I currently have a Sony Vaio (RB53 I think) with the current specs... P4 3.0 ghz Hyper Threading 2mb cache 1.5 gb ram (2x 512, 2x 256) 256mb DDR3 Nvida G Force 7600GT 200gb HDD I recently bought a Sony HDR-SR7 - High Definition camcorder and my computer is having some serious problems editing the AVCHD format. I have software that reads the format no problem but it's very CPU heavy and been told I need to go Dual Core or even Quad Core. My question is would I be better off upgrading my current comptuer with new hardware or buying an entire new computer? Any help is appreciated.
I'd recommend buying new. However, as long as your video card is PCI-E, you should reuse that, unless you wan't more performance from it. Going for a mid-range core2duo, P35 motherboard and a couple of gigs of DDR2 RAM and you'll be away.
assuming you're using DDR2 RAM, you can easily upgrade. just get a new motherboard and CPU and you're basically set. can be done for $200 including a ehatsink should you desire to overclock(trust me when i say that a Core 2 duo @ 3GHz+ is like night and day over a P4) check pinned threads, should say that we'de ideally need CPUz screens to give us a better idea of what you have.
Thanks for the advice Xelink, I'll try and find some pictures tonight. Here are the specs from Cnet. http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/sony-vaio...07.html?tag=sub If I were to upgrade, I think I'd need a new mobo, processor, ram and box. Not 100% though. :/ It's a great computer but man, it's horrible editing the HD footage. It's decent using proxies though, Gearshift 1.7 for example. Also, what do you think of this? http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/Sea...ku=G153-GT5453E
RAM is cheap anyway... allright board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...59&Tpk=ds3l ok CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16819115031 cheapest RAM I could find http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820211066 just make sure the board fits, soem case use mATX stuff and that's a full ATX board. FYI it would be VERY VERY easy to get that CPU to 3Ghz should you desire
How could I be sure the mobo would fit the case? I have a Tiger Direct store about a 5min drive from my work so it's pretty easy to pick things up from there. I found some packages (mobo, cpu) at decent prices or even full computers but you never know when them. http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/Sea...ku=G153-GT5453E ^ seems decent for the price but Gateway? ..... http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/Sea...M-680ILT-Q6600A 399.99 for a Quad? Mobo, Processor and Ram Package. --------- "FYI it would be VERY VERY easy to get that CPU to 3Ghz should you desire " I'm intrigued on how to do this, what would I have to do? Any downsides? Thanks again Xelink.
oh yeah, you're canadian aren't you ehh my damned memory is mediocre. FYI that combo isn't too bad, go for it if you want. you'de likely want a heatsink though if you plan on any overclocking/if you're a silence freak, the stock included heatsink is a bit noisy in my opinion.
Haha, yeah I'm Canadian bro. So you think the Mobo, Processor and Ram Package is good? I just don't want to have to keep buying more things, case, PSU, fans, etc. What do you think of the Gateway package that I posted for 329.99. :/ I'm not sure I'd want to overclock my current PC, do you think it would make much of a difference for video editing?
3.2/2.4= 1.333 basically a 33% boot. but coming from a P4 to a c2d for video editing... at stock a single core in that is comparable to a 4.5Ghz P4... then 4 of them.. basically video stuff would be done 4-8 times as fast depending. as for the gateway, it'd work but would only be around 2-3 times as fast a your current, each core being comparable to a 3.7Ghz p4 or so, just less RAM so keep that in mind. as for keeping on upgrading, assuming the case fits a standard ATX board, you SHOULD be fine. basically pop open the case see if it's a standard sized board or a micro ATX board
I don't see anything wrong with your other specs; just upgrade your CPU to a dual core or a quad core if you want to keep it for the future. Your other specs are fine. If you upgrade your cpu and you still have problems, it might be your video card is too low to do whatever you are doing.
Most definitely buy new.. for one, it's a Sony Vaio....sony is absolute crap when it comes to computers, you should be slapped for buying from them in the first place. Second, a custom machine will ALWAYS be cheaper than buying from a company like HP or Sony or even Alienware, because, what it comes down to, is you paying to have their name slapped on your case.... Buying a NEW machine was the best thing I ever did, because I know I won't need to upgrade for a LONG time.
Fubar you might want to buy from somewhere other then tiger direct unless thats your only choice where you live they over charge a lot when it comes to shiping.
I made a list of canadian sites once before... let me try and dig it out. FYi it is ALWAYS BEST to comparison shop, especially when stuff is a fingerclick away
