What CPU do you use?

TserrofTserrof Registered Users Posts: 17 Big grins
edited April 30, 2007 in Digital Darkroom
I've seen some threads with ppl debating what CPU is the best for photo & video tasks on their PCs. I'd like to take a poll on who uses what and to hear feedback on what performance ppl get from their respective machines. Sorry, if you use a CPU I don't list but I don't want to go overboard, so I'll only list the current major CPUs on the market. Feel free to flame me if I missed one lol. :D

Personally? I :lust my P4 HT and P4EE. Neither choke even when doing multiple intensive editing tasks at once.
Custom Rig Desktop (P&V editing)....Digicams
P4EE 3.73 GHz ............................Sony DSC-M1 5.1
OCZ 2GB DDR2-533 (2 x 1GB) ........Sony DSC-P31 2.0
128MB Leadtek Winfast 6600GT

Gateway Lappy (P&V editing on the go)......Software
P4 HT 532 ..........................................Photo E 4.0
OCZ 1.5 GB SC DDR RAM.....................Premiere E 2.0
64MB IEG2..............................................PSP 7

What CPU do you use? 92 votes

Intel Celeron
3% 3 votes
Pentium 4
31% 29 votes
Pentium 4 Extreme Edition
5% 5 votes
Pentium Extreme Edition
0% 0 votes
AMD Sempron
2% 2 votes
AMD Athlon 64
13% 12 votes
Athlon 64 FX-5x
1% 1 vote
Athlon 64 X2
11% 11 votes
Power PC G4
9% 9 votes
Power PC G5
21% 20 votes

Comments

  • David_S85David_S85 Administrators Posts: 13,245 moderator
    edited December 29, 2005
    Pentium 4 Dual Core 830 (3GHz).
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    "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
  • TserrofTserrof Registered Users Posts: 17 Big grins
    edited December 29, 2005
    oh shoot, I forgot the Pentium D & M didn't I?
    Custom Rig Desktop (P&V editing)....Digicams
    P4EE 3.73 GHz ............................Sony DSC-M1 5.1
    OCZ 2GB DDR2-533 (2 x 1GB) ........Sony DSC-P31 2.0
    128MB Leadtek Winfast 6600GT

    Gateway Lappy (P&V editing on the go)......Software
    P4 HT 532 ..........................................Photo E 4.0
    OCZ 1.5 GB SC DDR RAM.....................Premiere E 2.0
    64MB IEG2..............................................PSP 7
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited December 29, 2005
    Well, 1 year ago I switched to all Mac after 23 years of using peecees. And I'm glad I did.

    Here's a good Photoshop Benchmark Test

    1 year ago, on a 2.4ghz P4 winbox, nearly 2mins
    1 year ago, on a dual 2.5Ghz Apple Powermac G5, 48 seconds
    1 month ago, on a quad 2.5Ghz Apple Powermac G5, 22 seconds.

    I'm really pleased with the speed of this box.
    Andy

    Portfolio • Workshops • Facebook • Twitter
  • sberleysberley Registered Users Posts: 26 Big grins
    edited January 9, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    1 year ago, on a 2.4ghz P4 winbox, nearly 2mins
    1 year ago, on a dual 2.5Ghz Apple Powermac G5, 48 seconds
    1 month ago, on a quad 2.5Ghz Apple Powermac G5, 22 seconds.

    22 seconds is very impressive!

    I just recently built a Shuttle xpc with an AMD 64 x2 3800 and 2 gb ram. It did the test in 44 seconds. While it's not 22, it's not shabby either.

    Steve
  • NHBubbaNHBubba Registered Users Posts: 342 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2006
    I feel so outdated..
    ..My desktop's proc isn't even listed. My lowly AMD Athlon 1400+ (non-64-bit) is probably looking pathetically outdated by most of ya'lls. And what's most pathetic is that I'm a software engineer by trade!

