I recently installed PS CS3 on a P4/512MB computer, and noticed that the processing speed was really, really slow. I tried to adjust the memory allocation (preferences>performance) and noticed that only 248MB of RAM (max) was available to photoshop. Curious, I looked at PS-CS and PS-CS2, and found that 464MB and 438MB of RAM was avaialble for photoshop respectively. Just wondering why the big discrepancy between CS3 and CS/CS2. Would appreciate any advice from friends at DPP.
Thanks very much!

try to upgrade your ram to at least 1gig or if you have a spare 256mb, add it

Windows is also a hog, make sure you are not running unnecessary software in the background.

I recently installed PS CS3 on a P4/512MB computer, and noticed that the processing speed was really, really slow. I tried to adjust the memory allocation (preferences>performance) and noticed that only 248MB of RAM (max) was available to photoshop. Curious, I looked at PS-CS and PS-CS2, and found that 464MB and 438MB of RAM was avaialble for photoshop respectively. Just wondering why the big discrepancy between CS3 and CS/CS2. Would appreciate any advice from friends at DPP.
Thanks very much!

I suggest you upgrade your RAM to achieve better performance. :Grin:

Thanks - that was really the first option I thought of (upgrade the RAM) - but was just wondering why CS3 would use only half of installed RAM even if I set the allocation to 100%. Thanks for the inputs, appreciate it all....

you enjoy cs3 on a coreduo procesor=)

other programs and services also use ram.. try turning off visual styles and services you dont need.. close open taskbar icons..

What version of Windows are you running?

Anything else running alongside CS3? Check your performance monitor in Windows Task Manager to see how much RAM is still available when you run CS3.

I'm running XP-Pro SP2. I run CS3 alone - no other applications running, taskbar icons turned off. I'll check Task Manger and see how much RAM is available with CS3 running, and also turn off visual styles (I've turned 3D acceleration off already) - I wonder if this would be a different number from when I run either CS or CS2.
Thanks again guys! (Just bought a couple of lenses late month, so out of cash for a core duo upgrade :-(

Marlon, it is not just CS3 that is eating up memory, but windows as well. It would be better to upgrade your Physical RAM to at least 1Gb for better performance.

I use CS2 on my PC, AMD Sepron64 3000, 512Mb. Performance wise, CS2 is slow when starting but when processing its just fine. Now with CS3, I think it would run slower.

i second this.. atleast 1gb fcol.. hehe:Grin: you'd appreciate the added speed.. i swear..:Grin: also another hard disk as a scratch disk would do you good.. hehe you couldn't possibly allocate all your ram for photoshop alone.. i have 2gbs of ram in my laptop and i could only allocate up to 1.63gb for photoshop to use.. you seriously need an upgrade imho.. hehehe


[q uote=Ronald Sanchez;224992]Marlon, it is not just CS3 that is eating up memory, but windows as well. It would be better to upgrade your Physical RAM to at least 1Gb for better performance.

I use CS2 on my PC, AMD Sepron64 3000, 512Mb. Performance wise, CS2 is slow when starting but when processing its just fine. Now with CS3, I think it would run slower.[/quote]

I recently installed PS CS3 on a P4/512MB computer, and noticed that the processing speed was really, really slow. I tried to adjust the memory allocation (preferences>performance) and noticed that only 248MB of RAM (max) was available to photoshop. Curious, I looked at PS-CS and PS-CS2, and found that 464MB and 438MB of RAM was avaialble for photoshop respectively. Just wondering why the big discrepancy between CS3 and CS/CS2. Would appreciate any advice from friends at DPP.
Thanks very much!


The reason behind this is Windows XP automatically allocates a certain portion of your RAM to its page filing and what-nots. As what others have already stated, it's better that you upgrade your RAM to atleast 1gb. If you can spring for 2gb of RAM then better! =)

Same case here actually.. P4 3.0ghz and 4gb of RAM. Windows eats the other 1.87gb and allocates the rest for the programs. I can only use 2.13gb of my installed RAM and 2.87gb with /3GB switch on..

