Computer for astro processing - Forums

Topic starter

Mar 31, 2025

Hi all,

It has been long time since i posted here, i was busy in life and still so busy and i drifted so much away from astrophotography really, now i am planning to force myself to be back to it, and for that i started to build a computer that i can use for processing ro make my life easier, before the computer i am using isn't strong enough but can do the job, so now i will not have an issue to wait long or face issues in processing with a new computer, so what everyone here recommend me to have as computer specifications for processing with standard software/apps such as Pixinsight or Photoshop or Autostakkert or Star/Noise Reductions and such???

Tony Gondola

Frequent contributor

Mar 31, 2025

Fast processer with lots of cores, lots of RAM, a decent video card for off processer operations, fast SSD storage and lots of it, a good gaming system should tick all the boxes.

Jure Menart

Mar 31, 2025 · Edited: Mar 31, 2025

I assembled this number cruncher few months ago:
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950x, 16 cores, up to 32 threads (important for preprocessing as it can run parallel tasks), picked AMD as PixInsight showed best benchmark scores
- 192 GB DDR5 memory (supported operation up to 6000MHz), running at around 5400MHz (not sure exact frequency, I played around a little bit, max frequency was not stable - probably because I have 4 modules from 2 different batches), 192GB is overkill anyway

- NVidia 4070 based GPU (Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER WINDFORCE OC)
- ASUS Prort X670E-Creator WiFi mainboard, lots of fans, big tower housing, strong supply, ...
- I am running GNU/Linux KUbuntu 24.04 as it's suggested OS by PixInsight

I am really happy with this setup, it wasn't too hard to assemble it together (I didn't assemble my PCs for more then 20 years). Only issue I had was with DDRs - it would be better to have all 4 DDR modules from the same batch to run at max speed, but officially 192GB was not supported by the board so I went to 2 x 96GB (4 modules altogether).

Helpful Engaging

Tareq Abdulla

Topic starter

Mar 31, 2025

Tony Gondola:
Fast processer with lots of cores, lots of RAM, a decent video card for off processer operations, fast SSD storage and lots of it, a good gaming system should tick all the boxes.

I am building two computers actually, one is for gaming, and the other is for processing, so for the processing or as they call it a 'Production" build i wanted to make sure i choose right parts for nice specs, all what you mentioned is done, so just to be sure, thanks.

Tareq Abdulla

Topic starter

Mar 31, 2025

Jure Menart:
I assembled this number cruncher few months ago:
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950x, 16 cores, up to 32 threads (important for preprocessing as it can run parallel tasks), picked AMD as PixInsight showed best benchmark scores
- 192 GB DDR5 memory (supported operation up to 6000MHz), running at around 5400MHz (not sure exact frequency, I played around a little bit, max frequency was not stable - probably because I have 4 modules from 2 different batches), 192GB is overkill anyway
- NVidia 4070 based GPU (Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER WINDFORCE OC)
- ASUS Prort X670E-Creator WiFi mainboard, lots of fans, big tower housing, strong supply, ...
- I am running GNU/Linux KUbuntu 24.04 as it's suggested OS by PixInsight

I am really happy with this setup, it wasn't too hard to assemble it together (I didn't assemble my PCs for more then 20 years). Only issue I had was with DDRs - it would be better to have all 4 DDR modules from the same batch to run at max speed, but officially 192GB was not supported by the board so I went to 2 x 96GB (4 modules altogether).

Well, i already ordered that CPU like about 2 hours ago, then i started this topic.
I already have the build ready except without CPU, i went with 850W as PSU, and for RAM i chose 2x32GB for total 64GB, i can buy exactly the same sticks again to have 4x32GB for total 128GB, but i don't know if using exactly same 4 sticks will be ok, some said 4 sticks isn't recommend in all scenarios even if using all 4 same sticks, not sure if that is true or not, my old computers since like a decade i used 4 sticks just fine, sounds new gen doesn't favor 4 sticks, or i can buy 4 sticks again so i use the current two for another build, but not sure what is the max RAM i should go with, my board supports up to 256GB.
I will use Linux too, but next to Windows, so i will use 2 separated SSD for that, i am not a Linux user, but as you mentioned, the Benchmarks of PI showed that AMD CPU with Linux yielding the best results.

