, but it’s something to be aware of.

Key specs: Apple M4 Pro processor, 24GB memory, 1TB SSD.

Check price on Amazon here, B&H Photo here and direct from Apple here.

 

CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme (SLC8800BSTV8)

CyberPowerPC is a US based company which specializes in building gaming PCs, which are available in a range of configurations and prices. Their products are available for sale in the US from retailers including Newegg, BestBuy, Amazon, and Adorama.

They also offer a wide range of pre-built PCs, which tend to lean towards a more gamer aesthetic (think RGB lighting and glass side windows). They also have options across the budget range.

The model I suggest for photo editing is the Gamer Supreme, which comes with an Intel Core i7-14700KF processor, 32GB of RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB GPU ,and a 2TB SSD.

It is slightly more expensive than the iBuyPower model, but you are getting a larger storage drive as well as a slightly faster graphics card. If you work with larger images or do a lot of tasks involving AI, this can make a difference.

Key specs: Intel Core i7-14700KF – 32GB Memory – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB – 2TB SSD

Check price on Amazon here, on BestBuy here and Newegg here.

 

ASUS – ROG Gaming Desktop (G16CHR-I7F4060TiVR)

Asus are a well-known manufacturer of computer hardware, making both complete systems as well as individual component parts like motherboards, graphics cards, and cases. Personally, I own an ASUS laptop which I use for photo editing on the go, and it has proven very reliable.

Asus has a gaming brand known as ROG (Republic of Gamers), which is where you will find their higher-powered products. Again, these are designed for gamers but work well for photo editing as well.

The model I recommend is very similar to the CyberPowerPC, with the main difference being that the graphics card has slightly less memory available. This can be an issue in situations requiring a lot of graphics memory, such as running AI tasks on large images, but is unlikely to affect most situations.

Key specs: Intel Core i7-14700F – 32GB Memory – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB – 2TB SSD

Check price on Best Buy here and Amazon here

 

Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop (ACT1250)

Alienware is the gaming brand of Dell, a company known worldwide for making both laptops and desktops. For a long time, I used Dell laptops as my primary photo editing laptops, before switching to Asus.

The Alienware brand covers a number of models, and some of them are very expensive indeed. However, there are also some more reasonably priced models which would work well for photo editing. The majority of their models are also highly customizable, allowing you to pick and choose the exact parts you want. You can see all the current models here.

my recommendation would be to customise the Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop, model ACT1250, with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti graphics card (or the RTX 5060 Ti if available in your configuration), 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. That should be more than enough for your photo editing needs.

Key specs: Intel Core Ultra 7 265F processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti (or 5060 Ti) GPU, 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD.

Check price and configure direct from Dell here.

 

Apple Mac Studio

If you liked the sound of the Mac Mini but wanted something even more powerful, then your best option is going to be the Apple Mac Studio.

Apple’s newest chip is the M5, which launched in October 2025 in the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. The Mac Studio hasn’t been updated to the M5 yet, though. The current 2025 Mac Studio is available with two chip options: the M4 Max and the M3 Ultra. An M5 Mac Studio is expected later in 2026, but for anyone buying now, the M4 Max remains a very capable chip for photo editing.

The M4 Max models start at $1,999 with 36GB of unified memory and go up to 128GB. The M3 Ultra models start at $3,999 with 96GB of unified memory and can be configured with up to 512GB. Both options feature Thunderbolt 5 and can handle photo editing with ease.

For most photographers, the M4 Max is the right pick. It’s faster than the previous M2 Ultra in most tasks and costs significantly less than the M3 Ultra. The M3 Ultra only makes sense if you need that massive memory capacity for extremely large projects or heavy video editing.

I’d recommend the M4 Max model with the 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, and 64GB of memory. The base M4 Max ($1,999) only comes with 36GB and a 512GB SSD, and the 36GB configuration can’t be upgraded at purchase, so you’d need to step up to the $2,499 model (which comes with 48GB and lets you configure higher). Memory is not user-upgradeable after purchase, so choose carefully. Storage can always be expanded with external drives via Thunderbolt 5.

