New Photoshop Benchmark

[HO]

When I saw the Spin Blur benchmark was making the rounds again, I decided to post >>THIS LINK<< to a more challenging one. If you decide to participate, a few things to consider and points to observe for consistent, comparable results:

*You MUST know how to install and run a Photoshop Action (it's not hard--ask if you don't know).

*Set your History States to at least 15 in order to test the whole system, not just the CPU.

*Timing should be via a stopwatch or even a regular watch/clock with a second hand. Photoshop's timer is not a good choice for this test. Actually, Photoshop's timer is a bad choice for any test.

*CS or CS2 would be the preferred versions, with the nod going to CS2 (because of its Large_Image_Aware ability to use the /3GB switch). However, if you're still running 6/7, give it a shot.

*ADDED: For machines w/ 2GB of RAM or less, set PS memory allocation as high as possible without choking your system--try 75-80%. 4GB machines should be set at 90%.

This test should force use of the Scratch disk on systems with ~1 or 2GB of RAM. I would expect systems with RAID Scratch setups and/or >2GB of RAM to score quite a bit higher than those without.

RE the added parameter above, the memory allocation for 2GB is hard to determine because it will vary from computer to computer. Experiment to see what gives the best result. Restart Photoshop after every change.

Edit: If this one has already been done to death, I apologize and never mind.

 

[HO]

OK, I see that this scores a big fat ZERO on the interest meter, but in the name of science I will post my CS2 results anyway:

Tyan K8e
AMD 4400+
XP Pro SP2
2GB Corsair 3200 C2PT RAM
Total time: 2:07

Same system w/4GB of RAM and /3GB switch,
0:35

Yes, the time dropped from just over two minutes to just over 30 seconds. Gotta love 4 Gigs o' RAM...

 

[stevok]

Alright, I'll humor you,

Athlon 64 FX-53
2Gb Corsair 3200 C2
Windows on 40Gb Raptor
Programs on 250Gb SATA RAID 0 (also scratch disk)
XP Home

Total time: 2:25

Any suggestions for speeding this up are appreciated, I'm considering a new CPU, Athlon X2 or Opteron.

Stevo

 

[HO]

Originally posted by: stevok
Alright, I'll humor you,

Ok, it's you and me. I guess no one else has the cojones to put their system to a real test...

At any rate, your results are pretty good for a single core CPU. As you can see, my big gain in performance came by adding RAM. Since you already are running a RAID array for Scratch, more RAM is about the only avenue you have left (other than going dual core, which you are already considering). If you're *really* serious about Photoshop, add 2GB and upgrade to XP Pro, but be advised, there are very few other apps that can utilize 3GB of RAM under a 32 bit OS. For me, the investment was a good move since I use Photoshop professionally.

 

[HO]

Another thing you might try is setting Photoshop's memory allocation higher. The default for systems with 2GB of RAM or less is 55%. For the purpose of this test, you might push it to 80-90 and see what happens. Leaving it set that high may really slow things down during normal PS usage though (due to excessive OS paging).

With 4GB, you can set it at 90% and leave it.

 

[stevok]

I was actually running at 100% memory allocation for the test -probably not fair.
As I understand it, I can't add more RAM unless I go to XPpro, right? Or wait for Vista...
At any rate, I am really ready to pull the trigger on a CPU upgrade and based on the buzz, I'm thinking about an Opteron 170 and OC'ing it. Your thoughts?

~Stevo

 

[HO]

What's fair is whatever you can set your memory alloc. to without bogging down your system. More RAM would best be matched with XP Pro and CS2, both of which are needed to permit and make use of the /3GB switch. As far as Vista is concerned, I expect your RAM will not go as far once that memory hog is added to the equation...

Opterons are good bets and I hear they overclock well. I haven't read up on the 170, but I'm sure someone here can fill us both in.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

[stevok]

Thanks for the welcome, loads of info here - I spend most of my time at DPreview or Fred Miranda.
I hope you get some more replies to the OP - I'm curious to see how other configs handle it.
Cheers.

 

[HO]

Originally posted by: stevok
I hope you get some more replies to the OP...

The lack of response is a little puzzling given how many jumped on the Spin Blur bench a few months ago. This is a much better yardstick, but I can't *make* anyone want to do it.

FWIW, for several years I've used a similar benchmark I devised myself to test system builds and upgrades. I like to know what I've gained for my money. I also like to know if tweaks have any real world payoff (sadly, many do not).

 

[Pr0phetX]

Originally posted by: HO
What's fair is whatever you can set your memory alloc. to without bogging down your system. More RAM would best be matched with XP Pro and CS2, both of which are needed to permit and make use of the /3GB switch. As far as Vista is concerned, I expect your RAM will not go as far once that memory hog is added to the equation...

Opterons are good bets and I hear they overclock well. I haven't read up on the 170, but I'm sure someone here can fill us both in.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

thats not true. all of vista's eye candy only take from your video ram. Hence why it requires a video card with nonintegrated memory.

 

[Pr0phetX]

by they way are you using the 4400 x2?

 

[Pr0phetX]

also how is this test done?

 

[HO]

Originally posted by: Pr0phetX
by they way are you using the 4400 x2?

