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OK, I’m in a quandary about building a new workstation almost exclusively for PS. I’ve been using an older system with dual-P-III 1GHz Intel processors running W2K Pro. I was attempting to spec a new machine, but the shop keeps telling me that PS cannot use dual-processors, and that, unless I have Windows "Server" as the OS, only one processor will ever be used, and then, only with spreadsheets. Though I have monitored the existing dual-processor performance with Windows Task Manager (W2K), and have seen the processing going on ( including Threads handled) on both, the shop says that only one CPU is ever being used, and the other display is bogus – that it is impossible for PS to ever use the second processor.
IIRC, dual (Windows) processor support was added sometimes around PS4, as a plug-in, the same as MMX in those days. I maintain that PS does use both processors, and Adobe’s site: http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/318243. html, seems to back this up. The shop refutes this as says that it is just an attempt to sell more CPS’s as only one can ever be used (unless Server or UNIX are the OS, and even then PS cannot use but one processor). However, the same shop also claims that the CPU speed makes no difference with PS, but only memory (RAM), as ALL processes are done in RAM, with some in virtual memory, via the Scratch Disk. I know this to be incorrect, as the processor speed IS critical to the speed of PS, though RAM and HDDs are very important, also.
While I’ve got several workstations and a laptop, with different processors, RAM and HDD configurations, I have not tried any benchmarks on the dual- processor machine, by turning off the second processor via the BIOS. I have noted that the dual-processor P-II 1GHz w/ 1.5 GB RAM (max on the MoBo) is still faster than either a 3.2GHz single P-4 desktop, or a 3.4GHz P-4 HT, 2GB RAM laptop, I have attributed some of this "observed" speed to the large SCSI Scratch Disks, but some to the dual-processors
Does someone out there have the real scoop on this? While the new machine is not meant to be an exercise is spending money, I don’t mind paying for the greater processing capability, if PS can actually use it. I constantly work with extremely large files, most with many Layers. I’m fairly computer literate, having build several PS workstations, I have to admit that the current speed of technology has left me a bit behind.
So far, Google, and the Adobe Fora Search functions haven’t yielded anything but scant "mention" of dual-processor support by PS, with no tech data/ references. While the shop doesn’t have to know Photoshop critically, (heck, I’ve been using it since it first hit Windows) I do question their capability if they are totally unaware, and refuse to believe that PS CAN benefit from dual-processors. This puts me into the position of wondering if they are the right shop for the task. I understand wanting to save a potential client money, but if the technology can benefit the client, it is then the client’s responsibility to justify the expenditure. They say, "window dressing – nothing is actually happening… " but I want to know. Any Adobe coders out there? Any tech-savvy PS users, who know the answer to my question?
I appreciate your thoughts and data,
Hunt
IIRC, dual (Windows) processor support was added sometimes around PS4, as a plug-in, the same as MMX in those days. I maintain that PS does use both processors, and Adobe’s site: http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/318243. html, seems to back this up. The shop refutes this as says that it is just an attempt to sell more CPS’s as only one can ever be used (unless Server or UNIX are the OS, and even then PS cannot use but one processor). However, the same shop also claims that the CPU speed makes no difference with PS, but only memory (RAM), as ALL processes are done in RAM, with some in virtual memory, via the Scratch Disk. I know this to be incorrect, as the processor speed IS critical to the speed of PS, though RAM and HDDs are very important, also.
While I’ve got several workstations and a laptop, with different processors, RAM and HDD configurations, I have not tried any benchmarks on the dual- processor machine, by turning off the second processor via the BIOS. I have noted that the dual-processor P-II 1GHz w/ 1.5 GB RAM (max on the MoBo) is still faster than either a 3.2GHz single P-4 desktop, or a 3.4GHz P-4 HT, 2GB RAM laptop, I have attributed some of this "observed" speed to the large SCSI Scratch Disks, but some to the dual-processors
Does someone out there have the real scoop on this? While the new machine is not meant to be an exercise is spending money, I don’t mind paying for the greater processing capability, if PS can actually use it. I constantly work with extremely large files, most with many Layers. I’m fairly computer literate, having build several PS workstations, I have to admit that the current speed of technology has left me a bit behind.
So far, Google, and the Adobe Fora Search functions haven’t yielded anything but scant "mention" of dual-processor support by PS, with no tech data/ references. While the shop doesn’t have to know Photoshop critically, (heck, I’ve been using it since it first hit Windows) I do question their capability if they are totally unaware, and refuse to believe that PS CAN benefit from dual-processors. This puts me into the position of wondering if they are the right shop for the task. I understand wanting to save a potential client money, but if the technology can benefit the client, it is then the client’s responsibility to justify the expenditure. They say, "window dressing – nothing is actually happening… " but I want to know. Any Adobe coders out there? Any tech-savvy PS users, who know the answer to my question?
I appreciate your thoughts and data,
Hunt
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