It looks like Windows allocates a greater portion of RAM when CS3 runs (compared to CS or CS2), that's why only half of RAM is available for CS3. I have a 2nd hard disk for scratch, but that doesn't help much in the memory problem I got now - I think i gotta make that trip to the computer store for some extra RAM...thanks so much again guys for all the advice - appreciate it!

@marlon - sir, what version of the CS3 do you have, the beta one?

Re-posting - seems like my previous one didn't get through...

I use CS3-Extended. Am now running 1GB RAM on P4-2.4, but still getting sluggish performance - already followed the performance tweaks in Adobe's website. I was wondering if a video card update would help (I have a radeon7000 64MB) - any ideas out there?

Re-posting - seems like my previous one didn't get through...

I use CS3-Extended. Am now running 1GB RAM on P4-2.4, but still getting sluggish performance - already followed the performance tweaks in Adobe's website. I was wondering if a video card update would help (I have a radeon7000 64MB) - any ideas out there?

Unless you are using it to edit 3D images, a video card upgrade is not necessary. CS3 Extended is actually a heavy eater of resources. 1GB of RAM is required but not optimal.

I am also running CS3, with 2Gig RAM in Core 2 Duo, but only 256MB VCard. So far so good. I know I need to upgrade my VCard to at least 512MB, too.

@Marlon, try upgrading your VCard, it might help. :)

+ to sir nino's reply

i don't think a 512vm video card would bring about much change to your photoshop experience. i think 256 is pretty ok.. unless you do what i do, 3d design, cadd + non-linear video editing.. imho:)

I am also running CS3, with 2Gig RAM in Core 2 Duo, but only 256MB VCard. So far so good. I know I need to upgrade my VCard to at least 512MB, too.

@Marlon, try upgrading your VCard, it might help. :)

how about a reformat + a clean install of windows xp?? that'd work..

Re-posting - seems like my previous one didn't get through...

I use CS3-Extended. Am now running 1GB RAM on P4-2.4, but still getting sluggish performance - already followed the performance tweaks in Adobe's website. I was wondering if a video card update would help (I have a radeon7000 64MB) - any ideas out there?

I've been actually thinking of a fresh install after a re-format, but I dread the work involved! Anyways, I still keep that as a last option. It'd be nice to hear if someone out there have experience on this method.
Thanks!

Ronald is right Windows SP2 already consuming 256MB of RAM try to upgrade...

Try disabling filters/plugins that you don't need to speed up the loading time. Google it up for instructions.

DIsable any services that ur not using..
Disable Anti-Virus
Close all Programs
You need to run at least DDR2 667 on your RAM in order to get an optimal processing

The More Ram the more Apps you can run
The More Ram SPEED Helps the processing faster

Hope this helps

bottom line is just upgrade you RAM... :D:D:D

Upgrade to 2gb for optimum performance.

Another tip: Switch to a mac core 2 duo with 2gb. :-)

My CS3 is running in 1.25 Gb of RAM with onboard Intel 128 MB video card and Celeron M processor in my laptop. So far so good! :)

Another tip: Switch to a mac core 2 duo with 2gb. :-)

This is probably the best tip so far! :D I still need to save a bit more though.

Re-posting - seems like my previous one didn't get through...

I use CS3-Extended. Am now running 1GB RAM on P4-2.4, but still getting sluggish performance - already followed the performance tweaks in Adobe's website. I was wondering if a video card update would help (I have a radeon7000 64MB) - any ideas out there?


We almost have the same specs. My system is a P4 2.4Ghz w/ 1gb of ram. The major difference is my 256mb DDR3 Nvidia GeForce 7300GT Sonic Edition. I also have a Seagate Barracuda 320gb SATA HD. With this setup I have never had any problems running CS3 Extended. It runs smoothly even alongside other programs (firefox w/ 5 tabs running, aftereffects, utorrent).