I have budget constraints (don't we all) but would like your views on an upgrade I wish to make to my computer: 120 GB SATA drive or an additional 512 MB ram Present configuration: Asus P4P800 SE, Firewire, Ethernet, Onboard Audio 5.1 P4 Prescott 2.8 MHz 1 x 512 MB PC3200 SDRAM ATI chip PowerColor Radeon 9200 SE 128 MB System Drive: Quantum Fireball AS40, 40 GB, 3 equal partitions. Data Drive: Maxtor 120 GB, 7200 rpm, 8mb cache, 3 equal partitions running XP Pro SP 1, Ulead VideoStudio v.8 The most demanding software I use is Ulead VideoStudio Particularly when it comes time to build DVD's from home made video's. This happens when I want to watch the final result before burning to DVD and when the software actually prepares for burning (changing .AVI to mpeg format). The program can also do it on the fly, but this will also be performance demanding. So my question is. Do I max memory potential by buying a second 512 MB bar and get more speed. Or do I buy capacity and handling with a SATA drive.
I would go for the Ram, You are running a 40Gb and 120Gb already. So the Ram will help and the drive space you should be fine. Why do you have the 40 and the 120 with 3 equal partions? A 120Gb drive is under the limit of Winxp, so I would not have any partions on it. Then you will have a lot more room for huge home movies. Why do you need 6 hard drive drive letters. With you set up I would set the 40Gb as full no pations as the primary with all programs and Virtual memory. Then make the full 120 a slave drive to move video onto for editing.
Good questions. I initially only had the 40 GB drive and split that one for System, Programs and Data. THen I added the second drive with the clear intention of doing the same, but I never reformated the 1st. In fact the drives and OS are due for a clean re-install, but at 40% full it's a lot of work doing transfers, backups etc... I just need to get to it. Thanks for your input.
I totally agree put some more Ram in and it will give your pc a bit extra kick.All else seems fine and i use to have a 40gb and a 120gb but would not have put 3 partitions on a 40gb.I use to split my 120gb's in to two but now i just keep them as singles to save on any confusion on where i put things. John179
I dont think you get much advantage from seperate partions for System and programs. I would add those to the same partion. So I think you do have enough space. the Ram will help a lot. John, nice picture. Better then the dinosaure.
Prisoner your name suits you there is no getting away from you when you make contact with the Prisoner you become the Prisoner.No seriously mate it just suits me to be hooked up like this.Its all about what suits and this suits me fine.Thanks about the picture there may be others to follow iam like a little boy with a new toy.Once i master something there is no stopping me.When iam not being lazy and want to learn i normally grasp things pretty quick this is why you will probably never see me asking much about dvd back up.But there is some guys on this site maybe including yourself that know more so i will leach your brains until i have it all.Frankinstien has nothing on me mate. Much appreciated and take another look at the bear i think it is top. John179
I have started to hang out here more. The DVD backups start to get old. After answering the same question thirty times, you stop loosing interest. But the all other topics and here are quite fun. Also Audio section is starting to pickup. but now were geting off topic, I think we have answered your question rocha.
Music is not one of my better points as my kids think iam out of date even though i have five good years in me before i reach 40.I totally agree you feel like a robot sometimes just answering questions a little humour is in order i think.General discussion about nothing in general is really good sometimes.I love AD don't get me wrong but sometimes you feel it is like googles.Put a question in and you will get a straight answer without a bit of fun.So what if your name is Prisoner as long as you get out of the cells now and again.You can borrow my wife if it haqs been a long time. Cheers John179
One very good reason to have your hard drive partitioned with your OS and a minimal amount of other stuff on the first partition is, if you have a system crash, and you can't recover from it, most times, you will only have to reformat the OS partition and reinstall. Your data, on the other partitions won't be touched and will still be there after installing the OS again. You will still have to load all of your programs again, even with them being on the other partitions, but if you had those programs on other partitions, with folders that you have made, within the program, that the program gets info from...you just load it again, over the existing program, and most times, that information is picked up on again. As for what to get, memory or a new hard drive, I would get the memory, but I also would seriously think about updating your video card. _ _ _X_X_X_X_X_[small]Bruce Wallace Vietnam Vet - 1970 - 1971 3.06 Ghz Intel P4 CPU Asus P4C800-E Deluxe Motherboard 1Gig Corsair 3200 LLPro DDR Ram Plextor PX 708A DVD Burner Sony CRX320E DVD 16x + CD-RW 52x24x52 Combo ATI Radeon 9700 Pro Video Card Audigy2 Platinum[/small]
Two things 1 i back my hard drive up reguerly on a re writable dvd disc.Should my system crash iam normally covered.2 ATI 9200SE is not a bad card not the best for games but it holds its own.I have one of these myself and if i played games on my pc i would probably upgrade like i do with everything else. But if it was a budget i was working on budget i would be in no rush as it is not a bad card.I do not work on budget but iam happy with it as it does what i require.It all depends on what you require and graphic cards are mainly for the gamer and i have consoles for that. John179
thanks for all the info. As for the video card it suits my purpose fine for now. Maybe in the future, when I'm ready to switch monitor to a 19 or even 21 inch screen.
Does not matter what size screen you have if it suits your need now it will do then.Unless you come a serious gamer overnight or become a serious video editer or something.Size does not count in this case as my mrs keeps telling me. John179
