Help: improving processing speeds of graphic apps

[brevity]

I want my Adobe software to run faster (Indesign, Photoshop)

Should I

a. upgrade my graphics card
b. buy more memory (I got 1gig at the moment)
c. ....?

And as an aside, to what extent do graphics cards influence the performance of your computers apps outside of games?

thanks in advance for any answers

 

[bwana]

More ram will help - how fast is your hdd?

 

[feo]

And as an aside, to what extent do graphics cards influence the performance of your computers apps outside of games?

If by performance you mean responsiveness then ~=0 difference.

Loads of RAM and a Raptor drive or 2 will do the trick.

 

[bwana]

I know there are a few newer macintosh specific graphics apps that blow photoshop away in terms of speed because they utilise the GPU.

 

[PyN()XiM]

Raptors have a lower seek time but The newer larger drives have a higher stable transfer rate Also go for RAM first if you're on a tight budget, If you have DDR2 then Buycomputers has a nice special for R1100 and you get 4x1Gb DDR2-800 sticks of RAM, enjoy!

 

[boramk]

If you have DDR2 then Buycomputers has a nice special for R1100 and you get 4x1Gb DDR2-800 sticks of RAM, enjoy!

thanks for the heads up! ordered one now

 

[nocilah]

Order of factors to improve PS

CPU
RAM
Scratch Disks
GFX Card

PS doesnt use the GPU on a card however there are rumours that CS3 does although there is little evidence of this.

 

[brevity]

Raptors have a lower seek time but The newer larger drives have a higher stable transfer rate Also go for RAM first if you're on a tight budget, If you have DDR2 then Buycomputers has a nice special for R1100 and you get 4x1Gb DDR2-800 sticks of RAM, enjoy!

Thanks for the heads up everyone, but this one post in particular. Sounds like a great deal. Will have to check if I have enough slots for that.

Cheers

 

[PyN()XiM]

No problem guys, Good Luck and Have Fun

 

[killadoob]

raptor raid, dont need say anymore , the transfer times of the 80 gig raptor are not good but you dont transfer like 20 gig at a time

if you have the cash go with either raid 0 or raptor raid

you also cannot go wrong with a quadcore and 3 gig memory

also get a good defrag program

 

[willirob]

agree with doob - a good defrag program can make a big diff. Diskeeper rocks.