Graphics hardware acceleration?

[actualeyes]

That's an intriguing response Chris ... surely they are doing heaps of 2D
accelleration for games and all?
What sort of graphics hardware would you recommend for a dual-head Vista 64
system with 4-GB of RAM for optimal CS3, ACR and Lightroom performance?

[klsteven]

Chris, can you give a bit more details about GPU support in CS3 and CS3
extended?
I read the following info in Martin evenings PDF (on page 4) about
CS3:"...checking the "enable 3d acceleration" box will improve the image
display performance. The 3D support will also improve the performance of the
brushes. When using a pressure sensitive pen, the brushes response will feel
much more sensitive and responsive."
This indicates, that the GPU is not only helpful in the extended version, but
also in CS3 standard.
On Adobe`s system requirements I found that CS3 needs a card with a least 64MB
ram and for the extended version also a DX9 capable card.
Could you please give more info about the GPU usage?

[Junkers]

Is it possible that the "experiments" may relate to DX10 use?

[klsteven]

Even on the Adobe website there are contadictory statements about the hardware
requirements:
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/systemreqs

"Adobe? Photoshop? CS3 and Photoshop CS3 Extended have the same system
requirements"
and
http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/production/systemreqs/

"Some 3D features in Adobe Photoshop? CS3 Extended require a DirectX 9 capable
graphics card with at least 64MB of VRAM"
And what about what Martin Evening said in his pdf about brushes performance?
That sounds like even the standard version would profit from a fast GPU.

[klsteven]

Can any engineer claryfy those GPU questions? That would be nice, because I intend to buy a new PC within the next weeks.

[Christina Wiley]

I'm not an engineer, but if you're buy a new PC, it's going to be tough to find
one with less than 64MB of VRAM. A quick search of the cheapest Dells with
integrated graphics shows that they still have 256MB (shared).

[Junkers]

The question of CS3's graphics hardware support remains open.

Aside from the amount of VRAM issue, for me the question is whether to buy a
DirectX 10 GPU because of its present and future improvements for Photoshop CS3
(and Lightroom secondarily).

Is there any significant difference with CS3 relative to smoothness of brush
action or other performance factors when considering a DirectX 9 versus a
DirectX 10 board?

[klsteven]

Christina is right about the amount of VRAM in modern cards. And besides
Junkers`question about future use of DX 10 the question is wether a fast (!)
card speeds up CS3 and/or CS3 extended. I`d like to know which commands
actually use the GPU. Only the 3D functionality in the extended version or also
brushes etc. in the standard version or what else?

[Ramón G Castañeda]

Post by klsteven
Christina is right about the amount of VRAM in modern cards. And besides
Junkers`question about future use of DX 10 the question is wether a fast (!)
card speeds up CS3 and/or CS3 extended. I`d like to know which commands
actually use the GPU. Only the 3D functionality in the extended version or also
brushes etc. in the standard version or what else?

The loupe, for one.

[klsteven]

Yeah, I know, but that`s Bridge. I meant Photoshop.