Photoshop hardware requirements

amiram · 02-12-2005, 09:04 PM

Hi everyone,

I need to buy a new PC and I want it to run photoshop well.
What about this:
MSI 915G intel chipset.
Pentium 4 3.0GHz LGA775.
Intel graphic media accelarator 900 on board, up to 224 MB.
512MB DDR400.
80GB HD s-ata 150.

What should I improve to get better performance?
1. Faster CPU?
2. Maybe AMD 64bit?
3. Graphic card AGP or PCI-Express? ATI, GeForce5 or GeForce6?
4. More memory?
5. Raid HD?
6. Anything else?

I'm not a pro in photoshop but I want to work a lot with it.

Thanks

Erik · 02-12-2005, 09:36 PM

On board video usually lives on your ram like a vampyre. Better get a separate vid card. 256vid memory is overkill, except for gamers.

Photoshop loves a second hdd, and a separate partition on that (1-2 gig) for its swap file so that it doesn't mix with win's.

CPU is fast enough.

512 ram is ok, but more would be advisable if you intend to work with lots of layers and at a 300ppi larger size.

Apart from that, a Wacom Intuos is advisable if you want to draw and/or draw masks by hand.

For backup, an external HDD is more than handy. If you don't leave it on all the time.

Apart from that, the puter needs USB2.. Either a hub, or a few ports at the front side make life easier.

XPPro is much better than Home.

Welles · 02-12-2005, 09:43 PM

Hi amiram

1. More RAM

2. A second hard drive and assign the first partition as a scratch disk. The size of the scratch disk depends on the size of the files you work on. If you work on 100-200 mb files 40GB dedicated scratch volume should be enough. Thats based on the experience of someone who uses 3D plugins and sometimes has 50 or more layers etc.

3. With very limited experience in PCs (Mac user who recently acquired a PC for fun) I'm partial to AMD processors.

4. There's no substitute for a dedicated video card. Your processor doesn't have to do the graphics work as well. AGP 8x and 256mb. I perfer ATI but that's coming from a Mac perspective.

NOTE: Only the first two are absolutely for sure. The last two are mere opinionating.

v.bampton · 02-13-2005, 06:12 PM

Yep, agree on more RAM. 768mb is the least I'd use photoshop on - on a 512 it is noticeably slow. I've got 1.5gb, and I have to admit, on most files 1gb would be quite adequate!

You'll fill up your 80gb hdd very quickly if you're using photoshop much, particularly working with layered PSD's. A second physical hard drive for daily backup is a must. Nothing worse than losing all your files, and backing up to CD/DVD every day is unrealistic!

I'd go with Athlon processor as well. They tend to be faster for less cash. Go for 64bit - definitely makes a difference on running certain filters - and I mean a HUGE difference!

Graphics card - if you're just using it for photoshop, go with a Matrox, ideally a dual head - a second monitor is fantastic!!! The G550 has just been replaced in their range so you should pick it up at a really good price - great card! ATI do some really nice dual head's as well.

Following on from that, a second monitor is a great addition. It only need to be a cheap 15" monitor, but is great for moving all the pallettes out of the way while you're working on the main screen.

Finally a wacom graphics tablet - even their low end Volito model would be great. And if you're doing a lot of photographic work, some kind of calibration hardware such as GretagMacBeth EyeOne would be a bonus.

Have we spent enough of your hard earned cash yet? ;\