More RAM or more CPU

[saspgmr]

OK. Its time for a new machine and I want to optimize it for video. (Why else would I be posting on this forum? ) I understand that RAM and CPU can both limit video processing so I need to know where my money will be best spent if my budget is limited.

I want to get an AMD processor and I will be going to the Barton chips. The minimum Ill get is an XP2500 (333FSB) and 512 DDR RAM (2X256). The max will be XP3200(400FSB) with 1024 DDR RAM (2X512). That gives me CPU choices of XP2800(333FSB), XP3000(333FSB), and XP3000(400FSB), with RAM of either 512 or 1024.

So I know what my top and bottom are but I don't know what I gain/lose by any of the other combinations. Your help is appreciated.

[Gazorgan]

You will see no encoding speedup by going with 1024 MB over 512 MB of RAM. I doubt you will ever do anything that touches the 513-1024 MB level of your memory.

The 400 FSB will only give you speed increase over the existing 333 FSB systems if the bios is worth a shit. Sorry to say, but on Tomshardware the 333 FSB systems beat the 400 FSB systems because the bios and RAM was up to the job. Get a board that supporst 400 FSB, but you may get better speed setting the board and RAM to 333. Spend the extra money on 400 FSB RAM with CL 2 timing (over 1024 MB, it's about 2x the cost).

Confused? lololol check out www.tomshardware.com

[indolikaa]

CPU. Definitely CPU.

IT IS the Gazorgan way.

[K2]

I rarely need over 512M
CPU is the way to go 100%.

[SaSi]

Buy as much GHz as you can afford. Also as much FSB as reasonably possible. Gazorgan's point about FSB peformance is quite true. DON'T buy a m/b unless you study Tomshardware.com reviews.

Also, most 400FSB systems I've checked will not operate RAM at 400MHz if you put 3 memory dimms. Buy memory in a single DIMM (RIMM, whatever).

512MB is probably more than enough for ripping, encoding, editing, whatever. I use 1024 because I also do some real high resolution photo editing and it's messy with less RAM. But while doing video editing, the system usually has more than 600Mb free.

Also, buy multiple disks. Working with 3 disks can be twice as fast as working with a single one.

Split the disks into two equal partitions. The first one will again be almost twice as fast as the second (because HD writing is done from the outside to the inside and linear velocity and sectors/cylinder are more in the outer area). Particularly the first 20% of the disk is ultra-fast compared to the inner 20%.

Use the fast partitions for capturing or swap file storage. It really makes a difference.

Use the inner - slow partitions for storage of static material with small sizes.