Topic: kind of GPU for Lightroom (Read 7092 times)

Robert-Peter Westphal · « **on:** April 22, 2015, 03:37:23 pm »

Hello,

I wonder whether the kind / brand / graphic-processing-power of the GPU has any measureable or remarkable influence on the OpenGL-performance. Does also the size and speed of the VRam takes a part of the performance of the whole package ?

Best wishes

Robert

Ellis Vener · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2015, 10:47:36 pm »

I was just about ask the same kind of question!

Info about GPU usage is here: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/kb/lightroom-gpu-faq.html

Some of the things it says:

Minimum System Requirements

64-bit OS versions only

OpenGL 3.3 and later

Mac OS 10.9 and later

Windows 7 and later

Note: Intel 4400 or later required

Note: GPU acceleration is disabled on Mac OS 10.8

Note: GPUs running under virtual machines are not tested or supported.

Suggested System Requirements & Graphics Cards

1GB of VRAM (Video RAM - RAM on the graphics card).

2GB of dedicated VRAM is suggested for large, high resolution monitors such as 4K & 5K monitors.

OpenGL 3.3. If you're not sure if OpenGL 3.3 is fully supported by your card, contact the manufacturer.

Graphics cards produced in the last 2-3 years that meet the minimum system requirements above should work fine. We don't have a list of specific supported cards at this time.

My question is about the GPU itself as my machine has an ATI Radeon 4850 OGL Engine.

I have attached a snapshot.

I currently have the use GPU option box checked but am wondering if I am taking a performance hit because it is more than 3 years old and I'm pretty sure it only has 512MB VRAM.

AlterEgo · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2015, 12:39:14 am »

for me GPU off works faster than GPU on in ACR9 = for my usage... I prefer faster zoom in/zoom out (25-50-100-fit) vs smooth pan and with GPU off I have a better performance zoom in/zoom out, so I am willing to trade smoother pan for that... because with GPU on I have a really annoying delay during zoom operations while something is either loaded in GPU memory or something is being recalculated in GPU way slower than with CPU... compare with FRV (FastRawViewer) - it simply annihilates ACR in that department speed-wise (both zoom and pan)

my configuration is PC/Win8.1x64, i4810mq, 32gb, GTX870M driving 2560x1440 ...

Robert-Peter Westphal · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2015, 12:53:08 am »

Quote from: AlterEgo on April 23, 2015, 12:39:14 am

for me GPU off works faster than GPU on in ACR9 = for my usage... I prefer faster zoom in/zoom out (25-50-100-fit) vs smooth pan and with GPU off I have a better performance zoom in/zoom out, so I am willing to trade smoother pan for that... because with GPU on I have a really annoying delay during zoom operations while something is either loaded in GPU memory or something is being recalculated in GPU way slower than with CPU... compare with FRV (FastRawViewer) - it simply annihilates ACR in that department speed-wise (both zoom and pan)

my configuration is PC/Win8.1x64, i4810mq, 32gb, GTX870M driving 2560x1440 ...

Hello,

These are the requirements for getting it up and running at all, but it makes no statement about the performance which can be expected.

In example, is a GeForce high end adapter faster than an Imtel 4000 and what are the differences when watching at OpenGL ( not the graphics performance which will be much faster on the modern NVidia for sure ).

AlterEgo · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2015, 02:02:43 am »

Quote from: Robert-Peter Westphal on April 23, 2015, 12:53:08 am

Hello,

These are the requirements for getting it up and running at all, but it makes no statement about the performance which can be expected.

In example, is a GeForce high end adapter faster than an Imtel 4000 and what are the differences when watching at OpenGL ( not the graphics performance which will be much faster on the modern NVidia for sure ).