Rick Krejci

Mar 31, 2025 · Edited: Mar 31, 2025

With many/most dual channel motherboards lately, high speed DDR5 memory will run slower with 4 sticks vs. 2 and be generally less stable. I went with 2x 48GB of DDR5 6000 and they run at 6000Mhz. Not sure if slightly slower 192GB would help more than faster 96GB (but I am sure it was cheaper

)

If you haven't yet, I'd invest in a solid recent NVIDIA video card (4070 TI and up).   The RC Xterminator tools are CUDA accelerated and run fast (not a huge deal as long as you have a relatively recent NVIDIA card from the last several years), but PI in general is supposed to go with CUDA acceleration "soon" so it may be more important the CPU when that happens.

Dual fast SSDs are great as well.    My Swap space and PI are on one and the Data is on the other.

I'm running windows since I use the computers for other things and don't want to mess with Dual Boot.    But my WBPP times for a 300 exposure set of 61MP FF went from a little under 4 hours on a 4 year old gaming laptop (AMD5800H/RTX3070, 32GB, Dual SSD) to a little over an hour (Water cooled Desktop I9-14800KF/RTX5080, 96GB, Dual Samsung 990 PRO SSDs). Used Intel processor since I needed Thunderbolt, water cooled to prevent any throttling

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Tareq Abdulla

Topic starter

Mar 31, 2025

Rick Krejci:
With many/most dual channel motherboards lately, high speed DDR5 memory will run slower with 4 sticks vs. 2 and be generally less stable.     I went with 2x 48GB of DDR5 6000 and they run at 6000Mhz.   Not sure if slightly slower 192GB would help more than faster 96GB (but I am sure it was cheaper )

If you haven't yet, I'd invest in a solid recent NVIDIA video card (4070 TI and up).   The RC Xterminator tools are CUDA accelerated and run fast (not a huge deal as long as you have a relatively recent NVIDIA card from the last several years), but PI in general is supposed to go with CUDA acceleration "soon" so it may be more important the CPU when that happens.

Dual fast SSDs are great as well.    My Swap space and PI are on one and the Data is on the other.

I'm running windows since I use the computers for other things and don't want to mess with Dual Boot.    But my WBPP times for a 300 exposure set of 61MP FF went from a little under 4 hours on a 4 year old gaming laptop (AMD5800H/RTX3070, 32GB, Dual SSD) to a little over an hour (Water cooled Desktop I9-14800KF/RTX5080, 96GB, Dual Samsung 990 PRO SSDs). Used Intel processor since I needed Thunderbolt, water cooled to prevent any throttling

Ok, this is a promising post, i think with what i am building so far i will be fine, i can't ask for more, and it won't be worse than anything great enough out there, so i will see how things will go, i might buy 2x48GB [or 2x64GB if that is available] to stay with high RAM space capacity and good speed, i already bought 2x32GB as started, but sounds i will replace it later.

Jure Menart

Mar 31, 2025

Rick Krejci:
With many/most dual channel motherboards lately, high speed DDR5 memory will run slower with 4 sticks vs. 2 and be generally less stable.     I went with 2x 48GB of DDR5 6000 and they run at 6000Mhz.   Not sure if slightly slower 192GB would help more than faster 96GB (but I am sure it was cheaper )

If you haven't yet, I'd invest in a solid recent NVIDIA video card (4070 TI and up).   The RC Xterminator tools are CUDA accelerated and run fast (not a huge deal as long as you have a relatively recent NVIDIA card from the last several years), but PI in general is supposed to go with CUDA acceleration "soon" so it may be more important the CPU when that happens.

Dual fast SSDs are great as well.    My Swap space and PI are on one and the Data is on the other.

