Sluggish Performance - tech question

Hi Crew

I'm having a slow performance issue and just wanted to get advice. Have tried all the obvious things that I know of such as updated drivers, cleared the autosave folder. I'm using Lenovo pc with 16gb ram. Task manger says Affinity is using around 4663 mb. RAM is set at 47000 and undo limit is 160 - not that I need it that high. Open CLU acceleration is enabled. The personaBackstore file is 26 GB - is that ok?

Nothing else open - only Affinity. The program has been crashing frequently. My current file size I'm working on is 300dpi, 17000 x 11000 pixels and most around this size. So, within range of largest file possible, but maybe still big enough to cause crashes and slow performance? - by slow it is taking around 30seconds to a minute to carry out copying a motif to a new layer and brushes are slow to respond. I'm working in raster/Pixel so not a vector issue.

I will make my file smaller in the future, just wondering if I can fix this slow issue now? Please advise any and all suggestions. I have intermediate tech skill, not a complete newbie, have been using Affinity since its relaunch, so not overly familiar with how it runs. Probably just the file size is my issue?

Quote from Toblerone

I don’t really know what it’s for, but under “Help > Benchmark”, Affinity provides a test to assess your device’s vector and raster performance.

You have to keep in mind that 300 dpi and 17,000 × 11,000 pixels generate a very large amount of data during editing. With so little memory (16 GB) — the system and other processes also require RAM — the program will heavily write to the disk.

Does it make a difference if OpenCL acceleration is disabled?

No difference so I kept it enabled. That's my thinking - a big file. I'd love more RAM. Will make smaller files to work with. Thanks for the advice

I carried out 3x Benchmarks. Thought the data might be of interest.

Quote from walt.farrell

What file size does Windows File Explorer report for your .af file when you Save it?

Also, at that DPI, if printed, your file would be almost 60" in one dimension. Does it really need to be that size? What are you using it for?

The .af is saved at 103mb and it doesn't need to be 60" - thanks for pointing it out. I have been using raster images for surface pattern design because watercolour image files get enormous using vector. I go big with these images due to pixelation problems with raster, but I probably I'm being over cautious. I'm still figuring out the super resolution ability the Canva Ai in Affinity and what it resizes to. My images need to be 300dpi as that's standard in the pattern industry. If you have advice, I'm all ears.

Quote from Oufti

It's usually advised not to exceed the installed physical RAM (in your case 16384 MB) in the Preferences.
But your results might also be caused by the GPU…

16gb has been enough previously when using Ps, I think I'm being overly cautious and making my raster files too big. I will reset my ram allowance in the preferences and go down in doc size. Every time I upgrade, I wonder if I should go over to Mac. My problem is my expectation rather than computer performance. Thanks for the help!

Quote from Alfred

If 12 inches is big enough, you can bring the pixel dimensions down to a fifth of what they are at present; i.e. 3400 by 2200.

This was the crux of the problem. I have downsized and the issue is resolved. It was obvious to others and not to me when I posted. Side note I have aphasia with numbers when I'm in a migraine aura (I was). Somedays I just need it pointed out to me. I hadn't realised it was 60'' thank you for the help. It's appreciated. Affinity is working nicely once more.

Quote from Arun Sarkar

I will use only 50 to 72 dpi for 15 Sq/ft

For Print? Show me your ways