Graphics processor error

[Michelle Is Me]

I have been getting this error allllll the time lately. My husband said maybe I should get a new graphics card. He first googled it and it sounded like Adobe was giving this error when people were using AI features, but it's happening to me when I'm just using ACR normally, like I could be just adjusting the whites or doing something random. It's not like I'm doing the denoise or other things that I know are using AI. So anyway, he found one he thought might be good but said I should research. I have no clue though.Photography is my thing, not computers  I can tell you I have a 4.30GHz Intel Core CPU, 32 GB RAM, Windows 10 Pro. And I took a screenshot of my current graphics card... 

Can you give any advice on what is causing this error? And, should I get a new graphics card?

[Brian]

19 hours ago, Michelle Is Me said:

My husband said maybe I should get a new graphics card.

Your husband is correct. I'd recommend a NVIDIA RTX 4070 with 8GB of Video RAM (12-16 would be better) for the current versions of Photoshop CC in 2025. A NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB is completely outdated for "Today's Modern Photoshop."

ALL of those fancy AI Tools, which are included in the latest versions of Photoshop CC, utilize the Video GPU and Dedicated Video Memory in order to function. Hell, even Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) uses the Video GPU and Video RAM to work. (Also tools like Liquify, Noise Reduction, Lens Filters, etc. also use the Video GPU.) 

So what can you do? Well, you can upgrade the Video Card, but I will tell you, that can be an expensive Rabbit Hole to go down. Not only will you have to fork out the money for a new video card, but money for a possible power supply that has the wattage to support said new card. Then since current video cards are like "Computers within Computers," chances are you are buying a new case to house the new video card and power supply. Then you find out your motherboard isn't powerful enough, causing that to be replaced...then a new CPU, RAM, etc. etc.

So basically...you are buying a whole new computer just to make Photoshop happy.

So what can you do? Downgrade to an older version of Photoshop AND STAY THERE!! NO UPGRADING FOR YOU, REGARDLESS ON HOW MUCH ADOBE BUGS YOU TO UPDATE.   Start saving for a new computer, I'd budget $2500 in 2025.

[Michelle Is Me]

Thanks! He sent me this link, but it sounds like this is more for gaming... https://linustechtips.com/topic/1592197-the-arc-b580-is-actually-great-affordable/

I'm not even sure how to downgrade my photoshop version. Will have to mull all of this over. I hate spending money on computer stuff when I could get a new lens intead lol!

[Brian]

Actually, the specs needed for Photoshop CC is a Gaming PC. I would not buy a NVIDIA RTX 4060. Get either a 4070 or 4080. As far as the Intel ARC Video Card, never heard of it. Photoshop likes NVIDIA Drivers. In fact, there are drivers that are known as the "NVIDIA Studio Drivers," which are meant for Photoshop usage.

From NVIDIA's Website:

Basically, the Studio Drivers are meant for Adobe's current products.  

Give this article a read:

Buying a Windows Computer in 2025

[Michelle Is Me]

Thanks again. What about the Quadro P6000?

[Brian]

Here is a list of Video Cards that have been tested with Photoshop. 

I'd recommend the any Video Card that has a rating of 10,000 or better with the current versions of Photoshop CC. The Quadro P6000 should work, but it has a rating of 8724. You have to remember, Photoshop CC is only going to get worse with each and every update. It's a BEAST in 2025. All of this AI Crap and other fancy tools, the days of CS6 and running Photoshop for 15 years are OVER.

Instead of a NVIDIA RTX 4070 or 4080, maybe a RTX 3070 or 3080? Now, if that Quadro P6000 will work with your existing computer / power supply, even though it has a rating of 8724...it saves you from having to fork out $3000 for a new computer. So it might be a good stop-gap until you save more money and it will be a lot better than what you currently have. Hopefully, we can get another year or two out of your computer IF that card will work with your existing hardware.

I highly recommend the NVIDIA Graphics cards due to the fact they have the Studio Drivers which are specifically meant for Adobe's Products. Unfortunately, it looks like the Quadro P6000 isn't on the list for supported cards, but a RTX 3070 is.
 

[Michelle Is Me]

Thanks again. So, here's an issue we are having. I really don't have $3k to budget for a new computer. And we're having a hard time even finding cards in stock. My husband said it's because of bitcoin mining or something. So yeah, right now I just need a stop-gap, but I can't seem to find any good options!

[Brian]

58 minutes ago, Michelle Is Me said:

My husband said it's because of bitcoin mining or something.

