New laptop very slow with LR/PS

Scooter650 wrote in post #17475240
It is an Asus ASQ501LAT19 with an Intel Core i5 4200u processor.

That is the biggest problem, you have a dual core processor that runs at 1.6ghz, with a max turbo boost of 2.3ghz, a speed it will only run at for a very short time.
The processor was designed for basic computing tasks, web browsing, checking email etc.
It is simply not capable of managing the demands of a processor intensive program like Lightroom.

The slow Hard Drive will be contributing to the slow performance, but replacing it with a faster one won't solve all your problems.

That's two cores, four threads. Overall performance is about 1/3 of what my 3 year old desktop i7 processsor is, but should be fine.

Do this to reduce CPU use. Then do this. Once you have, reboot, then post the performance tab and details/processes tab again.

My Surface Pro 2 has a i5 4300 and 8GB RAM and IMO is a bit too slow for running Photoshop or LR. It's ok for very simple edits, but things like content aware healing brush in PS or Spot Removal brush in LR are a bit laggy.

You'd need a well spec'd desktop for PS CS6 (or CC) or LR 5.x to work seamlessly with no lag. Any laptop is going to be a bit of a compromise.

However, it should be a lot faster than a 4 year old i3 with 3GB RAM ... unless you were running CS4 or 5 and LR4 on the old desktop and CS6 or CC and LR 5.x on the new laptop. If you upgraded to CC and LR5 at the same time you bought the new laptop that would explain to me why you see a performance difference.

tim wrote in post #17475292
That's two cores, four threads. Overall performance is about 1/3 of what my 3 year old desktop i7 processsor is, but should be fine.

Do this to reduce CPU use. Then do this. Once you have, reboot, then post the performance tab and details/processes tab again.

Did it all, seems to work off and on, everything jumps around so much.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Looks strange. I can't even find "Windows Modules Installer Worker" in my list, and would have thought it would only be there when Windows is doing updates. All of my "Service Host:" entries show as 0% CPU.

Try this:

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Having similar issues with a Samsung NP355V5C - Quad Core AMD A8 with 8GB Ram and 1TB HD run Win 8. Has always run slowly, but if I try to use LR5 and PS CC they quickly start to hang for a couple minutes at a time. I'm following this thread and will work through some of the suggestions as well. Thanks to everyone who is helping.

Something isn't right with your windows install. You can google the names of those top two processes along with "high cpu" to see if you can take it down. While 15% of CPU doesn't sound high that's a core, and it's taking memory bandwidth and disk too.

If you can't reduce it I suggest you do a clean install of windows. Make sure to deactivate your Photoshop license first, and back up anything on your operating system disk just in case.

I'm still interested in seeing the performance tab.

The CPU runs at a rather slow base speed 1.6ghz, I doubt it has enough cooling to ever get it's maximum turbo boost speed of 2.3ghz, and I doubt it can sustain speeds faster than 2ghz for more than a few seconds at a time.

This means it is more than a 1/3 slower than an i7 desktop, it has more like 1/10 the performance.

You can try and adjust all the settings you want, and do all the re-installs you want, nothing will make a very basic and low performance CPU perform better.

Spats139 wrote in post #17476075
Having similar issues with a Samsung NP355V5C - Quad Core AMD A8 with 8GB Ram and 1TB HD run Win 8.

Unfortunately you have the same problem, a slow and in this case, outdated CPU. It is not a true quad core, runs at relatively low clock speeds, and is simply not designed for heavy lifting.
It compares to an entry level mobile i3 CPU in terms of performance.

Well guys, I can say I have learned an immense amount in the past few days! At least I got a great deal on it. I'll do a fresh install this week when I have some time, and then report back so others can learn.

Thank you all!

Before you do the fresh install Google to see if you can disable the services taking CPU. You might find it's exactly the same otherwise, especially with a new laptop.

Moppie wrote in post #17476315
Unfortunately you have the same problem, a slow and in this case, outdated CPU. It is not a true quad core, runs at relatively low clock speeds, and is simply not designed for heavy lifting.
It compares to an entry level mobile i3 CPU in terms of performance.

Thanks Moppie. Is the CPU something that can be changed in a laptop similar to a desktop system, or would it just be more feasible to sell it and buy something that's more up-to-date?

Spats139 wrote in post #17476647
Thanks Moppie. Is the CPU something that can be changed in a laptop similar to a desktop system, or would it just be more feasible to sell it and buy something that's more up-to-date?

Laptops are generally not upgradable, other than disk. If a desktop will fit your working style/situation they tend to be half the price and twice as fast.

Thanks tim, I was thinking that might be the case. I have a reasonably robust desktop system that handles all my Lr and Ps tasks; I only use the laptop when travelling or attending workshops, so I don't really have any reason to replace it right now.