Upgrading an AMD Ryzen 5600 cpu..?

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stevewestern

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My pc struggles when editing pictures and task manager shows the CPU often hit's 100%.

I know very little about computers but assume this means that I could do with upgrading the CPU.

System info -
Graphics card is an Nvidea GeForce GTX 1050Ti
Motherboard is an Asus Rog Strix B5050-I.
I have an SSD for the system, a hard drive for storage.

Everything else seems OK and the 32gb of RAM seems untroubled.

If the CPU is the culprit then any advice as to what would be a good replacement?
Many thanks for any help!
 
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stevewestern said:
My pc struggles when editing pictures and task manager shows the CPU often hit's 100%.

I know very little about computers but assume this means that I could do with upgrading the CPU.

System info -
Graphics card is an Nvidea GeForce GTX 1050Ti
Motherboard is an Asus Rog Strix B5050-I.
I have an SSD for the system, a hard drive for storage.

Everything else seems OK and the 32gb of RAM seems untroubled.

If the CPU is the culprit then any advice as to what would be a good replacement?
Many thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
As so many programs these days have a reliance on the GPU it could be that you need to upgrade that GTX1050Ti.

FWIW I had that GPU in my old build and in advance of a full rebuild I installed a RTX3060 (limit of my budget at the time) and I saw an immediate improvement in processing times.

PS I looked up your CPU and it seen as the equivalent of the Intel i5 11th Generation. My old build used an i5 1st Generation.. . .my new build has an i5 13th Generation
 
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Box Brownie said:
As so many programs these days have a reliance on the GPU it could be that you need to upgrade that GTX1050Ti.

FWIW I had that GPU in my old build and in advance of a full rebuild I installed a RTX3060 (limit of my budget at the time) and I saw an immediate improvement in processing times.

PS I looked up your CPU and it seen as the equivalent of the Intel i5 11th Generation. My old build used an i5 1st Generation.. . .my new build has an i5 13th Generation
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Thanks BB.
I did wonder about the GPU but it doesn't seem like it breaks a sweat according to Task Master, which is why I thought it might be the CPU..
I see that your RTX3060 has 2 fans, do you find it/them noisy?
 
stevewestern said:
Thanks BB.
I did wonder about the GPU but it doesn't seem like it breaks a sweat according to Task Master, which is why I thought it might be the CPU..
I see that your RTX3060 has 2 fans, do you find it/them noisy?
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As mentioned, many programs e.g. DxO Photolab, Topaz make use by default or performance settings of the GPU processing power so your experience may be program dependent.

As for the RTX3060, yes two fans. I only ever hear them when the GPU is working hard such when Photolab is processing the raw edits to create the jpg of tiff file. Such behaviour is 'peak' activity and though noticeable not IMO that intrusive and my PC box sits on my desk next to me . NB the new build is in a new case which is acoustically better than my old one.....but even if I open the front door on the case the noise level is more like a loud whisper!

NB in normal general PC usage the fans are not running.

IIRC you can now get the much improved RTX4070 for about the same price as what I paid for the 3060 :LOL:

Edit ~ the recommendation of the likes of DxO and Topaz always recommend keeping the GPU driver up to date and as we are talking about nVidia it is the "Studio" version of the driver I always update with
 
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Box Brownie said:
As mentioned, many programs e.g. DxO Photolab, Topaz make use by default or performance settings of the GPU processing power so your experience may be program dependent.

As for the RTX3060, yes two fans. I only ever hear them when the GPU is working hard such when Photolab is processing the raw edits to create the jpg of tiff file. Such behaviour is 'peak' activity and though noticeable not IMO that intrusive and my PC box sits on my desk next to me . NB the new build is in a new case which is acoustically better than my old one.....but even if I open the front door on the case the noise level is more like a loud whisper!

NB in normal general PC usage the fans are not running.

IIRC you can now get the much improved RTX4070 for about the same price as what I paid for the 3060 :LOL:
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Again, many thanks!
One more question, just in case you know, but will the RTX 3060, RTX4070 (or any other graphics card) fit onto my motherboard (case size permitting) - I assume again that they are generally compatible..?
 
For what it's worth. I have:-

MSI rtx 4060 gpu
Rog strix b550i gaming WiFi mb
Amd 5700x cpu
32 GB ram

Runs Photoshop, dxo pure raw 3, Boris fx optics etc. without any issues at all.

Also pretty good on the leccy bill too ;)
 
stevewestern said:
Again, many thanks!
One more question, just in case you know, but will the RTX 3060, RTX4070 (or any other graphics card) fit onto my motherboard (case size permitting) - I assume again that they are generally compatible..?
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I have looked quickly at the motherboard info....

