Does photoshop use multi cores? And graphic card?

[Kdes]

Hi All

Just another quick question, I have been asked to put a pc together for some one that will be using photoshop a lot.

My question is, does photoshop make use of multi core processors? Or will it just use one core of the four?
Is it worth getting a quad for photoshop?
Also while im thinking about it, what graphic card do i put in? Does photshop use any power from the grahic card? Is it worth getting an expensive graphic card for photoshop?

He uses CS3.

Thanks

[Nerfherder]

Regardless if it has the ability to use the multiple cores it will shift the other processes (windows etc) on to the other cores...

You need Vista for quad core.

[Synaesthesia]

You need Vista for quad core.
NOT true.

Photoshop uses multi-core on some filters to make them faster. But many filters are only single-threaded.

CS3 doesn't make use of any graphics cards, CS4 does. Even then, you don't need a high-powered graphics card.

[Nerfherder]

You can use a quad core on previous versions of windows but it wont utilise all the cores

[xumwun]

Quad core will work on xp and use all cores

[DJNgoma]

Vista is Kryponite to some PCs, I think lucky number 7 is the key.

[Keeper]

don't bother on expensive Graphics cards - get the best Quad and the most RAM you can afford.

I use software that works with millions of 3D Polygons in real-time and it doesn't matter what 3D Card you use. only RAM.

When Rendering the images, it uses CPU - no 3D at all.

[genetic]

You need Vista for quad core.

Windows XP SP2 or higher has full support multi core processors. It doesn't matter whether it's 32bit or 64bit.

In order to utilize multiple cores, the application running on the OS has to be written to do that. Installing a single threaded application on a multi core computer will result in only 1 core being used by the application. The advantage to this is that the OS can assign other tasks to the idle cores.
Vista is better written to utilize multi-core processors.

[deadman]

I dont know about the previous versions but Photoshop CS4 does use multiple cores to loading large files, scaling images, transformation, etc..
Using a graphics card is a good idea if your graphics card can handle more load than your CPU for processing and has lots of video memory (512+ i'd say).

I must say that lots of RAM really makes a difference, everything seems to be more snappier. If you are going to run more than 3 gigs of RAM then you should go 64-bit.

[Nameite]

a mate of mine has this pc for photoshop, perfect according to him and not too expensive.

Winxp, Q8200, 4gig ddr (only show 3.5though), G31 board and a 9400GT, says does what it needs to do perfectly

[iDenTiTy]

CS4 Extended now has 3D support. At work, we recently imported an .obj file from ZBrush and used tranforming with IK on it. Uber nice. :D

That being said, a quadcore, 3GB RAM and at least a 9400GT will be good enough.

Look at the AMDs - they are very, very well priced. When it comes to photoshop (and the like) - they just as good as Intel.

:)

[Keeper]

CS4 Extended now has 3D support. At work, we recently imported an .obj file from ZBrush and used tranforming with IK on it. Uber nice. :D

Imported an OBJ into photoshop? What for? :confused:

...and wait, CS4 has Skeletal Rigging now ?

[iDenTiTy]

Imported an ONJ into photoshop? What for? :confused:

...and wait, PS4 has Skeletal Rigging now ?

Extended.

We create animations with Flash CS4 Pro + PhotoshopCS4 Extended.

The 'creative' guys do that. Stuff looks awesome.
They use Wacom or something pads to draw, and use the 3D thing Photoshop to render and transform.

Very cool stuff.

[Keeper]

Extended.

We create animations with Flash CS4 Pro + PhotoshopCS4 Extended.

The 'creative' guys do that. Stuff looks awesome.
They use Wacom or something pads to draw, and use the 3D thing Photoshop to render and transform.

Very cool stuff.

gimme a shout if you guys need an expert on ZBrush work mate. :o

[charlie_82]

I've disabled the use of my graphics card in Photoshop. I don't know if I have some settings messed up, but I always find Photoshop runs smoother without 3D Acceleration.

I'd recommend a decent CPU and stacks of RAM.

[iDenTiTy]

gimme a shout if you guys need an expert on ZBrush work mate. :o

Noted.

;)

[iDenTiTy]

I've disabled the use of my graphics card in Photoshop. I don't know if I have some settings messed up, but I always find Photoshop runs smoother without 3D Acceleration.

I'd recommend a decent CPU and stacks of RAM.

Absolutely.
Though, the acceleration thing you're experiencing could be down to drivers..

:)