Realistic computer spec for Photoshop

Stewart Taylor wrote in news:dedbmq$ae9$1
@nwrdmz03.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com:

Hi all

I’m specing a new computer for my
daughter’s partner to use with Photoshop
( not elements). On the system
requirements page there are two things I
would like advice on. Firstly the cpu
requirements are stated as Xeon all the
way down to P3. Secondly the recommended
ram (384 MB) is less than that for
Elements (512 MB). On the basis with
graphics that more is better what are
realistic cpu and ram specs. My
daughter’s partner wants to get into
graphics design and has been advised
that Photoshop is the way to go. If
anyone in graphics design has any
thoughts on this I would like to hear them.

TIA
Stewart

CPU as fast as you can afford, 2 massive hard drives, min 228 graphics card minimum 1gb memory preferably 2gb, CRT screen min 19in dvd writer

—
f=Ma well, nearly…

In article <dedbmq$ae9$>,
Stewart Taylor wrote:

Hi all

I’m specing a new computer for my
daughter’s partner to use with Photoshop
( not elements). On the system
requirements page there are two things I
would like advice on. Firstly the cpu
requirements are stated as Xeon all the
way down to P3. Secondly the recommended
ram (384 MB) is less than that for
Elements (512 MB). On the basis with
graphics that more is better what are
realistic cpu and ram specs. My
daughter’s partner wants to get into
graphics design and has been advised
that Photoshop is the way to go. If
anyone in graphics design has any
thoughts on this I would like to hear them.

TIA
Stewart

FWIW I use PS CS on a midrange system with an AMD2700 CPU with 1GB ram. This is a bargin machine these days. The IO is fast as I have an IDE and two SATA disks with IO rates of 50-60MB/sec and the OS, data, swap, and PS work files are spread out. This makes a big differnece.

For what I do, basic PS work, performace is fine.

I work with RAW files (7MB) but don’t do a lot with layers. If you do then this machine would slow down some but not be unusable.

It depends on how professioanl you are. Lots of layers and/or the need to crank work out fast would make me put together a midrange AMD64 system with a GB or two of RAM and 3 or more fast disks.

I’ll guess the parts would cost less than $1k

If money is no limitation or you need the highest productivity (i.e. print one picture while you are editing another) you can go for a dual opteron machine. Parts cost about $2k a couple of months ago.

You can get dual-core AMD64 CPUs now that would accomplish the same at lower cost but I haven’t built a dual-core system yet so I don’t know the parts price.

All prices with no OS or monitor. Right now you need XP/pro to run a dual processor system.

—
a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m

Don’t blame me. I voted for Gore.

On 8/22/05 8:30 PM, Kingdom uttered:

that Photoshop is the way to go.

Photoshop alone won’t fill the bill properly, even with it’s newer vector capabilities. She should get the creative suite with Illustrator for vector drawing, InDesign for layouts, and Acrobat for file portability; at the least. Trust me, starting out with lowend tools, not enough tools, and inadequate equipment makes it a hard row to hoe. Trust me, I know.

inez

"Stewart Taylor" wrote in message

Hi all

I’m specing a new computer for my daughter’s partner to use with Photoshop ( not elements). On the system requirements page there are two things I would like advice on. Firstly the cpu requirements are stated as Xeon all the way down to P3. Secondly the recommended ram (384 MB) is less than that for Elements (512 MB). On the basis with graphics that more is better what are realistic cpu and ram specs. My daughter’s partner wants to get into graphics design and has been advised that Photoshop is the way to go. If anyone in graphics design has any thoughts on this I would like to hear them.

TIA
Stewart

Photoshop is mostly used for fixing photos. it creates rasterized artwork. For graphic design (if you can) get the whole suite
Illustrator may be a more suitable program for artists and it makes vectored artwork
In Design is mostly for print layout and design that will be published Most artists will also need good web design programs like MM Flash and Dreamweaver

try to get at least a 3.0 speed chip
make sure to get 1 GB RAM (512 will work but is not ideal) 2 hardrives are best (one for scratch disk space that is not the primary disk), SATA or fast type is better
try and get an upgrade on the video card at least to 128 but better is 256 (NVIDIA or radeon)
a good UPS to safeguard all that equipment
CD or DVD writer
printer

optional but sweet: a Wacom tablet and/or digital camera

"Al Dykes" wrote in message

In article <dedbmq$ae9$>,
Stewart Taylor wrote:

Hi all

I’m specing a new computer for my
daughter’s partner to use with Photoshop
( not elements). On the system
requirements page there are two things I
would like advice on. Firstly the cpu
requirements are stated as Xeon all the
way down to P3. Secondly the recommended
ram (384 MB) is less than that for
Elements (512 MB). On the basis with
graphics that more is better what are
realistic cpu and ram specs. My
daughter’s partner wants to get into
graphics design and has been advised
that Photoshop is the way to go. If
anyone in graphics design has any
thoughts on this I would like to hear them.

