External HD question, should I edit my project from this instead?

[cannondale1974]

Basic question I know but I'm using a very slow laptop. (specs below) I'm editing HD video and have an external 500 gig HD. My pc has only around 54 gig left on the HD. Both are 5400 rpm, would it be better to transfer all my raw video files to the external HD and work from that? (when I'm editing?)

I'm using PowerDirector 8 and as you can imagine working with this HD video is slow going with the computer I have. Any advice you have is appreciated!

Jason

Here are computer specs:

Sony PCG-7Z2L Laptop
Windows Vista Home Premium
2 gig ram
Intel Pentium Dual CPU T2310 1.46 GHZ
32 bit OS
104 gig HD, 5400 rpm (54 gig remaining)
500 gig external HD 5400 rpm (450 gig remaining)

[themaster1]

Theoretically i'd say the internal drive will be faster assuming it's a Sata drive and with a Sata bus (mine is a IDE/ Raid bus only) but as you're working with large files it will slow down your computer a lot imo so probably your external hd is the best solution here.

[cannondale1974]

Thanks for the quick response. I need to research a learn a lot more as I'm not familiar with a Sata drive/raid etc. My computer crashes quite a bit working with this HD video and I'm simply looking for ways to minimize this.