1. Intel® Core™ i9-14900 Desktop Processor 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) up to 5.8 GHz

The i9-14900 is the fastest photo editing CPU I've tested, and it's not particularly close. That 5.8GHz boost clock on the performance cores makes Photoshop feel absurdly responsive. When you're applying complex filters like Neural Filters or working with 16-bit TIFFs, the difference between this and mid-range chips is immediately noticeable. Adjustments happen instantly rather than with that telltale half-second lag.

But where the i9-14900 properly shines for photo editing is batch processing. Exporting 300 RAW files from Lightroom Classic to JPEG with lens corrections and noise reduction applied? This chip demolished the task in just under 8 minutes on my test system, compared to 14 minutes on the Ryzen 5 5600X. Those efficiency cores aren't just marketing nonsense - they genuinely accelerate multi-threaded workloads whilst the P-cores handle foreground tasks.

The hybrid architecture means you can have Lightroom exporting in the background whilst still editing other photos smoothly. I tested this specifically: started a 500-photo export, then immediately opened Photoshop and worked on a 45-megapixel layered file. Zero lag. The P-cores handled my editing whilst the E-cores smashed through the export queue.

Downsides? It's expensive at £526.99, and you'll need a decent cooler because it can pull serious power under load. The 65W TDP rating is a base figure - expect 200W+ when you're hammering all cores. But if you're processing hundreds of photos weekly and value your time, this chip pays for itself in saved hours. See our full Intel Core i9-14900 review for detailed benchmark results.

Editor's pick: Intel® Core™ i9-14900 Desktop Processor 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) up to 5.8 GHz

2. AMD Ryzen 5 4500 Processor (6 Cores/12 Threads, 65W DTP, AM4 Socket, 11 MB Cache, Up to 4.1 GHz Max Boost, wraith stealth cooler)

At £72, the Ryzen 5 4500 is the cheapest entry point to proper photo editing performance. It's based on older Zen 2 architecture and lacks the clock speeds of pricier chips, but for hobbyist photographers editing batches of 20-50 photos, it's genuinely capable. I tested it with Lightroom Classic and a typical wedding photographer's workflow: importing 400 RAW files, culling, editing 80 keepers, and exporting.

The 4.1GHz boost clock feels adequate rather than exciting in Lightroom. Adjusting exposure and colour sliders is responsive enough, though you'll notice slight delays when applying heavy-handed clarity or dehaze adjustments compared to faster chips. Where you'll really feel the budget constraints is batch exporting - those same 300 RAW-to-JPEG exports that took 8 minutes on the i9-14900 stretched to 22 minutes here.

But here's the thing: if you're editing photos in the evening after work rather than running a professional studio, those extra minutes don't matter much. You can start the export, make a brew, and it's done when you get back. For Photoshop work on individual photos, the 4500 handles typical editing tasks without complaint. Complex panorama stitching or focus stacking will test its patience, mind you.

The included Wraith Stealth cooler is basic but adequate for the 65W TDP. It's not silent, but it's not offensively loud either. And because this uses the AM4 platform, you've got a clear upgrade path to faster Ryzen 5000 series chips if you outgrow it. We covered this in our AMD Ryzen 5 4500 review with real-world timing comparisons.

3. AMD Ryzen 7 9700X Processor (8 Cores/16 Threads) 65W DTP, AM5 socket, 40MB Cache, Up to 5.5 GHz max boost frequency, no cooler

The Ryzen 7 9700X represents AMD's latest Zen 5 architecture, and it's a brilliant all-rounder for photo editing and broader content creation. That 5.5GHz boost clock delivers snappy Photoshop performance that rivals Intel's fastest chips, whilst 8 cores provide proper headroom for batch processing without the expense of the i9-14900.

In Lightroom Classic, the 9700X feels noticeably quicker than 6-core chips when you're working with high-resolution RAW files. Generating 1:1 previews for a 500-photo import took 6 minutes versus 9 minutes on the Ryzen 5 5600X. That might not sound dramatic, but when you're doing this multiple times weekly, it adds up. The extra cache (40MB versus 35MB on the 5600X) seems to help with large file handling too.

What makes this chip particularly appealing for photo editors is the AM5 platform. You're buying into AMD's current socket, which means future CPU upgrades won't require a new motherboard. And unlike the 9700X's bigger siblings, this runs at just 65W TDP, so you can pair it with a modest cooler and keep your system quiet. Though AMD doesn't include a cooler in the box, which is annoying at this price point.

The integrated graphics (based on RDNA 2) are genuinely useful if you're building a dedicated editing workstation. Photoshop and Lightroom don't need gaming-grade GPUs, so you can skip the discrete graphics card entirely and put that money toward more RAM or faster storage instead. See our AMD Ryzen 7 9700X review for thermal and power testing results.

