Will my Pentium(R) Dual-Core E5200 @ 2.50GHz run photoshop?

[JKmadu619]

Will my Pentium(R) Dual-Core E5200 @ 2.50GHz run photoshop?

That's my processor, and I can't seem to figure out if it will run Photoshop CS5.

Please don't just post of link of the system requirements, I've checked them out and cannot make heads or tails of them.

- Justin

[Digilodger]

I'm going to sound old saying this, but back in 2007 or 2008 (can't remember exactly which, too long ago ), it was a decent processor. And nobody would have doubt its ability to handle Photoshop CS3 (released in 2007) and CS4 (released in 2008). The computer world sure has come a loonnngggg way.


Anyhow, back to subject, it can handle Photoshop CS5 all right; the processor's requirement hasn't change much since then. But I don't know whether Photoshop CS5 would run smoothly on your computer, though. That would depend on other factors like your memory, other active programs and services, etc. How you set up your Photoshop CS5's performance preferences (Edit ---> Preferences ---> Performance...) would affect this as well.

Check your PM. I sent you a method to check it without any installation. Once you're done, just right-click and delete the program (no uninstallation necessary, no need to clean leftover files and registry entries either).


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Alternatively, give GIMP a thought. It's like an open-source (free) version of Photoshop. I'll admit that Photoshop is still a superior program in terms of flexibility and features, but GIMP should be good for most casual users.

Also, GIMP is a lot of easier to learn than Photoshop (since it has less features). So if you're a complete newbie at advanced image editing, you can learn GIMP first, then transition yourself to Photoshop later.

[JKmadu619]

Cool, if my processor doesn't work, I would be willing to upgrade to an intel pentium 4, but would I still be able to gun all my standarmd programs with that?

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by JKmadu619

Cool, if my processor doesn't work, I would be willing to upgrade to an intel pentium 4, but would I still be able to gun all my standarmd programs with that?

Sorry, I don't understand what you're trying to do . . . or ask. Why would you want to DOWNgrade your Pentium Dual-Core to Pentium 4? This makes zero sense, to be honest.

And what do you mean by "run all my standard programs"? What are your "standard programs"? Care to elaborate, please?

[JKmadu619]

Right here: http://www.adobe.com/products/photos...specs.edu.html

It actually recomends a Pentium 4. So does that mean my processor is simply not compatible, or that it will run with decent efficency?

Sorry about being vauge with "Standard programs" by that I mean as in running word processing programs and games with low running standards (Portal for example.) with the same (or better) efficency than I currently have, or if it wouldn't be compatible for some reason or another.

So what kind of processor do you think could best run CS5 for me?

I realize I'm being the sterotypical idiot talking to tech support, but I'm not quite understanding what kind of processor I need.

- Justin

Edit: As one more piece of description, I have a Vista running in 64 bit mode, is that at least satisfactory? From what I've researched it seems the answer is "yes" but a second opinion would be nice.

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by JKmadu619

Right here: http://www.adobe.com/products/photos...specs.edu.html

It actually recomends a Pentium 4. So does that mean my processor is simply not compatible, or that it will run with decent efficency?

That's not the "recommendation"; that's the MINIMUM requirements. Listing Pentium 4 as the minimum requirement is equivalent to saying that any single-core processor with at least 2GHz in clock speed is the minimum requirement.


Let's summarize that in simpler terms.

Their minimum requirement for processor:
Single-core processor @ 2GHz with Intel NetBurst architecture.

Your current processor:
Dual-core processor @ 2.50GHz with Intel Core architecture.

Your current processor is superior in every way. You have no reason to downgrade to Intel Pentium 4.

Originally Posted by JKmadu619

Sorry about being vauge with "Standard programs" by that I mean as in running word processing programs and games with low running standards (Portal for example.) with the same (or better) efficency than I currently have, or if it wouldn't be compatible for some reason or another.

So what kind of processor do you think could best run CS5 for me?

I realize I'm being the sterotypical idiot talking to tech support, but I'm not quite understanding what kind of processor I need.

I don't know what your motherboard supports or what it doesn't support; I don't know anything about other parts of your computer. I'm sorry but I cannot recommend anything.

Although as of today's technology, I really like the Intel Core i7 with Sandy Bridge architecture; that's the newest high-end Intel processor as of today (Jan. 17, 2012).


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Also, usually the compatibility between software and processor is the question of whether the software would run on 32-bit processors or 64-bit processors.

