Maximum PSB file size for 64 GB M1 Max?

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Maximum PSB file size for 64 GB M1 Max?

I regularly work with extremely large Photoshop PSB files exceeding 100 GB and even as high as 240 GB for a single multilayered image file. No, that's not a typo... I mean 240 gigabytes.

I currently have a custom built Windows machine with 192 GB of ram and I am able to open and work with multiple very large files. Obviously there is some sort of paging that allows for opening files larger than my RAM capacity. That said, the system is rather old (2014) and slow and I feel I have already maxed out every practical upgrade (internal M.2 RAID 0, separate M.2 scratch disk, GTX graphics card, etc.) I'm looking to upgrade to modern processors and GPUs. I've researched desktop options but I'm very intrigued by the M1 Max architecture.

I'm wondering how this machine would handle such large files. Does anyone have experience in this area? What is the theoretical maximum file size this system could handle? Does the paging system work for files that are 2 to 4 times the 64 GB of unified memory? Will the 4TB internal ssd option make a big difference for this purpose?

Thanks for the help!

Posted on Feb 27, 2022 9:28 AM

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Answer 1

ryane77

Community Specialist

Feb 28, 2022 10:19 AM in response to nbuckland

Hello nbuckland,

Thanks for reaching out using Apple Support Communities!

We understand you'd like help understanding the Mac and Photoshop specs since you work with very large files in Photoshop.

Here are some specs about the M1 Pro and M1 Max: Introducing M1 Pro and M1 Max: the most powerful chips Apple has ever built - Apple

We found this page that has some details about how to Optimize performance Photoshop

As this doesn't answer all your questions directly, you might need to reach Photoshop support for more details.

You can also use this Apple Support page to reach Apple Online Store support, to get help selecting the best Mac for you: Contact - How to Contact Us - Apple

Make sure the location is set for your current country/region to show the correct contact phone number.

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

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Answer 2

Feb 28, 2022 10:34 AM in response to nbuckland

MacOs Extended files size is limited. However, the limit is 2^63 bytes, equivalent to 64^58, 64 followed by 58 zeroes. This (now retired) table can allow you to compare. Apple File system limits are at least as large.

Volume Format Comparison

The way any system works with files is by reading a few records at a time, keeping as much as possible in RAM, but expecting that the bulk of the file remains on the Mass Storage device. if additional records are needed, the App issues a read to the System..

In macOS, recently -read files records are kept in RAM to the extendt of available RAM. If more space is needed, the least-recently-used are discarded. If a read request comes in for a record already in RAM, it is instantly accessible. Otherwise the system does I/O to obtain that record.

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Answer 3

Feb 28, 2022 10:48 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

A file of size 64^58 is far, far larger than any drive you can buy today. For practical purposes, MacOS has no limit on the size of files you can create and use.

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Maximum PSB file size for 64 GB M1 Max?

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