[PRODIG] Memory settings Photoshop CS on Mac G5

[Richard Lewisohn]

Having recently seen a G5 DP 2.0 like mine (except with 4.0GB of memory 
instead of 2.5) making light work of 650MB layered files, I decided it 
was time to get more memory.  As the 1GB RAM from Crucial is now only 
�150+VAT I decided to take the plunge.

After 10 minutes under my desk 'about this Mac' is saying 4.5GB RAM, 
but Photoshop performed an action (Photokit Capture sharpen on a 63MB 
file) in exactly the same amount of time as before; which, by the way, 
is 20 seconds.

When I look at Photoshop preferences, in Memory & Image Cache/Memory 
Settings 'Available RAM' reads 1637MB, maximum used by Photoshop 90%.  
And this is when only Photoshop is running.  I know that CS can't use 
more than a certain amount of RAM, but I thought it was over 2GB.  
Shouldn't it be seeing the total amount of installed RAM?   And if that 
is the most 'Available RAM', am I allowed to use 100%?

Is there a utility in OSX which shows memory usage?
In case it's relevant, I've got three scratch disks listed, the first 
with 60GB free space, the second with 300GB and the third with 7GB.

Any thoughts gratefully received.
Richard Lewisohn
http://www.lewisohn.co.uk
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