Buzz
A few months ago, I shared my PC setup for photo editing and video work. At that time, I was still using an RTX 1650 graphics card. After a few months and despite the high GPU prices, I upgraded to an RTX 3060Ti and increased my RAM to 32GB. I stuck with the AMD Ryzen 5600X chip. This combo significantly improved my efficiency. I used this combo for almost six months, and then I decided to experience the Intel i5-12600K and RTX 3090 (keeping the original hard drive).
RTX 3060Ti was priced at 20 million VND at its peak.My recent days have been a rollercoaster of emotions, akin to riding a roller coaster—full of excitement and some disappointment, especially with the transition to Intel and the RTX 3090. More precisely, it's about finding the optimal setup to fully exploit the potential or, in other words, making it surpass the performance of the old AMD system. In this piece, I'll share my experience with the i5-12600K and RTX 3090 combo. Additionally, I'll make some comparisons with the old combo of 5600X and RTX 3060Ti. I'm unsure about the most accurate title for this article, perhaps something like 'Is RTX 3090 Necessary for Photo Editing or Simple Video Work?' or 'Is RTX 3060Ti the Best Graphics Card for Basic Photo Editing and Video Rendering?' or even 'Sharing My Experience with i5 12600K and RTX 3090 for Photo Editing and Video Production.'
MSI Geforce RTX 3090: 24GB VRAM and impressively large.
What did I do?My primary work revolves around video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro and photo retouching in Adobe Photoshop. I shoot videos using iPhone 13, DJI Pocket 2, GoPro HERO6, and GoPro HERO10—all in 4K at 60fps. Photos are captured with Nikon D5500 in RAW format and iPhone 13. Additionally, I handle miscellaneous tasks on Excel, but that's not worth discussing here as both the old and new systems handle Excel and Office tasks effortlessly. In essence, my main focus is on video production and image editing.Old SystemWith AMD Ryzen 5600X, RTX 3060Ti, 32GB RAM, and Windows 10, everything ran smoothly, although I had to make some adjustments for optimal performance. For example, during video editing, I used a ¼ preview instead of Full, and while rendering videos, I limited photo editing in Photoshop for smoother performance (still possible but not as smooth). Making slight compromises here and there, the system worked well. The time taken for rendering 4K 60fps videos was acceptable, around 12-15 minutes for a 10-minute video (depending on added effects). Photo editing was comfortable, even with RAW images. Occasionally, I played some MotoGP racing games, but since the game is lightweight and I adjusted settings appropriately, the system handled it effortlessly. Once everything flowed smoothly, I didn't pay much attention to how the computer operated, except during troubleshooting or unexpected issues. In summary, I was content with the mentioned configuration.Upgraded SetupEvery day, my younger brother couldn't stop talking about PCs, and noticing the sharp decline in GPU prices, I asked him to sell our old rig and make the move to a new one. Initially, I was just thinking of swapping out the CPU and sticking with the RTX 3060Ti. However, when he installed the new CPU for me, he brought along the RTX 3090, saying, 'Give it a try, if you like it, just go ahead and buy it.' Alright, Computer!
Comparing the specs of the RTX 3060Ti and RTX 3090 is like comparing grass to the sky. The RTX 3090 boasts triple the VRAM, almost 2.2 times the CUDA cores, and a significantly larger physical size.
Constant crashes.
Exported files are excessively large, reaching 17GB!Delving deeper, video editing isn't as smooth as with the old system. In other words, it doesn't excel, even when using a ¼ preview instead of ½ or full. Started investigating and finding solutions. First, lowered RAM speed from 3200 to 3000 to prevent hardware and software conflicts. After this adjustment, no more blue screens. Next, downgraded Premiere Pro to version 22.2.0. At this point, things became more stable, with smoother previews and no more issues of exported files ballooning to 17GB.Once everything stabilized, the workflow became much smoother. Here's my experience (not a tech benchmark pro, just a regular computer user for photo and video work, so I didn't delve into technical specs or performance tests). Starting with photo editing, Photoshop now boots up faster, opens RAW files more quickly, and processes effects with noticeable speed. It's not lightning-fast, but the overall experience feels smoother without the one-second stutters from the old system. In terms of photo editing, I'm satisfied.
Through my experience, I find that if you're in a similar line of work as mine, or close to it, the RTX 3060Ti is the best choice in terms of performance and price. Adding an Intel i5 12600K with integrated UHD 770 is even better. For those using AMD Ryzen 5600X or older Intel generations before 12, it's still perfectly fine for photo editing and video work. Once the workflow is smooth and everything is in sync, the specific chip or GPU gradually fades into the background. The RTX 3090 is a powerhouse, but for my tasks, I can't fully utilize its strength beyond slightly faster Photoshop launches and video rendering in Premiere Pro. The difference exists, but spending around 40 million VND for the mentioned tasks, while the RTX 3060Ti, costing around 11-12 million VND, can handle them well, doesn't seem worth it. Alternatively, if possible, go for the 3070Ti.However, on a somewhat personal note, I want to share with you the sheer joy of temporarily owning an RTX 3090. It brings an indescribable sense of pleasure—always thinking of ways to unleash its full power or working with extreme confidence, simultaneously editing photos and letting the machine render videos. It's a feeling that completely makes you forget about the computer specs because it effortlessly meets your every need.