Key specs (recommended config): M4 Max 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, 64GB memory, 1TB SSD.

Check price and configure on Amazon here and direct from Apple here.

 

Corsair ONE i600 Gaming PC

Many of the desktop PCs I’ve listed feature a gaming focused aesthetic which often includes colorful lights and side windows. Which is great if you are into that. However, if your tastes run to something a bit more understated, you may be wondering what your options are.

Well, you can either get an RGB equipped PC and turn off all the lights, or you can get something like the CORSAIR ONE gaming PC, which is designed with a bit of a different aesthetic in mind. It is fully enclosed, so you can’t see all those internals, and any lighting is very minimalist. There’s even an option with a real walnut wood panel on the front!

Of course, looks don’t mean much if the hardware isn’t up to scratch. The good news is that this desktop PC is certainly more than capable of running any photo editing tasks you can throw at it. You get an Intel Core Ultra 285k processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 graphics card, 2x 2TB M.2 SSD for storage and 64GB DDR5 RAM.

If you aren’t familiar with them, Corsair is an American computer peripherals and gaming brand. They have long been known for creating high end RAM, as well as accessories like mice and keyboards. They also build gaming computers.

Key specs: Intel Core Ultra 285k processor – 64GB Memory – NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 -2x 2TB SSD

Check price on Amazon here, and direct from Corsair here

 

Where to Buy a Desktop PC for Photo Editing?

The options available to you for where to buy will of course vary depending on your geographical location. In North America for example, good options include BestBuy, Newegg, Amazon, Adorama, B&H Photo and direct from the manufacturer if they offer a retail outlet. B&H Photo and Adorama particularly are both well-known in the photography community and are worth checking for competitive pricing on desktops.

In the UK, you might also check Currys and Amazon UK.

Amazon is now available in most countries, and many larger manufacturers such as Dell and Asus also have direct sales available to customers in different geographic locations.

When purchasing, be sure to check what warranty and support is included with your product, so you know where to turn should you run into any difficulties.

 

What about Video Editing?

If as well as photo editing you also want to do video editing, you might be wondering if that changes the specifications. For the most part, the core recommendations remain the same: a fast processor, plenty of RAM, and an SSD are all essential for both.

There are two areas where video editing is more demanding than photo editing. The first is storage space. Video files are much larger than photo files, especially if you are shooting in 4K or higher resolutions, so you will need to budget for significantly more storage.

The second is the graphics card. While photo editing benefits from a GPU mainly for AI-powered tasks, video editing relies on the GPU much more heavily for things like timeline playback, colour grading, and rendering.

If you plan to do both photo and video editing, I’d lean towards a slightly more powerful GPU than the minimum I recommend for photo editing alone. Something like the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB or RTX 5070 would give you noticeably smoother performance in video applications like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.

 

What if I am looking to Upgrade my Existing Computer?

If you have an existing desktop computer that you want to make faster or more efficient for photo editing, there are some ways that you improve your computer without buying a new one.

These upgrades are relatively simple to do, normally just requiring you to plug in a new device inside your computer. You’ll have to do a bit of research to figure out how to do that, but searching for “how to install an SSD”, “how to install a GPU” or “how to install memory” should yield lots of useful information.

Here are some easy upgrades to consider:

• Switch from a mechanical hard drive to a solid-state drive as the main system drive where your applications are installed. This will make your whole computer run more quickly.
• Upgrade your RAM. If you have 8GB or 16GB of RAM, then upgrading to 32GB or even 64GB of RAM will make a big difference
• Adding a dedicated GPU. If you only have a built-in GPU, or an older dedicated GPU, then adding a new GPU can make a big difference, especially for AI based tasks like noise reduction or object replacement

 

Accessories for a Photo Editing Computer

When you buy a desktop computer, there are a few things you will need in addition to the computer itself. These are all going to have a cost, so it’s worth keeping them in mind when putting your budget together. Here’s what we suggest you consider.

