What's Your Experience with CS4

[JohnGalt_ny]

I think this is a simple question but maybe not.

I'll be upgrading my hardware next month when Win7 goes RTM. I haven't decided on dual core vs quad core. I plan to work on RAW files from my 450D and possibly convert to .tiff instead of directly to .jpg. Obviously, that calls for mucho processor power.

I'd like to know your experience with CS4 on a dual core machine. Is it responsive? Assuming either 4 or 6 GB DDR Ram, is there really a benefit to quad core? Can CS4 even address multiple processors?

Those of you using either quad or dual, please let me know your real world experience.

Thanks.

[waggles2004]

I am running CS4 on both my Vista-based Dual Core desktop (3.0Ghz) and my Core 2 Duo laptop (2.2Ghz). I have no issues processing multiple RAW files at one time, although after 10 open files, CS4 will disable the Open-GL features on the additional files (at least on my machines). Both machines have 4GB of RAM and the desktop has a 512MB video card; laptop has a 256MB video card.

I hope this helps some.

[JohnGalt_ny]

Perfect Waggles. Thank you.

[Padre]

I use CS4 with Vista - 8gb ram - dual core and get excellent performance, also Lightroom is quick as a cat

[JohnGalt_ny]

Thanks Brent.

[blumesan]

Originally Posted by Padre

I use CS4 with Vista - 8gb ram -

What is the maximum amount of ram that can be used by CS4? Is it dependent on O/S?

[Padre]

Sorry I don't know the answer Blumesan.

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by JohnGalt_ny

I'd like to know your experience with CS4 on a dual core machine. Is it responsive? Assuming either 4 or 6 GB DDR Ram, is there really a benefit to quad core? Can CS4 even address multiple processors?

I have dual core and quad core machines.

Quad core is the way to go.

CS4? I'm not sold. I actually prefer CS3.

Either way, though, I'd go for the quad core processor. Highest one, preferably. i7 if you can afford it.