@Former user | When I look at the Task Manager in Windows 10, it has on the left hand side, under the performance tab (IIRC), it shows the CPU first, RAM second (IIRC), and the last listed is the GPU. I do apologise if I’m not being clear enough. But, where the GPU is shown, it shows GPU utilisation, when either rendering or timeline playback, at 80+% utilisation.

click on the GPU tab on the left side, it will reveal other GPU engines. For upgrading you're only interested in GPU processing speeds, not decode/GPU render speeds. It is the highest value that shows in the left side panel when you haven't clicked on GPU. If you hare hardware encoding and you see 80% it may be the opposite, you're hardly using any GPU processing so the frames are able to be encoded faster. It depends on your case

If you are seeing 80%+ in a processing engine then yes I'd agree it's reasonable to upgrade. To what? Not sure, if you wanted to stay AMD, i'm not very familiar with the models

It is the highest value that shows in the left side panel when you haven't clicked on GPU.

This is exactly where I’m seeing the 80+% GPU utilisation. 👍🏻

If you are seeing 80%+ in a processing engine then yes I'd agree it's reasonable to upgrade. To what? Not sure, if you wanted to stay AMD, i'm not very familiar with the models

I have thought about NVIDIA. Way back, before I had this current PC, I had an Intel Q6600 paired with a NVIDIA GT 430. So, this current PC I have now was quite the upgrade. Out of interest, what CPU and GPU (graphics card) do you have in your current PC?

I have a Amd5900X and Nvidia rtx 3070, GPU use(processing) is normally very low, I see it does get up to 60% sometimes, 3070 is approx equivalent of 2080super if you're more familiar with that series. 3060 could be better value if only upgrading for Vegas. There's other software that can run 3070 or even 3080 at 100% GPU. AMD GPU's to consider too, but I don't know anything about them.

@MH7 an example of the type of rendering you are doing would help. I know that rendering depends on several factors such as what fx/transition/etc are used and whether they are fully supported by the GPU I am using, along with the file type and export setting.

80% I would think is pretty good.

@MH7 an example of the type of rendering you are doing would help.

Well, at present, I’ve got a fair bit of 4K25 video filmed of my family, nothing really professional about it. But it is obviously going to take a bit of time to get through. I’ve actually been doing some research, which kind of changes this topic a bit, but Radeon Settings seems to be telling me, and in my research, I have come to realise that my current AMD Ryzen 7 1700 CPU is (to use a technical term) bottlenecking my RX 580 in terms of performance.

So, with this in mind, I have been strongly considered buying the Ryzen 7 3700X, which my Gigabytes X370 motherboard supports. In fact, my AMD X370 motherboard only supports up to the Ryzen 3000 series so I’ve been really thinking about doing that. That would be a AU$499 (+ AU$15 shipping) upgrade.

Going beyond the R7 3700X to, like, the Ryzen 5000 series or even Intel’s new 12th Gen CPU would require much more than just a CPU upgrade. Unfortunately, though, it seems like the Ryzen 3000 CPUs are becoming unavailable (probably discontinued) pretty quickly. Which then had me really wondering if I should just go back to Intel and turn my AMD system into an Intel system. Yes, I’m sorry, I overthink too much (LOL).

What option would make financial sense?

I know that rendering depends on several factors such as what fx/transition/etc are used and whether they are fully supported by the GPU I am using, along with the file type and export setting.

80% I would think is pretty good.

Yeah, I hear you. I will probably be keeping my RX 580, especially in this current GPU market.

@MH7 my "old" AMD computer with the 1700X I gave to my wife, while a couple of years ago, I updated to the computer in my signature below. That old motherboard (B350) will handle any 3000 series too, but wife doesn't need anything more than what she has.

With a BIOS update, I can plugin a 5000 series on the X570 motherboard I am currently using, but in the "here and now", what I have is working good. I would like to upgrade the GPU, but not at the prices they are selling for.

To buy a 3700X here in Poland would cost you $415 AUS, and don't worry about overthinking. It's good to look at it from all "angles" and to be sure before you press the "buy" button. I also work a lot in 4K with the current computer and can shuffle through what I want and get things done.

@MH7 my "old" AMD computer with the 1700X I gave to my wife, while a couple of years ago, I updated to the computer in my signature below. That old motherboard (B350) will handle any 3000 series too, but wife doesn't need anything more than what she has.

Well, I guess, I probably don’t need the upgrade, but another reason for the upgrade is RAM stability. You see, when I initially had just 2x 8GB (16GB total) of Corsair 3200MHz RAM, I could enable the XMP profile and have my RAM @3200MHz.

