Thanks for that info. Well I would just like it to go a bit faster. So I might just upgrade to a new SSD. I have 8GB of ram as it is. Would it be a major difference in speed from upgrading to ssd to buying a new macbook?
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Upgrade or get a new macbook
- Thread starter nicolanicola
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Thanks for that info. Well I would just like it to go a bit faster. So I might just upgrade to a new SSD. I have 8GB of ram as it is. Would it be a major difference in speed from upgrading to ssd to buying a new macbook?
Well I wasn't intentionally lying to you. Your processor is not "fast" as such, it was relatively low-end even in 2010. However, your graphics card is probably the biggest bottleneck for you using Photoshop. 256MB just doesn't cut it.
As a side note - if you only use Photoshop, your 8GB RAM is overkill. Adding RAM will not speed up your Mac in any way unless you are doing multiple resource intensive tasks - or something abnormal like video rendering.
You can tell if more RAM will aid performance by opening up Activity Monitor and checking the 'Page outs'. If that number is high, you need more RAM. If it's 0...you've either got too much, or just enough.
Edit: Buying an SSD is sidestepping your problem. Yes, it will make your machine boot up in a matter of seconds, and yes programs will open almost instantly...but when the real work begins, you're still using the same processor, the same graphics card, and the same memory speeds.
In short: An SSD will make Photoshop open in an instant, but Photoshop will perform almost identically to how it does now.
No I didn't think you were lying to me, I just wondered if you just assumed it, rather than knew, no offence intended as you never know on forums! But I appreciate your expertise.
Well I say only use photoshop, I obviously use a browser as well - chrome -which uses tons of memory. I make websites, so a program I use for that takes up about 800mb.
So in your opinion then, is getting an ssd going to speed up the speed in which photoshop responds? I am so tempted to buy a new macbook but I really don't think I can afford it and I'm not sure whether I need it, it's just my inner 'i-want-a-new-macbook' talking.
Just seen your response re photoshop.
Do you know if the Samsung 840 Evo pro is overkill for my mac? As in does it provide something extra that wouldn't give me the benefit with my macs specs?
Do you know if the Samsung 840 Evo pro is overkill for my mac? As in does it provide something extra that wouldn't give me the benefit with my macs specs?
And that was my attempt at some dry humour! I'd never call myself an expert when it comes to hardware, but I've done my fair share of research since wanting to upgrade my current setup (top-end 2010 iMac + top-end 2009 MacBook both now with SSDs inside) about 6 months ago. I'm waiting for the next refresh.
The SSD in my MBP really did help me at the time. I was writing a very hefty document and doing some Java programming (Android, shock-horror!). For those tasks, the SSD was enough to add some speed and cut out some spinning wheels. However, since finishing that document and moving back to normal life - also web development until recently - I've realised that the SSD isn't "just like a new Mac" as many might suggest. My MBP gets hot when running my iMac screen from it, and absolutely hates running Photoshop to any real extent. The graphics card struggles, the processor struggles. It's quite simply old, and running 4 years ahead of its time.
I can't give you a definitive answer to your question of whether you should buy a new Mac or an SSD, because it's subjective. All I can tell you is that an SSD will only improve read/write speeds. You will notice improvements doing the following (related to web design/dev):
- Booting your MacBook will be extremely fast
- Opening your apps will become almost instantaneous - even Photoshop, etc.
- Saving and opening large Photoshop files will be faster
- If you're working on very large Photoshop files, then it may improve performance (we're talking much bigger than a website PSD) since PS resorts to using your hard drive as a scratch disk when you run out of allocating memory (more info)
- Saving or opening large video files will be faster
- Any other large read/write operations will be vastly sped up
With a new Mac, you will get all of that (assuming you get an SSD of course), but with the overall improved performance of Photoshop, and other resource intensive programs due to improved processor/graphics/memory performance. Obvious, I know - but perhaps me putting it this plainly will help you decide.
Out of interest, have you tried a fresh install of OS X to see if that helps? After reading your first post again, your symptoms do seem a little extreme given the hardware you're on. I would seriously make a backup ASAP in-case your hardrive is on its way out.
