p.1 #1 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
I'm in the process of building a new computer and need a little help. Right now I'm using a 2 year old laptop and Lightroom doesn't run like I'd like it to. LR4 beta seems even slower.
So my question is....As far as Lightroom is concerned, which is more important, the amount of memory, or the type of video card?
FWIW, I'll use either an Intel i5 or perhaps an i7 cpu. I'm really trying to keep this project at around a $1000.
p.1 #4 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
As long as the video card is adequate for the monitor you will be using, ie the right type and number of connections, then any modern card will provide enough processing power. The largest performance difference will be related to the CPU clock speed. Get the fastest CPU that fits in your budget. Supposedly the new IVY Bridge chips that should begin shipping this spring will have a 10-20% performance increase at the same clock speed over the current Sandy Bridge chips. You may want to consider waiting because you can then either buy the new chips and motherboard or buy a current i5 or i7 at a reduced cost when the Ivy Bridge becomes available. Of course, if you need the upgrade now, then there is no point in waiting.
p.1 #5 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
This is a very interesting discussion, thanks guys. While we're on the subject, would there be a difference in i7 cpus in laptops as opposed to i7 cpus in desktops? In other words, is an i7 an i7 no matter which type of computer they're in? I'm also assuming that the i7 is faster then the i5.
p.1 #6 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
Two year old laptop ... which CPU, how much Memory? Celeron, i3, AMD, etc.
Check out www.cpubenchmark.net ... you can get a feel for the speed variance between the i7 vs. i7 quad (Q) vs. i7 mobile (M) vs. i7 quad mobile (QM) chips with the mobile referring to laptop suitable and how they compare to i5, etc.
I wouldn't get as hung up on the extra 10-20% from one i7 to the next faster i7 ... but focus on how much of a % the jump is from your current cpu, i.e. 900% vs. 910% vs. 920%, etc. is still a huge improvement, even if it isn't the fastest. Making the change to the i7 will be a "quantum leap", i.e. 400%, 700%, 900%, etc. ... which version of i7 will be more of an "incremental" change, i.e. 910%, 920%, 950% etc.
The greater debate for me is (which I haven't decided yet) is i7M with a higher clock speed, or i7 QM with a slower clock speed.
+1 @ holding out for Ivy Bridge if it fits your timeline (reason: current mobile boards don't fully support USB 3.0 throughput, even though the laptop has been built with USB 3.0 ports ... Ivy Bridge mobile boards will, iirc)
p.1 #7 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
I've used LR 2 and now 3.6 on my 5 year old home built computer for about 2.5 years now. It runs pretty quick on a Core 2 duo E6420 overclocked to 3.6ghz, 3gb ram, nvidia 8800 GTS 320mb. I built a computer for my mother in law last year with an i5 processor, 6gb ram, and just a basic $45 graphics card and LR runs like a dream for her. I really don't see how you could notice it running any faster with a faster CPU. So... I think you will see diminishing returns on performance in going from an i5 to i7 processor.
Unless you are planning on playing 3d games, just stick with the graphics that come on the motherboard.
Of note, I also felt like I got a decent boost in performance when I upgraded my hard drive to a SSD. That will break your budget though!
p.1 #8 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
First and foremost...
CPU
then, HDD(SSD), RAM, VIDEO. You should have a competent video card to handle resolution.
But CPU is most important. Ideally running SSD for library management and to help speed things along. RAM is important but 4GB will get your started even for large batch processing. Hopefully you have an SSD that can page to if you can.
p.1 #11 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
morganb4 wrote:
Get the i7. You will be happier. Especially if you get the K version and boost it a bit. Seriously, its not that much extra...
Yea possibly, but I already went over my budget by adding the SSD. And I think I'd rather have that then a little more cpu speed. I'm not in to gaming or video, all I want is for LR to process my images faster then it's currently doing. I think this set-up will do that for me.
I think for a fresh build, I'd opt for the i7 ... reason, not for today's speed difference, but for how long it'll be before you'll be "jonesing" for your next build. You'll "outgrow" the i5 probably a year or so sooner than the i7 ... $90-$100 to stave off the next build for an extra year or so is money well spent, imo.
+47% performance > +39% $$$ ... i.e. morganb4's point is worth considering, but either way you'll see a marked gain.
$90-$100 to stave off the next build for an extra year or so is money well spent, imo ... but I also understand budgetary constraints.
p.1 #16 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
Xeon E31230 8,497 @ $239
Intel has a white paper on the Xeon processors that I found quite interesting ... if I were building a desktop (I'll be upgrading my laptop to a mobile workstation), I'd definitely be looking at the Xeon for this price point ... hmmm, may be time for a mobo/cpu upgrade to my desktop.
p.1 #17 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
I think that looks like a very nice system to me. The only thing I would do different is to have another 1TB drive for some extra data redundancy. I think this would be the best use of any additional money you are willing to spend.
My current setup is:
Primary HD: 240gb SSD
Primary Data HD: 2TB HDD
Backup Data HD: 2TB HHD
I have all my pictures, files, music, etc. on my primary data drive which is set to mirror (not windows backup) to the backup HD on a daily basis using Microsoft SyncToy. Microsoft SyncToy
Hard drives fail pretty regularly and recovering data is a pain so it's good to have a mirrored drive for precious stuff like pictures.
Once every couple of months I have an external 2TB drive that I manually copy all files over to and store out in my shop, away from the house. This way you are protected from drive failures and fire, flood, etc.
You probably already have a backup solution in mind but I just thought I'd bring it up just in case.
p.1 #18 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
leighton w wrote:
Yea possibly, but I already went over my budget by adding the SSD. And I think I'd rather have that then a little more cpu speed. I'm not in to gaming or video, all I want is for LR to process my images faster then it's currently doing. I think this set-up will do that for me.
Oh sorry, was just going by what you said earlier. Honestly, if your sliders and screen refresh rates chug because your chip cant cant keep up it will really start to annoy you. I used to use an i5 macbook pro and found it quite unsatisfying, even though it was blisteringly fast on everything else.
An SSD does not , repeat not speed up your work in the develop module in anyway. Anything to do with file read writes will be sped up and you OS as a whole will be snappier but will it cope with LR...I dont know but is it worth the risk?
Look at it like this if you get i5 + SSD and its no good, you need to find more money or wait until you have more money and cope with poor performance where you need it most.
However, if you get the i7 now, you will be getting the right performance while you save for an SSD.
Its a lower risk choice.
I built a hackintosh based on an overclocked i7 with 16GB and its awesome, I so want SSD though but I cant justify it yet - its not actually going to improve my LR or PS experience in anyway - just make file W/R quicker. I am currently not hooked on the kind of system responsiveness SSD brings so I am currently happier not knowing
Go read diglloyds articles. They will give you more information than you need.
p.1 #19 · What's more important for using Lightroom, memory, or video card?
I understand that the SSD will NOT improve my work in LR. I'm only getting it to have my OS and Program files on it. I will store all my other files on the HDD and have 2 other drives for backup.
