Next PC upgrades I should consider-advice welcome.

Brad C. wrote on 1/9/2009, 6:29 PM
Current Setup:

Dell XPS 420
Vista 32bit Home Premium
3.00 gigahertz Intel Core2 Quad Extreme Q6850
64 kilobyte primary memory cache
4096 kilobyte secondary memory cache
4GB RAM (3.3 recognized)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256mb/128bit 800mhz core clock/1,100 memory clock
375w Power Supply (stock)

Running SVP 8.0c and MBL for editing.
AVCHD and HDV for content.

Since I'm a Vista user, the "Windows Experience" gives the following ratings:

Processor- 5.9
RAM- 5.9
Graphics- 5.9
Gaming Graphics- 5.6
Primary Hard Disk- 5.9

Right now, the computer is working fairly well with Vegas with minor hiccups. I've found that its important to shut Vegas down after an intense render to clear the memory, and then I can hit it again. If I try to run two harsh renders back to back, the 2nd one usually crashes.

So as far as PC improvements go, what would be a top 5 or so (in order of importance) that I should do from here that might help with performance or stability?

Comments

srode wrote on 1/9/2009, 7:44 PM
overclocking will be the biggest boost in performance - if you have options to do that in the BIOS. If it's a QX6850 you can turn up the multiplier for the CPU as long as you can keep the tempratures under 60c fully loaded for 15 minutes - core temp is a good temperature monitor that will keep an eye on each of the 4 cores. To fully load try running 4 scientific calculators with 9999999999 n! at the same time - you will have 100% CPU loading. If you can't keep the temps down you may need a different CPU heatsink / fan to get the full value of an extreme CPU - you should be able to run over 3.6Ghz with a 6850 and the right cooler and good case ventilation.

How many drives do you have? Ideal is to have OS on one, 2nd drive for the raw files and Vegas prerender files, a third to render too.

Memory speed doesn't make much difference - but if you had 64bit OS more RAM running 8.1 can make a big difference with longer complicated projects. I've seen 30 to 40% reduction in render time on some projects.