Computer upgrade question

dakotapod

dakotapod

Veteran
Hey gang.

I'm upgrading my editing system with the following:

Double the ram by adding 1 more gig

Upgrade processor from 2.8 GHz to 3.4 (or so)

Changing system drive to 10k

Now I want to do it one step at a time over two months or so to ease the burden of spending. I am wondering what is the best order to pick for performance. My thinking is Ram first, then Hard drive and processor last. Reason being is the ram will give me the best performance boost of the three and by doing processor last I will get it cheaper and maybe even faster.

So my question is... Is my train of thought here correct?  :-/

Thanx  :)
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

1: Double the ram by adding 1 more gig (cheap these days)

2: Upgrade processor from 2.8 GHz to 3.4 (or so)

3: Changing system drive to 10k (least impact $$$ wise)
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

Thanks pookie. I was pretty sure the ram was job #1

Was unsure how the fast drive would fall into the loop.

Thanks again!
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

Use the new drive for capture, you'll be very pleased, it won't really help too much for a system drive (assuming the 7200 - 10000 upgrade)
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

Actually, once you add the ram to 1+ gigs, and the processor upgrade, you've pretty much got your mouse to the floor, so to speak, the drive will only "slightly" speed up load times (maybe), but it will help with capture and editing (access times).
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

Hi Dakota, I am actually doing the same thing right now, upgrading two of my PC's to be more powerful. Not discounting anyone else's advice :), but in my limited experience, I had just upgraded my RAM and saw no noticeable improvement in rendering effects on Avid DVExpress (But the computer will let me have more applications open without crunching down) I decided to upgrade the Processor next, since I found out that the processor sets the render speed. I would figure if you haven't already, try to upgrade the processor first, because I think that will improve render times immediately, unless you just want more app's open simultaneously. I am also upgrading my MoBo to a better faster model with pciX, so hopefully that will improve comms with the drives (and fps on C.O.D ;D)
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

wait until after the 1st or 2nd week of jan, prices will come down even more, for newer platforms will be relaesed...
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

Thanks guys

In light of these pointers I think I will take the 10k drive off the list. Money could probably be spent better elsewhere. (maybe a better motherboard)

Think I will get the ram and processor at the same time in the new year and upgrade mobo a little latter.
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

Are you Intel or AMD? If it does not matter, I am waiting for the Gigabyte MoBo with the nForce-4 chip not yet available, which will use AMD Athlon64's. PC Perspective's Ryan Shrout tested it, and it blew the charts off every Pentium and AMD out there within 40% of its price ;D. I am getting that with additional 2GB of RAM for that MoBo for editing, and replacing the current MoBo, but no more RAM.
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

AMD 64. Not having any prob with current board but at some point an upgrade will be wanted. Likely dual processors :D - I like the AMD so plan to stay with it.
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

Make sure your software is able to use 2 processors.
Generally, not much SW actually uses the second proc.
Dual processor setups don't work the same as network rendering (as I seem to recall).
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

RAM is the single cheapest way to help overall system performance, so you can start with that.

Changing the CPU might or might not help you, because different clockspeeds might also engender different bus speeds, which might result in actually slowing down your overall performance. I think you are OK going from 2.8ghz to 3.4. Are you huperthreading? Works well for applications like Premiere...

Unless you have a 5400 rpm disk now, you are not going to see that much of a speed difference with a 10K disk. Consider buying two or three cheap 7200 rpm drives and using software or hardware RAID for the same cost as the 10K drive. Now THAT will make a noticable difference in your system performance, including render times. But beware: you'll probably have to upgrade your power supply to a 500W unit if you have three or more drives PLUS a 3.4ghz CPU in the system.
 
Re: Computer upgrade question

Thanks guys.

Using Premiere Pro. It will use dual processors (as far as I know) but won't use network rendering which is really unfortunate. Barry Green is getting 55% accelerated render times using networked Vegas and a 55% jump sounds nice!

Drives are 7200 - I was somehow convinced using a 10k for software drive would blast the speed but now know better.

Think I will slam in more Ram and see what a dual processor setup will set me back in a couple months. Expensive hobby! Why couldn't I just get into knitting or something cheap... ;)

Again - Thanx :)
 
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