RAW development tool for low power PC running Linux?

**BigMackCam** · 06-12-2018, 07:43 AM - **1 Like**

Final installment regarding my new second PC...

I now have two identical Crucial DDR3L-1600 8GB UDIMMs installed, one in each of the two available slots. However, it seems that with two UDIMMs installed, the speed drops from 1600MHz to 1333MHz. I initially thought this was a fault with one or both of the cards, but after digging around online it seems it's a limitation of the processor and single channel memory architecture (each card, when installed on its own, shows up as 1600MHz). A bit of a shame, but it shouldn't have too much of an impact on performance.

Running Darktable, I can't honestly say I notice any significant difference in performance whether I have 8GB or 16GB installed... In either configuration, it runs better than I expected, yet not exactly brisk

No way is it a full-time photo processing setup, but it's perfectly adequate for occasional RAW, TIFF and JPEG work. Not bad considering it's at the low end of current desktop PC specs

**beachgardener** · 06-12-2018, 04:15 PM

it might be interesting to run top or system monitor>resources to see ram useage during darktable processing

**BigMackCam** · 06-13-2018, 04:17 AM

Originally posted by beachgardener

it might be interesting to run top or system monitor>resources to see ram useage during darktable processing

With only Darktable running and a 24 megapickle RAW file loaded, total memory utilisation never seems to get much above 3GB. During TIFF export, it peaks at around 5.8GB.

The performance bottleneck certainly isn't memory, but - as you would expect - the low-power quad-core processor, with all four cores maxing out to 100% frequently during heavy operations.

Interestingly, my high-spec i7 laptop shows lower memory utilisation during editing and export operations. Even at peak activity, it never seems to get far above 3GB, and the processor cores rarely max out...

**beachgardener** · 06-13-2018, 04:25 AM

8gb would be a minimum, but as you say not the bottleneck. certainly why I like desktop machines, put together the parts as required

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Linux running on Canon EOS bodies	interested_observer	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	16	04-05-2015 09:13 AM
k20d gordon's tool - border tool	Akarak	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	2	04-24-2013 05:58 AM
What PC configuration is capable of running premiere and after effect cs5 smoothly??	liukaitc	Video Recording and Processing	7	08-28-2011 12:51 AM
Linux lens correction tool	Mullah	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	4	12-18-2009 04:14 AM
Is it tool late to say..ADD A PC SYNCH!!!??	MJB DIGITAL	Pentax News and Rumors	20	01-14-2008 10:05 PM

06-12-2018, 07:43 AM - 1 Like	#16
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,695 Original Poster	Final installment regarding my new second PC... I now have two identical Crucial DDR3L-1600 8GB UDIMMs installed, one in each of the two available slots. However, it seems that with two UDIMMs installed, the speed drops from 1600MHz to 1333MHz. I initially thought this was a fault with one or both of the cards, but after digging around online it seems it's a limitation of the processor and single channel memory architecture (each card, when installed on its own, shows up as 1600MHz). A bit of a shame, but it shouldn't have too much of an impact on performance. Running Darktable, I can't honestly say I notice any significant difference in performance whether I have 8GB or 16GB installed... In either configuration, it runs better than I expected, yet not exactly brisk No way is it a full-time photo processing setup, but it's perfectly adequate for occasional RAW, TIFF and JPEG work. Not bad considering it's at the low end of current desktop PC specs

06-12-2018, 04:15 PM	#17
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	it might be interesting to run top or system monitor>resources to see ram useage during darktable processing

06-13-2018, 04:17 AM	#18
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,695 Original Poster	Originally posted by beachgardener it might be interesting to run top or system monitor>resources to see ram useage during darktable processing With only Darktable running and a 24 megapickle RAW file loaded, total memory utilisation never seems to get much above 3GB. During TIFF export, it peaks at around 5.8GB. The performance bottleneck certainly isn't memory, but - as you would expect - the low-power quad-core processor, with all four cores maxing out to 100% frequently during heavy operations. Interestingly, my high-spec i7 laptop shows lower memory utilisation during editing and export operations. Even at peak activity, it never seems to get far above 3GB, and the processor cores rarely max out...

06-13-2018, 04:25 AM	#19
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	8gb would be a minimum, but as you say not the bottleneck. certainly why I like desktop machines, put together the parts as required