I'm running windows since I use the computers for other things and don't want to mess with Dual Boot.    But my WBPP times for a 300 exposure set of 61MP FF went from a little under 4 hours on a 4 year old gaming laptop (AMD5800H/RTX3070, 32GB, Dual SSD) to a little over an hour (Water cooled Desktop I9-14800KF/RTX5080, 96GB, Dual Samsung 990 PRO SSDs). Used Intel processor since I needed Thunderbolt, water cooled to prevent any throttling

Hi Rick, I agree regarding DDRs & speed - this was also my observation. I didn't educate myself before ordering but then I spend some time to try to 'optimize' speed and I observed just what you are describing

I forgot final frequency but it is running slightly above 5GHz eventhough on paper motherboard and DDRs are supporting 6GHz.

Bill McLaughlin

Mar 31, 2025

Jure Menart:
I am really happy with this setup, it wasn't too hard to assemble it together (I didn't assemble my PCs for more then 20 years). Only issue I had was with DDRs - it would be better to have all 4 DDR modules from the same batch to run at max speed, but officially 192GB was not supported by the board so I went to 2 x 96GB (4 modules altogether).

Very similar to the system I built. Same Motherboard, a bit less RAM and a 4080 instead but otherwise pretty much the same. Nice and quick with PI.

I agree that one should build as opposed to buy since you get much more machine for the money and can pick the best parts based on reviews. You also have a much cleaner OS install w/o crapware. PCPartPicker is your friend when building....

Tareq Abdulla

Topic starter

Mar 31, 2025

My motherboard i think can accept up to 3 or 4 M.2 SSDs, i will fill them all, and i might add extra SSDs as SATA only for scrap and extra files, so one SSD is for OS/PI with Windows, and the other one is for Linux, then one more is for swap, if i have 4 M.2 then 2 will be for swap, but i hope i will learn about how to modify those two extra slots for swap properly so PI or PS don't use my main OS drives for swap.

Rick Krejci

Mar 31, 2025

I bought my setup through iBuyPower website. I've put together dozens of PCs over the years, but with their website, you can hand-pick every single component (even case, fans, cooling, motherboard, power supply, even thermal paste), they were actually able to get the newer 5 series video cards at market price (wanted the faster memory of the 5 series). And they guaranteed everything would be compatible. Not sure I could have built the same system for less $. Works flawlessly.

All in all, would definitely buy from them again. And no crapware!

Brian Diaz

Apr 1, 2025

hi , everyone

here is some info from pixlnsight

maybe help you

https://pixinsight.com/sysreq/

CS
Brian

Tareq Abdulla

Topic starter

Apr 1, 2025

Brian Diaz:
hi , everyone

here is some info from pixlnsight

maybe help you

https://pixinsight.com/sysreq/

CS
Brian

Hi Brian,

I did read that page, just wanted to be sure, thank you

CS
Tareq

Stefan Emsel

Apr 1, 2025 · Edited: Apr 1, 2025

Tareq Abdulla:
Brian Diaz:
hi , everyone

here is some info from pixlnsight

maybe help you

https://pixinsight.com/sysreq/

CS
Brian

Hi Brian,

I did read that page, just wanted to be sure, thank you

CS
Tareq

Hi, but PixInsight does (not yet) support GPU acceleration so a strong GPU does not give you any advantages for processing with PixInsight. For other graphical software it can be helpfull. But just for comparison, I use a Lenovo T14 with a rather weak i5-8250U, 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD and internal GPU. It works with PI, ASTAP, DSS, SIRIL, AstroSharp, Sequator GIMP, etc. Processing just takes longer. So maybe it does not neccessarely need a top notch setup, hence it will be old anyway after a few years. And you will by a slight increase of perfomance with a load of money - unless this does not matter. Then look for a worksstation or components suitable for video processing. And yes, but stronger then mine it should be but this should not be an issue.