TIA
Stewart

FWIW I use PS CS on a midrange system with an AMD2700 CPU with 1GB ram. This is a bargin machine these days. The IO is fast as I have an IDE and two SATA disks with IO rates of 50-60MB/sec and the OS, data, swap, and PS work files are spread out. This makes a big differnece.

For what I do, basic PS work, performace is fine.

I work with RAW files (7MB) but don’t do a lot with layers. If you do then this machine would slow down some but not be unusable.
It depends on how professioanl you are. Lots of layers and/or the need to crank work out fast would make me put together a midrange AMD64 system with a GB or two of RAM and 3 or more fast disks.
I’ll guess the parts would cost less than $1k

If money is no limitation or you need the highest productivity (i.e. print one picture while you are editing another) you can go for a dual opteron machine. Parts cost about $2k a couple of months ago.
You can get dual-core AMD64 CPUs now that would accomplish the same at lower cost but I haven’t built a dual-core system yet so I don’t know the parts price.

All prices with no OS or monitor. Right now you need XP/pro to run a dual processor system.

—
a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m

Don’t blame me. I voted for Gore.

yeah I highly recommend the 19" CRT suggestion
AND the Win XP pro suggestion

FWIW my hubby only works on small files for internet and gaming he uses a million layers but the files are still small
he is on an old 1.8 Athlon
with 2 older hard drives about 60 GB each
Ge force FX 128 onboard
512 RAM

and he is fine with it, so the advice is really all tempered by "well what is she going to do with it?"

"Stewart Taylor" wrote in message

[…] My daughter’s partner wants to get into graphics design and has been advised that Photoshop is the way to go.
[…]

Not very good advice. Photoshop _and_ Illustrator.

KatWoman wrote:

Photoshop is mostly used for fixing photos. it creates rasterized artwork. For graphic design (if you can) get the whole suite

Hi

The advice to get Photoshop was that
most graphics designers still use
traditional media to create and then
scan into Photoshop for finishing. Is
this correct / usual.

Stewart

I wonder if the folks who are suggesting a video card with 128 or 256Mb of memory can explain their thinking… ?

Photoshop is a 2D app, and as such does not require any more video memory than it takes to draw a 24bit display on a large monitor or two. 64Mb is more than enough. I run 2 monitors on a Matrox card with 32Mb.

wrote:

I wonder if the folks who are suggesting a video card with 128 or 256Mb of memory can explain their thinking… ?

Photoshop is a 2D app, and as such does not require any more video memory than it takes to draw a 24bit display on a large monitor or two. 64Mb is more than enough. I run 2 monitors on a Matrox card with 32Mb.

A graphic designer may end up in a 3D world.

Andrew

wrote in message

I wonder if the folks who are suggesting a video card with 128 or 256Mb of memory can explain their thinking… ?

Photoshop is a 2D app, and as such does not require any more video memory than it takes to draw a 24bit display on a large monitor or two. 64Mb is more than enough. I run 2 monitors on a Matrox card with 32Mb.

You’re right, but it’s just a matter of what’s available. Almost all video cards made today have at least 128MB on them.

"Stewart Taylor" wrote

The advice to get Photoshop was that most graphics designers still use traditional media to create and then scan into Photoshop for finishing. Is this correct / usual.

No, that is not correct.

In article <dedbmq$ae9$>, stewarta.
says…

Hi all

I’m specing a new computer for my
daughter’s partner to use with Photoshop
( not elements). On the system
requirements page there are two things I
would like advice on. Firstly the cpu
requirements are stated as Xeon all the
way down to P3. Secondly the recommended
ram (384 MB) is less than that for
Elements (512 MB). On the basis with
graphics that more is better what are
realistic cpu and ram specs. My
daughter’s partner wants to get into
graphics design and has been advised
that Photoshop is the way to go. If
anyone in graphics design has any
thoughts on this I would like to hear them.

TIA
Stewart

Stewart,

I’m quoting from my article in another PS NG>

"The biggest bottlenecks in a PS system are:

1. IO – fast drives and plenty of them are the best answer. I use SCSI RAID0, but hear for good sources that SATA HDDs are just as fast, and less expensive. With PS CS(1 & 2), there is no limit to the amount of Scratch Disk space that can be used. Keep the OS and program files on separate physical drive(s) from the Scratch Disk.

2. RAM – the more, the better, up to what the OS can access. Beyond that limit, one might add a RAMdisk with some good results, but I have not had more RAM than the OS could address in many years, so I’m not speaking for current experience here.

