I don't know anything about Macs, but I do know about windows computers designed for Adobe products.  I always have them built from scratch, and I follow Adobe's recommendations by the letter.  This means :
- 1 SSD for Windows + programs (C-drive) - 1 Tb is enough for that
- 1 SSD for editing work :  here you should put your SCRATCH disks on, preferably on a separate partition.  A 100Gb scratch disk for photoshop on a disk that is NOT your windows-drive speeds up all Adobe products that work with scratch disks.  The rest of this drive is for the files you are actually working on, so "work in progress".
- 1 HDD, a huge one, for storage of finished work.
- external disks for backup


This should be combined with a graphics card that is NOT on Adobe's blacklist.  With every new photoshop and LR release, the graphics card gets more important, so you should really check if you went for the right one.


This is just a summary, you should really read about the ideal configuration on the Adobe website.

I built one in the spring that is pretty close to your specs: https://backyardsilver.com/building-a-new-photo-and-video-pc/

Although it isn't clear in the article, I did put my programs on the C drive and put the scratch file area on a second M.2 SSD

I have my Lightroom catalog on the C drive - not sure that is the best place

Steve

Mac Mini 
3.2GHz 6‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz)
RAM 16 GB (Even 32)
SSD 1 TB
$1700 (1900 with RAM 32 GB)

Monitor BenQ 2700 SW
$ 600 (Max)

+ Some external HDDs For Archive

It will cost you less that the iMac for very similar result
(Frankly a 4K monitor is not really necessary, it can even be counter
productive)

Decent specs for the processor/drives/ram, but the Mac Mini comes with a pretty basic graphics card. Might be ok for graphics programs, but I wouldn't recommend it for After Effects, Premiere or Resolve.

If you go the Windows route i would not get the RTX. Wait for the 3080 RTX it is that much better. I am on the GTX 1070 now and have just ordered the RTX 3090 as with 8GB of Ram I was running out of memory already on 4K a few times when using too many nodes on Davinci Resolve or using Mocha Pro. The 3080 is nearly as fast as the 3090 , the difference is RAM but at least go with 10. If you plan to shoot 8K in the recent future then it's 3090 or The new AMD cards coming with 16.

RAM if you do lots of VFX (my experience is only with DR Fusion) then 64MB would be ok 128 better. If you do not enter that realm 32RAM is enough

Processors The might Ryzen are great for Davinci but I think Intels are also good too. More cores can be used more efficiently than for example games where clock count is still king.

Disks Here again I would look for offers (Black friday around the corner) NVMe are speed demons and have gone really down in prices recently.
For Archive any cheap magnetic HDD with backup.

Monitor I love my 32 Benq 4K monitor upgraded 1 year ago from 22 Eizo. If you do a lot of video you want real estate for still images not that important. Colour accuracy always a must, more important than resolution.

Sometimes adding 1k to a computer can save you days in front of a screen if you change computer every 5 years. You have to decide if it is worth it,
All the best with your choice.

How long do you plan to use the setup (I see the word "future" in your post)?

Have you factored in the fact that Apple is on a transition to ARM CPU (called Apple Silicon) for Macs?

I hope least 3 or 4 maybe little longer ...

Quote from: fotoroad on October 27, 2020, 16:45

Quote from: flywing on October 27, 2020, 14:50

How long do you plan to use the setup (I see the word "future" in your post)?

Have you factored in the fact that Apple is on a transition to ARM CPU (called Apple Silicon) for Macs?

I hope least 3 or 4 maybe little longer ...

From my experience during Apple's transition from PowerPC CPU to Intel, I started to feel the pressure to change about 2 years after the introducing of the first Intel Mac as more and more things were not compatible with the old architecture. The first Apple Silicon Mac is expected end of this year.

I think I will go with Dell, I must buy soft for video because I really do not want pay every month for subscription. I love option for Final Cut with Apple, now I must find other way for video editing. Maybe Davinci Resolve, I hope he can replace Adobe for me.

Quote from: Chichikov on October 27, 2020, 12:37

Mac Mini 
3.2GHz 6‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 4.6GHz)
RAM 16 GB (Even 32)
SSD 1 TB
$1700 (1900 with RAM 32 GB)

Monitor BenQ 2700 SW
$ 600 (Max)

+ Some external HDDs For Archive

It will cost you less that the iMac for very similar result
(Frankly a 4K monitor is not really necessary, it can even be counter
productive)

Decent specs for the processor/drives/ram, but the Mac Mini comes with a pretty basic graphics card. Might be ok for graphics programs, but I wouldn't recommend it for After Effects, Premiere or Resolve.

Yes you are right.
In this case you can use an external GPU, but I don't know if it's really worth it, given the cost of an eGPU.

Take a closer look at refurbished (like new) iMacs. It saves money without compromising quality. You may even afford 5K retina 27inch iMac. I have been buying refurbished Apple products for years with any problems.

Here is one example https://www.apple.com/shop/product/GMVTCLL/A/Refurbished-27-inch-iMac-37GHz-6-core-Intel-Core-i5-with-Retina-5K-display?fnode=

Easy to upgrade RAM later for 1/2 price.