Jure Menart

Apr 1, 2025

Stefan Emsel:
Tareq Abdulla:
Brian Diaz:
hi , everyone

here is some info from pixlnsight

maybe help you

https://pixinsight.com/sysreq/

CS
Brian

Hi Brian,

I did read that page, just wanted to be sure, thank you

CS
Tareq

Hi, but PixInsight does (not yet) support GPU acceleration so a strong GPU does not give you any advantages for processing with PixInsight. For other graphical software it can be helpfull. But just for comparison, I use a Lenovo T14 with a rather weak i5-8250U, 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD and internal GPU. It works with PI, ASTAP, DSS, SIRIL, AstroSharp, Sequator GIMP, etc. Processing just takes longer. So maybe it does not neccessarely need a top notch setup, hence it will be old anyway after a few years. And you will by a slight increase of perfomance with a load of money - unless this does not matter. Then look for a worksstation or components suitable for video processing. And yes, but stronger then mine it should be but this should not be an issue.

GPU is useful for *XTerminator tools, GraXpert, ... there I can see A LOT of speed-up.

Gilmour Dickson

Apr 1, 2025

Jure Menart:
Stefan Emsel:
Tareq Abdulla:
Brian Diaz:
hi , everyone

here is some info from pixlnsight

maybe help you

https://pixinsight.com/sysreq/

CS
Brian

Hi Brian,

I did read that page, just wanted to be sure, thank you

CS
Tareq

Hi, but PixInsight does (not yet) support GPU acceleration so a strong GPU does not give you any advantages for processing with PixInsight. For other graphical software it can be helpfull. But just for comparison, I use a Lenovo T14 with a rather weak i5-8250U, 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD and internal GPU. It works with PI, ASTAP, DSS, SIRIL, AstroSharp, Sequator GIMP, etc. Processing just takes longer. So maybe it does not neccessarely need a top notch setup, hence it will be old anyway after a few years. And you will by a slight increase of perfomance with a load of money - unless this does not matter. Then look for a worksstation or components suitable for video processing. And yes, but stronger then mine it should be but this should not be an issue.

GPU is useful for *XTerminator tools, GraXpert, ... there I can see A LOT of speed-up.

True. But for me these processes are almost always "one off" steps that get done once and that is it. So in my case (buying a new machine last year purposefully for processing) I focused on CPU/RAM and fast storage. Of course if the budget had been there I would have liked a really good GPU too, but I had to compromise somewhere and for PI that seemed the logical area to compromise.

Die Launische Diva

Apr 1, 2025

Jure Menart:
GPU is useful for *XTerminator tools, GraXpert, ... there I can see A LOT of speed-up.

True, but these are not essential processes, and usually are still reasonably fast on modern CPUs.

Well Written

Jim Raskett

Apr 1, 2025

Gilmour Dickson:
Jure Menart:
Stefan Emsel:
Tareq Abdulla:
Brian Diaz:
hi , everyone

here is some info from pixlnsight

maybe help you

https://pixinsight.com/sysreq/

CS
Brian

Hi Brian,

I did read that page, just wanted to be sure, thank you

CS
Tareq

Hi, but PixInsight does (not yet) support GPU acceleration so a strong GPU does not give you any advantages for processing with PixInsight. For other graphical software it can be helpfull. But just for comparison, I use a Lenovo T14 with a rather weak i5-8250U, 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD and internal GPU. It works with PI, ASTAP, DSS, SIRIL, AstroSharp, Sequator GIMP, etc. Processing just takes longer. So maybe it does not neccessarely need a top notch setup, hence it will be old anyway after a few years. And you will by a slight increase of perfomance with a load of money - unless this does not matter. Then look for a worksstation or components suitable for video processing. And yes, but stronger then mine it should be but this should not be an issue.

GPU is useful for *XTerminator tools, GraXpert, ... there I can see A LOT of speed-up.

True. But for me these processes are almost always "one off" steps that get done once and that is it. So in my case (buying a new machine last year purposefully for processing) I focused on CPU/RAM and fast storage. Of course if the budget had been there I would have liked a really good GPU too, but I had to compromise somewhere and for PI that seemed the logical area to compromise.

