RAM for focus stacking
Nov 13, 2018 11:43:45 #
I recently purchased a Nikon D850, primarily for it's focus stacking feature, and it is also time to replace my mid-2011 iMac (8 GB RAM). My question is, how much RAM will I require to focus stack with Helicon?
I imagine I'll typically be using about 20 to 50 raw files of about 90 MB each. I'd like not to have to close everything else I typically have open, that is, Bridge (about 3 GB of memory), Thunderbird (about 550 MB of memory), and Chrome (about 500 MB of memory), for a total of about 4 GB of memory; while I imagine the system moves a bunch of that out of active RAM while I'm using Helicon, I have no idea how much.
I imagine I'll typically be using about 20 to 50 raw files of about 90 MB each. I'd like not to have to close everything else I typically have open, that is, Bridge (about 3 GB of memory), Thunderbird (about 550 MB of memory), and Chrome (about 500 MB of memory), for a total of about 4 GB of memory; while I imagine the system moves a bunch of that out of active RAM while I'm using Helicon, I have no idea how much.
Nov 13, 2018 12:06:39 #
cbtsam wrote:
I recently purchased a Nikon D850, primarily for i... (show quote)
I use PS CC for focus stacking and this computer has less than 1GB of ram, so yeah, its a bit slow but it does the job!
Nov 13, 2018 12:07:04 #
kmpankopf
Loc: Mid-Michigan; SW Pennsylvania
I will stack close to 20 raw files, 24 MB each, on 16 gig without issue using Helicon. Using just photography related programs, On One, PS, Bridge and Photomatix, I've never gone over 60% of my available memory.
Nov 13, 2018 14:54:25 #
If willing to pay for a D850 mainly for stacking, RAM is cheap. Move up from 16 to 32 Gb for less than hundred dollars and never worry. Programs keep using more RAM if 7 yrs is your average holding period.
Nov 13, 2018 15:53:44 #
juan_uy
Loc: Uruguay
Stardust wrote:
If willing to pay for a D850 mainly for stacking, RAM is cheap. Move up from 16 to 32 Gb for less than hundred dollars and never worry. Programs keep using more RAM if 7 yrs is your average holding period.
This
Nov 13, 2018 17:57:24 #
cbtsam wrote:
I recently purchased a Nikon D850, primarily for i... (show quote)
You would do well to get at least 32 gb ram, preferably 64 if you are doing this often and don't want to wait.
On the other hand, you are not likely to see any difference between uncompressed raw and lossless compressed raw, so why do something that will not yield any benefit?
Nov 14, 2018 08:08:04 #
cactuspic
Loc: Dallas, TX
I can’t tell you the minimum RAM you need to stack. My iMac has 32 GB RAM and it comfortably stacks the 50mp files of my Canon 5DSr without trouble. Although I primarily use Zerene I have also stacked numerous images using Helicon. Often my stacks are several images which I can process so long as I am not trying to run several stacks at the same time. I hope that helps
Nov 14, 2018 09:24:25 #
I have the 850. 16 gig of ram and 8 gig of ram on video card and no problem focus stacking. It is faster than my machine with a 4 gig video card and 32 gig of ram when it comes to focus stacking.
Nov 14, 2018 09:33:33 #
I can't comment on the RAM for stacking, but I have an iMac from the same time period, and I easily added more memory. Look at crucial.com
Nov 14, 2018 11:20:04 #
cbtsam wrote:
I recently purchased a Nikon D850, primarily for i... (show quote)
At least 16 especially playing with that many files. In addition it will need a lot of scratch space while it puts it together. No idea how much.
Nov 14, 2018 11:30:27 #
cbtsam wrote:
I recently purchased a Nikon D850, primarily for i... (show quote)
If Helicon works like Zerene, you probably won't need any more. I have only 8 GB on my old PC and can stack hundreds of images with no problems. I think it's because the final image file - in Zerene anyway - is a constant size whether two images are stacked or two thousand images are stacked.
Nov 14, 2018 13:06:41 #
PACSMAN
Loc: MA
I have an 850 and a PC with 32 GB of RAM. It will work if you're willing to wait, I checked out task manager while stacking and the entire 32 GB was being used. I'm looking to upgrade to 64 GB of RAM in the near future.
Nov 14, 2018 13:16:50 #
Stardust wrote:
If willing to pay for a D850 mainly for stacking, RAM is cheap. Move up from 16 to 32 Gb for less than hundred dollars and never worry. Programs keep using more RAM if 7 yrs is your average holding period.
On Apple's site, it looks like the move from 16 to 32 GB is $400, not $100, but I agree, it's not a huge percentage of the whole purchase.
Nov 14, 2018 18:58:47 #
cbtsam wrote:
Yeah, the $100 was because I am now Windows-based and forgot how much Apple likes to charge for their logo. Also, should have mentioned higher graphics card on-board memory probably would reduce need for RAM use, but regardless if holding onto computers for 7 years like the OP can guarantee RAM need is going to increase.On Apple's site, it looks like the move from 16 to 32 GB is $400, not $100, but I agree, it's not a huge percentage of the whole purchase.
Nov 14, 2018 23:10:52 #
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