What's bogging down my computer with Lightroom?

My system has always been sluggish when running Lightroom. I move a slider in Develop module and have to wait for the machine to catch up. It's dreadfully time-consuming, not to mention annoying. Lightroom 2 seems to be worse than Lightroom 1 was.

Here are the relevant specs:
Dell Dimension 4600 purchased in 2004
Pentium 4 2.80 GHz, 533 FSB processor
1.5 GB RAM
Radeon 7000 32 MB AGP graphics card
HP LP2475W 1920x1200 monitor

For a speed reference, it will convert 8.2MB RAW files to JPEG at the rate of about 14 seconds per file (4 files per minute).

I'm prepared to buy a new computer if necessary, but if there are cheaper solutions (more RAM, better graphics card, etc) I'm all ears.

Curtis N wrote in post #7186348
Radeon 7000 32 MB AGP graphics card

You could try upgrading your graphics card first.
32MB is just too slow and there are some cheap 128 or 512MB cards around that would help.

Curtis N wrote in post #7186348
My system has always been sluggish when running Lightroom. I move a slider in Develop module and have to wait for the machine to catch up. It's dreadfully time-consuming, not to mention annoying. Lightroom 2 seems to be worse than Lightroom 1 was.

Here are the relevant specs:
Dell Dimension 4600 purchased in 2004
Pentium 4 2.80 GHz, 533 FSB processor
1.5 GB RAM
Radeon 7000 32 MB AGP graphics card
HP LP2475W 1920x1200 monitor

For a speed reference, it will convert 8.2MB RAW files to JPEG at the rate of about 14 seconds per file (4 files per minute).

I'm prepared to buy a new computer if necessary, but if there are cheaper solutions (more RAM, better graphics card, etc) I'm all ears.

There is a very large GB file in the cache folder that's is hidden. After awhile it gets to a really unmanageable size. If I remember correctly you can manually delete this file and the cache will rebuild it and the speed will return. I have to double check for the file name.

You can upgrade computers, but it's often nowhere near as cost effective as just throwing the old one away and getting another. More RAM would help but I wouldn't personally go any further than that with a four year old pc. Personally I doubt your graphics card is the problem, unless your into gaming or video then all your photo stuff is 2D, and you don't need super fast refresh rates.

Honestly Curtis, a current entry level pc would probably walk all over it.

The monitor's pretty good though!

Curtis N wrote in post #7186348
I'm prepared to buy a new computer if necessary, but if there are cheaper solutions (more RAM, better graphics card, etc) I'm all ears.

Honestly, keep your existing monitor and plan to spend ~roughly what you did with your current setup. You will be very happy every time you fire it up/use it.

Adobe Bridge's Cache's file named

filesystem_blobs.MYD

this file can bloat to sizes over 10GB's.

do some checking on the file name and see if that could be the cause of your problem.

have you ever optimized your lightroom gallery? It might help speed things up if you haven't. I do that & keep my galleries at 5K photos or less to keep it moving quickly.

I think the specs of your computer are pushing it, Curtis. My desktop is a similar spec (2GB RAM, 2.16GHz AMD Athlon), and it's just not up to the task for heavy usage of LR. My better spec'd laptop is my go-to machine these days.

Curtis,

You may already know about this, but Lightroom 2.2 has a memory hog bug.

Do a search on "Lightroom 2.3" and you'll find a post by Victoria Bampton explaining that they have a potential fix released.

Hope this helps.

Pat

Ok ok.
Thanks, everyone.

I'd pull the trigger on a new system tonight if I had a clue what to buy. Dual core, quad core, WTF? And then there's the 32 bit vs. 64 bit Vista thing. I'm clueless.

I'll buy all the cores and bits I need to make Lightroom run sweet. I just don't want to pay for crap that won't do me any good.

The more cores the better. 64-bit Vista means you can put more RAM in the machine, which Lightroom loves. 32-bit Vista is limited to 3-3.5GB of usable RAM.

Thanks, dude.
You're making my wallet hurt.

Anytime.

If you wanna save money, Lightroom will run fine on Dual Core and 2GB RAM. You just won't be breaking any speed records.

Curtis N wrote in post #7186348
I'm prepared to buy a new computer if necessary, but if there are cheaper solutions (more RAM, better graphics card, etc) I'm all ears.

Curtis, Adobe lists your PC specs as the Minimum required to run LR: http://www.adobe.com …shoplightroom/s​ystemreqs/

That means it will run, as you know, but it won't do much else, and it certianly won't be productive, as you also know


There is nothing you can add to your current system that will improve it, which means times for a new one

Fortunalty all you need is the box.
Have you ever built your own system before? Or do you have a prefered brand?
I am huge fan of building your self, if you have the knowledge, or buying a from a local a wholesaler/retailer builder, if you don't.

This way you can spec out a machine to do exactly what you need it to, with out compromising.

As CDI said, the more cores the better.
Go Quad Core as a minimum, with 4GB or ram.
If your also doing a lot of photoshop work, and it fits in the budget, then 6-8GB of ram and Vista 64bit would be an advantage.


If you can indicate a budget, lots of guys here can give you some suggestions on what to buy, build, or get built.

Fut wrote in post #7186434
You could try upgrading your graphics card first.
32MB is just too slow and there are some cheap 128 or 512MB cards around that would help.

That won't change a damn thing, a new graphics card will not do anything when it is the lack of RAM and an old processor that is slowing it down.

Thanks, Moppie.
I could probably build my own set but don't have the time. I'm dreading the time it will take just to get all the software installed and configure the new system.

I ordered a XPS 420 from Dell.
Quad core, 8GB RAM and 64-bit Vista.
$1,088 including tax and shipping.