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TheYoda
Known Participant
October 8, 2018
Question

Hardware choice

  • October 8, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 1051 views

Hi all,

I need to change my computer hardware. I use mainly Lightroom Classic CC, but I use Photoshop CC too, sometimes.

I have 2 processor options : Intel 9700k (8 core but no Hyperthreading) or Intel 8700k (6 Core and 12 Hyperthreading).

So I'm looking for informations about the Hypertrhreading use of Lightroom and Photoshop. Do they really use HT technology or not ?

At same frequency, which Processor would give the best performance ?

I can find tests for every game, but nothing about benchs with Adobe Software.

Any advice is welcome


Thanks in advance

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

dj_paige
Legend
October 8, 2018

You talk about needing to change hardware, and you want to get a fast processor, but you don't really say why.

There's one problem that I don't think there is a good solution for, and that is if you do a lot of brushing and/or a lot of spot healing, with a 4K or larger monitor. I don't think the advice from Puget Systems applies here, they tend to gloss over the whole thing anyway, and all they say is "While even an entry video card will be able to provide a huge boost in performance for GPU accelerated effects", but brushing and spot healing are not GPU accelerated effects. The best solution I know of is to not get a 4K or larger monitor, and this eliminates one potential cause of slowness.

TheYoda
TheYodaAuthor
Known Participant
October 9, 2018

Hi dj_page,


Thanks for your answer.

There are different reasons :

- The first one is that Adobe force me to go for W10. The last update do not work anymore with W7SP1.
- My hardware is a little bit old (7 years old Intel 2600K) and in some cases, the computer "lags" on big pictures >=50mpx. I assume that this could be better with a more performant computer.

- When I export photos using lightroom, My current 4 cores and 4 HT are at 100% for a long time... I expect here a better performance too.
- Also in term of reaction time of LR. It was optimized in the last releases, but even if I'm running full on fast SSD disks, switching between photos or even between LR Tabs isn't fluid.

That's why I decided (maybe I'm wrong) to update my computer processor and GPU
PS : I'm using 2K monitors (in fact 2x2K monitors + 1 graphic tablet monitor)

D Fosse
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 9, 2018

I don't think anyone has instant switching between photos, at least not in Develop. I'm pretty happy now with about 1/4 second between 42MP raws, which is fine with me. But there will always be a slight lag and I've seen it a lot worse.

I won't advise on the CPU, except to say that my own policy has always been to avoid the bleeding edge, there are always compatibility issues, BIOS updates needed and so on. I've always stayed one generation behind, to be sure all components are ready to work together, and all initial issues resolved. But that's just me.

As for GPU, the safest bet is probably NVidia Quadro (which aren't as expensive as people think). The reason is that the drivers aren't optimized for gaming and the latest games don't need to work - so they tend to be more reliable.

Mohit Goyal
Community Manager
Community Manager
October 8, 2018

Hi TheYoda,

You can refer the minimum system requirements for Photoshop & Lightroom and accordingly you can configure the machine.

Here's the link: Lightroom Classic system requirements

If you look for the recommended systems, check the below link.

https://www.pugetsystems.com/recommended/Recommended-Systems-for-Adobe-Lightroom-Classic-CC-141

Regards,

Mohit

TheYoda
TheYodaAuthor
Known Participant
October 9, 2018

Hi Mohit,

Thanks for the answer, but in fact, the informations on the link are not up to date and do not really help me.

Why not uptodate ? because on the page you provide, it's indicated that Lightroom would work on W7 SP1. This is not true, I'm under W7 SP1 and the last LR update cannot be installed due to the fact that I'm not under W10 !
As advice, with the CC client, you're able to know wich Operating System the client is running. Why downloading (in my case for 4 hours ! ) a software update for nothing because the Client OS do not fill the new requirements... Checking the Client OS before telling him that a software update can be installed would be a good idea Maybe there is an optimisation to do there

Why the link doesn't really help me ? Because it's just indicated :

  • Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support* (This is the case on every computer since at least 10 years

I couldn't see somewhere if LR or PS take benefits from Hyperthreading technology or not. So, the question if 8 core works better than 6 core and 12 HyperThreads is still open.

Regards

dj_paige
Legend
October 9, 2018

Hi Mohit,

Thanks for the answer, but in fact, the informations on the link are not up to date and do not really help me.

Why not uptodate ? because on the page you provide, it's indicated that Lightroom would work on W7 SP1. This is not true, I'm under W7 SP1 and the last LR update cannot be installed due to the fact that I'm not under W10 !

I believe there are many people running the current Lightroom Classic CC under Windows 7 SP1 64bit.

Why the link doesn't really help me ? Because it's just indicated :

  • Intel® or AMD processor with 64-bit support* (This is the case on every computer since at least 10 years

Which is an incorrect statement, that Adobe hasn't corrected in years. It should say you are required to use a "64 bit operating system", instead of saying you need a processor that has 64bit support.

Also in term of reaction time of LR. It was optimized in the last releases, but even if I'm running full on fast SSD disks, switching between photos or even between LR Tabs isn't fluid.

Switching between photos in the Library module, or in the Develop Module? It makes a difference. SSD disks don't help with the develop module, other than by a trivial amount you won't notice. Also, you don't mention other speed issues in the Develop Module, are there any driving your decision?