Yep. That is true. In addition, Video Graphics Cards have become "Computers within Computers," and software products like Adobe Photoshop have taken advantage of this fact. It this processing power and dedicated video memory that makes them so fast and ideal for Bitcoin, that drives up the prices. Now add the 10% Tariffs from China, and all of this computer shit is made in China, so there's that.

58 minutes ago, Michelle Is Me said:

right now I just need a stop-gap, but I can't seem to find any good options!

I just tweaked my Buying a Computer in 2025 article, since the Dell XPS Desktop Line that I used to recommend for years, has been replaced. The good news is, the computer I just configured is a little cheaper. The bad news is, it's about $2600. The days of the "999 Special" from a Big Box Store are over. Those computers happened 20 years ago. Everything today is more expensive. Hell, my wife just bought a pound of Beef for Tacos, which will be tonight's dinner. It was $10.24!!! For a fucking pound of Ground Beef!!! I remember when something like that was around $5-ish! 

I just did a quick CPI Inflation Calculator, to see what "999.99" in 1995 would be in today's money. It works out to be $2122.95. Which if you think about it, is more along the lines of $1199.99-ish back then. So yesterday's $1200 model is the $2600 model that I configured.

So what can you do? 

You will need to un-install / downgrade to an older version of Photoshop CC AND STAY THERE!!! 

NO UPGRADING FOR YOU!!! NOT YOURS!!! 

NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE ADOBE MOTHER-SHIP BUGS YOU THAT THERE IS AN UPDATE!! 

 

Bottom Line: I'd look to install PS CC 2023 and see how that works for you.

[Michelle Is Me]

Thank you! Ok, so is if I'm able to just update my card, is THIS the card you'd recommend? I can't even find the 4080, and I don't know if this is the one you are saying (I honestly don't really understand all the technical jargon, so I'm not certain if all the letters etc are correct. Give me a camera anyday.) : https://marketplace.nvidia.com/en-us/consumer/graphics-cards/gigabyte-geforce-rtx-4070-ti-eagle-12g-with-dlss-3/

Edit: Nevermind - when you click the buy now button it takes you to a page where you can't even buy the thing. I don't even understand where I'm supposed to buy a card when I can't find one. My brother was saying something about if you buy somewhere like amazon it might not even really be the card or something. It's all so confusing.

And I am with you on the price of beef. It is outrageous.

Edited Sunday at 10:30 PM by Michelle Is Me

[Brian]

Yep, that video 4070 video card should work. Hopefully your Power Supply will support it, otherwise you will be upgrading that as well.

Besides Amazon, two places that you can buy stuff from:

1. NEWEGG
2. Micro Center

Amazon is usually "fine," if it's being sold and shipped from Amazon. It's when you buy stuff from their 3rd-parties is when you can have the most issues. If it's not from Amazon and shipped via Amazon Prime, chances are I'm not buying it. Hell, I never buy stuff from eBay, but that's just me.

 

EDIT!!!

It looks like both of those places aren't viable. Newegg seems to be shipping directly from China, and the prices are around the $1500 mark, for just the video card. Micro Center doesn't have any 4070 cards, and they seem to be pushing the 5000 series cards. I would hold off and save up. You are likely going to throw money away as I'm not 100% convinced that a new card will work with your older Motherboard. Downgrade to an older version of Photoshop and hopefully that will work for you. A $3000 budget for a new computer is realistic in 2025. I know, you can't afford it. Why do you think I'm still on PS CC 2023 with my 2017 iMac?

PS: The reason you can't click "Buy Now" on NVIDIA's site, is they are linking to Micro Center's Website. Micro Center is flat-out sold out. The $799 price tag is probably from late 2024; it's a new Ballgame with stuff coming from China in 2025. The Tariff's are making things more expensive.

...and people often question me on why I recommend such high-end / expensive stuff...it's to cut down on this very situation. I configure my systems for Photoshop a few years from now, not the current versions of software.

[Brian]

Hell, even an older NVIDIA RTX 3070 is $1150. You are not going to get a video card for $800. The 4070 seems to be around the $1500 price-point, but it's sold out.

***SIGH***

As much as I hate to recommend this, since you have an older system, something like a NVIDIA 4060 might be in your budget. It should work, JUST BE SURE TO INSTALL & USE THE NVIDIA STUDIO DRIVERS AND NOT THE ONES THAT COME WITH THE CARD.

Even though I recommend at least a 4070 / 4080, in this circumstance and your budget, with an older PC...it will be WAY BETTER than what you currently have. Plus, $564.50 is probably an easier pill to swallow. I also tend to like MSI Video Cards, as Gigabyte's support has really gone down-hill in recent years. I'm buying either a EVGA or MSI product if it were my money.