Yes.

Originally posted by: Pr0phetX
also how is this test done?

You download the .zip file from the linked page (my first post). Load the included PS Action. Open the Benchmark Test image and run the Action on it. Use a watch to time it. As far as setting your memory allocation goes, you might as well peg it at 100%. There are valid reasons for not doing so if you have ~2GB of RAM or less, but they won't come into play (I was reminded recently) if all you do is run this test. Just make sure you set the memory percentage back to the default when you're done.

EDIT: all of the above assumes that you have Photoshop installed. If not, and you really want to try it out, download the demo from Adobe.

 

[Scargo]

First try: 1:50 @55% memory allocation. Next with 95%=1:20

There is another benchmark similar to this somewhere, where they have a lot of postings/history. Can't remember where....

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo = 2625Mhz on air (19.32% OC) 46C@22C ambient

 

[HO]

Hi Scargo,
Which version of PS? If CS2, have you considered using the /3GB switch with XP Pro (I assume you used the 32bit OS instead of the 64bit version to run the test).

 

[CosmoHorizon]

I havn't got my photoshop up and running yet, since i've just recently constructed my rig and it's a bit of a pain to dig out all my stacked away manual and CD-key and so-on. Will be posting back soon! Great topic OP!
BTW, why not do a Maya PLE version benchmark...? It's freely avalible and all it needs is some ultra-poly with relection/refraction and a few lights

Post back in a few days

 

[mechBgon]

Ok, it's you and me. I guess no one else has the $650 software that's required to put their system to a real test...

Fixed. If I could afford it, I'd play too.

*dinks around sadly with my puny PhotoShop Elements *

 

[HO]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

Ok, it's you and me. I guess no one else has the $650 software that's required to put their system to a real test...

Fixed. If I could afford it, I'd play too.

*dinks around sadly with my puny PhotoShop Elements *

The CS2 demo is fully functional and available for download from Adobe. Although if you have dial-up, it would be a lot like stuffing a camel through a keyhole.

LINK, top of page. Registration required.

 

[Scargo]

I have CS2.
I am running 2 Mb of paging file on my C drive and 2000-4000 for my striped SCSI drives. I read somewhere that you didn't want to have "0" for C. Or, is it that it doesn't allow less than 1Mb? Are my settings optimal for my paging files and PS CS2?

I once loaded XP64 but ran out of space in the partition that I had allocated for it on C. So I am not using it at the moment and plan on using Partition Magic to fix this problem and reload it, just for Photoshop.
I just changed my settings to enable the /3Gb switch in my boot.ini I will report bac as soon as I reboot and test.
I appreciate the help and interest. I do a lot of work in Photoshop and built my PC just for that purpose. Still, though I think I am a pretty good PS mechanic, I consider myself a novice at maximizing the use of my power and features.

 

[wireeater]

File is corrupt for me, how about anyone else?

 

[Scargo]

No problem when I downloaded it yesterday....

I ran under "/3GB switch" and it did improve my scores, in general.
With four cache levels and 98% memory allocation:18-46 seconds was normal range.

Didn't seem to make much difference how many cache levels I had. I tried 1.
The biggest difference was whether I had run the image before. When I closed PS and reloaded it and the file, I got the lowest scores.

This was while running this configuration:
ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo = 2730Mhz = 260 X 10.5, 4X on K8 to SB, 5X SB to NB, "183" on RAM (91.5%) 1.425v. CPU, 2.7v. on the OCZ RAM

 

[Scargo]

Sorry, I thought the first one (previous post) didn't post. It put them on a new page so I didn't see it! So this is more of the same....

I re-ran the benchmark after booting with /3GB switch.I ran all with 98% memory allocation in PS.
It improved my scores, in general. I think you would see more improvement with a tougher test (more actions).
It did not seem to make any difference whether I had one cache level or four. The biggest difference was when I first opened PS and the image. That initial run gave me the lowest score. When I re-ran it several times it varied from 40 seconds to occasionally over a minute. Average range of times were 18-45 seconds, with 45 being the norm, if I had run the action on it before. I did about 15 runs.

I was running@:
ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo = 2730Mhz =260 X 10.5, 183 (91.5%) memory ratio, 4X K8 to NB, 5X SB to NB , K8 to NB linkwidth 16~16, CPU@1.425v., RAM@2.7v.
See previous post for all specs.

 

[HO]

Originally posted by: Scargo
I have CS2.
I am running 2 Mb of paging file on my C drive and 2000-4000 for my striped SCSI drives. I read somewhere that you didn't want to have "0" for C. Or, is it that it doesn't allow less than 1Mb? Are my settings optimal for my paging files and PS CS2?

You can set your pagefile for C to None if you have a proper pagefile on another drive. Having said that, I am not quite clear where you have your PS Scratch, but I assume that it is on your RAID array. If so, I would move the pagefile back to C and retest. Moving the pagefile probably will not make a difference on this small file, but I think it will ultimately work to your advantage if you normally work with large files.

I am a little puzzled why your times are not more in line with mine, given we use the same processor and a like amount of RAM... and the fact that you appear to be overclocked...