Should I add more memory

[mikey388]

I am running an Athlon xp1500 with 256MB ram for decoding reauthoring etc would adding more ram speed the process significantly.Also my 40 Gb harddrive which was ample now seems pitifully small what size would you recomend if i were to upgrade.

[Tommyknocker]

If your encoding speed is being slowed by not enough memory, adding the maximum amount of memory will take care of that. It always is a good idea, although a speed increase is not guaranteed. Next, make sure your secong hard drive is at least 80 GB, 120 GB is even better.

Keep both drives defragged, and if you can install an IDE card for the second drive to run from, it helps as well. Use the 40 GB for applications only, and the second drive for video only, if possible. There are other ideas as well, but these are the ones that come to mind. Hope this helps.

[lenti_75]

YES, go for 512, if you have the money, 1G is awsome, and 120GB hdd, and if you can affort, 160 or higher...you won't regret it.

[sacajaweeda]

I am running an Athlon xp1500 with 256MB ram for decoding reauthoring etc would adding more ram speed the process significantly.

No. Significant increase in speed means CPU upgrade.

Also my 40 Gb harddrive which was ample now seems pitifully small what size would you recomend if i were to upgrade.

You can never have enough HD space when you're doing this stuff. I'd keep the 40 GB drive and run your OS from it and add at least an 80 GB drive to use for capturing & editing/encoding/compiling. Use the extra space on the smaller drive to store stuff untill you can burn it to disc, and try to keep the big drive empty.

[mikey388]

Thank you all