Nikon Capture NX/NX2 and Multicore CPU's + CUDA

[BPB]

A little while ago I started a thread about a new computer and it's specification capable of effectively handling the much larger files of the latest DSLR's, especially the D800.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1004&message=41133077

During the discussions I asked about the capability of software such as Nikon Capture NX/NX2 and Serif PhotoPlus X4/X5 to actually access and use the latest hardware technology in order to give faster operation of the software processes for photo and video editing..

In particular I wanted to know if this software could utilise the multiple cores available in the second generation Intel i7 Multicore CPUs and also access and use the CUDA core technology now common in the higher specification graphics cards.

In my OP I asked if anyone had any experience of how Nikon Capture NX/NX2 utilised multicore CPU's and CUDA technology but only one person thought that this software had no gain from the higher hardware specification.

Following this up with Nikon support here is their reply,

Nikon Rep reply,

"I have checked your request and can confirm the following.

Only the latest version of Capture NX2 (2.3.1) utilises multi-core processors. Any versions before version 2.3.1 would not have this functionality.

Nikon have not released any further information regarding accessing and using CUDA core technology of Nvida graphics cards."

I also spoke with Serif Europe and asked the same question. I was told, after much waiting, that neither PhotoPlus X4 or X5 can utilise the above hardware resources. I was also told that PhotoPlus X6 ,which is about to go into development, will not have this capability either.

So, over to all of you for further comment, input and guidance. It appears that Photoshop xxx is the only software that can actually gain any operational speed advantage for SOME of it's processes from the higher performance hardware.

So does this mean we are all going to have to move over to Photoshop, or don't bother spending a load of money ona new PC that will not give any advantage, or do you know something different????

Bryan (BPB)

 

[Claustrum]

Why do you post this on the d300 - forum?

Claus

 

[BPB]

Because I actually use a D300 and like a lot of other people on this Forum I am considering a D800. I am simply passing on information to those like minded D300 users who use Nikon Capture NX2 and are also considering their need to upgrade their PC hardware to in order to deal with the much larger image files from the D800, only to find that the software cannot utilise the hardware.

At least it means people will know that they will have to upgrade to the latest version of NX2.

If this does not apply to you, then fine, don't worry about it, simply move on.

 

[bgD300]

It isn't usually a good idea for SW developers to make their products specific to one vendors internal chip architecture. That sort of code creates tremendous maintenance problems.

It is the role of the OS to maintain currency with hardware.
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[martinch]

It isn't usually a good idea for SW developers to make their products specific to one vendors internal chip architecture. That sort of code creates tremendous maintenance problems.

I would have imagined OpenCL would have made more sense than CUDA in that respect, however, I do remember hearing that developer support for OpenCL wasn't as good as for CUDA (as in, if the developer has a problem, nVidia are better at helping), and that OpenCL lacked some features CUDA had (but I've never worked with either).

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[BPB]

All I am trying to do is find out if I will actually be able to PP the much larger image files from a camera like the D800 faster with Nikon Capture NX2 on a new PC that has a high spec multicore processor and graphics card than a simple dual core processor etc.

If the speed improvment is there, then it may well be worth spending the £1600/£1800 UK that is the going rate in the UK for the PC.

If there is no real increase in processing speed then there is'nt much point in shelling out that sort of money.

Anyway you know Nikon's answer now.

Thanks for your input,

Bryan (BPB)

 

[Devendra]

While I havent checked CN2 exclusively for performance, I never had issues in my i7 720QM laptop.

One thing is noticeable that the latest 2.3.1 is much more responsive and so is the latest view nx. I did notice 8cpu's being slightly busy when I was pumping out a resizing batch job

Unless I am already choking up my i7 CPUs while running other apps, CNX 2 by itself is pretty responsive.

btw, the 720QM shows up as 8cpus (4+4ht) and they are rarely loaded. I have only 4gb RAM. it is a 2+yr old dell 17" studio laptop with bluray, 500gb, that i got in bestbuy for 999. You will be able to get so much more and better config/performance these days if you use that as baseline.

A little while ago I started a thread about a new computer and it's specification capable of effectively handling the much larger files of the latest DSLR's, especially the D800.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1004&message=41133077

During the discussions I asked about the capability of software such as Nikon Capture NX/NX2 and Serif PhotoPlus X4/X5 to actually access and use the latest hardware technology in order to give faster operation of the software processes for photo and video editing..

In particular I wanted to know if this software could utilise the multiple cores available in the second generation Intel i7 Multicore CPUs and also access and use the CUDA core technology now common in the higher specification graphics cards.

In my OP I asked if anyone had any experience of how Nikon Capture NX/NX2 utilised multicore CPU's and CUDA technology but only one person thought that this software had no gain from the higher hardware specification.

Following this up with Nikon support here is their reply,

Nikon Rep reply,

"I have checked your request and can confirm the following.

Only the latest version of Capture NX2 (2.3.1) utilises multi-core processors. Any versions before version 2.3.1 would not have this functionality.

Nikon have not released any further information regarding accessing and using CUDA core technology of Nvida graphics cards."

I also spoke with Serif Europe and asked the same question. I was told, after much waiting, that neither PhotoPlus X4 or X5 can utilise the above hardware resources. I was also told that PhotoPlus X6 ,which is about to go into development, will not have this capability either.

So, over to all of you for further comment, input and guidance. It appears that Photoshop xxx is the only software that can actually gain any operational speed advantage for SOME of it's processes from the higher performance hardware.

So does this mean we are all going to have to move over to Photoshop, or don't bother spending a load of money ona new PC that will not give any advantage, or do you know something different????

Bryan (BPB)

 

[bhD7000]

I just ran the speed test listed here http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1007&thread=32800226 .

First I ran it against NX2 2.3.0. I upgraded to 2.3.1 and ran it again. No difference in speed - well maybe 0.1 seconds off 35 seconds total