It is a gaming motherboard and I surmise is designed with bigger wider GPUs (that will overhang the edge of the motherboard) in mind = in principle the RTX should fit dimensionally AOK ?
NB as mentioned it replaced my GTX with it but it is that big wider and longer ....so as you say you need to reconcile the space to the case itself.

But of note your PSU needs the cable to supply supplemental power to the RTX so that will need to be confirmed as needed.
 
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What application are you using for photo editing? The 5600 is still a powerful processor and should be easily capable of image editing so something doesn't sound right here, I use the older 3900x (more cores but slower per core) and it easily handles not just image editing but high performance gaming as well.
 
JohnMcL7 said:
What application are you using for photo editing? The 5600 is still a powerful processor and should be easily capable of image editing so something doesn't sound right here, I use the older 3900x (more cores but slower per core) and it easily handles not just image editing but high performance gaming as well.
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I use ACDSee ultimate 2024.

acdID - Photo Studio Ultimate 2024 Product Support - ACD Systems

contents.acdid.acdsee.com contents.acdid.acdsee.com

The biggest problem is that saving an image seems to take way longer than it used to, especially if I've messed with it a lot (ie edited, though I'm not sure that what I do can be called that..!) I THINK it seemed to start when I upgraded the ACDSee software - now I think of it many years ago when using a much earlier version of ACDSee I was advised to get a GPU as until then I just used what was built into the motherboard.
I've cleaned out the case so it's not dust and while I hardly ever use the pc for anything other than internet browsing and photo editing I've not noticed any issues except as mentioned

I may just bite the bullet and get a new GPU to give it a try (and get the last of the Black Friday deals)


or


Although I've just opened my pc case and will need to get a new bigger one - mine is a pretty small case and there really isn't any room for anything longer, and both the 2 GPU's I've linked to are longer than mine is ( 145mmn compared to 199mm)

And I'll just add that while I have built a couple of computers I really don't know anything technical..
 
stevewestern said:
I use ACDSee ultimate 2024.

acdID - Photo Studio Ultimate 2024 Product Support - ACD Systems

contents.acdid.acdsee.com contents.acdid.acdsee.com

The biggest problem is that saving an image seems to take way longer than it used to, especially if I've messed with it a lot (ie edited, though I'm not sure that what I do can be called that..!) I THINK it seemed to start when I upgraded the ACDSee software - now I think of it many years ago when using a much earlier version of ACDSee I was advised to get a GPU as until then I just used what was built into the motherboard.
I've cleaned out the case so it's not dust and while I hardly ever use the pc for anything other than internet browsing and photo editing I've not noticed any issues except as mentioned

I may just bite the bullet and get a new GPU to give it a try (and get the last of the Black Friday deals)


or


Although I've just opened my pc case and will need to get a new bigger one - mine is a pretty small case and there really isn't any room for anything longer, and both the 2 GPU's I've linked to are longer than mine is ( 145mmn compared to 199mm)

And I'll just add that while I have built a couple of computers I really don't know anything technical..
Click to expand...
Please don't forget as I mentioned to be sure your PSU has the auxiliary cable either hard wired rrady to use or a spare cable to hand to provide the power to the new card NB the older GTX did not need nor has the socket for such extra power.
 
Box Brownie said:
Please don't forget as I mentioned to be sure your PSU has the auxiliary cable either hard wired rrady to use or a spare cable to hand to provide the power to the new card NB the older GTX did not need nor has the socket for such extra power.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I will check! Pretty sure it has, but will check that the PSU is powerful enough too.
 
stevewestern said:
I use ACDSee ultimate 2024.

acdID - Photo Studio Ultimate 2024 Product Support - ACD Systems

contents.acdid.acdsee.com contents.acdid.acdsee.com

The biggest problem is that saving an image seems to take way longer than it used to, especially if I've messed with it a lot (ie edited, though I'm not sure that what I do can be called that..!) I THINK it seemed to start when I upgraded the ACDSee software - now I think of it many years ago when using a much earlier version of ACDSee I was advised to get a GPU as until then I just used what was built into the motherboard.
I've cleaned out the case so it's not dust and while I hardly ever use the pc for anything other than internet browsing and photo editing I've not noticed any issues except as mentioned

I may just bite the bullet and get a new GPU to give it a try (and get the last of the Black Friday deals)


or


Although I've just opened my pc case and will need to get a new bigger one - mine is a pretty small case and there really isn't any room for anything longer, and both the 2 GPU's I've linked to are longer than mine is ( 145mmn compared to 199mm)

