Optimal Computer Specs?

Well, if you are going to buy a new computer thinking on filter forge, the MOST IMPORTANT above all is the CPU power and perfomance, and in second place is RAM, although NOT that FF will use it as it can´t use more than 1,5 GB even if you have a 64 bit Windows, BUT is important to have more RAM so you have more programs running toghether with filter forge, for example having Photoshop with Filter Forge is better to have more RAM for both, and also for Windows to work seamlessly.

Also is very important to have a good motherboard that can make the CPU at top perfomance and get the most out of it and do not have any problems or bottlenecks in the way.

The best CPU I can recommend in this moment for filter forge is the Intel Core i7 3770K

If you want more speed and an even better processor AND you have the budget to pay it, there is the Intel Core i7 3930K

Here is a List of processors available and updated that you can see and choose the one you would like

For more information, please see this other thread

What is the best and most important hardware for FF ? CPU ? RAM ?

And perhaps also could be also interesting this other one

What is important and priority for FF render speed ? NOT HARDWARE !

I have found this other thread that IS FR OM 2009 and so it could perhaps not be accurate and helpful in 2013, but perhaps you could get some more information --> Computer advice needed IN 2009 and also there is another one that was made in 2011 --> Best computer configuration (Windows7) IN 2011

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Ozmandias Can you (or anyone else please) tell me if I would notice a major difference in FF using a i5 vs an i7?

As said below there is no FF Benchmark, BUT I have found for you a way to compare the perfomance and speed of an i5 vs an i7, please see this comparison here

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/287?vs=191

CPU COMPARISON CHARTS

PassMark CPU huge and complete collection of benchmarks

Tom´s Hardware CPU benchmarks with different software that you can choose

Anandtech´s CPU Benchmarks wh ere you can choose to compare two CPU´s

THERE IS REGRETABLY NO FF BENCHMARK AVAILABLE

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Ozmandias Can you (or anyone else please) tell me if I would notice a major difference in FF using a i5 vs an i7?

I am sorry to tell you that there is NO benchmark or comparison chart of renders about FF, as it seems that no one has been interested to make it and help to make a benchmark thread, so there is no way to compare and know if a CPU or computer configuration is better or more worth than other one and could justify the price and investment.

I have suggested already in some threads to make a benchmark and have got no answer to any of them and so it has not been possible to make a benchmark comparison specifically for FF.

I made this dedicated thread about this topic and got zero answers --> Easy way to make ourselves in the forum our own Benchmark to compare and of course, if my suggestion is not good anyone could suggest to make any kind of FF benchmark in any other possible way.

I am not the only one asking for a benchmark as there is other threads about this --> I want a benchmark and also this one A standardized reference filter

Is curious that this thread from January 2013 has NOT changed much 12 month after in December 2013, and is recommended about the same, and it seems that the only new affordable chip processors have nearly the same or very little more perfomance

I thought that during this year there could be launched and available much better CPU chips processors BUT affordables, and it seems that ONLY have launched NEW cpu chips that are much better and with faster perfomance BUT they cost around $800-$1000 or the new Xeon for about $1990 Is a pity that AMD has shown their new processors and are behind Intel again and this time for the same price.