Will Newer Computer Be Better?

Flyer Curt wrote on 7/11/2009, 4:17 PM
I've been very happy with VMS 9P output on a Sony Vaio P4 3.06GHz 1G DDR-SDRAM NVidea GeForce4.
But I'm getting into 720P video now and would like to speed up the renders, transfers, etc. I also want to get a Blu Ray writer.
I'm looking at a Costco Dell XPS i7-920 2.66GHz 8G DDR3 512Mb ATI Radeon system. Is VMS 9P going to run much faster on a newer quad 64-bit Vista computer? Has anyone made a similar upgrade? Would a Q8200 be good enough and leave the i7 for the gamers? Does VMS 9P take advantage of these speed-burners?
I'd appreciate some opinions before I order a new system. Thanks.

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 7/11/2009, 7:35 PM
Vegas' speed is almost entirely processor dependent. Faster processor = faster renders. Not much else matters.
wjsd wrote on 7/12/2009, 12:37 AM
The short answer is 'YES'. But it really depends upon your definition of 'good enough'. The i7 will be roughly 50% faster than the Q8200. Some of that speed comes from the newer and faster RAM that it uses; some from the newer motherboard; but most comes from the i7 just being a superior processor. Do you want the best or the second best?

Here's a speed comparison between the two. Note towards the bottom is a Vegas render test: Processor Comparison

And in case you're thinking of upgrading to the i7 940, it is about 6% faster than the i7 920.
Flyer Curt wrote on 7/12/2009, 11:18 AM
Thanks wjsd,
Great answer - very helpful. I ordered the i7-920.

Curt
Sonata wrote on 7/13/2009, 10:11 AM
Some people have issues with 64-bit Vista and VMS while others have no problems at all with 64-bit Vista and VMS. As far as I know, VMS does not technically support 64-bit Vista at this time (only the current version of Vegas Pro does), so check out some threads on this board so you are prepared.
wjsd wrote on 7/13/2009, 11:03 AM
Sonata makes a good point about getting a new computer. Most people (including me) made the assumption that if 32-bit is good then 64-bit must be better. With VMS that is not always the case. I have seen no pattern to explain why some people encounter huge roadblocks running VMS on 64-bit Vista; while to others, it's more reliable than a Honda Accord. VMS 9 Platinum runs terrific on my Core i7 with Vista 64-bit.

Sony support will not help you with VMS 9 and Vista 64-bit related issues because that particular OS is not supported. In that regard, you're on your own. However, there are many people here in the user community who will help.
Hugh Harrer wrote on 7/13/2009, 4:15 PM
I’ve got an i7 920 with 12gig and VMSP 9 on Vista 64.
Runs like a DREAM.

Been testing RC W7 64 bit but I’m so fine with Vista . . . (never thought I’d hear myself say that).

Main advantage of 64 bit is memory access.

VMSP is 32 bit so you’re limited to 4 gig for the app - but that beats a TOTAL of 4 that Vista32 can access - and the OS needs some. Also, other open apps have elbow room.

Hugh