A Gaming Mouse

Not all pre-built desktop computers come with a mouse, which is obviously an essential component for interacting with your computer. I personally use and recommend using a gaming mouse for photo editing.

The reason that I like to use a gaming mouse for photo editing is that it comes with a lot of buttons, the majority of which you can configure yourself.

Most photo editing applications are full of keyboard shortcuts, and by assigning your most used keyboard shortcuts to various mouse buttons, you can make your editing process a lot quicker. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll wonder how you coped without one.

Gaming mice are also very accurate, meaning when you are editing fine details, you are less likely to mess up. Personally, I use the Logitech G502, which is a fantastic mouse with 11 programmable buttons.

 

A Good Keyboard

As with a mouse, not all desktops come with a keyboard. If that’s the case, you’ll obviously need to pick up a keyboard. Now, there are hundreds of keyboards out there to choose from in a wide variety of styles.

Personally I’d recommend going for a keyboard with mechanical switches as in my opinion they are nicer to type with. But you probably have your own preferences for keys types, formats, and feel.

I personally use a Keychron C3 Pro keyboard which has been great, but there are lots out there to choose from!

 

A Monitor for Photo Editing

You are absolutely going to need a monitor for photo editing, it’s an accessory I recommend even if you are using a laptop as it’s going to really improve your experience.

A high-quality monitor is obviously very important for photo editing work. Choosing a monitor is a big task, as there is a huge variety to choose from at different sizes and price points.

I’d recommend reading my complete guide to the best monitors for photo editing, which has a guide to what to look for as well as suggestions at a range of budgets.

 

A UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply)

Unlike a laptop, a desktop computer doesn’t come with its own battery. So, you need to be plugged into a wall outlet all the time. The problem is that if you suffer a power brown-out or a black-out, your computer is going to shut down. This can cause you to lose anything you’re working on, and in a worst-case scenario, might even damage the sensitive electronics inside.

For this reason, I always recommend using an uninterruptable power supply, or UPS, with your desktop computer. This is basically a large battery which also provides surge protection. If the power goes out, or there’s a brown-out, the UPS will switch to battery mode and your computer will keep running.

Now, a desktop PC is very power-hungry, and the UPS won’t keep it running indefinitely. Generally, they are designed to give you enough time to save your work and shut down cleanly, rather than keep running for hours.

Most UPS products these days come with a USB cable and software so you can plug it into your computer, and it can be set to automatically shut down your PC before the UPS battery runs out.

I use a CyberPower UPS, but there are a number of options on the market. In the past I have also had an APC UPS.

 

Further Reading

Well, hopefully this guide has given you some options to consider when looking for a computer to edit your photos on. We also have a number of other photography resources that we think you will find helpful.

• I have a detailed guide to the best laptop for photo editing, if you think you want something more portable.
• If you need software to edit photos with on your new desktop computer, see our guide to the best photo editing software. We also have a guide to improving Lightroom performance if you find that specific program is running slowly for you.
• You’ll need to hook up your desktop to an external monitor. See our guide to the best monitors for photo editing across a range of budgets
• Color accuracy is important for photography – see our guide to monitor calibration to ensure your screen is set up correctly.
• No-one wants noisy images. See our guide to the best noise reduction software to help you get the best results every time.
• Our range of photography guides, including our guides to Northern Lights photography, lens compression, back button focus, fireworks photography, taking photos of stars, cold weather photography, long exposure photography, RAW in photography, use of ND filters, depth of field and photography composition, which should get you going
• Our photography gift guide, if you’re looking for a great gift for a photography loving friend or family member
• A detailed guide to the best travel cameras, as well as specific guides for the best compact camera, best action camera, best bridge camera, best mirrorless camera, and best DSLR camera. We also have a guide to the best camera lenses.
• Our guide to why you need a tripod, and a guide to choosing a travel tripod
• Ever wondered how to easily replace the sky in an image? Check out our guide to sky replacement in photography for an easy process anyone can do.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specs do I need in a desktop computer for photo editing?

