Had a bit of a chat with someone in another thread about Photoshop's ability to use more than more Core.
Rather than argue logic, it was suggested some benchmarks be set, and some tests run.
Tim then asked about performance when converting files, Raw to Tiff, JPEG etc.
So, I have grabbed 10 random RAW files, and started to do some tests.
I will add more as I do them, and others are welcome to do the same, and please feel free to use different methods, just make sure you describe what was done.
For those with multicore Windoz machines, you can choose how many cores Photoshop can use by going to:
Task Manager -> Processes -> right click "photoshop.exe" -> set affinity
For Multi core Mac machines, please see this thread by Steve: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=463404
I will use the same 10 files for all the following tests:
All tests are carried out on my homebuilt PC.
Intel Q6600 Quad Core CPU
Intel DP35DPM Dragontail motherboard with P35 chipset
APACER DDR2 PC6400 Ram - 4 x 1gb
1 x Seagate 80gb HDD
2 x Seagate 500gb HDD
1 x Western Digital 320gb (primary scratch disk)
8800GT Graphics Card
OPEN RAW FILE IN PHOTOSHOP.
Method:
Open PS CS3, and drag and drop in 10 random Canon .CR2 files.
This opens Adobe Camera Raw.
Select all 10 images.
Preform auto adjust and add 15 saturation.
Select "OPEN".
This opens all 10 images as editable 16bit files in PS, but still with the .CR2 file tag.
Results:
- 1 core: 45sec
- 2 core: 33sec
- 4 core: 29sec
SAVE AS 16bitt .TIFF
Method:
Open PS CS3, and drag and drop in 10 random Canon .CR2 files.
This opens Adobe Camera Raw.
Select all 10 images.
Preform auto adjust and add 15 saturation.
Select "SAVE".
This saves all 10 images in the file type and folder of your choice. I saved in the same folder on an 80gb SATA2 Seagate Raptor, that RAW files are in.
Results:
- 1 core: 1:06sec
- 2 core: 45sec
- 3 core: 40sec
- 4 core: 40sec
It is interesting that useing 3 or 4 cores made no difference. Its possible that HDD read write speed is bigger factor than CPU speed.
CONVERT 16bit .TIFF TO 8bit .JPEG
Method:
Open PS CS3, and drag and drop in 10 random Canon .TIFF files.
Open the Photoshop Image Processor, and use it to save all 10 open files in the same folder as level 12 JPEG's.
Results:
- 1 core: 38sec
- 2 core: 31sec
- 4 core: 30sec
Again, it would appear HDD access speed is having an effect on it.
RETOUCH ARTISTS SPEED TEST, The most conclusive yet.
Exactly the same test as run in this thread: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=170063
This test uses a variety of filters, mode and layer changes, as well as different tools, so a whole variety of what photoshop can do is tested.
RESULTS
- 1 core: 1:29sec
- 2 core: 1:07sec
- 3 core: 1:04sec
- 4 core: 46sec
Clearly the more cores availiable here, the faster Photoshop can work.
NOTE: All tests so far show that the more Cores Photoshop CS3 has access to, the faster it can work, up until it reaches the limits of other system Hardware.
It also appears there is not a linear relationship between the number of cores and performance, and the supporting hardware is just as important as the CPU.
It does however show that the more cores you have, the faster your photoshop experiance will be.
My next plan is to run Photoshop and Lightroom together, have Photoshop run the Retouch Artists speed test while Lightroom converts a large batch of Raw files.
More tests to follow.