3. Processor Speed – I’ve found that physical dual-processors really help PS along, more so than raw processor speed. Much has been said, speculated, tested and reported, on MT or dual-core. I have one machine with MT and leave it on, but don’t do any "heavy lifting" on that machine."

About the same advice holds for AI, as well. Anyone interested in Graphic Arts, should just start with the CS Premium (or whatever the official Adobe name is) and maybe consider the Adobe/Macromedia suite, or at least Flash & Dreamweaver if any serious Web material is to be generated.

The processor is down the list, and about anything that is currently available will do for you. Yes, faster and more, are better, than slow and single, but not as important as IO + HDD real estate in at least 2 physical drives, and RAM, as many others have stated.

Next, I’d specify dual 19"+ monitors and a card that handles their max resolution, though one might find that a step down in rez makes the menus easier to read, etc.

As Katwoman states, do get a Wacom tablet. Do a Google.Groups Search for discussion on sizes of talet, as there are many different opinions. These opinions reflect the personal working styles, but are all very good and should contribute to the decision of which way to go there.

Lastly, if there is much in the way of photo file saving, a dual-layer CD/DVD burner is a good way to back up these image files, and maybe add a removable HDD, like a Maxtor, or similar, to have another layer of backup.

Hunt

On 8/23/05 11:46 AM, Lorem Ipsum uttered:

"Stewart Taylor" wrote

The advice to get Photoshop was that most graphics designers still use traditional media to create and then scan into Photoshop for finishing. Is this correct / usual.

No, that is not correct.

Ditto on that! A graphic designer may do preliminary thumbnail sketches with pencil/paper or whatever, and they may scan them in for use as a template reference. But they redraw or do any line drawing work and typographic design in a vector-based program like Illustrator.

Photoshop will be used for scanning, photo-editing/manipulation/illustration and web graphics. Some illustration can certainly be done in Photoshop; a watercolor painting can be scanned into Photoshop; but that’s only a small portion of the designer’s job. Photoshop is definitely not meant for text handling.

If a project requires a good deal of text, several images to be place, multiple pages, visual organization into a repeating style; like a catalog, magazine, presentation/brochure, etc.; then a layout program like InDesign is needed.

I believe that, even if I only intended to do web design, I would stilll want all these tools available to me. Besides, clients will swear they only want stuff for web, then weeks/months later come back asking why a printer won’t accept this or that for press. Especially true with logos, ARGH! Create all logos in vector-format first!

inez

On 23 Aug 2005 15:31:24 GMT, (Hunt) wrote:

"The biggest bottlenecks in a PS system are:

Which reminds – I haven’t forgotten, I’ve just had a few things going on. I *will* get back to you 🙂

—

Hecate – The Real One

Fashion: Buying things you don’t need, with money
you don’t have, to impress people you don’t like…

In article ,
says…

On 23 Aug 2005 15:31:24 GMT, (Hunt) wrote:

"The biggest bottlenecks in a PS system are:

Which reminds – I haven’t forgotten, I’ve just had a few things going on. I *will* get back to you 🙂

—

Hecate – The Real One

Fashion: Buying things you don’t need, with money
you don’t have, to impress people you don’t like…

This is not a problem. I have been "on the road" for the last few weeks, and my acquisition might well be in the mid-fourth quarter, and doubtfully sooner. Take care,
Hunt

In article <BF30AE70.3967D%>,
says…

On 8/23/05 11:46 AM, Lorem Ipsum uttered:

[SNIP]

I believe that, even if I only intended to do web design, I would stilll want all these tools available to me. Besides, clients will swear they only want stuff for web, then weeks/months later come back asking why a printer won’t accept this or that for press. Especially true with logos, ARGH! Create all logos in vector-format first!

inez

Inez,

These must be some of my clients – the ones who swear that the image will NEVER go larger than 640×480, then tell me about the trade show mural that is 96"x72" and then wonder why I have grey hair! Good advice about logos, especially if someone is just starting out.

Hunt

Hi All

Thanks to everyone who took the time to
advise me and put me right.

Stewart

In article <deif17$8om$>,
says…

Hi All

Thanks to everyone who took the time to
advise me and put me right.

Stewart

I’ve had good luck with two monitors, but one is a smallish/cheapish (15") LCD. The other is a 21" color ref monitor. That way I can put menus on the LCD and use all the real estate on the big one for images. Most graphics cards that support dual monitors have one analog rgb output and one DVI connection. It took some hunting to find a small LCD with a DVI connection – most are only analog at that size. I wound up with a Dell monitor. It’s rotated 90 degrees – seems to be a better aspect ratio for the history and layer palettes.

Jason

—
reverse my name in email address