iPhoto (9.3.2) expectation of huge library - 200GB, 40,000 Pictures

Question

iPhoto (9.3.2) expectation of huge library - 200GB, 40,000 Pictures

I know iPhoto is supposed to be able to handle on order of 100,000 images, but my iPhoto Library just crossed 200GB and 40k pics. What should I realistically expect performance/corruption possibility-wise in the coming months? It already takes a good half-minute to load/quit. Should I bifurcate and start a fresh library (I was thinking maybe for the iPhone 5, I would). Anyone with suggestions, I'd appreciate them.

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7.2), i7, 8GB, 750GB

Posted on Aug 27, 2012 11:59 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

207,367 points

Aug 27, 2012 12:05 PM in response to Steven Richason

A lot will depend on your hardware, memory, system, free space available, etc. You have 8 GB memory which is very good. Keep a minimum of 25 GB of free space on your Mini to facilitate optimal system and application performance.

If you have the above you should have good performance from your library. 40 K photos isn't a large number anymore. Also be sure to have a backup strategy in place. An external HD coupled with Time Machine is a good backup plan.

OT

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Answer 2

Aug 27, 2012 12:33 PM in response to Old Toad

I do use Time Machine with a 2TB external. I was thinking about using two libraries (because you can switch between them with Option at start up if I recall correctly) just to speed things up and hopefully keep things from corrupting, but I do like everything in one spot.

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Answer 3

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,260 points

Aug 27, 2012 1:09 PM in response to Steven Richason

The protection against a corruption is a good back up. An iPhoto Library is good for 250,000 images. There is no more reason to expect problems with 40K, 80k or 4k images.

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Answer 4

Sep 21, 2012 5:27 AM in response to Yer_Man

I guess the only problem is Apple's updates :\

Re: iPhoto 9.4 - Takes 8 minutes+ to quit it

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Answer 5

Yer_Man

Level 10

162,260 points

Sep 21, 2012 5:33 AM in response to Steven Richason

See my response on that thread.

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