Niklon Loc: Athens, Ga

I am looking for a moderately priced (<$1,000) that will handle the Topaz offerings well. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Klon

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Laptop or desk?

B&H has 158 "desktops" between $500 and $1000 that have 16GB of RAM.

Steved3604

What do you have now? All specs on current computer please. Topaz has specifics that are required. Might be more than 1 K. After we see what you have now -- maybe it could be updated to run Topaz. Or not. Topaz still pix or Topaz Video. If Topaz video -- just the video card can be more than 1 K. Topaz video needs a lot of "horsepower". Generally speaking the "better" (and faster) the computer -- the faster Topaz will process the pix/video. Small/laptop computers 'usually' cannot add a NVIDIA video card. A lot of programs "lay off" some of the processing to the video card.

jimvanells Loc: Augusta, GA

Keep in mind it's not the ram that will determine how much wait time there is for Topaz to run. That software is dependent on the graphics card. I had an older Dell with a 4 GB card and it too 30-40 seconds to run a image. I now have an 8 GB Nvidia card and it takes less than 5 seconds to a 40 megapixel conversion on Topaz AI. Look for the graphics and a minimum is 6 GB. Keep in mind that card will cost 1/2 of your $1K budget. Shop at Costco or some other warehouse club for the best deals. If your in Athens there are Costco stores all over ATL and one up by Gwinnett Mall.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Do a search for DIY Desktop under $1000 and you will find listings of parts. Mine was based on such a search. Many parts are "yesterday parts" that were expensive but at lower prices because they have been replaced by the newer parts for doing gaming ... you are doing graphics and so less demanding.

NVIDIA is the more modern programing language graphics card ... best for doing AI. AI is very demanding.

DIY is easy because sockets and plugs can not be put together unless they are meant to be together.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

System Requirements For Topaz Labs Programs -or - https://support.topazlabs.com/article/18-system-requirements
Best Wishes

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I have an HP Pavilion with an SSD. Topaz denoise and sharpen process in seconds, Cost Under $1,000

Niklon Loc: Athens, Ga

My current system is an Optiplex 9010 with 32 gig Ram, an I7 processor and 2 TB of storage. What it does not have is a discreet or replaceable graphics card, and as several of you have correctly pointed out, that is a crucial item for running Topaz efficiently. I very, very rarely edit video and then it is only minutes.

Sodapop,

Which Pavillion do you own? That sounds interesting.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Some potentially useful links -

Memory -
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-much-ram-does-your-pc-need-probably-less-than-you-think/
http://www.zdnet.com/article/how-much-ram-does-your-pc-need/

Processor -
http://gizmodo.com/dont-waste-money-on-intels-top-processor-1791426602
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404674,00.asp
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/intel-core-i9-vs-i7-vs-i5-cpu/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/intel-core-i5-vs-i7/
http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/core-i5-vs-i7
https://www.extremetech.com/computing/210703-intel-core-i5-vs-core-i7-which-processor-should-you-buy

Graphics Card -
https://www.newegg.com/insider/how-to-choose-graphics-card/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xif6O8ekxuU
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-buying-guide,5844.html
https://techguided.com/how-to-choose-a-graphics-card/

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I apologize if the following is too obvious, however, you may be able to pinpoint where your problem lies.

For a Windows computer, restart your computer before using the following process . . . .

Use "Ctrl/Alt + Delete to open "Task Manager", then click on "Performance", then "Memory".
When you start to process an image this graph will show you if you have enough memory resources.
Don't forget to bring it back up immediately after you click on the "Save Image" while in "Sharpen AI".

Open Topaz Sharpen AI and use the default settings until you figure out this problem.
Load a picture file. Then at the top right select "Comparison View", then wait for all four views to update.
1. Go to the top left and click on "File".
2. Click on preferences
3. Select "Auto, CPU, or your (listed) "Card", but ONLY if the card has a lot (4 GB or higher) of memory.
Then select "Allowed Memory Consumption" and set it to "High".
4. Click on the "Save Image" button and go to your "Bottom Tray" and click on the "Task Manager" to bring it back up so that you may observe what is going on while Topaz chugs along.
5. If this does not work then go back to item 3 above and select a different choice.
6. Please respond and let us know if this sequence works for you.

Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

Niklon Loc: Athens, Ga

Jerryc, thanks for the options. I will be investigating.

JimmyT,

That certainly was not obvious to me and was appreciated. After following your instructions my CPU pegged at 100% and stayed there. Unfortunately it was still very slow.

LEWHITE7747 Loc: 33773

Just bought an ACER laptop on AMAZON for$599. Full HD-IPS screen with 36 RAM. VERY FAST and can handle anything you can throw at it. (1TB ssd).

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Now you have an idea of where your current computer comes up short
and whether it would be cost-effective to update.
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I got one like that a year or more ago. I increased the storage and memory for minimal cost.

delder Loc: Maryland

Yes!
The GPU carries most of the workload for Graphic utilities.
My Dell XPS 8930 has a fan on the GPU that winds up every time I look at a photo.