Photoshop bench - What cache/history setting?

jelfelt · Sep 12, 2006, 03:58 PM

When I run the DriverHeaven benchmark with the CS2 default of "cache" level = 6, then my total time is 182 seconds. If I set cache level = 1, reboot and run the bench, then my total time on the bench drops to 166 seconds. The big change was underpainting which dropped from 36 sec to about 25 sec.

I read the benchmark documentation page but did not see any info telling folks what cache level to use in CS2 in order to ensure that we are all comparing apples to apples.

A poster at depreview suggested that the CS2 setting for "history" might also have a large impact on the benchmark results.

I'm running XP Pro SP2, /3GB switch, 4GB ram.

Zardon · Sep 12, 2006, 06:10 PM

In your case the 4 gig of ram will aid this massively and would be ideal for performance under the majority of situations. I did not address this in the documentation page because on the majority of systems it will be left at 4-6 (depending on version) and there are so many varying system specifications ranging from 256 meg of ram to over 10 gigabytes that a true "apples to apples" is not possible specifically when comparing with other systems within our online database. There are also huge differences in coding between photoshop versions so again an apples to apples is not even possible between versions nevermind hardware based systems. The suite is primarily meant as a general test and to give an idea of overall system performance rather than a specific style 3dmark online "head to head" - im certainly not going to say in xx case setting it to 2 would be better or xx case setting it at 6 would be better, im actually hoping the suite has more real world use when changing hardware or bios settings to maximise real world performance for graphics work, rather than an "epenis" style "my system is 130 seconds so im x sec faster than you". There are way too many variables to give a comparative result. After all if you think about it (and are being totally anal and pedantic)- you arent really having an apples to apples with ANY graphics card test either. a card a few years old will have slower (and possibly) less memory and could very well operate on a different interface medium - someone could also be running an older OS with out of date patches or DX files, drivers etc. . Obviously thats not how it works real life and neither does the PS bench however the same theory in principal applies in this context between PS versions, amount of ram, timings etc

The Memory & Image Cache preferences give you control over how much RAM memory is assigned to Photoshop, and how much memory is allocated to screen draws (Image Cache). Photoshop, being a high-performance application, requires a fairly large amount of RAM memory. Adjusting these options can help increase Photoshop's overall speed performance. Photoshop has many names for RAM memory: History States, Undo, Clipboard, and Cache. When you modify the cache settings, you are increasing or decreasing the amount of RAM Photoshop uses for various tasks. Experimentation is the key here and I cant really say "4" or "6". Scratch discs in real world use with large files play a big part in performance, therefore tuning the application (and system performance) will give rewards.

Note: For anyone else reading this, wondering what on earth a "scratch disc" is, photoshop uses a temporary file for storing data and performing computations and calculations when there is insufficent RAM. It places this temporary file on your hard disc(s) (multiple options are available in PS settings). when you exit photoshop, this temporary file is deleted and a fresh one is created the next time you launch photoshop.

pr0digal jenius · Sep 12, 2006, 07:30 PM

Scratch discs sound much like a paging file, if I'm reading correctly....very good read Allan

jelfelt · Sep 12, 2006, 07:50 PM

Allan,

Thanks for thoughtful and well-written reply. It has advanced my understanding.

swimtech · Sep 13, 2006, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jelfelt

Allan,

Thanks for thoughtful and well-written reply. It has advanced my understanding.

Indeed.

Folks spend years learning this application - thanks Z...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon's status line

Zardon is godlike in his status

Sep 12, 2006, 03:58 PM	#1
jelfelt DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Photoshop bench - What cache/history setting? When I run the DriverHeaven benchmark with the CS2 default of "cache" level = 6, then my total time is 182 seconds. If I set cache level = 1, reboot and run the bench, then my total time on the bench drops to 166 seconds. The big change was underpainting which dropped from 36 sec to about 25 sec. I read the benchmark documentation page but did not see any info telling folks what cache level to use in CS2 in order to ensure that we are all comparing apples to apples. A poster at depreview suggested that the CS2 setting for "history" might also have a large impact on the benchmark results. I'm running XP Pro SP2, /3GB switch, 4GB ram.

Sep 12, 2006, 06:10 PM	#2
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	In your case the 4 gig of ram will aid this massively and would be ideal for performance under the majority of situations. I did not address this in the documentation page because on the majority of systems it will be left at 4-6 (depending on version) and there are so many varying system specifications ranging from 256 meg of ram to over 10 gigabytes that a true "apples to apples" is not possible specifically when comparing with other systems within our online database. There are also huge differences in coding between photoshop versions so again an apples to apples is not even possible between versions nevermind hardware based systems. The suite is primarily meant as a general test and to give an idea of overall system performance rather than a specific style 3dmark online "head to head" - im certainly not going to say in xx case setting it to 2 would be better or xx case setting it at 6 would be better, im actually hoping the suite has more real world use when changing hardware or bios settings to maximise real world performance for graphics work, rather than an "epenis" style "my system is 130 seconds so im x sec faster than you". There are way too many variables to give a comparative result. After all if you think about it (and are being totally anal and pedantic)- you arent really having an apples to apples with ANY graphics card test either. a card a few years old will have slower (and possibly) less memory and could very well operate on a different interface medium - someone could also be running an older OS with out of date patches or DX files, drivers etc. . Obviously thats not how it works real life and neither does the PS bench however the same theory in principal applies in this context between PS versions, amount of ram, timings etc The Memory & Image Cache preferences give you control over how much RAM memory is assigned to Photoshop, and how much memory is allocated to screen draws (Image Cache). Photoshop, being a high-performance application, requires a fairly large amount of RAM memory. Adjusting these options can help increase Photoshop's overall speed performance. Photoshop has many names for RAM memory: History States, Undo, Clipboard, and Cache. When you modify the cache settings, you are increasing or decreasing the amount of RAM Photoshop uses for various tasks. Experimentation is the key here and I cant really say "4" or "6". Scratch discs in real world use with large files play a big part in performance, therefore tuning the application (and system performance) will give rewards. Note: For anyone else reading this, wondering what on earth a "scratch disc" is, photoshop uses a temporary file for storing data and performing computations and calculations when there is insufficent RAM. It places this temporary file on your hard disc(s) (multiple options are available in PS settings). when you exit photoshop, this temporary file is deleted and a fresh one is created the next time you launch photoshop.

Sep 12, 2006, 07:30 PM	#3
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	Scratch discs sound much like a paging file, if I'm reading correctly....very good read Allan

Sep 12, 2006, 07:50 PM	Thread Starter #4
jelfelt DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Allan, Thanks for thoughtful and well-written reply. It has advanced my understanding.