    Were I to build a new PC today (and I just might be doing this pretty soon), I'd probably aim for an AMD Athlon 64 X2. I like the looks of this architecture quite a bit..
  • PoindexterPoindexter Registered Users Posts: 92 Big grins
    edited January 9, 2006
    I use both a Pentium D (at work) and a Athlon X2 (home). Work only buys Dell systems, so I didn't have much to choose from there. I love AMD! Gaming, PSing, and all kinds of other things the AMD is awesome - especially with 2 7800 GT's in SLi.
    http://axspot.com:thumb
  • mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2006
    I'm biased. I use a 1.67GHz G4 PowerPC. I was on the design team of the original G4 years back. I'd like to step up to dual G5's however. I will stick with Apple when they move to Intel (even though my heart is with Power PC and I currently work for AMD) -- I'm a fan of OS-X and I hate Windows. :)
    Bill Jurasz - Mercury Photography - Cedar Park, TX
    A former sports shooter
    Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
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  • livinginozlivinginoz Registered Users Posts: 497 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2006
    g5 dual 2 ghz, 2.5 gb ram, just happened to appear on my desk last week after my old dual g4 took two weeks to finally melt down.....

    60 sec

    i will have to try it at home on my imac g5.
    laurie in rural minnesota

    my stuff
  • NHBubbaNHBubba Registered Users Posts: 342 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2006
    mercphoto wrote:
    I will stick with Apple when they move to Intel (even though my heart is with Power PC and I currently work for AMD) -- I'm a fan of OS-X and I hate Windows. :)
    Slightly OT.. do you think that Apple will release OS-X to non-Apple users? Do you think the days of home-spun, AMD based systems running OS-X are near? ... Gotta say, I think they'd have a customer in me! OS-X + an AMD Athlon X2.. that's just gotta rock.
  • PoindexterPoindexter Registered Users Posts: 92 Big grins
    edited January 9, 2006
    NHBubba wrote:
    Gotta say, I think they'd have a customer in me!

    Me too! I'd love to have an Apple OS on my much cheaper to build PC, then have Microsoft on a partition for playing games.
    http://axspot.com:thumb
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    1 month ago, on a quad 2.5Ghz Apple Powermac G5, 22 seconds.

    I'm really pleased with the speed of this box.

    So anyway, is that quad leaking coolant yet?

    naughty.gif
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
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  • NHBubbaNHBubba Registered Users Posts: 342 Major grins
    edited February 22, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    Here's a good Photoshop Benchmark Test
    Some results I've culled up by way of informal testing in the last few weeks:
    • Intel PIII 800 MHz laptop w/ 386 MB RAM - Photoshop CS - 7:04
    • AMD Athlon 1400+ (1.2 GHz) desktop w/ 1 GB RAM - Photoshop CS - 5:56
    • Dual processor Intel Xeon 2.8 GHz w/ 2 GB RAM - Photoshop 7 - 1:28
    • Intel Pentium 4 3 GHz w/ 2 GB RAM - Photoshop CS2 - 1:52
    • Intel Pentium M 2 GHz w/ 2 GB RAM - Photoshop CS2 - 3:00
    • Dual 2 GHz G5 PowerMac w/ 512 MB RAM - Photoshop CS - 1:23
    • 20" iMac Intel 'Duo' dual-core 2 GHz w/ 512 MB RAM - Photoshop CS - 1:24
    • Dual 2.5 Ghz PowerMac w/ 4GB RAM - Photoshop CS2 40 seconds
  • CatOneCatOne Registered Users Posts: 957 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2006
    NHBubba wrote:
    Slightly OT.. do you think that Apple will release OS-X to non-Apple users? Do you think the days of home-spun, AMD based systems running OS-X are near? ... Gotta say, I think they'd have a customer in me! OS-X + an AMD Athlon X2.. that's just gotta rock.