I agree.
For my particular situation, I use a ASI533MC-P and it produces medium-small sized files. I am still using my 5 year old desktop that my son and I put together for about $700 originally.
A basic (cheap) Gigabyte motherboard and a Ryzen 2700x cpu (8 physical cores/16 logical) with 32GB DDR4 ram. I have added a 2 TB nvme (gen 3), several 4 TB spinning drives for storage, a nvidia 1060Ti (for the XT's) and upped the ram to 64GB.
All pretty small inexpensive upgrades on a no frill system and it runs well enough. The XT's run in usually 15 seconds or less (maybe 30 when I run a 2x drizzed image).
WBPP will chew through 600 lights with a 1x drizzle in 1-2 hours. Fine with me.
I have reprocessed my old dslr images (24mp) and they really surprised me that they really didn't take long at all.
My point is that a modest system will run small-medium sized files in a reasonable abount of time. Personally, I can't see spending 3x the cash for the difference in running BXT in 5 seconds vs. 15 seconds.

Helpful

Tareq Abdulla

Topic starter

Apr 1, 2025

Thank you very much all

Jupitero

Apr 3, 2025

mac mini M4
5x faster than any intel machine. brutal power.
v.

Dan Kohn

Apr 3, 2025 · Edited: Apr 3, 2025

The Benchmark page is the best resource for this: http://pixinsight.com/benchmark/

You can view the performance of various systems based on the same set of files/operations (benchmark tool in Pixinsight). I used this to find my system & wound up going with a low-end HP gaming laptop - best bang for the buck.

Helpful Concise

Tareq Abdulla

Topic starter

Apr 3, 2025

mac mini M4
5x faster than any intel machine. brutal power.
v.

It will be in my radar in future, this year i think i will just stuck with PC, in addition i am building all AMD computers, no Intel.

Also, in that PI benchmark, i don't see Mac M4 system among the systems tested.

Tareq Abdulla

Topic starter

Apr 3, 2025

Dan Kohn:
The Benchmark page is the best resource for this: http://pixinsight.com/benchmark/

You can view the performance of various systems based on the same set of files/operations (benchmark tool in Pixinsight). I used this to find my system & wound up going with a low-end HP gaming laptop - best bang for the buck.

I used that, and that is why i ordered 9950X and i ignored 9950X3D, i also have 9800X3D build and i am now using 9700X build which will give it to my daughter maybe tomorrow.

Jupitero

Apr 4, 2025

Tareq Abdulla:
mac mini M4
5x faster than any intel machine. brutal power.
v.

It will be in my radar in future, this year i think i will just stuck with PC, in addition i am building all AMD computers, no Intel.

Also, in that PI benchmark, i don't see Mac M4 system among the systems tested.

I don’t use PI, but Siril and Astropixel Processor with M4.
Same projects data sets (lights/callibration frames) with Siril at M4 vs Siril at i7 = 5x shorter pre-processing times.
v.

Tareq Abdulla

Topic starter

Apr 4, 2025

Tareq Abdulla:
mac mini M4
5x faster than any intel machine. brutal power.
v.

It will be in my radar in future, this year i think i will just stuck with PC, in addition i am building all AMD computers, no Intel.

Also, in that PI benchmark, i don't see Mac M4 system among the systems tested.

I don’t use PI, but Siril and Astropixel Processor with M4.
Same projects data sets (lights/callibration frames) with Siril at M4 vs Siril at i7 = 5x shorter pre-processing times.
v.

I also use Astropixel Processor [APP] next to PI, so maybe in future if i will buy Mac M4 i will use it more often, i am not much stuck to a brand really, i do have so many old Mac computers [two Mac Mini and two MacBook Pro], but sounds for the last 6-10 years i more use Windows than Mac.

I think i will move to Siril because Photoshop is no longer accessible for me with their greedy subscription, i still think about Afinity really, but sounds that Siril is more favorable in astro community.