CaptureOne when starts logs the performance metrics for GPU adapters that it can use (and it can use all of them, even iGPU and dGPU together), the lower the better - for example my log :

2015-04-23 01:35:24.298> OpenCL initialization...
2015-04-23 01:35:25.926> OpenCL : found platform Intel(R) OpenCL, OpenCL Version : OpenCL 1.2
2015-04-23 01:35:25.926> OpenCL : found platform NVIDIA CUDA, OpenCL Version : OpenCL 1.1 CUDA 6.5.35
2015-04-23 01:35:25.958> OpenCL Device : Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
2015-04-23 01:35:25.958> OpenCL Driver Version : 10.18.14.4156
2015-04-23 01:35:25.958> OpenCL Compute Units : 20
2015-04-23 01:35:26.027> OpenCL : Loading kernels
2015-04-23 01:35:26.176> OpenCL : Loading kernels finished
2015-04-23 01:35:26.176> OpenCL : Benchmarking
2015-04-23 01:35:26.988> OpenCL : Initialization completed
2015-04-23 01:35:26.988> OpenCL benchMark : 0.906000
2015-04-23 01:35:27.037> OpenCL Device : GeForce GTX 870M
2015-04-23 01:35:27.037> OpenCL Driver Version : 344.91
2015-04-23 01:35:27.037> OpenCL Compute Units : 7
2015-04-23 01:35:27.227> OpenCL : Loading kernels
2015-04-23 01:35:28.305> OpenCL : Loading kernels finished
2015-04-23 01:35:28.305> OpenCL : Benchmarking
2015-04-23 01:35:28.506> OpenCL : Initialization completed
2015-04-23 01:35:28.506> OpenCL benchMark : 0.377568

real high end latest generation desktop (my is [1] notebook version, [2] prev. generation, [3] one tier below the top line) video gaming /means not like K-series, but GeForce-series/ card like Nvidia 980 GPU shall probably clock around 0.15 in that log.

acktdi · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2015, 04:17:58 pm »

A discrete (separate) video card is going to be faster than any integrated Intel HD graphics adapter.
I just purchased a Nvidia GTX 750 TI for $130, it seems to be the best value/performance in that price range. A comparable model from AMD is the R7 260x or R7 265. I spent too much time comparing the 3 cards.

http://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-GTX-750-Ti-vs-Intel-HD-4600-Desktop-125-GHz/2187vs2168

There's also several threads on dpreview discussing various video card options for LR6

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55700962
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55622340

AlterEgo · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2015, 04:31:40 pm »

Quote from: acktdi on April 23, 2015, 04:17:58 pm

A discrete (separate) video card is going to be faster than any integrated Intel HD graphics adapter.

a sufficiently modern dGPU... I am not sure you wish to compare something ancient with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 with 128 MB DRAM cache to which both CPU and iCGPU have directl link (no PCI bus)

KarlGohl · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2015, 04:41:12 pm »

Victoria Bampton (The Lightroom Queen) has some good info on GPU choice and use in http://www.lightroomqueen.com/whats-new-lightroom-cc-6-0/

Wayne Fox · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2015, 04:45:20 pm »

unfortunately LR CC gives me the error “Graphics Processor Acceleration has been disabled due to errors” on my MacBook Pro (mid 2014). I see quite a bit of discussion with this problem for windows users, most having to do with needing to update the graphics card drivers. Adobe suggests updating system software from the App store, which doesn’t resolve the problem. My friend next to me running the Late 2013 MacBook pro (same graphics card), has no issues. Not exactly sure where to start looking for issues on this.

AlterEgo · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2015, 05:05:33 pm »

Quote from: Wayne Fox on April 23, 2015, 04:45:20 pm

Not exactly sure where to start looking for issues on this.

just disable GPU - you are not losing much w/ the current state of affairs and wait for LR6.1, the issues are a lot, they will make a fix

Wayne Fox · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2015, 07:18:39 pm »

Quote from: AlterEgo on April 23, 2015, 05:05:33 pm

just disable GPU - you are not losing much w/ the current state of affairs and wait for LR6.1, the issues are a lot, they will make a fix

yeah I suppose, but doesn't make sense. Implies something is wrong with the hardware or my OS install since it works great on a nearly identical machine.