Currently you have 64-bit processor (since you're running 64-bit Vista); so if you do make an upgrade, just make sure your new processor is a 64-bit processor and make sure that it's compatible with your motherboard (namely, the socket set).


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I think you're focusing too much on processors. Don't forget that a computer can only perform as well as its worst component.

For example, if you have the best processor in the world but you only have less than 1GB of DDR2 RAM--or maybe even if everything in your computer is on the high-end, but you have a crappy graphic card--then that single bad/slow/old/ancient/whatever component would pull everything DOWN with it.

Originally Posted by JKmadu619

Edit: As one more piece of description, I have a Vista running in 64 bit mode, is that at least satisfactory? From what I've researched it seems the answer is "yes" but a second opinion would be nice.

Photoshop CS5 has a 32-bit version and a 64-bit version. Both 32- and 64-bit versions of Photoshop CS5 will run on 64-bit Windows Vista and 64-bit Windows 7.

The 32-bit version of Photoshop can handle about 3GB of RAM maximum; the 64-bit version of Photoshop can handle as many RAM as you can provide. So this will be one of the key factors (among other performance factors) in choosing between 32-bit Photoshop and 64-bit Photoshop (since both versions will run on your computer).

[JKmadu619]

Thanks very much.

I realize getting a good processor is stupid if the rest of my computer is crap, but I have 4GB Ram, over a hundred GB free space, great sound, HD widscreen monitor, and a graphics card that so far seems compatible with every kind of game or program I've used.

I definately feel my processor is the weak link.

THanks for all the help.

- Justin

[Digilodger]

Originally Posted by JKmadu619

I realize getting a good processor is stupid if the rest of my computer is crap, but I have 4GB Ram, over a hundred GB free space, great sound, HD widscreen monitor, and a graphics card that so far seems compatible with every kind of game or program I've used.

I definately feel my processor is the weak link.

Okay, if you really sure that buying a better processor is the best choice, then here's the steps:


Step 1: Upgrade your BIOS to the latest version.

This is a MUST! You must do this first in order to make sure everything works properly.

I don't know anything about your manufacturer and make model; so I cannot give you detail help on this one. But generally you can find everything you need to upgrade your BIOS on the manufacturer's website.

Step 2: Determine the socket.

You probably have Socket 775 LGA, also known as Socket T (according to the info on Intel's site); so this is just for the fun of it . But hey, it doesn't hurt to double-check, right?

You can use programs like Speccy or CPU-Z to automatically do this for you. Both are free and give detail information on your hardware, though CPU-Z is more focus on the processor alone.

NOTE: Don't download the installers; download the ZIP files instead. The zip file contains the portable version. Download the ZIP file, extract it, and run the program. After you're done, just delete folder, no uninstallation necessary.

Look under "Package" on the CPU page and you should see the info on your motherboard's socket.

Step 2b: Understand the info on your socket.

I'll try to keep this as simple as possible; read if you wish to, doesn't matter if you don't.

Spoiler:

It doesn't matter whether you run Speccy or CPU-Z. Either way, you would probably end up with something like "Socket 775 LGA." (My current laptop has Socket 989 rPGA.)

Intel usually has two names for their sockets: an easy-to-remember name and a technical name. In this example, LGA 775 is the technical name; Socket T is a more friendly name.


Anyhow, let's interpret Socket 775 LGA:

• 775 is the number of pins it has. For example, you can't fit a 1156 on a 775.
• LGA stands for land-grid array. LGA and PGA (pin-grid array) are the two most popular right now. In LGA, the pins are actually part of the socket, not the CPU.

Important: Just because a CPU fits into the socket, it DOES NOT mean that the motherboard would support it. The next step is to determine what CPU your mother support.


Step 3: Determine the motherboard's manufacturer, make model, and version.

Look at step 2 where I mentioned Speccy and CPU-Z. Yeah, use one of those and you'll find this info. No problem here, right?

Step 4: Have a chat with a tech-support guy of the motherboard's manufacturer.

This is the easiest way for you. You have all the info you need: Motherboard's manufacturer, model, version, and even the socket.

Give the tech guy at the manufacturer a ring and have him/her give you a list of the compatible CPU. DONE! Simple and shouldn't take more than 15 minutes. This is their job; they will help you.

Also, I recommend you to chat with him online rather than via the phone. This would give you a chat log for future reference and it would be a lot easier for both of you to exchange links and information (copy-and-paste is much faster and easier than reading these over the phone)


Other than that, if you wish to do it yourself, then generally you can find those info on the motherboard's manufacturer's website. Since I don't know anything about your motherboard, I cannot give specific help here, sorry.