Allocating more RAM to Photoshop

Hi guys,

I've just bought a Studio 1557 (the Core i7 one), running 64-bit Windows 7 and with 6GB RAM. Now, I've installed my copy of Adobe CS3 on it, but, when I go into the performance preferences to allocate as much RAM to Photoshop as possible, it tells me that there's only 3255MB available, and that the "Ideal Range" of RAM is between 1790 and 2343MB!

I'm having trouble understanding why my system should need to reserve as much as 2.75GB RAM of the full 6GB for other processes, or if this is indeed the reason for the low "available RAM" figure. Or... could it be that CS3 is a 32-but app, which means it can't recognise the full 6GB my machine has???

If the latter is the case, can I just set PS to the maximum RAM usage of 3255GB (even if this is way above Photoshop's "Ideal Range" recommendation???

Cheers guys & gals!

Niffy

 

I believe only CS4 has 64Bit support.

You can max it out Photoshop cannot take away system memory - I have CS4 set to maxmum on a 32Bit OS - no problem

And ideal range - just experiment - but should work fine.
Consider its written for a 32Bit OS - so the "ideal recommendation" may be lower.

 

Thanks for that! Actually, does seem that I really should upgrade to CS4 soonish then if I'm gonna get the most out of my lappy; not only does CS4 support 64-bit, but multithreading also, aparently..

 

It does max out both CPU cores on Photomerges - and I think HDRs too...
But Elements 6 did that too.

Maybe you could wait for CS5? - some may be worth it, even if you have to wait 1 more year - you get a better upgrade.

If CS3 worksfor you, stay with it.
(Unless you want to make use of a student/educational discount)

 

Adobe CS3 Series only support 32bit System.
Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended have the 64bit System.
However, I do think 2GB of RAM for Photoshop to allocate is good enough already.
Personally, I am using CS4 right now due to some reasons. I would say CS3 is more user friendly.

 

The amount of RAM required depends on the tasks.

I once managed to create a 30GB temp file.. (stitiching 30 odd 10MP JPGs - not even RAW files )
But for single 10P images it would be more than enough.

 

Why you create such a LUMP heavy of temp file using PS?
Strange. LOL.
Usually, 2GB of RAM allocated should be very fine. In addition, those fantastic artworks(photo-montage/digital painting) around the world doesn't create 30GB of temp files. I guess the RAM(plenty, more than 4GB) is needed if you're modifying/working on a super big resolution board.
To OP, CPU is much more important than the RAM for PS faster performance. RAM and GPU is after CPU for PS. Since you have i7, I guess, it is great already.

 

Actually, depending on the task the GPU can be more important than the CPU in CS4.
HDR image creation would be an examle - I don't have CPU acceleation though, either Intel X3100 or NVidia 8400M GS cough, cough. (I stick to the Intel).

CS3 doesn't have the same support for GPU acceleration as CS4.

 

CS4 have the OpenGL. That's why it will be more on GPU sometime.
However, you can just disable it when it is not needed. So, it will be more CPU demanding after that. OpenGL of PS CS4 is just a crap for me because I am not using PS CS4 to do 3D Modeling/Rendering. Moreover, it's very seldom a Professional/Master(3D Artist) will use PS CS4 to model/render 3D stuffs. Basically, 3D Artist only will export the Targa files(from 3D software) into PS to edit and import them back to the 3D software. Generally, GPU is not Vital.
Unless, you really want to do the 3D works on PS CS4, then, GPU is needed.

Well, it doesn't really matter which CS you're using now.
A professional/master of PS CS1 can beat the hell out of a fanboy(moderate skill) of PS CS4 very very much.

EDIT: Eyes pain. Sleep is needed. Good night.

 

Its not only 3D that is GPU accelerated in CS4 - HDR images for example are GPU acelerated.
Also, GPU acceleration allows for smooth zoom.

 

Interfering with the OS's job, that is, managing hardware resources for software applications, is really not a good idea. With 6GB of RAM, why would there be any problem with Photoshop running out of memory? In any case, the OS will allocate memory to a process upon request, not reserve it.

 

Did you try creating more ram by using the readyboost feature. Unlike in Vista readyboost works in 7. It allows you to use a memory card or usb drive as additional ram. Try an 8,16 or 32 gig card. The system can handle a total of 256 additional ram from memory cards and usb drives using up to eight ports. obviously there is probably not eight of them on your laptop. I read a review of someone reducing there boot up time to four seconds with a 16gig sdhc card.

 

I don't think there is much use for it in this case.
Especially as Photoshop CS3 is a 32Bit application.

 

Agreed. PS CS3 is 32bit System Based. So, it won't use more than 3.2GB of RAM even you have infinite amount of RAM.
The smooth zooming isn't something very vital and not needed as well. But smooth zooming is very cool. XD

 

Is CS3 optimised to use two cores, or can it take advantage of quad cores??? C2Qs were around when it was released, so I thought maybe....

 

No idea...

I suggest you check the Adobe site.

Potenbtially yes - http://forums.adobe.com/thread/512764

But no guarantee.