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‎03-21-2017 10:58 AM

HP Recommended
Product: p7-1234
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit)

Hello, 

 

I am a portrait photographer and I currently use my desktop for Lightroom and Photoshop, as well as occasional internet use and photo storage. I also have an external HD as a backup. I know Photoshop is a hog of a program, but its what I use daily and so I want to see what I can upgrade (hardware) to improve its performance, as well as any tips you may have to improve performance? I'm not sure how much anyone is aware of PS, but the compuer slows painfully so when performing large actions or when using a large brush tool, which, from what i've read, the graphics card can have something to do with brush performance. I also disabled any unneccessary programs from starting up automatically.  I plan on an total upgrade to a computer built for photographers in about a year, but for now, I need to do what I can to help this machine out. Any help or advice would be appreciated. 

 

My machine's specs:

windows 10 home

version 1607

OS build 1493.693

Processor: AMD A6-3650 APU with Radeon HD graphics 2.60GHz

Installed RAM: 8.00 (7.49 GB usable)

System type: 64-bit OS, x64-based processor

 

Photoshops system requirements: 

  • Intel® Core 2 or AMD Athlon® 64 processor; 2 GHz or faster processor
  • Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10
  • 2 GB or more of RAM (8 GB recommended)
  • 2.6 GB or more of available hard-disk space for 32-bit installation; 3.1 GB or more of available hard-disk space for 64-bit installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system)
  • 1024 x 768 display (1280x800 recommended) with 16-bit color and 512 MB or more of dedicated VRAM; 2 GB is recommended*
  • OpenGL 2.0-capable system
4 REPLIES 4

‎03-21-2017 11:28 AM

HP Recommended

@Jillcananzi

 

Hello;

Allow me to welcome you to the HP forums!


Sorry, but I don't have very good news for you ...

There's really not much you can do to vastly improve the performance of your current PC.

 

Your'e using an AMD A6-3650 and the max processor it will take is an A8-3850 -- some improvement, but probably not enough to matter.

 

You already have 8GB of memory -- the max the system will take.

 

If you're using the on-board graphics, the changing to an add-in card will make a LOT of difference, but I really don't know what to advise -- and given you'll eventually be switching to a new PC, unless that comes without a graphics card, anything you buy now is wasted money unless you can use it in the new PC.

 

You didn't mention the hard drive size, but I've found an SSD to make a major difference in real-time performance, and the 500GB SSDs are continuing to drop in price -- making them more affordable.


Sorry, but that's all I can think of, at present.

 

 



I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor represent, HP

‎03-21-2017 12:11 PM

HP Recommended

AMD A8-3850 APU Quad-Core Processor (AD3850WNGXBOX)


The memory is already Maxxed out at 8GB


A PCIe x16 video card with 8GB onboard that has legacy BIOS support.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Depa=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=sapphi...


An upgrade PSU with at least 450 Watts

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139146&cm_re=psu-_-17-139-146-_-Product

 

A SATA 2.5 SSD with 256GB storage capacity to act as your boot\system drive. Put Photoshop on the SSD and use the other spinner disk as storage.

 

That is what it would take.

 

The video card and PSU will give you the most bang for your investment.


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‎03-21-2017 12:31 PM

HP Recommended

Thank you - I am going to look into all of this. When I do purchase upgrades, is it ok to come back here if I happen to have installation questions? 

‎03-22-2017 01:34 AM - edited ‎03-22-2017 01:41 AM

HP Recommended
@Jillcananzi wrote:

Thank you - I am going to look into all of this. When I do purchase upgrades, is it ok to come back here if I happen to have installation questions? 

Be sure and measure the width of the edge of the motherboard to the edge of the area where the video card  will be. Check the length of the video card against it. You don't want to buy a card that is too wide for the mobo and case by  mistake.

 

There is a sticky at the top of the Forum's  desktop hardware and upgrade section that has an image showing where to measure. Here is the link to the sticky.

 

Of course!

 

You are welcome to come here with your questions any time.


I am a volunteer forum member. If my suggestion helped you solve your issue, help others by marking that post as the accepted solution. Say thanks by clicking on the Yes button next to the "was this reply helpful?"



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