Would a better graphics card help my Pro Tools performance issues?

[Georgerob]

I'm on a bit of a tight budget, and have just upgraded my CPU to a Quad Core 2.4ghz Intel chip. I've got 2gig DDR2 ram, but still the system barely seems any faster than my old Dual Core 1.8ghz chip. When running a (relatively) large session, Pro Tools chugs big time, and I often have to switch the buffer to 512 or 1024 when mixing, but also the screen updates very slowly and jerkily.. which lead me to think, is my CPU being bogged down in displaying graphics too much to be able to run PT8 fast enough? I've set the windows 7 display settings to basic, and that improves things a bit.. which would seem to back up my theory. The gfx chip I currently have is a basic intel chipset on my cheapo motherboard. I think it only has 8mb..

So I've seen some GFX cards, such as this one which are dirt cheap.. so would this make a big difference to Pro Tools?

My Sandra report is below:


SiSoftware Sandra

Computer
Model : System manufacturer System Product Name
Workgroup : WORKGROUP
Host Name : GeorgePC
User : George

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
Speed : 2.4GHz
Cores per Processor : 4 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Quad-Core
Integrated Data Cache : 4x 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 2x 4MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 16-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing

Computer
Mainboard : Asus P5KPL-AM IN/GB
BIOS : AMI 0401 04/23/2009
Bus(es) : ISA X-Bus PCI IMB USB i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
Total Memory : 2GB DIMM DDR2

Chipset
Model : ASUS P35/G33/G31 Processor to I/O Controller
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 266MHz (1GHz)
Total Memory : 2GB DIMM DDR2
Shared Memory : 8MB
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 399MHz (798MHz)

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : 256X64M-80F 2GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-6-6-18 3-24-6-3)

Video System
Video Adapter : Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM 1.0) (8 SP, Integrated Graphics)

Storage Devices
Hitachi HDS721616PLAT80 (160GB, ATA133, 3.5", 7200rpm, 7MB Cache) : 149GB
WDC WD5000AAKS-00UU3A0 (500.1GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 16MB Cache) : 466GB (D:)
LITE-ON LTR-48125S (ATA33, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (E:)

Logical Storage Devices
Work (D:) : 466GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD5000AAKS-00UU3A0 (500.1GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 16MB Cache)
Hard Disk (C:) : 149GB (NTFS)
Optical Drive (E:) : N/A @ LITE-ON LTR-48125S (ATA33, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : ASUS 82801GB/GR (ICH7) LPC Interface Controller
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : ITE IT8720F
Audio Device : ASUS 82801G (ICH7) High Definition Audio
Audio Codec : VIA 4397h
Serial Port(s) : 1
Disk Controller : ASUS 82801G (ICH7) Ultra ATA Storage Controller
Disk Controller : ASUS 82801GB/GR/GH (ICH7) Serial ATA Storage Controller
USB Controller 1 : ASUS 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 2 : ASUS 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 3 : ASUS 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 4 : ASUS 82801G (ICH7) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 5 : ASUS 82801G (ICH7) USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer (600x600, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)

Network Services
Wireless Adapter 1 : Belkin High-Speed Mode Wireless G USB Network Adapter (802.11g (ERP), TKIP, 18Mbps)

Power Management
Mains (AC) Line Status : On-Line

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 6.01.7600
Platform Compliance : x86

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 3.3

Performance Tips
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

[Benoni]

Well integrated graphics are not supported, so yes, you need a dedicated video card.

Also it would help if you upgraded to 4GB of ram.

and are you recording to a 2nd hard drive, NOT to the OS drive?

Have you done the opts. ?

Windows 7 Optimizations


Avid Windows 7 Optimizations Video Playlist - YouTube

[Georgerob]

Hi,

Thanks for such a quick reply.

I am recording to the 2nd HD, called "Work", yes.

I haven't done the win7 optimisations, so I will do, thanks.

I'll get the video card then!

thanks

[albee1952]

Yes, Benoni is on the money. You will need to go into BIOS and disable the integrated graphics(tell the computer to look at the PCIe slot for graphics). That graphics card you linked to should work fine. When you double up the RAM, you need to get the exact same RAM chip that you have(mis-matched RAM can really slow things down). A few tweaks you need to do: disable the wifi when running Pro Tools. Go into Device Manager?Hardware and open up the USB devices. Double-click on any "USB Root Hub", select the Power management tab and UN-check the box. Then do all the tweaks from the link Benoni posted,

[Benoni]

Thanks for expanding on that Albee, i did forget to mention to make sure you get matched ram.

I would personally, take out the 2GB you have, and then consult the QVL for your motherboard, and buy a 4GB set or 2 - 2GB sets that are identical. Just consult the QVL or go to Crucial.com and let them analyse your system so you know how much your Mobo can use, how much it can use in each slot, and what speed is supported.

If i selected the correct motherboard, you have 2 Ram slots. each can hold up to 2GB per slot. So 4GB total. DDR2 PC2-8500 4GB kit (2X2GB) is recommended.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...model=P5KPL-AM

I dont buy from Crucial (any more) i buy from Newegg.com as I prefer OCZ Ram, I just use Crucials analyzer. Consult your QVL for the Ram that has been approved.

You can always hang on to the old ram as a backup, or sell them for $30 or so on eBay, or put them in another PC you may have laying around.

I agree that the Video Card you linked should work. Be sure to upgrade to the latest driver on www.geforce.com Nvidia will scan your PC for you and list the correct driver. I wouldnt even bother with the drivers on the disc that come with the video card.


Im suprised you even got this PC to run PT. I have a G31 chipset and a G33 chipset PCs that refused to run PT, so good goin.

definitely start with the Video card, and if you feel you need more power, upgrade the ram.

[Georgerob]

Thanks for the help guys.

Got it going much better with all the suggestions. Just one thing though - the disabling the integrated graphics - you mean do this *after* installing the new PCI video card right? Just checking in case disabling it means something other than switching it off totally!

I'm gonna get the new video card next week.. then another 2gig of the same DDR memory module. I can get it from the same place I got the first one so it should be identical.

thanks for the help. much appreciated.

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by Georgerob

Thanks for the help guys.

Got it going much better with all the suggestions. Just one thing though - the disabling the integrated graphics - you mean do this *after* installing the new PCI video card right? Just checking in case disabling it means something other than switching it off totally!

I'm gonna get the new video card next week.. then another 2gig of the same DDR memory module. I can get it from the same place I got the first one so it should be identical.

thanks for the help. much appreciated.

I would defer to the manual that comes with the new card. Generally, you open Windows and go to Device Manager>Hardware and uninstall the VGA driver/device and shut down., but that's not a hard and fast rule.

[Benoni]

Well some/most PC automatically turn off Integrated Graphics when a card is installed. Just go into BIOS and make sure

[Georgerob]

Ok, cheers guys. I'll see what happens and come back to you if I need more help.

thanks

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by Benoni

Well some/most PC automatically turn off Integrated Graphics when a card is installed. Just go into BIOS and make sure

Exactly. But double check BIOS to make sure this its turned off if thats an option.