The four specifications that matter most for photo editing are: a fast processor, plenty of RAM, an SSD, and a dedicated graphics card.

For the processor, I’d recommend an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, AMD Ryzen 7 9700X, or Apple M4 Pro / M5 or better. RAM should be at least 32GB (16GB absolute minimum). Your main storage drive should be an SSD of 1TB or larger. And for the graphics card, something like the NVIDIA RTX 5060 or RTX 4060 will do the job well.

The graphics card has become increasingly important as photo editing software relies more heavily on GPU acceleration for AI-powered features like noise reduction and object removal.

How much RAM do I need for Lightroom and Photoshop?

I’d recommend 32GB of RAM as the ideal amount for Lightroom and Photoshop. I’ve observed Lightroom using in excess of 25GB of RAM by itself, and if you tend to have both Lightroom and Photoshop open at the same time (along with a browser and other applications), 32GB will keep everything running smoothly.

16GB is the absolute minimum, but you will likely notice slowdowns when switching between applications. If your budget allows, 64GB gives you plenty of headroom and is what I use on my own machines.

Is a desktop or laptop better for photo editing?

For raw power, a desktop wins every time. Desktop components can draw more power and generate more heat, which means they can be faster than their laptop equivalents. A desktop also lets you connect a large, colour-accurate monitor, which makes a real difference when editing photos.

That said, a laptop gives you portability, which matters if you travel or like to work from coffee shops. Personally, I use both. My desktop handles the heavy lifting at home, and I take a laptop when I’m on the road. If you can only have one, think about where you do most of your editing.

Is Mac or PC better for photo editing?

Both work brilliantly for photo editing, and the honest answer is that it comes down to personal preference. Apple’s M5 and M4 series processors are excellent for creative work, and the Mac ecosystem is well optimised for applications like Lightroom and Photoshop. On the Windows side, you get more choice in hardware, easier upgrades, and often better value for money at the mid-range.

I’ve used both extensively over the years and have had great results with each. If you’re already comfortable with one platform, I’d stick with it. The software you’ll be using (Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One) runs on both.

Do I need a graphics card for photo editing?

I would highly recommend one, yes. Modern photo editing software increasingly uses the graphics card (GPU) to accelerate tasks, particularly AI-powered features like noise reduction, object removal, and sky replacement. These features can take minutes on a CPU alone but run in seconds with a decent GPU.

You don’t need anything top of the line for photo editing. A mid-range card like the NVIDIA RTX 5060 or RTX 4060 is more than sufficient. If you also plan to do video editing, consider stepping up to the RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB of VRAM. If you’re buying a Mac, the Apple M-series processors have powerful built-in graphics capabilities, so you don’t need a separate card.

How much should I spend on a desktop computer for photo editing?

For a capable photo editing desktop that meets all my recommended specifications, budget around $1,000 to $2,000. Below $1,000 you’ll need to make trade-offs (skipping a dedicated GPU or settling for less RAM), though options like the Apple Mac Mini M4 starting under $600 can still handle most editing tasks well.

Above $2,000 you’re into high-end territory that makes sense for professionals working with very large files or doing heavy video editing, but for most photographers the gains diminish quickly as the price climbs.

 

Looking to Improve Your Photography?

If you found this post helpful, and you want to improve your photography overall, you might want to check out my online travel photography course.

Since launching the course in 2016, I’ve already helped over 2,000+ students learn how to take better photos. The course covers pretty much everything you need to know, from the basics of how a camera works, through to composition, light, and photo editing.

It also covers more advanced topics, including astrophotography, long exposure photography, flash photography and HDR photography.

You get feedback from me as you progress, access to webinars, interviews and videos, as well as exclusive membership of a Facebook group where you can get feedback on your work and take part in regular challenges.

It’s available for an amazing one-off price for lifetime access, and I think you should check it out. Which you can do by clicking here.

And that’s it for our guide to the best desktop computer for photo editing! As always, if you have any questions or feedback on any of the above, or have just found a laptop and would like our thoughts on it, let us know in the comments below!