But once I popped in another two of the same type (and make and model) (2x 8GB) for a total of 32GB, my computer didn’t like it and now I cannot enable the XMP profile and my RAM can only run @2133MHz. So, since I found out the memory controller is on the CPU, I’ve wondered if switching out my R7 1700 for the R7 3700X would solve my RAM problems. So, I have other reasons for the upgrade.

With a BIOS update, I can plugin a 5000 series on the X570 motherboard I am currently using, but in the "here and now", what I have is working good. I would like to upgrade the GPU, but not at the prices they are selling for.

Okay, so you have an X570 motherboard. That I have wondered about, upgrading my Gigabyte X370 board to an X570 for better stability. It is crazy how Ryzen 1000 series is already 4 years old now (but, depending on how you count your years, you could say 5 years old now) time flies, or someone pressed the fast forward button (😜).

Yeah, the GPU prices are super crazy. At the time I bought my RX 580 it was ~$500 give or take and that was a little bit above the MSRP, which I believe was around $400. But no where near what GPU prices are these days.

To buy a 3700X here in Poland would cost you $415 AUS…

Wow! Quite a difference in price. That’d be a $84 saving!

…and don't worry about overthinking.

I try not to, but I have a habit of doing it.

It's good to look at it from all "angles" and to be sure before you press the "buy" button.

That is good advice, you’re right. Plus, whether or not my current X370 motherboard would play nice with the R7 3700X.

I also work a lot in 4K with the current computer and can shuffle through what I want and get things done.

That’s awesome. It seems that 4K seems to be the standard these days.

I made the mistake of getting RAM for the 1700X that the Ryzen CPU didn't support. It was 3200 Corsair Vengeance, but was only able to clock it to 2666. Learned my lesson for the current build and have the RAM at 3200 and the Infinity Fabric the same. But I have 2 16GB sticks, so it works well. The default setting for the RAM is 2133 and XMP has to be enabled, because "technically", the 3200 speed rating is an "overclock". I believe all RAM will operate at it's default frequency of 2133.

In the "consumer" world, 4K is fairly common. Cellphones, action cams, and just about any mirrorless camera can produce them. More "upscale" is RAW, 422 10bit or higher, 8K, HDR, etc... but for me, I have no need for anything beyond the 4K 422 10bit that I often shoot and edit. It all depends also on what I am shooting and the final delivery. I've shot 50P HD with my mirrorless camera for some "less demanding" projects.

We are bombarded with "new, better, must have, etc" from the advertising world trying to separate us from our money. Overthinking is a good thing. Is it a "want", necessity, etc... For me, I look at my disposable income, "overthink" the pros and cons, and then decide over a few weeks of deliberation, or "overthinking". I've been on the fence with getting a DJI Mini 2 and DJI RSC 2 gimbal. I have fairly decent IBIS in my camera.....but it can't fly.

I made the mistake of getting RAM for the 1700X that the Ryzen CPU didn't support.

unfortunately (I just looked at my motherboard’s RAM support list) I have made the exact same mistake as yourself. It still works alright @2133MHz and, from what I’ve seen, RAM speed doesn’t make much difference to performance (RAM timings and latency usually does, but not the frequency, at least from 2133MHz-3200MHz). But, still, the whole reason I bought 3200MHz (or 3.2GHz) RAM was because it apparently effected the Ryzen 1000 CPUs performance. But, doing my research, it isn’t by much. And I think it’d be silly, and a waste of money, to get rid of all 4x 8GB memory sticks just for better compatibility.

It was 3200 Corsair Vengeance, but was only able to clock it to 2666.

Mine, as well, are Corsair Vengeance. For a while my memory, all 4 sticks, operated @ 2400MHz, after the BIOS updated I did from F5, which it came with, to F8, but then they decided that they didn’t want to run @ 2400MHz anymore and so they haven’t. The latest BIOS update for my Gigabyte X370 motherboard is F50a (I think). But I only update it if I feel or see it’s absolutely necessary, as I don’t like messing with BIOS updates.

Learned my lesson for the current build and have the RAM at 3200 and the Infinity Fabric the same. But I have 2 16GB sticks, so it works well.