    They've said no. Apple effectively subsidizes the cost of OS X with their hardware, so it would cost them money.
    My Landscape Galleries
  • rallymaniacrallymaniac Registered Users Posts: 119 Major grins
    edited February 24, 2006
    did it on my 4.5 year old machine: 4:34
    AMD Athlon 1300 MHz
    512 DDR Ram
    PS 7.0
    I think it's pretty decent for an ancient machine :D
    www.mcpimage.com
  • ScottGScottG Registered Users Posts: 15 Big grins
    edited March 3, 2006
    Hi, first post here. I'm getting my Smugmug account set up tomorrow.

    But anyway, I'm on a self-built Athlon 64 X2 system here. 4200+ Dual-core.
    I only have 1 gig of RAM so far as most of my cash is going back into my photography business (that I've been away from for 10 years....but that's another story).

    Anyway, doing the Photoshop test that Andy mentioned I got 32 seconds on my machine. Not bad I guess.
    Gant Photography
  • John MuellerJohn Mueller Registered Users Posts: 2,555 Major grins
    edited March 3, 2006
    I tried one of those Mac things today.heheheh no right click:D
    I guess you cant teach an old dog new tricks.
    My Smuggy

    Cincinnati Smug Leader
  • ScottGScottG Registered Users Posts: 15 Big grins
    edited March 3, 2006
    Actually, you can right click on the Mac. I think the new mighty mouse they have has a left and right button, though you can't see it as it's underneath a membrain. But you can also put in your favorite mouse and use it as it's all USB and right clicking works fine.
    Gant Photography
  • GraphyFotozGraphyFotoz Registered Users Posts: 2,267 Major grins
    edited March 3, 2006
    Not quite sure what ya mean by Pentium 4 Extreme Edition?headscratch.gif
    I have a Pentium 4 with HT(Hyper Threading) 2.8GHZ...1.5Gig of Ram.ne_nau.gif
    Canon 60D | Nikon Cooloix P7700
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  • BodwickBodwick Registered Users Posts: 396 Major grins
    edited March 3, 2006
    Sony VAIO VGN-A197 Series - Intel Pentium Centrino M 1.8Mhz - 1 gig RAM - PS7

    First test over 5 mins - Shut down the rubbish and down to 34 seconds...

    ne_nau.gif

    Lesson of today - Shut down the rubbish.
    "The important thing is to just take the picture with the lens you have when the picture happens."
    Jerry Lodriguss - Sports Photographer

    Reporters sans frontières
  • Mike LaneMike Lane Registered Users Posts: 7,106 Major grins
    edited April 17, 2007
    Hrm...

    MacBook Pro, 2.33 GB Intel Core 2 Duo, 3 GB RAM, Photoshop CS3 Extended: 61.4 seconds.

    Doesn't seem all that whippy...

    Okay I retried and got 38.2 seconds.
    Y'all don't want to hear me, you just want to dance.

    http://photos.mikelanestudios.com/
  • claudermilkclaudermilk Registered Users Posts: 2,756 Major grins
    edited April 18, 2007
    ScottG wrote:
    Hi, first post here. I'm getting my Smugmug account set up tomorrow.

    But anyway, I'm on a self-built Athlon 64 X2 system here. 4200+ Dual-core.
    I only have 1 gig of RAM so far as most of my cash is going back into my photography business (that I've been away from for 10 years....but that's another story).

    Anyway, doing the Photoshop test that Andy mentioned I got 32 seconds on my machine. Not bad I guess.

    Ouch! Get more RAM, it's not that expensive. I am also running a home-brew based on the X2 4200+, and it's faster than that (I should have a post in the test thread IIRC). As I recall it was on par with the rest of the current speedy PCs and Macs at the time.
    Chris
    http://www.chrislaudermilkphoto.com/
  • medallionmedallion Registered Users Posts: 9 Beginner grinner
    edited April 22, 2007
    NHBubba wrote:
    Slightly OT.. do you think that Apple will release OS-X to non-Apple users? Do you think the days of home-spun, AMD based systems running OS-X are near? ... Gotta say, I think they'd have a customer in me! OS-X + an AMD Athlon X2.. that's just gotta rock.

