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Elle-0-Elle
Elle-0-Elle
Participating Frequently
October 17, 2019
Question

New computer or upgrade old?

  • October 17, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 793 views

Hello all,

 

I am hoping to get some advice for my current computer dilemma. I mainly work in After Effects with projects ranging from a few seconds to several minutes, mainly character animation and motion graphics- just for some context.

 

I would like to update my system if possible instead of buying a new one, but am too much a computer building novice to know exactly what to do.

 

Current issues are incredibly slow previews, renders, and a fun bonus: windows 10 will encounter an error at the end of installation, preventing me to update and thus preventing CC to update 😕😕

 

My current computer was a hand-me-down gaming computer from a friend, Specs below:

 

 

CPU-intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU X5680 @3.33 GHz (2 processors)

RAM- 8 GB

GPU-NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660

MBD-Gigabyte m68mt-s2

OS-Windows 7

 

Is any of this salvageable? Im sure I could decrease render time with more RAM, but with the OS updating issue on top of its age would that be worth it? (Also let me know if I am missing any important specs)

 

Any advice is much appreciated!

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    5 replies

    Peru Bob
    Community Expert
    Peru BobCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 20, 2019

    I purchased a system from here:

    https://www.pugetsystems.com/solutions/content_creation/post.php

    Martin_Ritter
    Martin_Ritter
    Legend
    October 17, 2019

    If you are working with AE on a daily basis and - most importend - if you are payed for to do so in money, in followers, clicks or likes, better get a fresh up-to-date system.

     

    All Xeons are far away from ideal for AE, better get an i7 or i9. 8GB RAM is waaay to low. Better get 32 as minimum. GPU is very old, better get a GTX 1060 or above. SSD for OS, SSD for Cache, SSD or HDD for project (if a lot of footage, better get a HDD raid, if only grafic files, better go with a SSD). NVMe drives are hardly useful for AE, even cache is not read out that fast. But putting OS on such one should be a nice speed boost.

     

    *Martin

    Elle-0-Elle
    Elle-0-ElleAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 20, 2019

    Thanks Martin! Is there any online shop you would suggest buying from?

    Martin_Ritter
    Martin_Ritter
    Legend
    October 20, 2019

    I'm from Germany and mostly look at geizhals.de, but I think this is not helpful for you.

    Maybe you'll find something similar in your place.

     

    *Martin

    P.M.B
    P.M.B
    Legend
    October 17, 2019

    A clean OS install and a new hard drive are things you will need regardless and can re-use if you end up with a new system.  RAM, CPU, MB & GPU are all interpendent on each others specifications and rushing to upgrade these things might end up wasted if you DO get a new system.

     

    The SSD and Clean install of W10 might buy you some time but as Andrew said; the system is pretty old.  If I were you I would start researching for a new system including a new CPU (i would recommend an intel with higher core clock speeds as a priority over higher core counts).  Whether or not you can salvage your RAM depends on what CPU/MB you get.  You WILL need a new MB to upgrade to a modern CPU.

    ~Gutterfish
    Elle-0-Elle
    Elle-0-ElleAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 20, 2019

    Gotcha! Thanks for your imput! I have looked around some different websites to find a good AE system but there is so much information out there! any advice on where to look and where to buy?

    Andrew Yoole
    Andrew Yoole
    Inspiring
    October 17, 2019

    First, consider that your CPU is almost 10 year old tech, so presumably the overall system is in that ballpark age.  A senior citizen in computer terms, so don't expect miracles.

     

    Get more RAM.  16GB is better, 32GB is preferable.

    Get an SSD.  Drive speed is a big factor.

    Do a clean OS install, then install the Adobe Suite from scratch as well.

     

    However, before outlaying the money, why not try a clean install anyway?  Erase your hard drive, then install Win 10 directly, rather than as an upgarde.  Obviously be sure to back everything up.  (There is a possibility that your hardware won't run Win10 because of its age, so check that out first.)

      Elle-0-Elle
      Elle-0-ElleAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      October 20, 2019

      Oh wow! I didn't realize how old it was! Thank you! I will try a clean install but i suppose its probably that time to invest in a new computer anyways huh? 😕😕

      P.M.B
      P.M.B
      Legend
      October 17, 2019

      Do you have windows 10 or windows 7?  Your post claims both

      ~Gutterfish
      Elle-0-Elle
      Elle-0-ElleAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      October 17, 2019
      I have 7. Every time I try installing 10 there is an error and it reverts back to 7
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