PS CS4 + 8GB RAM = Happy Computer :)

For anyone who's been struggling with getting Photoshop CS4 Extended to behave itself, I have good news and bad news. The good news is I've found the secret to making it work reliably. The bad news (for some) is it's a hardware solution, which won't be an option for all computers. 8GB of RAM is the key.

I finally got around to putting a shiny new 8GB of RAM in my desktop computer today, and all I can say is wow, what a difference. For the past hour or so, I've been actively trying to trigger that annoying problem with CS4's 3D paint engine, where the 2D texture file disassociates itself from the 3D model. I can't make it happen. It just works. And manipulating the model is almost totally smooth, no more having to wait while the display aliases and then cleans itself up afterwards. It flies.

I've written before about how 4GB of RAM seems to be the absolute minimum needed for basic stability with PS CS4 Extended. I'll amend that now to say 8GB is recommended for reliability and smooth fluid performance.

If your computer can handle it, get 8GB of RAM (64-bit OS required, of course). It's well worth the expense.




If anyone's curious, the specific RAM I'm using is Corsair Dominator CM2X2048-8500C5D. Tiger Direct has a pretty good deal on it right now, just $69.99 (after rebate) for each 2x2GB set. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3757080&CatId=3413

I have to agree with Chosen. I've had 8 GB on my computer for a while now and when I installed Photoshop CS4, it worked without any problem.