A method is described for optimizing signal-to-noise performance of an imaging system, including the steps of scout-scanning an object to obtain scout scan data; determining a plurality of normalized x-ray input signal factors using the scout scan data; using the normalized x-ray input signal factors to determine at least one system input signal; selecting at least one gain for the object scan using the system input signal; and applying the selected gain corresponding to the system input signal in the object scan.