Faster processor or more memory?

[lachezar]

Hi,
I'm trying SNS HDR at the moment, I think that is a fantastic software.
I understand that it can be a bit slow on some computers, and I'm planning to upgrade mine.
What would help speed up SNS, a faster processor or more memory. Or in other words, the processing of the files is it processor or memory intensive.
I'll appreciate your advise.
Cheers
Lachezar

[mgg]

I'm no expert, but I think that if you were running out of memory you'd notice increased hard drive activity, or your machine hanging or freezing.
More memory allows the handling of larger files eg panoramas, and to have more programs open simultaneously.
So I suspect a faster processor.
For what it's worth I just timed the processing of a single 91.2MB 48bit TIFF 4608x3456 pixels at 39.8 seconds.
My machine has an i7 3770K (socket FCLGA1155) processor - and 8Gig of RAM.

[lachezar]

I think you are right,
On my 3ghz Core Duo, 16Mb Ram computer it took 10min. to process a bracket of 3 x 36Mgpx RAW files
On my son's i3 3.4 Ghz 16Mb RAM same files took 3min.

So faster processor is the way to go!

Cheers!

[mgg]

Those are BIG images! Nikon D800?
I tried a batch process of 3 12MP RAW files - 2.15.

[lachezar]

Yes, Nikon d800.
I haven't tried batch processing, but some times I take 5 or 7 shots brackets.