Looking for a Photoshop Speed Upgrade

I have a pretty decent machine, but am looking for a little upgrade. My main resource hogger is Photoshop CS4, but I'm also looking for any other general computer upgrades, to decrease boot time and program boots.

Here's my current specs:

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8400 @ 2.66GHz
Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Graphics ATI Radeon HD 4350
Gaming graphics 3579 MB Total available graphics memory
Total size of hard disk(s) 1820 GB @ 5400 RPM

I was thinking maybe a new graphics card? or a 7200 RPM hard drive?

Thanks.

First thing to do is overclocking...
New video card probably would improve. New HDD not significant, unless SSD.

A decent 7200RPM 16MB/32MB cache hard drive will improve boot up/app' loading times tremendously. Some may recommend an SSD but I really don't think they are worth the extra second or two you'll gain over a decent platter hard drive.

Your CPU's sweet and you got enough memory.

One thing i'll say is since moving from XP Pro 32 to Windows 7 64 Ultimate my app' loading times are much quicker from the same hard drive. Whether that's just moving up to a higher resolution OS or Windows 7 itself I don't know but it's definitely quicker on the clicks.

Stick a 1GB GTX 460 in there and you got a nice rig.

Nothing says faster boot/load times like a solid state disk. I'd recommend one of the OCZ Vertex 2 series as a boot/program drive and keep the 5400 RPM as a storage drive.

jevery said:

Nothing says faster boot/load times like a solid state disk. I'd recommend one of the OCZ Vertex 2 series as a boot/program drive and keep the 5400 RPM as a storage drive.

Click to expand...

True but they are very expensive and the right 7200RPM drive is a vast improvement on a 5400RPM drive.

When you are dealing with Photoshop, a faster HD is definitely a good upgrade. Also with CS4, a faster GPU would reap benefits. I would concentrate on those two things.

yep, since you already have a pretty nice CPU, the 2 best things you can do are to get an SSD and a better GPU. and for as little lag as possible, get the fastest you can afford. Another option is to get two SSDs and RAID them.....that would be AH-MAZING! XD