Will more Ram help slowdown with 15 megapixel RAW files?

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Posted By
Anthony_Siciliano
Oct 14, 2008
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154
Replies
4
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Closed
I use a Mac Pro 2.66 GHz Duel Core Intel Xeon with 7GB of RAM. I recently upgraded my camera from a 10 megapixel to a 15 megapixel and shoot exclusively RAW. The larger files have caused a noticible slowdown and more spinning wheels in Photoshop CS3, especially when working with larger tools like photomerge and HDR. I plan to upgrade to CS4 soon.

Will more RAM significantly boost my speed, or is my computer reaching it’s max performance with the new technolobgy? Thanks!!

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Ann_Shelbourne
Oct 14, 2008
Do you have a separate HD for Scratch?

If not, installing one would make a huge difference to performance.
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Anthony_Siciliano
Oct 14, 2008
Yes, I do have a separate disk for scratch. Thanks for the thought.
AW
Allen_Wicks
Oct 14, 2008
Yes RAM will likely help, especially in matched sets of 4 DIMMs properly installed. OWC <http://www.owcomputing.com/> has RAM and installation instructions.

Also note that hard drives should be kept underfilled (~50% for speed) and SATA connected.
P
progress
Oct 15, 2008
Ram wont make a difference unless your using all you have. Opening a 15mp 16 bit raw wont chew 7gb, even playing with HDR.

If not, it’s the processor straining under the load. Mine did it when I moved from 12mp to 22mp…plenty of ram, but it makes no odds… and it doesn’t chew 7gb either.

Perhaps your PS memory isn’t set right?

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