Slow Processing with certain Filters!?!

[Klaus5F8D]

Hello Everyone!

Here is a phenomenon that bugs me!

After applying certain filters, e.g. Filter Gallery > Dry Brush ... in combination with a Layer Style, e.g. Pattern Overlay (not sure which is the culprit - or both?) (I have the feeling that some layer styles, especially Patterns do put a lot of strain on...?)

Working example: a poster of 28"x24", PSD, 8 bit, file size in lower left corner: 168 MB / 300 MB

Processing gets really slow!! ... e.g. saving, enlarging the view (100%) and other actions.

I can hear the fans reving up and it takes several second before it reacts.

It also seems to handicap to even open the Filter Gallery, which functions fine without a layer with e.g. Pattern Overlay.

Btw: this is a very powerful / new machine: 64 GB RAM, Intel i 9, 13 gen., all SSDs, one only for system, Nvidia 2070, Win11 24H2 latest update (March) ... regular cleanup/housekeeping, all in top shape

As soon as I deactivate the layer with the filters, all functions normal / fast.

Any suggestions are very much appreciated.

Thanks

[Aleke]

Hi @Klaus5F8D! 😊 Thanks for reaching out.

Could you click the three dots in the neural filters panel and check if "Use graphics processor" is turned on? If it is, it might be helpful to turn it off and then back on again.

If that doesn't work, could you share your System Info as shown in Photoshop with us? You can find it under Help > System Info. Just copy the info to a text file and attach it to your response.

Thanks a bunch!
Alek

[Klaus5F8D]

Hello Alek,

simply shutting down and restarting Photoshop seemed have helped.

A also stopped and restarted Graphics Processor and everything goes much faster.

Also Filter Gallery opens as usual.

So, it looks like it got solved.

The file I'm trying it on is a poster with about 10 layers / file size (lower left): 185M / 536M, 300 ppi, 18" x 24", 8 bit

( file size in Explorer, however, is 120MB)

However, It still takes about 2 seconds to save if I change anything.

I hear the fans rev up (this machine automatically senses when it needs more fan speed)

But all in all - much better. 

However, with a quite powerfull machine designed for large graphic applications a 120MB file (explorer) shouldn't be a problem. Also, never had that problem before. 

Again - I noticed in the past that one or more layerstyles like 'texture overlay' caused slowdown.

Anyways - here is the text file - in case you want to investigate a bit more.

Thanks for now.

[Aleke]

Hi @Klaus5F8D! Thanks for sharing your system info. 😊

I'm glad to hear the performance is better! Another thing you might find helpful is checking out this content with handy suggestions to optimize Photoshop's performance. It could help you achieve the speed you're looking for. Thanks!

Cheers, Alek

[Klaus5F8D]

Hello Alek,

thanks for your effort.

I thinkI went through the efficiency recommendations before (long time ago). Most of it is set that way.

But I was always unsure - do I need a scratch disk? ... which in the old days with harddrives made a difference in performance.

But since I have all SSDs (1 TB each, one just for the system ... and lots of free space) ... do I need a scratch disk at all? I have NONE asigned for years. In preferences it only shows "C" with 777MB free space.

Please enlighten me if you can

Thanks

PS: I have abother file, larger, over 1 GB, many layers ... and Pattern / Colour / etc overlays ... no issues ... however, the overlays are all rasterized.

Now - in the file in question, theyare NOT rasterized ... as soon as I rasterize the layer styles / or the layer they are on ... no more slowness, regadless of overall file size.

I had a suspicion for years that cetain overlays / layer styles, especially patterns put a lot of straign on the processor ...??!!??

Cheers

[Aleke]

Hi @Klaus5F8D!

Ah, yes, that is probably a factor for the slow performance. It's really important to have a Scratch Disk assigned. This is the space Photoshop uses to handle your document data that doesn't fit in the memory or RAM of your machine. Generally, it's recommended to have at least 6 GB of free space for your scratch disk.

You can read more about this here: Scratch Disks Preferences.

Thanks! 😊

Alek

[Klaus5F8D]

I have 32 GB RAM! No problems there.

[John43766500mawq]

Hey Klaus!

Totally get your frustration—Photoshop can slow down big time with effects like Filter Gallery (e.g., Dry Brush) and Pattern Overlay, especially on big files like your poster. Even with a powerful machine, those effects can be demanding because they constantly reprocess everything live.

Why it’s slowing down:

• Pattern Overlay on large canvases eats up a lot of memory.

• Filter Gallery needs extra power to preview and apply effects in real time.

• When both are combined, it really strains the system—even yours.

Quick tips to fix it:

• Rasterize layers when you're happy with the effect. Keeps things light.

• Use Smart Objects to apply filters more efficiently.

• Turn off Pattern Overlay while editing, then turn it back on for final output.

• Work in lower res until you’re ready to export.

• Go to Preferences > Performance in Photoshop and bump up RAM usage and check that your GPU is enabled.

Your machine’s great—just gotta help Photoshop not overthink things.

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[Klaus5F8D]

Thanks John,

it confirms my suspicion! Especially why rasterizing makes a difference.

And the other suggestions make much sense ... turn off overlays while working on other things

... yes, GPU / Nvidia is enabled, of course ... "Graphics Processor" on ... also have RAM usage on 80% (out of 32GBRAM)

Just never used Smart Objects for filters ... will try.

Hope you don't mind if I ask the same as before with Alek ... I have two 1 TB NVMe SSDs, one for the operating system exclusively (777MB free space).

Do I need to assign an extra scatch disk? I read years ago that with SSDs all can be on the same drive (no scratch disk neded). That's how I have it for years.

Your input is very much appreciated.

Thanks