Adobe Photoshop (v.2020 and newer)

Adobe Photoshop relies on GPU acceleration for several key tasks like Neural Filters, Blur Gallery, and Smart Sharpen. Enabling GPU acceleration can dramatically improve performance for these features, particularly when working with large files or using complex effects.

How to Enable GPU Acceleration in Photoshop

1. Launch Photoshop
   Open Photoshop from the default location:
   C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 20##\Photoshop.exe

2. Enable GPU Performance

   

   • Go to Edit > Preferences > Performance.

   • Ensure Use Graphics Processor is checked. This setting allows Photoshop to use your GPU for smoother performance, especially during zooming, panning, and rendering complex effects.

3. Advanced GPU Settings

   

   • Click Advanced Settings under the Graphics Processor Settings.

   • Check the following options:

     • Use Graphics Processor to Accelerate Computation (for faster image processing).

     • Use OpenCL (necessary for GPU-accelerated filters like Blur Gallery and Smart Sharpen).

     • Anti-Alias Guides and Paths (improves the appearance of lines and shapes).

By following these steps, you ensure Photoshop leverages your GPU effectively, which speeds up various tasks and enhances performance when handling large files.

Top Tips to Speed Up Photoshop

1. Update Your GPU Drivers
   Ensure that your NVIDIA or AMD drivers are always up-to-date. Photoshop benefits from the latest drivers, particularly for OpenCL-based effects and GPU-accelerated features like Neural Filters.

2. Allocate More RAM
   Go to Preferences > Performance and allocate 70-85% of your total RAM to Photoshop. Avoid setting this too high, as your system needs RAM for other processes. This adjustment helps improve speed when handling large files.

3. Use an SSD for Scratch Disk
   Set a fast SSD as your scratch disk under Preferences > Scratch Disks. Scratch disks store temporary files during editing, so faster read/write speeds can significantly enhance performance.

4. Reduce History States
   Lower the number of History States to improve responsiveness. History States store past edits, so reducing them frees up memory for other tasks.

5. Optimize Cache Levels
   For smoother performance, set Cache Levels to 4 under Preferences > Performance. This is especially important for working with larger files that require high-resolution previews.

Top Recommended GPUs for Photoshop

1. NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti
   A highly efficient GPU for Photoshop, the RTX 3060 Ti offers excellent performance for GPU-accelerated effects like Smart Sharpen and Blur Gallery.

2. NVIDIA RTX 4070 Ti
   Known for its great balance of price and power, the RTX 4070 Ti provides solid performance for heavy Photoshop workflows, especially when using multiple high-resolution displays.

3. NVIDIA RTX 4090
   If you're working on intensive projects that involve Neural Filters or other resource-heavy effects, the RTX 4090 is the most powerful option available, although it's overkill for most standard Photoshop tasks.

By using a compatible GPU and following these optimization tips, you can significantly improve Photoshop’s performance, reducing lag and speeding up your workflow.