Photoshop being slow on ya?

If Photoshop feels slow, there are several things you can check before investing in new hardware. The advice below was written for older versions of Photoshop, so some menu names and recommendations may have changed. The general principles still apply: make sure the application has enough memory, keep scratch-disk space available and avoid asking the computer to do unnecessary work.

Optimise Photoshop preferences

• Memory usage: Give Photoshop enough RAM, but do not allocate all available memory to it. The appropriate percentage depends on how many other applications you use at the same time. Older versions often suggested values around 70–80 per cent, but use the recommendation for your current release as a starting point.
• Cache levels: Cache settings affect how Photoshop handles image data. The best value depends on the size and type of images you work with. Experiment rather than automatically setting the value to the lowest level.
• History states: Keeping a large number of history states uses memory and scratch-disk space. Reduce the number if you rarely need to step far back through your edits.
• Graphics processor: GPU acceleration can improve performance in supported features. Keep it enabled if your graphics card and driver are compatible, but investigate it if you experience display problems or instability.
• Scratch disks: Photoshop uses scratch-disk space when it needs more working memory. Make sure the selected drive has plenty of free space. A fast SSD can make a substantial difference.

Free up resources

• Use the 64-bit version of Photoshop where available. Older 32-bit releases had severe memory limitations.
• Close documents and applications you are not using.
• Check which background applications are consuming memory or processor time.
• Keep enough free space on your system and scratch disks.
• Keep Photoshop, your operating system and graphics drivers up to date, while checking compatibility before installing major updates.

Older advice sometimes recommended disabling antivirus software or running broad system-cleaning utilities. I would not recommend disabling security protection as a routine performance measure. Investigate the actual cause of the slowdown instead.

When new hardware makes sense

• More RAM: Additional memory can help when working with large files, many layers or several open documents. The benefit depends on your current memory use and workload.
• An SSD: A fast SSD can improve scratch-disk performance and make opening and saving large files quicker. Keep adequate free space available.
• Processor and graphics: Photoshop uses both CPU and GPU resources, depending on the operation. Modern versions benefit from a capable processor and supported graphics hardware. Do not choose a computer based only on clock speed or core count; check the requirements of the features you actually use.

Historical note: The original recommendations referred to Photoshop versions from around 2015. Hardware, memory management and GPU support have changed considerably. Consult Adobe’s current performance guidance before changing settings on a modern installation.