FredT · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2015, 07:29:43 pm »

Quote from: AlterEgo on April 23, 2015, 05:05:33 pm

just disable GPU - you are not losing much w/ the current state of affairs and wait for LR6.1, the issues are a lot, they will make a fix

That depends on what kind of machine you are using. On a retina iMac the GPU make a huge difference.

Ann JS · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2015, 08:54:38 pm »

The GPU problem is platform-specific:
Macs using ACR 9 and Lr CC 2015 seem to be able to use GPU acceleration;
but there is a problem on the Windows side with some Radeon cards and AMD drivers.

The answer seems to make sure that you are using AMD driver v. 14.4 because both earlier and later versions will not allow OpenGL.

rdonson · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2015, 09:03:27 pm »

Quote from: Ann JS on April 23, 2015, 08:54:38 pm

The GPU problem is platform-specific:
Macs using ACR 9 and Lr CC 2015 seem to be able to use GPU acceleration;
but there is a problem on the Windows side with some Radeon cards and AMD drivers.

The answer seems to make sure that you are using AMD driver v. 4.4 because both earlier and later versions will not allow OpenGL.

I'm running Mac OS 10.10.3 with all the latest updates on both my iMac (mid 2011) and my Retina MBP (mid 2012).

I've disabled GPU "performance" on the iMac because the brush became unusable because of its slowness and herky jerky motion. Very frustrating.

On the Retina MBP it seems to be fine to leave the GPU on in Lr CC.

Oh well, I wonder how long before Lr 6.1

Ann JS · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2015, 09:23:07 pm »

I understand that neither the Adjustment nor the Healing brushes access GPU acceleration so it shouldn't make any difference regardless of whether or not it is enabled.

I normally use Bridge-hosted ACR but am testing Lr CC 2015 on a MBP Retina and the Brushes seem to be reasonably fast.

digitaldog · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2015, 10:24:39 pm »

I'm seeing a color/preview issue with GPU on. Usually the color updates to a correct rendering in a split second which is disconcerting and not present with GPU off. I found one occasion where the preview didn't update. I rendered the image into Photoshop (Edit in Photoshop) and the two didn't match by a long shot. Something isn't working correctly with GPU!

Wayne Fox · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2015, 10:50:18 pm »

Quote from: Ann JS on April 23, 2015, 08:54:38 pm

The GPU problem is platform-specific:
Macs using ACR 9 and Lr CC 2015 seem to be able to use GPU acceleration;
but there is a problem on the Windows side with some Radeon cards and AMD drivers.

The answer seems to make sure that you are using AMD driver v. 14.4 because both earlier and later versions will not allow OpenGL.

While I didn't state my OS in my OP, my follow up does say I'm using it on a macbook Pro.

Windows users are definitely seeing more problems, but many are resolved with driver updates. But some Macs are seeing the same issue.

Pete_G · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2015, 09:18:58 am »

Quote from: digitaldog on April 23, 2015, 10:24:39 pm

I'm seeing a color/preview issue with GPU on. Usually the color updates to a correct rendering in a split second which is disconcerting and not present with GPU off. I found one occasion where the preview didn't update. I rendered the image into Photoshop (Edit in Photoshop) and the two didn't match by a long shot. Something isn't working correctly with GPU!

I'm not seeing this at all, but I can hardly detect the effect of my GPU over CPU either. (Win 8.1, Nvidia Quadro FX 3800)

digitaldog · « **Reply #18 on:** April 24, 2015, 10:05:21 am »

Quote from: Pete_G on April 24, 2015, 09:18:58 am

I'm not seeing this at all, but I can hardly detect the effect of my GPU over CPU either. (Win 8.1, Nvidia Quadro FX 3800)

I'm on a Mac (NVIDIA GeForcd GT 650M) so that's good to know. I'm talking to Adobe about this. This doesn’t happen in ACR FWIW so this is a LR6 issue.

rdonson · « **Reply #19 on:** April 24, 2015, 11:40:30 am »

Lr 6/CC seems about half baked.

Author Topic: kind of GPU for Lightroom (Read 7092 times)

Pete_G