And I'll just add that while I have built a couple of computers I really don't know anything technical..
Click to expand...
When you do get around to swapping everything out. Take a couple of pix of the one you have now, so you remember where all the cables go ;) The 4060 cards only need the standard 6pin (4+2) connector.
 
stevewestern said:
I use ACDSee ultimate 2024.

acdID - Photo Studio Ultimate 2024 Product Support - ACD Systems

contents.acdid.acdsee.com contents.acdid.acdsee.com

The biggest problem is that saving an image seems to take way longer than it used to, especially if I've messed with it a lot (ie edited, though I'm not sure that what I do can be called that..!) I THINK it seemed to start when I upgraded the ACDSee software - now I think of it many years ago when using a much earlier version of ACDSee I was advised to get a GPU as until then I just used what was built into the motherboard.
I've cleaned out the case so it's not dust and while I hardly ever use the pc for anything other than internet browsing and photo editing I've not noticed any issues except as mentioned

I may just bite the bullet and get a new GPU to give it a try (and get the last of the Black Friday deals)


or


Although I've just opened my pc case and will need to get a new bigger one - mine is a pretty small case and there really isn't any room for anything longer, and both the 2 GPU's I've linked to are longer than mine is ( 145mmn compared to 199mm)

And I'll just add that while I have built a couple of computers I really don't know anything technical..
Click to expand...
It's not software I've used but does it actually support GPU acceleration? If it did, I'd expect the GPU to be under heavy load and the CPU to be under a lower load, a CPU pegged at 100% and the GPU not under load usually means it doesn't support GPU acceleration and a new graphics card isn't going to help.

Also when looking for information on GPU acceleration support in the software the first results is someone asking for help with the same problem as you but a much more powerful PC including an RTX 3080 graphics card although they've not been able to find a resoution.
 
OK, this is the sort of thing that I see in Task Manager, and what I've been basing my questions on - I can't claim to understand it really.
I feel I may need to enlist the help of a local computer man before I do anything, but do so appreciate the help given here!

TM screenshot 3.jpg
 
I'd recommend right clicking the graph, clicking the option to Change graph to-> Logical Processors.

What you're seeing is the overall usage which isn't that useful when you have six cores because most software isn't great at splitting itself across different cores, by changing this option you'll see the individual cores (there will be 12 graphs) and you can see if some of the cores are staying at 100%. That graph shows the processor isn't actually under that heavy a load, a CPU that's struggling will sit at 100% constantly.

I'd check your GPU graph as well but it looks like your software isn't using it at all and therefore a better one isn't going to make any difference.

Also I'd click the little tetris button on the upper left (It should be above the icon you chose for the graph) to show the list of processes and then sort by CPU usage to see how much ACDSee is actually using, those spikes might just be background processes temporarily adding some CPU load.

This is the thread I was talking about earlier:


I still feel there's nothing wrong with your hardware and it should be easily capable of image editing work.
 
JohnMcL7 said:
I'd recommend right clicking the graph, clicking the option to Change graph to-> Logical Processors.

What you're seeing is the overall usage which isn't that useful when you have six cores because most software isn't great at splitting itself across different cores, by changing this option you'll see the individual cores (there will be 12 graphs) and you can see if some of the cores are staying at 100%. That graph shows the processor isn't actually under that heavy a load, a CPU that's struggling will sit at 100% constantly.

I'd check your GPU graph as well but it looks like your software isn't using it at all and therefore a better one isn't going to make any difference.

Also I'd click the little tetris button on the upper left (It should be above the icon you chose for the graph) to show the list of processes and then sort by CPU usage to see how much ACDSee is actually using, those spikes might just be background processes temporarily adding some CPU load.

This is the thread I was talking about earlier:


I still feel there's nothing wrong with your hardware and it should be easily capable of image editing work.
Click to expand...
Thank you again John, you are helping so much and explaining so clearly, but I've had enough time peering at a screen for today so will look again in the morning when my eyes may not be so sore.....!
 
It may be worth considering that some software used to need you to point it at the GPU, defaulting elsewhere otherwise.
 
ancient_mariner said:
It may be worth considering that some software used to need you to point it at the GPU, defaulting elsewhere otherwise.
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That's true although I can't see any option for it in the software and also looking at the CPU graph, the software isn't making that much use of the CPU so it's likely using the GPU instead isn't going to help. Also I could understand a computationally intensive task like sophisticated noise reduction taking a lot of processing time but from what the OP has described it doesn't sound like it is something that should need a lot of hardware performance.
 
