pdsilen Loc: Roswell, New Mexico

For quick processing I generally use PS or LR. And the job gets done quickly. I really like the results that I get from Topaz and ON1. But here's the problem. When I do post processing using Topaz and ON1 it really goes slow. I have seen it take as long as an hour to sharpen a photo with Topaz. I use a HP desktop computer. Do I need to buy more RAM or memory? Do I need to buy an external hard drive? Do I need to buy a whole new computer? I'm open to feedback.

anotherview Loc: California

Try shutting down all unused programs. They hog memory. If your computer is more than 5 or 6 years old, then its hardware may not handle the latest applications very well.

You could try the free CC Cleaner to reduce memory clutter that could slow computer operation.

Sometimes increasing the amount of RAM may speed computer operation. Uninstall programs you do not need.

There is a bottleneck somewhere.

For my part, I've found that about every 5 years, I have to replace my laptop computer for better performance.

Good luck.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

Have you tried closing on1 and just using Topaz stand-alone to sharpen, then close Topaz and then open the sharpened image in on1, rather than sending the image from on1 to Topaz? On1 seems to use a lot of computer resources, and running both may slow your computer down.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

You'll need to provide your current computer's configuration.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Both Topaz and ON1 utilize your graphic card's GPU to speed up AI processing. Chances are you have an older lower end card and the GPU is not being used by either programs during processing. The need for a good graphics card is especially true for Topaz products. Changing my low end GTX 745 card to a older midrange nVidia GTX 1050ti card increased the processing speed for Topaz Denoise by 4 to 5 times.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

On1 is a RAM hog, it uses a lot of RAM and if it's not available it's prone to crash or slow down. It also needs a separate Graphics card with it's own, local high speed RAM. If your HP computer doesn't have a good graphics card, then it's time to purchase a new computer or graphics card.

Jack Olson

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

yes, Silvers is right the 1050Ti has 4 gig of fast memory. Also, I was amazed that when I upgraded my MOBO to and used a AMD 3600 CPU, coupled with 32 gig of 3200 Ram, everything was fast fast fast compared to my older Desktop configuration.

Intel WAS the go to CPU but the world has changed. The newer AMD CPUs are expensive but year before last 3600 and the 450 MOBO are just fine since I am not gaming and the prices are low.

My old 1050Ti is fine for graphics and runs about $160... affordable, I think the 1060Ti is also a good choice. Much of my upgrade uses parts from my 5+year old computer... upgrade from DDR3 to DDR4, new modular power supply, MOBO, and CPU. Of course, adding the Mystic Color lights... all new upgrades must have LED lighted fans and other areas with strip LEDs... blinking lights and color spells fast!!!

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

Ram and Graphics card could be the cause.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

If you want to know if your computer has enough RAM / CPU:

Open "Task Manager" select "Performance" and watch the graphs as the program processes the file to see if you have enough Memory/CPU etc.
Also: DO NOT select "Auto-Update Preview"!! It may be handy for making small changes but it will REALLY ADD to your processing times!

This helped me out quite a bit. I found out that much of the fault of my "slow computer" was caused by me!

The following may also figure into your "slow computer" performance.
Topaz workflow: https://topazlabs.com/the-ultimate-workflow-for-topaz-labs-ai-software/?utm_source=Topaz+Updates&utm_campaign=8c480bdca3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_11_19_04_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5e4dd8652a-8c480bdca3-92602881&mc_cid=8c480bdca3&mc_eid=c9be7297b0

More literate computer folks, please jump in. . . I will not be offended and more than likely I will learn something.

Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

I use a 10 yr old iMac with no graphics card, 32GB of ram, and my root drive is a thunderbolt external ssd. I have monitoring software that logs all performance issues by app. I have the latest versions of LightRoom, PhotoShop ,Affinity Photo, Luminar 4, Topaz Studio 2 , Topaz Denoise and Sharpen, and Apple Photos. Consistently, On1 and LightRoom are the fastest. On1 is not a resource hog and has never crashed for me. Affinity Photo is slow for what I use it for which is 5 shot HDR and as many as 85 stacked images which are very intensive functions. Topaz Studio 2 , Luminar 4 are slow, Denoise is slower but has improved significantly with the latest release. And Sharpen seems glacial BUT if you watch the process of rendering the entire image it runs through a ton of processes. So now questions. What is your image size? Raw, jpeg? What setting do you have for On1 sharing to another app like topaz ? If you are using psd your images will be huge so switch to tiff. Have you looked at On1 preferences for graphics card settings, if not try some different settings. Contact On1 support. Do not contact topaz support because not worth the effort. And yes, a new computer especially the new M1 Apples will kick ass and increasing your ram , using ssd drives and replacing your graphics card will help.

Nickaroo

I have a Mid-2011 iMac desktop. I have 16gb of RAM and a new Samsung EVO 2tb ssd in it. I know what the problem is, it comes down to the Graphics card. With my 2011 iMac the Graphics card is soldered in and you can't replace it. So, I got lucky and thanks to my tech guy in Forensics, I work in the Law field and that is all that I can say, but I grabbed one of the new MacBook Pro's 13.3 inch with 8gb of RAM but it has the M1 processor chip and a killer Graphics card. That makes DeNoise AI and Sharpen AI run like a top. So, just do it, get an iMac newer (2019 & up) and your issues will go away. As soon as all of this AI stuff hit the streets like meth, it forced us to get equipped better. You might as well do it now and it should be good for at least 5yrs. as I think that sooner or later everything will just be a one-click pony for most people, unless of course you were to do Graphic Art like I do off of a Photo. Another thing to consider in this Life of ours, is the Cameras are going through to Mirrorless and there are larger Files, which in turn, have to have better Raw processing capabilities. I do a lot of Photography, actually I do it to live, for U of M Football and Basketball for now. But, I'm retiring and I had an offer to do some work with a Team that Nat. Geo. is putting together and I will be a Photog, one of them, for a project later this year. This game is expensive and I have to make money? Good Luck and just update yourself and start the wheel invention over.

Nickaroo

I just told the OP about the Graphics card situation and that he should upgrade due to AI products using so much of his computer's space. I knew that this was going to be a problem 5 years ago. Just read what I told him and then let me know what you think.

gouldopfl

You didn't say how much memory you have. IMO 16 gb is minimum with 32 gb or larger being optimal. If your machine can use SSD I would go with 1 tb and use a fast one like Samsung 860 series or faster.

Using external drives will always be slower.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I'm not a Mac guy so I really can't comment on your earlier post. However with regard to Topaz products I definitely suggest upgrading graphics cards. More and more post-processing software programs are using a graphic card's GPU to speed up processing these days. A good quality card is as important an upgrade, or maybe even more important, as increasing RAM.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

You probably need more RAM