Speeding up the processing

[Emma]

So aside from getting a mac :) how do I speed up my computer? I need some upgrades, but want to schedule them in order of biggest impact speedwise without spending all my budget at once!

I have a Pentium III 501mhz processor, 512mb of RAM, and a cruddy video card: 3D Rage Pro 2X AGP 8mb. Just got a new large CRT flat screen monitor Dell 21" Trinitron Ultra 1110, and it's really bogged me down! So we decided to upgrade the video card first (so I'll have two monitor desktop now).

Just wondering what I should schedule next? More RAM? Or...

Maybe someone can just educate me on computer graphics processing in general. My husband really doesn't know much of this realm in spite of his techie-geek background as his needs are different. So I need some help learning my system and deciding what I want and what I need!

Thanks so much!

[Mike Wozowski]

aw, go ahead, just get a MAC!

i got a new one lastt weekend!

mike

[Emma]

Somehow I think the mac will cost more than upgrading my PC! Plus, did I mention we only have one car?! That's our next large purchase!

Though I hear Macs are more low-maintenance than PCs too, less problems with the OS. That true? My main reason for wanting to stay PC is because we have 4 PCs all networked and Troy can fix all my problems.

Could a mac network with our PCs? Could I maintain it myself (I wouldn't dream of maintaining my own PC, too much to learn and I just don't care to spend the time doing that when Troy can do it and leave to me to my preferred hobbies!)

But this is for another thread I guess! Post replies on Macs here please:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=261

So, what do I need for the PC?

[Amanda]

I would definately think about getting a better processor. In this day and age a Pentium II is ancient.

[Kristin]

I work on a pc at home but for work (I work at a print shop) I use nothing but a mac.

If you could find away to purcahase a mac I don't think you would have any regrets, you could always to payment plans through www.apple.com too.

I would really love to buy a laptop and if I were to buy one it would probably be an ibook (if i had the money book a powerbook but right now i don't even have the money for an ibook!)

Then again, you also have to look at your software, you would have to go and purchase everything you have now for mac, and that could be pretty costly depending on what you run!

good luck!

[valeri]

I have never had a mac, so I can't help you there. But I agree with Amanda, you definately need a faster processor. I thought I had a dinosaur, mine is a pentium III 1 ghz processor with 640mb RAM. I do OK, but I really have to watch what I have open at once. Mine is 3 years old.

[Lauren]

Im no expert by any stretch of the imagination - but I would also have to say to speed things up you need a new processor - my old puter was a veeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrry old pentium 2 433 - it would take up to 25 minutes to render a page - it did it - but I could go put laundry on , unpack the dishwasher make the beds and have a coffee before I had saved a large background - my new puter has ( or had till yesterday) less ram but its a 2.8 ghz processor and it gets that saving done mighty quick - not even enough time for a sip of coffee!!!

[Emma]

I fixed the typo, it's a Pentium III 512mhz. Runs basic PS functions fine (until the new monitor, now it's torturously slow, PSP is unusable!)

So what KIND of processor should I get? Some are better at rendering graphics than others, I hear.

How should I go about researching this? I have information overload and need to narrow my search.
(Troy picked out my video card, I just couldn't wrap my brain around all the options, so he did his best to get something specific to what I'll use it for. It's an all-in-wonder 128mb, so I can record TV and have two monitors with it. Hopefully it's better than my 8mb card now!)

But processors seem to have less options and be less specific. What do y'all recommend?

[Amber]

My DH is building me a new computer- and he is going to get me a 160G hard drive- im constantly running out of HD space. I could let him read your post Emma and see what he suggests. He is a computer geek to the core!

[sskFlyer]

I have a P3 on my computer, and use PSE on it. It works well.
The two biggest improvements (in no particular order) for working with PS (and any othe app for that matter) would be:
1. Get more RAM. The more RAM you have, the faster operations will complete. When getting RAM, don't settle for cheap generic stuff, but try to get from good companies like Crucial or Kingsgate. Also, find out what the fastest RAM your computer can take, and then get that speed.
2. Get a new HD. Settle for nothing less than 7200 RPM with 4 or 8 MB cache, and the lowest access speed possible. While you're at it, get something BIG!!!
Photoshop stores all of it's data on what's called "scratch disks" which are special temporary files on the hard drive. So, the faster the hard drive, the faster it can read and write info, and the faster it will render and execute.
We use a 7200 RPM 160 GB Maxtor HD with 8 MB of cache and a 5.3 ms access speed for our scratch disk (on the desktop), and it works very well.
I also use it for digital video, and it keeps up perfectly. No dropped frames, and no long waits, even when it is fragmented worse than a stained glass window.

Hope this helps...and btw, OfficeMax occasionally has really good graphics cards now and then! I just replaced the 8 MB Rage on my own computer with a 128 MB Mad Dog Conqueror nVidia Geforce FX 5200 card that cost less than $50! And it works awesome!

Samuel Kordik

[Emma]

I think Emma just needs to be patient for a few days :D . She is getting a new ATI Radeon All-in-wonder 9600XT 128MB video card on Thursday. She also has a 9G 10K RMP SCSI drive on her computer with a 160MB SCSI Controller card. I have a friend giving me a new AMD 3.4Ghz processor for her computer as well. I also have 2 more scsi drives that I will put on her computer when all that arrives. I think she will be fine dont you :cool:

[sweetmommyc]

So cute!!! HI Emmas husband!!!

Yes, with all those improvements, she will be just dandy. That is great!! Wish I had a 3.4 gig processor. WOW!!!! Can you persuade my hubby? LOL :p

I guess I have to stick it out though. We are trying to save to purchase a house within the next year. So I have to set my priorities---upgrade PC or new house---such a difficult decision....rofl!!!

;)

[Troy]

Look, I signed you up and tried to find a good photo for your avatar :p

Well, you're supposed to tell me you lined up all this cool stuff before making me seem impatient! I was doing research as instructed by my tech support staff, but thank you for getting me a new CPU! Wow, a good one too!

Now for RAM, how much RAM do I need? Looks like you're going to need to work some overtime to finally get me a computer nicer than yours! Hope you're not jealous I've outgrown your hand-me-downs!

:D
Emma

[Emma]

The new HD will help me improve the virtual memory I need to run Photoshop, but my real problem is Paintshop Pro. It only uses RAM, and my piddly 512 just isn't making it! The program is too painful to run, and that coupled with my higher comfort level with PS makes it hard for me to learn PSP. So the RAM problem is really what spurred me to upgrade. I currently meet system requirements, but recommendation is at least 1g RAM.

Will research with my "tech support" how much this 'puter can handle and get that. Hope I don't have to settle because of price...

I hope Jasc appreciates this!

And Samuel, why exactly do you think the name brands are better? I'm the generic Queen!

Thanks for all the help, will continue to report back as new components arrive to see how much faster things get!

[sskFlyer]

And Samuel, why exactly do you think the name brands are better? I'm the generic Queen!


Generics work, but the simple fact is that the name brands have better chips, that will stand up to more stress.
Their are only a handful of factories making memory chips, and the best go to the name brands who pay for them.
The leftovers go to generics, for less money.
Additionally, the name brands test every stick of RAM so that it is certified to run at the proper speed without data loss.
I've read that if you buy directly from the manufacturer, it can cost significantly less than if you buy from Best Buy, or another storefront.

Samuel Kordik
"The Name-brand king..." LOL