MY WORKSTATION
It’s been a while since my last workstation post and I’ve updated pretty much everything except the desk since then.
The primary function of this setup is Photoshop, with a little bit of video work and some gaming.
The PC
My previous PC was no slouch (Ryzen 5900x & 2080ti), but I also do a bit of gaming and that setup was struggling to run some games at max graphics settings. A GPU upgrade alone would have fixed that but building these is one of my hobbies, so I went all in on a new build.
I should add that this build is complete overkill for a Photoshop and/or gaming rig, so don’t assume this hardware list is anywhere near what’s needed. There are plenty of guides around on what’s good for a reasonably priced Photoshop build, this isn’t one of those.
Specs:
Ryzen 9800x3d CPU
Asus X670E Crosshair Hero Motherboard
G.Skill 6000mhz cl30 32gb RAM
Asus Strix RTX4080 super GPU
Soundblaster AE-5 Soundacard
Lian Li O11d XL EVO case
EK water blocks
EK 420mm radiators x3
EK pump/reservoir
Lian Li TL140/120 fans
Cablemod cables
XPSC/EK fittings
EK ZMT tubing
Corasir AX1200i PSU
3x Samsung 970 evo SSDs
1x Crucial T705 SSD
MONITORS
I’ve recently switched from IPS to OLED monitors, the OLEDs can do true black, not just a dark shade of grey like IPS panels. This gives an infinite contrast ratio, images look great on these screens. Colour accuracy is extremely good straight out of the box. They can also run in HDR mode for gaming/movies.
The main monitor is an Alienware AW3423DWF 3440×1440 34 inch 21:9, the secondary screen is the Alienware AW2725D 2760×1440 16:9.
Both monitors are mounted on Ergotech arms.
AUDIO
For music I run a USB connection from the PC to a Schiit Modius DAC & Schiit Asgard 3 amplifier. Headphones are Audeze LCD-2C planar-magnetic headphones.
When gaming I use the Soundblaster AE-5 card to output virtual surround over an optical connection to the Schiit stack and LCD-2C.
There’s a set of Audioengine speakers on the desk but they don’t get much use.
The Rode Podmic USB is used for voice recording in Photoshop tutorials, it’s mounted on a Rode PSA1+ boom arm.
LIGHTING
I have LIFX smart lighting installed throughout the room. A60 colour bulbs in the left corner, right corner and ceiling. I have a Z-strip running along the back edge of the desk, and a Neon strip attached to the rear of the main monitor.
OTHER bits and pieces
The tablet is an older Wacom Intuos medium, I don’t like the layout of the newer ones that have the controls across the top.
The keyboard, keypad and mouse are Razer.
There’s a HDD docking station hidden behind the PC for backing up image files.
I originally had foam panels on the wall (sold as acoustic panels but they don’t really help the acoustics), I replaced them with these ones I found on Amazon that look a bit nicer and work well with the LIFX lighting.