Desktop Build. Which Processor? What RAM?

[Bearmann]

So I'm putting together a new Windows 10, z170 system for Photoshop and I was wondering if anyone has any additional information. I was all ready to pick up the i7 6700k when I saw this benchmark:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/skylake-intel-core-i7-6700k-core-i5-6600k,4252-5.html

Is the i5 6600k really as good (or maybe better) than the i7 6700k for Photoshop? Why isn't the higher clock speed of the 6700k helping it pull ahead of the 6600k? Unfortunately, this is the only Photoshop testing that I have seen so far on the z170 chips.

Unlike prior Intel chips, Haswell did show some scaling with higher frequency RAM:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/haswell-ddr3_6.html

The only RAM frequency test that I have seen so far is this one:

http://www.legitreviews.com/ddr4-memory-scaling-intel-z170-finding-the-best-ddr4-memory-kit-speed_170340

Unfortunately, they didn't test Photoshop. I'm not sure that you can assume that the lack of real world advantage of faster RAM in those programs and games that were tested also applies to Photoshop, though that is more likely the case than not. It would be nice if Adobe updated their recommendations for Skylake regarding CPU and RAM selection.

I'm also curious as to whether the on board graphics of the new Skylake chips will be sufficient for Photoshop. I did read that using the IGP will reduce your overclocking ability because it really heats up the CPU.

[Alan Goldhammer]

This is a good article on CPUs and PS:  https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Adobe-Photoshop-CC-Multi-Core-Performance-625/  they also have some other good articles on Adobe software products as well.  With respect to RAM and PS, it's more the quantity of RAM than the speed.  I would opt for a discrete GPU and don't use onboard graphics.  You get extra memory on the GPU and don't have to worry about potential heat issues using IGP.  Intel IGP is very good these days and I've built some nice home theater computers that run on IGP which keeps the cost down.

[Bearmann]

This is a good article on CPUs and PS:  https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Adobe-Photoshop-CC-Multi-Core-Performance-625/  they also have some other good articles on Adobe software products as well.  With respect to RAM and PS, it's more the quantity of RAM than the speed.  I would opt for a discrete GPU and don't use onboard graphics.  You get extra memory on the GPU and don't have to worry about potential heat issues using IGP.  Intel IGP is very good these days and I've built some nice home theater computers that run on IGP which keeps the cost down.

Yes, I've read all the excellent articles over at Puget. I'm hoping that they will update their CPU and RAM testing for Skylake.

[Bearmann]

OK, I admit it! I pestered them at Puget Systems for some information.... and they kindly supplied it   

See the comments below the article at this link:

https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Haswell-vs-Skylake-S-i7-4790K-vs-i7-6700K-641/#comment-2280485910

[Alan Goldhammer]

Thanks for the link to the discussion points from Puget Systems.  Looks like the performance gains are not worth the price.  Additionally, Puget are most concerned about stability and failure rate as they don't want to have to service machines that they ship out and of course customers would be quite unhappy with a failure.  If you are a DIYer, maybe it's a different story as you can strive for maximum performance knowing full well that you can trouble shoot problems that might arise.

[Bearmann]

I just wanted to add that SPCR has now done a Photoshop memory scaling test with the i7 6700k (with separate graphics card) and found no benefit to faster RAM:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1478-page1.html

I'm still hoping someone will test the i5 6600k against the i7 6700k in Photoshop.