LaserSoft Imaging

I would like to optimize the workflow using a 35mm holder with 4, 6 frame colour negatives. The "processing time I refer to is the time it takes to scan and process 24 colour negatives at a nominal DPI.

I am in the market for a new PC to serve the scanner and SilverFast. To date, all I have seen regarding PC recommendations are "get a fast one". I can specifically tune the performance of the PC if I know how SilverFast manages its data, how much data can it take from DRAM/hard disk and what the CPU overhead is.

For example, if you had $250 to spend on a better video card, faster CPU, more CPU cores, more memory or a faster hard drive, what would be the best bang for your buck?

Here are some specific questions (Assuming Windows 7 32/64 bit):

• Is SilverFast compiled to take advantage of 64 bit processors?
• Where does SilverFast store the images it works on? Is there a limit on the amount of DRAM that it can manage?
• How much does the CPU speed effect processing performance?
• How much does system RAM effect processing performance?
• How much does multiple core processors effect processing performance?
• How much does hard disk access time effect processing performance?

A lot to consider, any hands on experience would be greatly appreciated.

Dear dk_nurinfo

dk_nurinfo wrote:Is SilverFast compiled to take advantage of 64 bit processors?

SF 6.6 does not use 64 Bit instructions

dk_nurinfo wrote:Where does SilverFast store the images it works on? Is there a limit on the amount of DRAM that it can manage?

In the system temporary folder.

dk_nurinfo wrote:How much does the CPU speed effect processing performance?

The more complex filters you use, the more CPU speed matters e.g. USM will benefit a bit, descreening or iSRD postprocessing will benefit the most.

dk_nurinfo wrote:How much does system RAM effect processing performance?

Not too much as SF6.6 is quite low on memory usage in most usage cases. However resulting pictures might be huge and most likely you will do more things with your pictures than just saving them on your hard drive, for that you will need other applications that will require big amounts of RAM. If I were you I would go for big RAM

dk_nurinfo wrote:How much does multiple core processors effect processing performance?

Only some routines are using multiple cores, e.g. iSRD post processing.

dk_nurinfo wrote:How much does hard disk access time effect processing performance?

Hard disk speed can help a lot if you work on large images (> 100 MByte). If you have a solid state hard drive where the image will be saved then processing time can be reduced in many cases. This is also truth for other programs as well.

Cheers