New Dell computer....

Originally Posted by catilley1092

No matter how much RAM that I install, the CPU is the bottleneck.

Mabye one day it'll be good for one of those Newegg mid-level kits?

Cat

Catilley, you just made a statement here that I have made many, many times in nearly that exact wording and have been flogged by many who claim to be experts but, in my opinion, are not too good at observation. It is generally accepted by the computer repair and configuration community that the best way to speed up a computer is to add memory. I have observed that unless a computer has "tiny" memory, the processor is the bottleneck and going from 2 to 8 GB memory, for instance, will not make a measurable difference. If the processor cannot process the information as fast as the memory accumulates it and feeds it to the processor, your computer ain't gonna run no faster! That is an un-challenged observation of mine regarding adding memory to speed up a computer.

The problem here is that memory is currently so cheap and processors are so expensive that we attempt to blind ourselves of the facts and add a $13 memory module hoping to significantly increase processing speed and convince ourselves that it does. We ain't foolin' nobody but ourselves when we fall into that trap, tho.

Glad that you agree with me on that, john3347. My desktop has only a AMD Athlon X2 3250e CPU (1.5GHz), & shipped with 2GB DDR2 RAM, with a Win 7 x64 Pro OS. Of course, 4GB did improve performance, but it never changed the fact that the CPU oftentimes hits the 100% mark. I've never maxed out on RAM (usually use 2.75 to 3.5GB).

So even if I had the slots for 8GB RAM, it would have been a waste of money.

On the other hand, my MSI notebook has a Intel Core i5 CPU (M480), running at 2.66GHz (2.90GHz w/Turbo Boost) & a NVIDIA GeForce GT 425M (1GB DDR3) It also shipped with 6GB DDR3 (10666) RAM, Newegg had a GSkill 8GB (4GBx2) 10700 RAM for $29.99 around Thanksgiving. Really, I didn't need the kit, but at the price, why not? Has a lifetime warranty also.

Last week, I added a Crucial M4 SSD, which really made it fly.



But these 2 computers are worlds apart. My CPU hardly ever goes past 20%, except at startup, & my RAM usage tops at around 5.5GB. That's when running XP MCE through VirtualBox.

Cat

Just feel like adding my 2 cents...

1stly, fundamentally, I agree. You can not make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Adding heaps of RAM to a slow CPU can only have minimal effect, if, any. Not to mention ppl putting 4Gs or more on a 32-bit machine & wondering why they don't even see it all but, that's a whole nother issue. I have oft sped up clients' machines w/out changing or adding hardware... there are several factors that affect speed & good performance (levels). & finally there is a myth in the minds of many that say going from 512 to a Gig will make a noticeable difference... wrong. From 2G to 4g, then, maybe, a difference will show. But, the components must make sense together. Bit like putting a bigger engine in a car & not changing (beefing up) the rest of the drivetrain, as well, to go w/ it.

Cheers,
Drew

Well since my last post, I've upgraded my Sonar X1 program once again to the Producer Expanded level. I've also added Guitar Rig 5, a 64 bit guitar effects and amplifier simulation program, so I'm getting more and more into the 64 bit world. My little Dell 620 with the i3 cpu is designed to hold a maximum of 8 gigs of memory, which I have installed. All I can say is that the computer in general seems to be more than capable of running my programs at less that 10% of cpu usage. I'm not having any computer problems whatsoever. This computer is running like a dream for me. I don't feel the need for a larger computer at all.

For now, you're satisfied, but come a couple of years, you may be singing a different tune. Most of us are satisfied with a new computer purchase. And you shouldn't be having computer problems at this stage. Keep it nice & clean on the inside, for cooler operation, it should last a while.

But for all of the upgrading that you've done, had it been me, I'd have went with an i5 CPU. The "sweet spot" of Intel's CPU's.

Cat

I agree with catilley1092 on that. I would hav gone with the i5, also with a modle that could hold more than 8 GB of RAM. As time goes on, patches added, web sites surfed, documents writen, it all add clutter to the system. I would like to be able to run for a few extra months with 12 GB of RAM rather than have to suffer with the 8 giving me hell.

The 3.30 GHz cpu, 8 gig DDR3 memory, was a major upgrade from my old system and was priced within my budget. The i5 was an extra $100 which wasn't in my budget. The specs of the i3 were plenty enough for me and my programs. I'm not trying to compete with mission control at NASA. A nice affordable simple dependable computer is all I needed and what I got. Believe me, knowing my situation, I was lucky to get what I got...I am blessed with a nice computer that does what I need it to

In a few years if I need a better computer, I'll get one, but for now, this one is fine.

If $100 is going to break your budget for production equipment, you need to get a bigger budget. Small time buisnisses that do work for that run out of a basement or trailer house have wiggle room of over $5000.

NASA has some prety advanced hardware...though it probly wouldnt be able to play Doom 3. LoL They work alot on terminals and super main frames. The terminals are so out of date, doing 2+2 would require server time and that could take hours or days to get. LMAO That system you replaced in all reality cant do as much in one minute, but will do more tasks in one hour.

The goal in buying equipment is to make it last a long time to return the investment. So if you are buying a new computer every two or three years, that would not be a great return in investment. Though if you could get the time like to be like 3 years for minor terminals, 5 years for major terminals, 10 years for servers and networking equipment...that would be a great return.

But like I said before I'm just giveing you freindly advice from some one that has been dealing and playing with computers and technology for years and years.

It's always best to buy more computer than you currently need, as technology is moving forward at a very fast speed these days. Back when Windows 7 was released (less than 3 years ago) 4GB was considered the "sweet spot" for RAM selection. No longer does this hold water. That standard has doubled to 8GB being the "sweet spot", on a dual channel MB.

More than likely, by the time that Windows 9 is out, SSD's will be the norm, & mechanical drives will be for storage only. Why is that? The rapid dip in SSD prices, along with still high mechanical HDD prices (though they are slowly falling). And the sheer performance also. I never checked out my mechanical, 5400rpm with 8MB cache HDD on my MSI notebook, but after a recent SSD upgrade to a Crucial M4, the evidence shows why.



It would be even faster if I had a SATA 3 MB. Boots into a usable OS in less than 15 seconds, I can open my web browser before my AV updates. The other HDD, it was well over a minute.

This is exactly why when I buy another (after the release of Windows 9 in 2015), I'll buy a fully loaded one. Just like when I buy a car. Because in a year it's going to be considered to be "over the hill" anyway.

Cat

SSD's are already the norm for me. I have two already, remember ?? My old computer would only work with 1 gig of memory, so bumping up to 8 gigs is quite a jump for me. The old processor was a Core Two Duo 6750 which was 2.66 GHz, and now that's bumped up to 3.30 GHz. That's another nice jump. The new computer came with a new power supply, motherboard, 64 bit Windows OS, 500gig hard drive...I feel I got a nice little computer for the price. I then went ahead and upgraded my software which also cost a few hundreds of dollars...net total result is a smokin' hot little computer that can do many, many things related to music production. For my needs it's perfect and within my hoped for budget. Anything more would be overkill. I can't imagine what you guys do with your computers that requires 12 gigs of memory.....most people don't need that just to surf the web ...