Upgrading RAM at DVinfo.net

Kevin Gilvear · October 14th, 2004, 02:06 PM

Hey,

I have a sony viao PCG-FR315B laptop and I'm thinking of upgrading it because I'll need to when I get some editing software and have to store my movie files.

I'm looking at getting an extra 80-100GB or so external hard drive and also upgrading to 512mb Ram.

Currently I have 256MB RAM and this looks liek the most difficult thing to upgrade. Is it really a neccesity? Will the pc perform well enough on the RAM it has or will I definetly need more? Obviously I don't want slow down or anything but I am assuming that might be the case here if I leave it as it is?

Thanks

Imran Zaidi · October 14th, 2004, 02:11 PM

You 'can' run on 256, but you 'should' have 512. Obviously drive space is more critical, so if it's between the two, go for the drive space first.

Kevin Gilvear · October 14th, 2004, 02:15 PM

ok cheers. I'll try that first. I just hope when I'm editing a film it doesn't go mental on me.

Glenn Chan · October 14th, 2004, 03:31 PM

Which NLE?

With Vegas, 256MB is fine.
With Premiere Pro, probably not. Check with Premiere forums on that, although I believe Premiere is a resource guzzler.

Kevin Gilvear · October 14th, 2004, 03:45 PM

NLE?

OK well i'll go with vegas then and see how that goes nearer the time.
Thanks

Glenn Chan · October 14th, 2004, 06:50 PM

NLE = lazy way of saying editing software.

Rob Lohman · October 18th, 2004, 07:23 AM

Non Linear Editor

Keep in mind that laptops have different (sized) components than
normal PC's. So make sure whatever you buy can be put in your
laptop. Normally you would let a computer shop or your laptop
manufacturer take care of things like that.

Especially memory can be a very tricky thing if you are going with
a different brand. Be very carefull with that!

Kevin Gilvear · October 18th, 2004, 10:45 AM

I've managed to find a chip that can be easily fit underneath the laptop and I've spoken to sony help centre. I've found a decent external hard drive too, so I just have to get the money together and buy those.

Thanks for the help.

Bill Ravens · October 18th, 2004, 11:12 AM

FWIW....

I've found that anything less than 1 Gig RAM is a problem. Obviously, it depends on the type of source images.

Kevin Gilvear · October 18th, 2004, 11:19 AM

Well with what I'll be getting (512) it will up the overall to over 700. Will this be enough to run, say Sony Vegas and a few effects programmes if need be? It'll only be used for converting and editing.

Bill Ravens · October 18th, 2004, 11:41 AM

oughta be just fine. it's simply a performance issue.

Kevin Gilvear · October 18th, 2004, 11:45 AM

Cool thanks

Yi Fong Yu · October 19th, 2004, 11:05 PM

windows XP any flavor runs OK on 512 but will choke on 256mb. yesh even if you're typing papers and saving them, browsing internet, etc.. for editing i highly recommend 1GB to cover the overheads.

Imran Zaidi · October 20th, 2004, 07:05 AM

Oh you don't HAVE to have 1Gb. I'm finally upgrading to a system that has 1Gb but I've been running very well with no problems, slowdowns or crashes on a 512Mb system. You can keep an eye on the Task Manager for that sort of stuff. 1Gb is nice, definitely, but if you're on a budget there's no reason to sweat profusely over it.

Yi Fong Yu · October 20th, 2004, 07:24 AM

you don't HAVE to have 1GB just like you don't HAVE to have 512mb but if you look at the task manager when you have 1gb windows sure is taking up a lot of space. i think WXPP really needs to go on a diet. it's TOO FAT!

512mb makes windows XP bearable... but 1gb makes windows XP comfortable.

October 14th, 2004, 02:06 PM	#1
Kevin Gilvear Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Posts: 126	Upgrading RAM Hey, I have a sony viao PCG-FR315B laptop and I'm thinking of upgrading it because I'll need to when I get some editing software and have to store my movie files. I'm looking at getting an extra 80-100GB or so external hard drive and also upgrading to 512mb Ram. Currently I have 256MB RAM and this looks liek the most difficult thing to upgrade. Is it really a neccesity? Will the pc perform well enough on the RAM it has or will I definetly need more? Obviously I don't want slow down or anything but I am assuming that might be the case here if I leave it as it is? Thanks

October 18th, 2004, 07:23 AM	#7
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Non Linear Editor Keep in mind that laptops have different (sized) components than normal PC's. So make sure whatever you buy can be put in your laptop. Normally you would let a computer shop or your laptop manufacturer take care of things like that. Especially memory can be a very tricky thing if you are going with a different brand. Be very carefull with that! __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 19th, 2004, 11:05 PM	#13
Yi Fong Yu Trustee Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vulcan Posts: 1,564	windows XP any flavor runs OK on 512 but will choke on 256mb. yesh even if you're typing papers and saving them, browsing internet, etc.. for editing i highly recommend 1GB to cover the overheads. __________________ bow wow wow

October 20th, 2004, 07:24 AM	#15
Yi Fong Yu Trustee Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vulcan Posts: 1,564	you don't HAVE to have 1GB just like you don't HAVE to have 512mb but if you look at the task manager when you have 1gb windows sure is taking up a lot of space. i think WXPP really needs to go on a diet. it's TOO FAT! 512mb makes windows XP bearable... but 1gb makes windows XP comfortable. __________________ bow wow wow

October 14th, 2004, 02:11 PM	#2
Imran Zaidi Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,315	You 'can' run on 256, but you 'should' have 512. Obviously drive space is more critical, so if it's between the two, go for the drive space first.

October 14th, 2004, 02:15 PM	#3
Kevin Gilvear Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Posts: 126	ok cheers. I'll try that first. I just hope when I'm editing a film it doesn't go mental on me.

October 14th, 2004, 03:31 PM	#4
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Which NLE? With Vegas, 256MB is fine. With Premiere Pro, probably not. Check with Premiere forums on that, although I believe Premiere is a resource guzzler.

October 14th, 2004, 03:45 PM	#5
Kevin Gilvear Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Posts: 126	NLE? OK well i'll go with vegas then and see how that goes nearer the time. Thanks

October 14th, 2004, 06:50 PM	#6
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	NLE = lazy way of saying editing software.

October 18th, 2004, 10:45 AM	#8
Kevin Gilvear Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Posts: 126	I've managed to find a chip that can be easily fit underneath the laptop and I've spoken to sony help centre. I've found a decent external hard drive too, so I just have to get the money together and buy those. Thanks for the help.

October 18th, 2004, 11:12 AM	#9
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	FWIW.... I've found that anything less than 1 Gig RAM is a problem. Obviously, it depends on the type of source images.

October 18th, 2004, 11:19 AM	#10
Kevin Gilvear Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Posts: 126	Well with what I'll be getting (512) it will up the overall to over 700. Will this be enough to run, say Sony Vegas and a few effects programmes if need be? It'll only be used for converting and editing.

October 18th, 2004, 11:41 AM	#11
Bill Ravens Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: santa fe, nm Posts: 3,264 Images: 10	oughta be just fine. it's simply a performance issue.

October 18th, 2004, 11:45 AM	#12
Kevin Gilvear Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Posts: 126	Cool thanks

October 20th, 2004, 07:05 AM	#14
Imran Zaidi Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,315	Oh you don't HAVE to have 1Gb. I'm finally upgrading to a system that has 1Gb but I've been running very well with no problems, slowdowns or crashes on a 512Mb system. You can keep an eye on the Task Manager for that sort of stuff. 1Gb is nice, definitely, but if you're on a budget there's no reason to sweat profusely over it.