X3 32-Bit processes quicker than X6 64-Bit

[Jan Shim]

I recently installed PaintShop Pro X6 Ultimate (64-Bit only, with Service Pack 2) to see if it performs quicker than my X3. I have second thoughts about X6's 64-bit capability after carrying out a very simple, straightforward test.

Computer:
ASUS Republic of Gamer Maximus V Gene
Core i7-3770K @ 4.6GHz, 16GB 1866-MHz RAM
nVidia GeForce 2GB GTX660
Crucial m4 128/256GB SSD
Windows 7 64-Bit Home Premium

Test image: 5D Mark III, 24-Bit TIFF, 5760x3840 resolution, 63.3MB.
Test: Nik Collection's Viveza 2 (64-Bit), apply 'Structure' at 100% strength

Test #1: Paintshop Pro X3 32-Bit running Nik Viveza 2 (32-Bit) TIME: 4 seconds
Test #2: Paintshop Pro X6 64-Bit Only running Nik Viveza 2 (64-Bit) TIME: 7 seconds

I also tested a large JPEG image and obtained similar results. With Nik confirming (communicated via email) that their new filters are no longer compatible with Paintshop Pro, I see absolutely no reason to invest in X6.

[LeviFiction]

Wait....you tested a plugin's speed to test the speed of X6 64-bit?

[Jan Shim]

Yes, and I know how that must appear flawed. Plugins from Nik and Topaz are the only reason I use PSP X3 — an affordable Photoshop Plugin-compatible host. I work with large images and naturally I was curious if a 64-bit host would offer tangible benefits when 64-bit filters are used. It now appears to be not the case. The ability for PSP (been using ever since Jasc PSP 9) to script and launch plugins from a toolbar shortcut is very cool — a convenience that I really love.

[hartpaul]

And did you test X6 32 bit as well to do a comparison of the two 32 bit operations.

[Jan Shim]

No 32-bit comparison made. I had hoped the 64-bit app would somehow be really fast so it would be useful to have for large files. What I have discovered also that when it came to editing large TIFF images, X3 handles the task remarkably well — don't remember ever running out of memory even though memory is limited by 32-bit addressing. Result from this test was enough for me to uninstall X6. Apologies if this wasn't an apple to apple comparison.

[LeviFiction]

That is interesting, especially considering what a memory hog X3 was. Constantly got reports of it running out of memory. It had a bug where it wouldn't release data if you edited and saved the image so after a few consecutive image edits you ran out of available memory unless you cleared your RAM.

[hartpaul]

Reason I asked about testing X6 32 bit was that it may be that the supposed 64 bit Viveza may be inefficient, compared to the 32 bit one. So a comparison of 32 bit on X3 and 32 bit on X6 might be an interesting comparison.

[Jan Shim]

Reason I asked about testing X6 32 bit was that it may be that the supposed 64 bit Viveza may be inefficient, compared to the 32 bit one. So a comparison of 32 bit on X3 and 32 bit on X6 might be an interesting comparison.

For another reason I reinstalled PSP X6 this time both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Ran the same test and the times for both Viveza 32-Bit to complete the job were the same.

[hartpaul]

So that would probably confirm that something in X6 both 32 and 64 bit is inefficient in running the Viveza filter. Wonder if it is the same with all filters or just that one aor a few in that collection?

[Jan Shim]

So that would probably confirm that something in X6 both 32 and 64 bit is inefficient in running the Viveza filter. Wonder if it is the same with all filters or just that one aor a few in that collection?

I communicated with Google Nik's team with problems running their filters with X6. Long story short, all current and future filters will no longer be compatible with PSP (with exception of a few that remain compatible, for whatever reason they continue to work). A copy of the email is on Page 3 of this thread http://tinyurl.com/lhjsfdb. Too bad I can't even run the scripts without tripping an error. Sigh