Well done! It certainly can be a bit tricky with RAM. Unless I’m incorrect, on the Intel side of things, I don’t think it’s that fussy about RAM. Perhaps I should’ve gone with 2x 16GB to begin with, but I was trying to stick to a relatively stricked budget and only went with 2x 8GB initially. Logically, and without having to waste RAM sticks, I just bought another 2x 8GB sticks. Nevertheless, you would think that you’d be able to have 4x 8GB RAM sticks @ 3200MHz without any problems. But, oh well!

The default setting for the RAM is 2133 and XMP has to be enabled, because "technically", the 3200 speed rating is an "overclock". I believe all RAM will operate at it's default frequency of 2133.

Yeah, I have come to realise that. So, in reality, my RAM is “technically” running at its normal or correct speed. But thanks for the insight because it’s an important thing to note. So, you could say, all DDR4 RAM is 2133MHz but, what you’re actually paying for, is the XMP overclock done by the company.

In the "consumer" world, 4K is fairly common. Cellphones, action cams, and just about any mirrorless camera can produce them. More "upscale" is RAW, 422 10bit or higher, 8K, HDR, etc... but for me, I have no need for anything beyond the 4K 422 10bit that I often shoot and edit. It all depends also on what I am shooting and the final delivery. I've shot 50P HD with my mirrorless camera for some "less demanding" projects.

Yeah, it’s interesting how things change. Back in 2008 I bought myself my first personal video camera that filmed in 576i, in both 4:3 and 16:9. I still have that camera. It is a Sony DCR-DV810E. Then went to Full HD 1080p with the Canon Legria HF G10, which I still have, then onto 4K with, my current camera, the Sony FDR-AX700 (which has been a very good camera that I have been very impressed with) and has full manual control of everything, which is nice. So, technically has certainly progressed quite quickly.

We are bombarded with "new, better, must have, etc" from the advertising world trying to separate us from our money.

Ain’t that the truth, unfortunately.

Overthinking is a good thing.

Well, it might be good to think on things to a degree, but overthinking often leads to double-mindedness, which is not good. So, I try not to do much overthinking…but often fail.

Is it a "want", necessity, etc...

Not usually. But I often weigh up how, whenever I’m wanting to buy something, it will help me. PC parts included.

For me, I look at my disposable income, "overthink" the pros and cons, and then decide over a few weeks of deliberation, or "overthinking".

Well, I think I probably do that to a degree, but often too much. But, I guess, to put it plainly, and probably obviously, you won’t buy anything that you don’t think about or overthink on.

I've been on the fence with getting a DJI Mini 2 and DJI RSC 2 gimbal.

I bought a DJI gimbal for my Sony FDR-AX700 but I haven’t gotten around to using it yet. But I don’t regret the purchase. It was a good buy.

I have fairly decent IBIS in my camera.....but it can't fly.

So does my Sony FDR-AX700. But there are times when I could’ve really used a gimbal and I didn’t have one. I am still yet to learn to use it and calibrate it but there are plenty of tutorial videos on DJI’s website to teach you (or perhaps it’s their YouTube channel, or both) so, like other things, I will teach myself.

I'm not really understand what issue you are trying to fix (sorry, I have not read the whole thread).

80% CPU utilisation while rendering? This is normal! With 1700 or 5800 you will probably have about the same. BUT 5800 will do the job faster.

IF your issue is preview performance (that is from my opinion is the most important thing) -- you should find out what causing it.

May be your footage is quite hard to decode and the only options in this case would be re-encode/re-wrap OR use GPU/iGPU that support decoding of the footage. 1700 => 5800 will not help in this case at all.

May be some filters. And it is possible they are only optimized for specific GPUs/CPUs. Let say Intel + NVidia so 1700 => 5800 will not improve things too much.

So I'd start with providing your footage media info and used filters.

P.S. I'm on RX580 + 3700X atm. Upgraded from 1700. But my footage -- 1080-60p, not 4K.

I'm not really understanding what issue you are trying to fix (sorry, I have not read the whole thread).

I was initially looking at possibly swapping out my RX 580 for something a little better. I mentioned how I was getting 80+% usage utilisation of my RX 580 in Vegas Pro 18. But I realised that, with a little bit of research, that my RX 580 is pretty darn good for my video editing needs.

So, instead, I turned my attention to my R7 (Ryzen 7) 1700 CPU because I realised that my R7 1700 is actually holding back my RX 580’s performance by a decent amount, both in video editing and gaming, so I have really been looking at upgrading my R7 1700 to the R7 3700X.

IF your issue is preview performance (that is from my opinion, this is the most important thing) -- you should find out what is causing it.

I have no problem with preview playback. That’s fine.

