Adobe Photoshop CS4 Performance

To measure performance under Photoshop CS4 we turn to the Retouch Artists’ Speed Test. The test does basic photo editing; there are a couple of color space conversions, many layer creations, color curve adjustment, image and canvas size adjustment, unsharp mask, and finally a gaussian blur performed on the entire image.

The whole process is timed and thanks to the use of Intel's X25-M SSD as our test bed hard drive, performance is far more predictable than back when we used to test on mechanical disks.

Time is reported in seconds and the lower numbers mean better performance. The test is multithreaded and can hit all four cores in a quad-core machine.

Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Retouch Artists Speed Test

Photoshop performance of our triple core competitor is slower than the lower clocked X4 620. It is however the exact same speed as the Phenom II X3 720.

SYSMark 2007 Performance Video Encoding Performance
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  • maddoctor - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link

    Yes, Intel Core I5 is the best choice. No sophisticated AMD products, and it will never be. Don't buy AMD rubbish products.
  • Ezz777 - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link

    Not quite what i was getting at - but thanks for your input...

    I guess my question isn't really Athlon II X3 related but more 'concepts in PC building' so apologies for going OT.

    If anyone does want to respond - my question is along the lines of if we assume linearity in the CPU and GPU markets, is there a ratio on how much you should spend on each to get a balanced gaming PC?
  • fsdetained - Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - link

    That's a horrible way to go about buying parts as you'll just screw yourself in the end.
    I would only buy an athlon II for entry level gaming. It would do ok with more demanding games but the games are starting to catch up with current tech finally. Phenom II or I5/I7 would be for the more serious gamers.
  • maddoctor - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link

    Hey, AMD could not make any processor approriately like Intel. Even AMD will not make any processor soon because AMD will bankrupt. AMD is whining too much and must be punished. Intel products are better than any AMD products.
  • RadnorHarkonnen - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link

    Can somebody ban this one, it is getting really disrupting.

    Beyond just behing plain dumb, somebody tell this tool chipmakers aren't football teams. Not that is very bright to discuss like this about football teams.

  • Gary Key - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link

    Done...
  • RubberJohnny - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link

    The next few months will be very interesting for AMD, soon they will have the i3 to compete with in this market so pricing will become very important and Nvidia (possibly) about to put some heat on them in the graphics department...hang in there little fella!
  • rippley007 - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link

    The huge problem with this is STREET prices of CURRENT Intel cpu's.
    Less than 7 days ago, in a STORE mind you, i just purchased a q9550 CPU. for $169.. Quad core 2.83 ghz, 12mb cache, looks/acts/IS a much better price /performance, AT $169.. That is hard to beat
  • maddoctor - Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - link

    Look, this is the facts that Intel is much better in price/performance ratio.
  • fsdetained - Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - link

    It had to be a return, open box, or a going out of business sale because even newegg has it listed for $269 and they pretty much always whoop store's prices. No way he got it by normal means at that price.
    For $179.99 you can get an AMD Phenom IIx4 955 Black Edition which is about on par performance wise as a q9550. That's $90 you're saving for the same performance.

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