Hmm. Dual Core help with Video Editing?

Hey guys,

I was having a rough time trying to edit HD video because of my lack of system performance. I had on-board graphics ( nVidia GeForce 6150se ), and a small PSU that ran it ) 250w).

Today I installed a 500w PSU ( Cool Master Extreme ) and a graphics card ( Galaxy GT 430, 1gb DDR3, ) Well, I still can't edit HD video, but now I can watch Youtube videos in 1080p. I could only watch 720p before.

I did a lot of research and I can run a AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ 2.9 GHz Processor. That's that fastest I can go before I reach my motherboards max wattage.

Would a Dual Core Processor help with this video editing? Performance in general. I have a single core 2.7ghz in there now ( stock ).

I attached a picture of my WEI. Graphics were at 3.0 before. Now my CPU has the lowest score.

I can only speak of Nero video editing software but, for the latest version, a dual core processor of 2 ghz or higher is part of the system requirement. it also specifies at least 1 Gb of RAM for Vista or Win 7. If you're using the Aero, I would suggest using more RAM. You also need lots of free hard drive space for working with HD because of the large amount of temporary files generated during encoding.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply.

I have Pinnacle Studio HD Ultimate. This is what's recommended.

Intel® Pentium® or AMD Athlon™ 1.8 GHz (2.4 GHz or higher recommended)
- Intel Core™ 2 Duo 2.4 GHz required for AVCHD*
- Intel Core™ 2 Quad 2.66 GHz or Intel Core i7 required for
AVCHD* 1920

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I have 68gb of free space.

Again, is a dual core processor a big improvement in the world of multitasking and video editing over a single core?

That's what the experts seem to think and from my experience in the Nero forum, they're correct. Since AVCHD is high definition, the specs for working with AVCHD in Pinnacle bear that out.

You seem to have enough free hard drive space and Vista automatically defrags it so that shouldn't be an issue. However, it is really beneficial to run the Windows Disk Cleanup utility from Accessories and rebooting frequently to clean out those temporary files and empty the recycle bin.

Even if your system meets the minimum requirements, cpu and gpu overheating may occur due to the intense work they must do to encode video.

I am very OCD. Every day I do a Disk clean up, scan registry, update anti virus and do a scan. I defragment every 30 days. Computer gets shut down every night.

So don't worry about that.

From what I've read, sounds like a dual core is the way to go, especially for multitasking, where it can take different tasks and do each one on a different core, instead of piling everything on one core, which makes it run slow.......

Based on the Nero and Pinnacle system requirements, its a must. You could possibly do video editing with a single core but it would be so slow you're computer would be tied up for days.

I think that a dual core could help. Also make sure that you have plenty of memory (at least 2 gb). I wouldn't run registry fixers, optimizers, etc because they frequently cause more harm than good. Why fix it if it isn't broke?

townsbg said:

I think that a dual core could help. Also make sure that you have plenty of memory (at least 2 gb). I wouldn't run registry fixers, optimizers, etc because they frequently cause more harm than good. Why fix it if it isn't broke?

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I have 3gb. Max for 32bit vista.

Been doing the same cleaning tasks for years, computer is running top notch. Thanks though!

If you choose to get a new cpu, let us know if you can edit HD.

I noticed in your original post that you said the the best CPU you can use is based on the motherboard maximum wattage. I would have never thought of that but will keep it in my memory bank in case I ever decide to update this quad core. Everybody always talks about the PSU.

wither 3 said:

If you choose to get a new cpu, let us know if you can edit HD.

I noticed in your original post that you said the the best CPU you can use is based on the motherboard maximum wattage. I would have never thought of that but will keep it in my memory bank in case I ever decide to update this quad core. Everybody always talks about the PSU.

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I will.

Yeah, CPU's are rated on wattage. My maximum wattage is 89w. For a quad core you need atleast 95w, and most go to 125w needed.

I'm not talking about a PSU, i'm talking about the maximum wattage the motherboard can produce.

If all goes right, this is what I'm getting. AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ 2.9 GHz Processor

After doing research, apparently what I have now is the fastest single core out there........AMD Athlon le-1640. Came stock.

Screw a cpu upgrade.. Its not worth the money.

For between $130 to $180 yo can get a new board and cpu heads and shoulders over your current setup.
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

Is a great inbetween kick'n setup.

Patonb said:

Screw a cpu upgrade.. Its not worth the money.

For between $130 to $180 yo can get a new board and cpu heads and shoulders over your current setup.
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

Is a great inbetween kick'n setup.

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Screw it huh? That's not what the other million people say on the internet. And if it's for as little as $40 for a dual core, sounds like a deal!

I Deleted.

ProjectDan35 said:

Screw it huh? That's not what the other million people say on the internet. And if it's for as little as $40 for a dual core, sounds like a deal!

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Where are you getting it for 40 bucks?

Plus the potential gain vs cost isnt going to be great.

If you can find a 40 cpu, sure, It'll be used, which isnt usualy a problem, but putting money into a system for a small return isn't smart.

I may have just found a slight hole in my option... you probably have DDR2 ram.

Edit.

The other thing you need to ensure is the bios from your emachines can actually support the cpu. A retail board and an OEM Board are not the same, despite being the same model.

More edits... Someone says they did a 5600 swap, so it may be possible.

Patonb said:

ProjectDan35 said:

Screw it huh? That's not what the other million people say on the internet. And if it's for as little as $40 for a dual core, sounds like a deal!

Click to expand...

Where are you getting it for 40 bucks?

Plus the potential gain vs cost isnt going to be great.

If you can find a 40 cpu, sure, It'll be used, which isnt usualy a problem, but putting money into a system for a small return isn't smart.

I may have just found a slight hole in my option... you probably have DDR2 ram.

Edit.

The other thing you need to ensure is the bios from your emachines can actually support the cpu. A retail board and an OEM Board are not the same, despite being the same model.

More edits... Someone says they did a 5600 swap, so it may be possible.

Click to expand...

I found one for $25. The return is that small?. Really????? What do I do? I have to get a whole new motherboard to make it right? Yes, I have ddr2 RAM.

At that price its fine. Youre willing to go used, so you can get a decent savings... Just watch who you get it from.

The cpus arent too different, again 25 bucks negates a small or big performance change, as you will get more than 25 bucks worth...

Patonb said:

At that price its fine. Youre willing to go used, so you can get a decent savings... Just watch who you get it from.

The cpus arent too different, again 25 bucks negates a small or big price...

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Well I found a dual core 3ghz cpu. That will certaintly be better then what I have. Will also pick up a big cooler also for it. Probably this. AMD Fan & Copper Base Pipes Athlon Phenom I II X2 X4 X6 Dual Quad

I noticed a big difference when I upgraded to a dual core. Since the socket was discontinued after I built my system the prices dropped since newegg was trying to get rid of them . What would have been $300+ when i built my system was I believe $60 when I upgraded.

OK. Last night I ordered a AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3 GHz AM2 Dual Core ADA6000IAA6CZ 89W CPU Processor.

And for cooling I got AMD Fan & Copper Base Pipes Athlon Phenom I II X2 X4 X6 Dual Quad.

Will report back with specs and what happens!

Good luck. Be careful putting it in and don't use too much thermal compound.

ProjectDan35 said:

I have 3gb. Max for 32bit vista.

Been doing the same cleaning tasks for years, computer is running top notch. Thanks though!

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FYI mathematically 2^32 = 4 gb however Widows 32-bit sometimes has trouble with that much. One consideration is how much your motherboard can handle however 3 gb is more than enough IMO.