Upgrade for Dell XPS 8910 i5 6400

You absolutely will not want to run those applications on the Intel GPU aboard the processor.  You need a discrete video card - it doesn't need to be a gaming class card - even one in the $200 range (or mid-range these days) will run those apps acceptably.

Video/photo editing needs as much RAM as you can throw at it.  16 G is fine -- particularly given that RAM right now is fairly expensive (particularly the DDR4 RAM this system needs).

If you install RAM note that there are errors in the service manual. RAM should be installed in pairs with similar colored securing tabs. The Table and Note in the service manual have errors and do not match the picture and designations of the motherboard. Also I believe the Table 2 memory configuration matrix does not show all possible memory configurations that will work. For example, it only shows one 32 GB configuration and I am using one that has two 16 GB memory modules.

Since you do not need a gaming class video card this may not be a problem, but be aware that the power supply is 460 watts. Also be aware that there may be problems installing some video cards. See this thread: https://www.dell.com/community/XPS-Desktops/XPS-8910-AMD-R7-250E-BIOS-changes-to-make-the-video-card-work/td-p/5876924

Thanks

Could you tell me why I wouldn't want to run the programs on the Intel GPU, I'm ignorant to the reason why. Would it ruin the board or just be very choppy and slow. Not questioning your opinion, I would just like to educate myself.

Secondly, would I be better off to just buy a new computer? The unit ended up costing me 150.00 dollars, it looks like I can get a nice new Dell XPS with i7 for around 1000.00, my budget for a new computer is 950.00-1000.00

I don't do design work full time and don't want to spend more than that.

I paid 150.00 for the computer once I piece out the storage unit...and would have 200 for video card another 150-200 for RAM...150.00 for an SSD drive.

I thought this might do the trick, but maybe this is not a good computer for graphics...where would my money be best spent if I upgraded the 8910 for what I will be doing with it or is really not a worth upgrading it.

Is there a particular video card you would recommend.

Thanks for the info

TJ

Thank you for the info

I am not sure why the Intel GPU is not adequate since you are not gaming. It seems to be able to handle the resolution and video playback requirements for picture/video editing. Perhaps ejn63 can answer that.

For picture/video editing you will definitely benefit from an i7 CPU and more memory, but I think a new XPS will cost you close to $1200 and that is without the additional memory you may want. If you don't have to upgrade to discrete graphics you might consider replacing the CPU with an i7-6700, but I would try the i5 first with the other upgrades (RAM & SSD).

All of those applications are graphics-intensive - if they run at all with just the Intel GPU, it won't be at an acceptable level of performance.

The i5 with a decent, mid-range GPU will outrun an i7 with just integrated graphics -- the OS alone offloads work to the GPU, and the Adobe and Corel apps will need even more graphics horsepower.

Here's Adobe's take on the GPU

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/photoshop-cc-gpu-card-faq.html

I don't agree with the statement that the i5 will outrun the i7 with just integrated graphics. The integrated GPU in both the I5 & i7 are exactly the same but the i7 has hyper-threading technology, clocked faster, and has more cache memory. 

That's not what I wrote - I said that an i5 with a decent, mid-range GPU in the system would outrun an i7 system using only the integrated video - which it will.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to run Photoshop, Creative Cloud, Corel Draw, etc. using integrated video - the performance will be absolutely awful - even with the fastest i7 CPU out there.

It's the GPU that makes or breaks photo or video editing - not the CPU.

There's a reason why Intel is now licensing AMD's Radeon graphics for some of its CPUs -- and it's because that for all its prowess at designing CPUs, Intel can't compete with either AMD or nVidia in GPU design.

what graphics card do you recommend that is around 150-200.

Do you actually think it is worth upgrading or just buy a better new unit?

Or if I have the 16gb ram and new graphics card this unit will have a decent ability for the programs to run.

Thanks

Right now, video cards are being driven up in price by cryptocurrency mining - you can likely find an nVidia 1050 card or an AMD RX560 card for $150-200.  There's no harm in trying the system with the integrated GPU only -- but be prepared to need a video card.