    I use Intel Dual corewings.gif
  • jayjay Registered Users Posts: 64 Big grins
    edited April 24, 2007
    intel core duo 1.83ghz mac mini thumb.gif
    jm photography
  • dogwooddogwood Registered Users Posts: 2,572 Major grins
    edited April 24, 2007
    Just popped an AMD 2.4 GHz dual core into my box this past weekend. Haven't overclocked it (yet) but it still hums along nicely. And the dual core-- I can now do other computer stuff while batch processing hundreds of files! :D
    Portland, Oregon Photographer Pete Springer
    website blog instagram facebook g+

  • mrbill62mrbill62 Registered Users Posts: 25 Big grins
    edited April 29, 2007
    iMac 20" 2.16 GHz Core2Duo/2 GB RAM/500 GB HD/256 MB Video card.
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2007
    dogwood wrote:
    Just popped an AMD 2.4 GHz dual core into my box this past weekend. Haven't overclocked it (yet) but it still hums along nicely. And the dual core-- I can now do other computer stuff while batch processing hundreds of files! :D
    Is dual core better than actuall having a dual processor board??
    .....as I am being forced to upgrade very shortly and have been eyeing some new boxes but the MB and CPU have me a little bafled.....a couple of yrs ago it would have been very easy, dual amd processor ....with the rise of gaming it seems most of what I look at is mostly described as for gamers....

    Damn can't vote....so mine is a 1ghz p3 512 ram.......purrs like a kitten.....well a kitten ran over by a tricycle:D
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • cmasoncmason Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2007
    Art Scott wrote:
    Is dual core better than actuall having a dual processor board??
    .....as I am being forced to upgrade very shortly and have been eyeing some new boxes but the MB and CPU have me a little bafled.....a couple of yrs ago it would have been very easy, dual amd processor ....with the rise of gaming it seems most of what I look at is mostly described as for gamers....

    Damn can't vote....so mine is a 1ghz p3 512 ram.......purrs like a kitten.....well a kitten ran over by a tricycle:D
    Art: Dual processors required software to handle all the timings, handoff, and management of overhead of the two processors. In fact, very few managed to be customized to handle them...mostly CAD and a few others programs, I think Photoshop included.

    Dual core is effectively transparent to software, as the cores are very deep in the hardware layer, and they do not need the same management as dual processors. That being said, it is possible to optimize your software to take advantage of the dual cores, but again few have so far, but it isnt really necessary.

    My AMD 3000+ (Athlon) does just fine with photo editing, but load up too many intensive tasks, and it starts to slow. For example, you do not want to virus scan (or have Lightroom build previews) while trying to do much else. On the other hand, we have a dual core T5200 laptop, and when virus scanning, you never know it is doing it.

    Can't vote either: AMD 3000+ Athlon...NOT 64bit
    Photos
  • evorywareevoryware Registered Users Posts: 1,330 Major grins
    edited April 30, 2007
    AMD 2500+, 2GB RAM, 6800GT video. 2500+ has proved to be a workhorse and if I really needed to, I could over clock it for a lil extra juice.
    XP and Vista Premium. I'll get another year out of it at least. WHen I build my next one, this will be my backup server. Probably just re-apply the thermal paste on the cpu soon so it doesn't fry.
    I'm sure by the time I upgrade I'll be wondering why I waited so long.
    Canon 40D : Canon 400D : Canon Elan 7NE : Canon 580EX : 2 x Canon 430EX : Canon 24-70 f2.8L : Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L USM : Canon 28-135mm f/3.5 IS : 18-55mm f/3.5 : 4GB Sandisk Extreme III : 2GB Sandisk Extreme III : 2 x 1GB Sandisk Ultra II : Sekonik L358

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