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I've got the 5600X which is pretty much the same processor and I can edit large pano stitches no problem, so I would be dubious that the processor is causing too much of an issue. If it was struggling I would expect to see that chart sitting at 100% constantly whilst working, rather than just peaking now and again.

I am also running an Nvidia 3060Ti FE which I think helps. Previously it was a 1660 Super and before that it was the same card as you. Each upgrade was very noticeable, which you can see here as well (below).

What's the CPU temps showing? It might be worth double checking the thermal paste and redoing it. Next thing I'd look at is upgrading that graphics card, but make sure your PSU can handle it and has the appropriate 8 pin connector(s) depending on what you get.


1733914873399.png
 
gman said:
I've got the 5600X which is pretty much the same processor and I can edit large pano stitches no problem, so I would be dubious that the processor is causing too much of an issue. If it was struggling I would expect to see that chart sitting at 100% constantly whilst working, rather than just peaking now and again.

I am also running an Nvidia 3060Ti FE which I think helps. Previously it was a 1660 Super and before that it was the same card as you. Each upgrade was very noticeable, which you can see here as well (below).

What's the CPU temps showing? It might be worth double checking the thermal paste and redoing it. Next thing I'd look at is upgrading that graphics card, but make sure your PSU can handle it and has the appropriate 8 pin connector(s) depending on what you get.


View attachment 440699
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Thanks for that, I'll have a proper look when I get home.
However I decided to try a free trial of Acdsee 25 and it is so much better and seems to have cured the problem - I wonder if I had a slightly iffy (legit) copy of the previous version.
Temperatures are fine but I may do a bit of cleaning and thermal paste replacement. PSU is 700 watt so ought to be fine I think.
 
gman said:
I've got the 5600X which is pretty much the same processor and I can edit large pano stitches no problem, so I would be dubious that the processor is causing too much of an issue. If it was struggling I would expect to see that chart sitting at 100% constantly whilst working, rather than just peaking now and again.

I am also running an Nvidia 3060Ti FE which I think helps. Previously it was a 1660 Super and before that it was the same card as you. Each upgrade was very noticeable, which you can see here as well (below).

What's the CPU temps showing? It might be worth double checking the thermal paste and redoing it. Next thing I'd look at is upgrading that graphics card, but make sure your PSU can handle it and has the appropriate 8 pin connector(s) depending on what you get.


View attachment 440699
Click to expand...
Just looking at the results you posted - Obviously they get better as you've upgraded but is there much by way of noticeable difference when editing?
I've never really understood what a graphics card does for still images and general computer use..
 
stevewestern said:
Just looking at the results you posted - Obviously they get better as you've upgraded but is there much by way of noticeable difference when editing?
I've never really understood what a graphics card does for still images and general computer use..
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the software you use, but I'm fairly certain the later versions of PS and LR utilise the GPU along with the CPU for general editing.

To be completely honest, I'm not sure I can remember how much of a difference there is between the 5600X and my previous process, which was the lovely i7-3770K, but I don't think I was doing big pano stitches back then. I originally only installed 16GB of RAM in my new build, but the big panos quickly ate into that so an upgrade to 32GB was an easy task.

One of the main reasons for my upgrade was for PCVR, so I needed a more powerful graphics card, but this meant the i7 and memory became a problem and would throttle the performance. The i7 was near enough the most powerful CPU for that socket, so I had no choice but to do a full upgrade. I've still got the same problem but for my son as I donated that system to him and the CPU is maxing out when gaming.
 
stevewestern said:
Just looking at the results you posted - Obviously they get better as you've upgraded but is there much by way of noticeable difference when editing?
I've never really understood what a graphics card does for still images and general computer use..
Click to expand...
The short answer is it doesn't. The CPU in your PC is a general purpose capable of doing everything but for some more intensive tasks it's not that fast because it's not specialised, graphics rendering is one of the most obvious weaknesses where a specialised graphics card is much faster. A while back graphics card companies realised the highly specialised graphics card architectures could be good at other intensive tasks such as video encoding/decoding or applying complex noise reduction algorithms to still image processing.

Because of the specialised nature of graphics cards to see if software benefits from a better graphics card you need to check if the software supports it (usually called GPU acceleration or GPU decode) and what functions it's supported for. When you said you were using ACDSee I had a look at their documentation and couldn't find anything about them support GPU acceleration and the type of tasks you mentioned weren't likely to benefit from a better graphics card either, however if you were struggling with render times on a video editor or applying noise reduction then potentially a new GPU may help.
 
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