For those folk that are considering a new computer, or upgrading a current one, I thought it could be useful to have a thread where the experienced togs that lurk around the forum could pass on any advice, tips and suggestions on what would make the computer run more efficiently/faster/stable.
It's not a thread about spending busloads of dosh to get the ultimate flying machine, nor is it a bunfight on what is the best operating system.
I'll start with what I've found that has increased the performance (or not) of my computers.
Installing a SSD (Solid State Drive)
This was one of my better upgrades, and with prices tumbling, it's a worthwhile upgrade, or specifying one if a new system. Current prices around £50-£60 for a 128GB drive. I use the SSD as my OS drive, with everything else stored on internal/external sata/USB drives.
Using USB3
If buying a new machine, it's worth speccing USB3 ports, my motherboard has only USB2 ports, so I purchased a USB3 Pci card , took 15 minutes to install/load drivers, and alongside this I bought a USB3 memory card reader. It has been stated that USB3 is around 10 times faster than a USB2 device, most real world experience (including mine) is that USB3 is 3 times faster than USB2, which is still a significant speed gain. What it means for me, is that instead of importing the raw files I intend to work on to an internal hard drive, I work on the raw files (in PS or LR) directly with the files on the card reader. So for £26 for both the USB3 Pci and USB3 card reader combined, a relatively cheap efficiency saving.
64 bit rather than 32 bit
Mainly a consideration for those purchasing new, 32 bit machines are limited to 4GB of main memory, with 64 bit you can go well beyond 4GB. A few years ago there were a few software/driver compatibility problems with running 64bit machines, I think this is now a thing of the past.
Increase memory
4GB is probably the minimum anyone should considerif running LR/PS/DPP, and if your motherboard can take it and running a 64 bit machine, upgrading to 8GB (or more) is worth it, memory prices are still relatively cheap (e.g. 2x4GB memory-around £25-£30)
Graphics Card
Unless you are out and out gamer or do a lot of video editing, then there is not much point in upgrading or speccing a high end graphics card. I recently upgraded my graphics card from a medium to a higher end card, because I generally surf the web/image processing, there was no real difference in performance, so a complete waste of money for me.(please don't tell SWMBO)
Processor
This is an area where I think it's prudent to buy the best you can afford, image processing is heavily dependant on the processor (and memory), so skimping in this area should be avoided.
Monitor
Once again, it's probably beneficial to buy or spec a good quality monitor, I've learnt by mistakes, going the cheap and cheerful route does your head in, and although the point can be debatable, a 22 inch monitor (for desktop) is probably the minimum size that should be considered.
Anyway, these are some of the gains I've been able to make without bankrupting the family, I'm sure others have other tips and recommendations, which will hopefully add to this knowledge bank.
It's not a thread about spending busloads of dosh to get the ultimate flying machine, nor is it a bunfight on what is the best operating system.
I'll start with what I've found that has increased the performance (or not) of my computers.
Installing a SSD (Solid State Drive)
This was one of my better upgrades, and with prices tumbling, it's a worthwhile upgrade, or specifying one if a new system. Current prices around £50-£60 for a 128GB drive. I use the SSD as my OS drive, with everything else stored on internal/external sata/USB drives.
Using USB3
If buying a new machine, it's worth speccing USB3 ports, my motherboard has only USB2 ports, so I purchased a USB3 Pci card , took 15 minutes to install/load drivers, and alongside this I bought a USB3 memory card reader. It has been stated that USB3 is around 10 times faster than a USB2 device, most real world experience (including mine) is that USB3 is 3 times faster than USB2, which is still a significant speed gain. What it means for me, is that instead of importing the raw files I intend to work on to an internal hard drive, I work on the raw files (in PS or LR) directly with the files on the card reader. So for £26 for both the USB3 Pci and USB3 card reader combined, a relatively cheap efficiency saving.
64 bit rather than 32 bit
Mainly a consideration for those purchasing new, 32 bit machines are limited to 4GB of main memory, with 64 bit you can go well beyond 4GB. A few years ago there were a few software/driver compatibility problems with running 64bit machines, I think this is now a thing of the past.
Increase memory
4GB is probably the minimum anyone should considerif running LR/PS/DPP, and if your motherboard can take it and running a 64 bit machine, upgrading to 8GB (or more) is worth it, memory prices are still relatively cheap (e.g. 2x4GB memory-around £25-£30)
Graphics Card
Unless you are out and out gamer or do a lot of video editing, then there is not much point in upgrading or speccing a high end graphics card. I recently upgraded my graphics card from a medium to a higher end card, because I generally surf the web/image processing, there was no real difference in performance, so a complete waste of money for me.(please don't tell SWMBO)
Processor
This is an area where I think it's prudent to buy the best you can afford, image processing is heavily dependant on the processor (and memory), so skimping in this area should be avoided.
Monitor
Once again, it's probably beneficial to buy or spec a good quality monitor, I've learnt by mistakes, going the cheap and cheerful route does your head in, and although the point can be debatable, a 22 inch monitor (for desktop) is probably the minimum size that should be considered.
Anyway, these are some of the gains I've been able to make without bankrupting the family, I'm sure others have other tips and recommendations, which will hopefully add to this knowledge bank.
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