Thank you. That's a very informative reply.
I don't use massive photoshop files and only use ps for designing websites, so I'm not doing any massive graphic processing. With that on mind, I think my mbp may be ok really.
Yes the hard drive is struggling. So I might opt for a 512 ssd. As long as everything responds much quicker and there's less spinning beach ball, I'd be happy.
Is it possible that its not the hard drive causing slow performance? I don't want to fork out £250 for ssd and have same spinning beach ball cos it's actually the processor or something that's on it's way out.
No I've not done a fresh install yet. I will when I get a minute.
I don't use massive photoshop files and only use ps for designing websites, so I'm not doing any massive graphic processing. With that on mind, I think my mbp may be ok really.
Yes the hard drive is struggling. So I might opt for a 512 ssd. As long as everything responds much quicker and there's less spinning beach ball, I'd be happy.
Is it possible that its not the hard drive causing slow performance? I don't want to fork out £250 for ssd and have same spinning beach ball cos it's actually the processor or something that's on it's way out.
No I've not done a fresh install yet. I will when I get a minute.
It's highly unlikely that slow performance in Finder will be down to anything other than your hard drive. That said, I cannot guarantee you anything - nor do I want to be held responsible for your money loss.
I believe your MBP is SATA II, which means speeds of 3Gb/s. When buying an SSD, you can save yourself some money by searching out SATA II (SATA 2), rather than SATA III. SATA III is 6Gb/s, but your MBP will only negotiate at 3Gb/s, meaning you're out of pocket for no performance gains. That said, you can re-use your SSD in pretty much any other machine at a later date...so you could always future-proof yourself now with a SATA III SSD. Again, subjective.
Check that your MBP is SATA II by going to:
> About this Mac > More info > System report > Serial-ATA and clicking on your hard drive chipset (top)
I've attached a screenshot of where to look. My chipset is at the bottom because of my modified setup, yours will probably be at the top.
SATA II = 3Gb/s, SATA III = 6Gb/s.
I believe your MBP is SATA II, which means speeds of 3Gb/s. When buying an SSD, you can save yourself some money by searching out SATA II (SATA 2), rather than SATA III. SATA III is 6Gb/s, but your MBP will only negotiate at 3Gb/s, meaning you're out of pocket for no performance gains. That said, you can re-use your SSD in pretty much any other machine at a later date...so you could always future-proof yourself now with a SATA III SSD. Again, subjective.
Check that your MBP is SATA II by going to:
> About this Mac > More info > System report > Serial-ATA and clicking on your hard drive chipset (top)
I've attached a screenshot of where to look. My chipset is at the bottom because of my modified setup, yours will probably be at the top.
SATA II = 3Gb/s, SATA III = 6Gb/s.
I mean the disk fragmentation can be influence on the computer speed more or less. I don't know if your hard drive need to do this, but doing it usually can improve the efficiency of speed.
I think you originally meant defragging, correct?
Plain and simple, you don't need to defrag a Mac like you do with Windows. Many users in this forum can tell you that macs run their own maintenance in the background. No need for anything extra
I think you originally meant defragging, correct?
Plain and simple, you don't need to defrag a Mac like you do with Windows. Many users in this forum can tell you that macs run their own maintenance in the background. No need for anything extra
Yeah, you are right! I think I mixed Windows and Mac operating system. That is the easiest way for Windows. So, I'm sorry for that mistake.
So I got an SSD....AMAZING!!!! So happy now, check out my new read & write speeds - literally 10 X faster.
Thanks all for your help.
There's one slight issue though, my mac is now overheating (80 degrees). When I look at system monitor, whichever application I am currently using CPU usage varies between 75% -100%! I'm pretty sure applications were not using this much CPU before. Also, background applications also shoot up to 65%, 70% unexpectedly. If no one has any ideas, I may open another thread.
Thanks all for your help.
There's one slight issue though, my mac is now overheating (80 degrees). When I look at system monitor, whichever application I am currently using CPU usage varies between 75% -100%! I'm pretty sure applications were not using this much CPU before. Also, background applications also shoot up to 65%, 70% unexpectedly. If no one has any ideas, I may open another thread.