4. AMD RYZEN ™ 7 9800X 3D Desktop Processor (8-core/16-thread, 104MB cache, up to 5.2 GHz max boost)

The 9800X 3D is primarily a gaming chip, but that massive 104MB cache makes it surprisingly effective for photo editing, particularly when you're working with enormous RAW files from high-resolution cameras. The 3D V-Cache technology stacks additional L3 cache directly on the processor die, which helps when Lightroom is juggling dozens of 60+ megapixel images in memory.

In practical photo editing terms, the 9800X 3D sits between the standard 9700X and the i9-14900 for performance. That 5.2GHz boost isn't quite as high as the i9's 5.8GHz, so individual Photoshop operations feel slightly less instant. But for batch operations in Lightroom - generating smart previews, exporting with heavy processing, creating panoramas - it's genuinely quick. Those 300 RAW exports completed in about 10 minutes, splitting the difference between the i9 and mid-range chips.

The real appeal here is versatility. If you're a photographer who also games, this chip delivers brilliant gaming performance (genuinely the fastest gaming CPU available right now) whilst handling photo editing duties without compromise. You're paying a premium for that 3D V-Cache though - £374 is steep when the standard 9700X costs £260 and performs similarly for pure photo work.

One quirk: the 120W TDP means this runs warmer than the 65W chips, so budget for a decent tower cooler. And you'll want fast RAM (DDR5-6000 or better) to properly feed that cache. Our AMD Ryzen 7 9800X 3D review includes gaming and productivity benchmarks if you're considering this dual-purpose route.

5. AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Processor (6 Cores/12Threads, 65W TDP, AM4 Socket, 35MB Cache, up to 4.6 GHz Max Boost, Wraith Stealth Cooler)

The Ryzen 5 5600X has been a favourite among content creators since launch, and it remains brilliant value for mixed photo and video workflows. That 4.6GHz boost clock makes it noticeably snappier than the budget 4500 in Lightroom, whilst 6 cores provide enough grunt for occasional video editing in DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro alongside your photo work.

For photo editing specifically, the 5600X hits a sweet spot. It's fast enough that Photoshop feels responsive with complex layered files, and Lightroom adjustments happen without noticeable lag even with 45-megapixel RAW files. Batch exports take longer than 8-core chips obviously - those 300 RAW files needed about 14 minutes - but that's still reasonable for most workflows.

What makes this particularly appealing is the included Wraith Stealth cooler and the mature AM4 platform. You can build a complete editing system without spending extra on cooling, and AM4 motherboards are now properly affordable with plenty of used options available. The Zen 3 architecture is also more efficient than the older Zen 2 in the budget chips, so you get better performance per watt.

The 5600X shines when you're doing more than just photo editing. Edit photos in the morning, cut together a YouTube video in the afternoon, maybe some light gaming in the evening - it handles that varied workload brilliantly. If you're purely editing photos and nothing else, you might prefer the newer 9700X for future-proofing. But for mixed content creation on a sensible budget, this is sorted. Check our AMD Ryzen 5 5600X review for video editing benchmarks.

6. AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Processor (6 Cores/12Threads, 65W DTP, AM4 Socket, 35 MB Cache, up to 4.1 GHz Max Boost frequency, Wraith stealth cooler)

The Ryzen 5 3600 was a legendary chip when it launched in 2019, and whilst it's showing its age against modern processors, it's still capable for photo editing if you find one cheap. At £85 new (or £50-60 used), it represents the absolute minimum I'd recommend for Lightroom and Photoshop work.

That 4.2GHz boost clock feels noticeably slower than the 5600X's 4.6GHz when you're applying complex Photoshop filters or working with adjustment layers. There's a perceptible lag between moving a slider and seeing the preview update with large files. Not deal-breaking, but you'll notice it if you're coming from a faster chip. Lightroom Classic runs fine for typical editing, though generating 1:1 previews takes its time.

Batch processing is where the Zen 2 architecture really shows its limitations. Those 300 RAW exports stretched to 25 minutes, nearly double the 5600X's time. If you're processing hundreds of photos weekly, that adds up to frustrating amounts of waiting. But for hobbyists editing 20-30 photos from a weekend shoot, it's perfectly adequate.

The main appeal of the 3600 in 2026 is the used market. You can often find these bundled with AM4 motherboards for £120-150 total, which is a cheap entry point for building an editing PC. Just know you're buying old tech with limited upgrade potential. The included cooler works fine for the 65W TDP. We tested this thoroughly in our AMD Ryzen 5 3600 review back when it launched.