Ram and Videoram and how they work?

08/27/2011 01:13:28 PM · #1

I am thinking of getting a new computer and I don't want to buy one that has an integrated video card. I also don't have the expertise to build my own. I know I need a good amount of ram to run cs5. The computer I am looking at has a AMD Radeon HD6950 2GB video card in it and 12GB DDR3 Memory (Upgradeable up to 16GB.

Will cs5 pull from the video card as it would if I were gaming or does it use the regular ram? Also, what are your thoughts on the DDR3 - I couldn't find anything in my price range that has DDR5 ram and I don't want to have to upgrade this computer for awhile. Thanks for any help as I am going to purchase the computer in the next few days.

Mike

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

08/27/2011 01:57:25 PM · #2

the way your pc works is when you open files those files get loaded into the ram and when your ram runs out the pc uses the harddisk to maintain the files. ram is very fast compared to your spinning hdd, so you want to use that when possible when working on large files the pc decides how to manage that memory usage as you work.

when you do photoediting, the files can be large and in order to keep them open and work on them yo need a lot or ram so that it doesn't get used up and then resort to the hd, which slows things down. so the more ram the better.

the thing with video ram is it mainly used for rendering, like 3d graphics, for instance in gaming and say if you did 3d design and needed real time rendering and shading while you worked.

the video ram may give a performance boost with photo editing, but i cant see it being more than marginal. i use integrated graphics with photoshop cs5 and 4g of ram and i don't really have any slowdown and this is working with 18mp raw files that are 25mb each.

i wouldn't spend the money on a graphics card unless you work in 3d or play games. besides you can always add one later. for photoediting your money would be better spent on a solid state hdd.

bhuge

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/27/2011 02:01:43 PM · #3

What Mike said..

Also I would be sure to get the 64-bit version of Windows. With the 32-bit version photoshop can only access up to 4GB of ram.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/27/2011 02:56:48 PM · #4

Thank you very much for the info. It took me a long time to make the decision to buy a new computer - I got tired finally of having cs5 shut down in the middle of an edit so I am making the move.

I am not a gamer and I don't render 3d graphics. I didn't know about the importance of 32 bit over 64 bit. You guys saved me a bunch of money and I am grateful. M.

PGerst

Canon EOS-20D

08/27/2011 06:04:44 PM · #5

I'm not sure on this, but I think it may be less. I don't think Windows 32b can even use all 4 GB. With that said, I'm referring to XP. I'm not sure about Win7.

Originally posted by bhuge:

What Mike said..

Also I would be sure to get the 64-bit version of Windows. With the 32-bit version photoshop can only access up to 4GB of ram.

FourPointX

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/27/2011 06:10:51 PM · #6

Originally posted by PGerst:

I'm not sure on this, but I think it may be less. I don't think Windows 32b can even use all 4 GB. With that said, I'm referring to XP. I'm not sure about Win7.

Originally posted by bhuge:
What Mike said..

Also I would be sure to get the 64-bit version of Windows. With the 32-bit version photoshop can only access up to 4GB of ram.

the 32-bit operating system (windows xp, windows 7 32-bit, can only access 3.2 GB of RAM, regardless of the amount is in your computer

64-bit architecture is open exponentially, i am not sure of it's limits but i'm sure it can read at least as high as 32GB.

and to think i can in here because i thought the title was RUM...

ecmguy

Nikon D800

Lomography Petzval 85mm F2.2 MF

08/27/2011 06:17:41 PM · #7

Windows 7 is the same. A certain amount of memory is reserved for other devices, so you'll only have between 2.5 and 3.5 GB on a 32-bit system. I think the difference with Win7 is that it "reports" all 4 GB of memory, or more if you have it, even if it doesn't use all of it. At least WinXP was more honest about it.

My home computer has 10 GB of RAM, and my laptop has 4 GB. CS5 runs fine on 4 GB on the laptop for most things. The biggest difference I've seen is when I'm using the liquefy tool, or doing a photomerge of several pictures, then photoshop really starts to creep...

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/27/2011 06:37:39 PM · #8

The one I am thinking of has these specs;

Processor & Memory:

AMD Quad-Core A8-3850 Accelerated Processor with Radeonâ�¢ HD 6550D processor-integrated Graphics
AMDÂ® A75 Chipset
16GB DDR3 Memory (4 slots, 32GB max)

Drives:

2TB SATA II Hard Drive
12X Blu-ray Rewritable Drive
Front Panel 19-in-1 digital multimedia card reader

Graphics:

Radeonâ�¢ HD 6550D processor-integrated Graphics with dual monitor capability

Communications:

10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN

Audio:

Flexible 8-CH audio with jack sensing

Keyboard & Mouse:

USB Keyboard
USB Mouse

Expandability (total bays/slots):

2 x 5.25" Exposed (1x occupied)
1 x 3.5" Exposed (1x occupied)
4 x 3.5" Hidden (1x occupied)
2 x PCIe x16
1 x PCIe x1
1 x PCI, Support 3.3V/5V PCI bus interface

Ports:

6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 Front, 4 Rear)
2 x USB 3.0 ports
6 x Audio ports
1 x DVI port
1 x VGA port
1 x HDMI port
1 x PS/2 keyboard / mouse port
1 x LAN jack

Operating System:

Genuine Microsoft WindowsÂ® 7 Home Premium, 64-bit

I am hoping this one will last me a good 3 or 4 years. Is there anything about these specs that would make it slow to run cs5 when I am using content aware or the like? The windows 7 is 64 bit .. a good thing yes?

Thank you all for your help. It's a major purchase for me.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

08/27/2011 08:17:12 PM · #9

The only thing I would check is whether your RAM is configured as 4x4GB (filling all four slots) or 2x8GB (leaving two empty slots for expansion) -- the former will cost more if you ever want to upgrade to more RAM.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

08/27/2011 08:28:05 PM · #10

Thanks General ... I can't find that info out - however, as this computer, my second choice, costs $699.00 as opposed to the $1499 one I was first thinking of, I will sock the money away to upgrade if needed. I have been working on huge composites and want to save without flattening .. tricky with the computer I have now. Hopefully this one will do it for me.

Again, what a wonderful community where people are so willing to answer questions .. saved me a bundle today. Thanks all for your comments.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

08/27/2011 08:59:19 PM · #11

Don't go with integrated graphics. Ps *does* take advantage of the graphics card. It's not the RAM on the graphics card that's important, but the GPU (Graphics Processor). Think of it as another CPU that Ps can use to do graphics-intensive tasks. Most modern graphics cards are compatible with Ps, but you may want to confirm that Ps will be able to use the GPU on the graphics card of your choice.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/27/2011 09:15:21 PM · #12

Thanks

kirbic. This was my original choice first choice computer As you can see it's about double the cost but seems to be an excellent price for what you get.

Is there another place I should be looking? There really isn't any computer stores close to me and I don't know about online places. Costco has a wicked return policy, no questions asked, if you run into difficulties.

I really would appreciate direction in making this choice.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

08/27/2011 09:24:55 PM · #13

try newegg.com

PGerst

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/27/2011 09:31:51 PM · #14

Which versions? All?

Originally posted by kirbic:

Ps *does* take advantage of the graphics card.