May be your footage is quite hard to decode and the only options in this case would be re-encode/re-wrap OR use GPU/iGPU that support decoding of the footage. 1700 => 5800 will not help in this case at all.

I have a decent amount video to work through, that being 576i (SD), 1080p (Full HD), and 4K (UHD). All seems to playback fine on my PC. I am guessing just looking at decreasing the render times. And since I know my R7 1700 is holding back my RX 580’s performance, I’m really looking to upgrade to the R7 3700X.

The video formats used are MPEG 2 (SD videos), AVCHD (Full HD videos), and H.264 for 4K25 from a Sony FDR-AX700 video camera. I also have some videos from iPhones, mostly 4K (4K25 and 4K50). I haven’t tested these iPhone recorded videos on the timeline. But if I have to rewrap them with Handbrake I will certainly do that.

P.S. I'm on RX580 + 3700X atm. Upgraded from 1700. But my footage -- 1080-60p, not 4K.

Ah okay, so you’ve got the setup I’m looking at. How much performance do you believe you’ve gained going from the R7 1700 to the R7 3700X overall, not just video editing?

2: As for the 32GB RAM speed, if the mobo/CPU doesn't support XMP-(auto)overclock, you can do it manually.

...and that's how I got to 2666 speed with the 1700X and Corsair RAM.

@MH7 I'm still considering a gimbal. It's drab, cloudy and cold here in Poland now, so a drone isn't on the table.

As for the PC, when I upgraded to the X570 motherboard, it was with the idea of keeping things for a long time. PCIe 4, DDR4, etc. is more than enough for me. For me, an upgrade would be either 64GB RAM and/or Ryzen 5950X or consider Ryzen 6000 series which is "suppose" to be compatible with X570. We will see upon release.

But @Yelandkeil makes a solid point. How much are we willing to spend for an incremental increase in performance. That is one of the things I think about to. Cost/performance ratio. Yes, new will usually be better, but at how much? Again, that's why I went with a new motherboard/CPU/RAM. Upgradeability, and better overall performance versus the 1700X system.

Now just waiting for GPU prices to come down a bit... which isn't like to happen in the next year or so.... 😟

@Reyfox | @Yelandkeil | You guys do make a good case and point. After much consideration, even before you guys mentioned it, I came to my own realisation that it’s more psychological. I have decided to not go ahead with neither a CPU nor GPU upgrade. Thanks for helping me come to my senses. I’m content with the PC I have.

😀👍🏻

@MH7 what we offered you is another perspective. Some have the spendable income for the incremental increases. I know some for who "time is money", so even an incremental increase, increases their productivity/income. For me, I can wait a bit for things to happen, and for prices to become more reasonable.

Glad we could help!

@MH7 what we offered you is another perspective.

Yeah, and I am actually truly thankful for it because that perspective spoke to me in more ways than one. As you might be able to tell, I am one who really likes to be cautious with what I choose to spend money on. So, I needed that perspective. So, once again, I am truly thankful for it.

Some have the spendable income for the incremental increases. I know some for who "time is money", so even an incremental increase, increases their productivity/income. For me, I can wait a bit for things to happen, and for prices to become more reasonable.

Well, for me, it’s just a hobby. I’m not doing any work for anyone, only myself. For me, I bought the current PC I have 9 years after having my preferred HP pre-built system. So, I could easily wait another 9-10 years. Who knows what they’ll have in 2026 or 2027. I suspected we’ll see crazy fast PC hardware that what we currently have today. Although, given the fact that we might be all forced to upgrade to Windows 11 on the 14th October 2025, I might be upgrading my CPU earlier, seems it’s not currently supported by Windows 11’s strict requirements. But we’ve still got another 4 years with Windows 10 so it’s not urgent.

Glad we could help!

So am I. Thank you! 😊👍🏻

@MH7 no problem! I know before I make any big purchases, I sit down with the wife and we talk about it. If she's good, then I still think about it and wait.

@MH7

Based on you stated Storage: Samsung 850 EVO 250GB SSD & WD 2TB HDD

If your itchin' to spend a few bucks, I would start here, plug it into that NVMe slot on your motherboard, use it as work space for active projects and retire the 2 TB HDD to an off-site location to back up your work. Many system components are selling at a premium in this market, but storage can be found at a reasonable market-clearing-price. It won't make Vegas go zing, but your overall computing experience will improve.

Most mortals could probably get work out the door with one of these. I do.

P/S

I don't have to hear a spindle bearing whine more than a few minutes a day. Actually, I can't even hear them anymore.