Best way to speed up Images Plus stacking?

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Hi all,
I'm using ImagesPlus on a 1.4Ghz Toshiba laptop with 768Mb RAM to stack my 16bit TIFFS.
Its very slow going with 20 images or more.
What would be the best way to speed up the process?
1. Install more RAM - add a 1Gb card?
or...
2. Get a new computer with a much faster processor?

Obviously option 1. would be the cheapest for me, but is it processor speed which will ultimately be the factor that needs changing?

Cheers
Doug

[gbeal]

Not sure about IP Doug, but the likes of MaxDSLR has a couple of ways to "combine". One is where you have all the images open, using Process/Combine, and this makes even my decent desktop fair chug. The other is the File/Combine method, and in this means there is only the one image open at a time. My 20D images are especially testing for the CPU.
I am sure someone well versed in IP will answer this, or perhaps write to Mike Unsold. I think there is an IP Forum as well.
Gary

[luka]

Run stacking program and while it is running look at the hard drive light. If it is flashing on and off then you have enough RAM. If it is fully on, the computer is using swap space which means it needs more RAM.

Also, during or after stacking press ctrl+alt+del to open the task manager. Click on performance tab and under Commit Charge you will see total and peak RAM usage. If total and peak are less than total Physical memory, you have enough of it.

[h0ughy (David)]

oviously more ram, a 7200rpm hdd, and a faster processor (everything goes through the processor)

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Thanks guys,
One of these questions you kind of know the answer as you're writing!!!!
Took the plunge and bought a dual core PC and 22" monitor today.Yet to install and try out as soon as get the kids off it!!
Cheers
Doug