Camera Labs

Hi guys. and Gordon!

I can't play 720P / 1080P or use large raw files on my computer.

I always end up with quad core computer and 2,000$ setup, which I can't afford.

Here's the spec of my current computer:

AMD Athlon 2800+ 2 GHZ
1 Gig RAM DDR
250gb HDD
Ati Radeon 9800 Pro 128mb

Thanks !

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Canon Rebel Xti (400D), EF-S 18-55, 50mm f/1.8, Sandisk Extreme III 2gb.
Http://cr4zyh3ad.sisimple.ca

....................................whats the topic then?

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Ed


Canon 40D + Grip | Sigma 10-20 EX | 17-85 | Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 EX II | 50 F/1.8 | 430 EX II + Other Stuff
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I think podgeorge probably meant what is your problem, or how can we help?

Don't know much about HD video on a PC, but just how large are these raw files your current PC can't handle? How many megapixels is the camera they came from?

My PC has an Athlon XP 1800+ CPU (1.6GHz), 1GB DDR RAM & Radeon 7000 graphics 64MB

My camera is a 10MP model which produces raw images measuring 3648 x 2736 pixels. File size is 10MB approx (varies according to image content).

My PC can open these files no problem, despite having less video memory than yours, less powerful CPU, same amount of RAM.

Your raw images must be massive if your PC can't open them???
Or you have a sick PC.

Quad cores are so overrated. Most people would be better off with a fast single or dual core than a slow quad core.

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Things have moved on a lot since multi-core first came out. Many functions of photo and video related software are multi-threaded now and can make use of more cores. So I'd definitely pick a low end quad over a similarly priced dual any day. But that focuses on performance value not minimal cost.

The original poster's PC is rather ancient now. I can't see why it wouldn't do RAW (if slowly), but certainly real time software decode of HD video is going to be a bit much.

Do shop around if you're after an upgrade. There are lots of entry level dual core boxes for VERY cheap. Upgrade the ram to 2GB if it comes with less and it should be a fine upgrade without breaking the bank. Edit: Having had a quick look at local prices, for the equivalent of US$350 you can pick up a dual core box with 2GB ram.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

If you're doing video encoding a quad would be better, yes. But for normal photography a dual core is good enough. You can build a "high" end gaming machine for $800 and below nowadays.

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Using lightroom quad cores help - ALOT.

Quad core downstairs at Q6600 2.4ghz beats my E6600 @ 3.2Ghz easy.

It also has double the L2 Cache at 8Mb over 4Mb.



If your looking for heavy lifting on the cheap.

Q6600 G0 Stepping
Good Asus Mobo (any £90+ ones should be hot to trot)
4GB (2x2GB) DDR 2- 800 CL4 or DDR 1600 if you can splash on it.
GeForce 9800GTX (well really anything from a 8800GT upwards should be more than enough)
Some decent hard drives, theres not much in it really.

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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

I don't know what Lightroom does, but if you've used RawTherapee that piece of software is amazing. The HPHD demosaic algorithm is SMP aware and it scales to use all cores on your machine. Think of how fast your RAW conversions would be .

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PhilipGoh.com

Great setup, very similar to mine. If you build it yourself you should not have to spend more than 600 bucks, less if you use your old case, DVD drive, power supply etc.

The q6600 is a great quadcore processor, but make sure you get the G0 stepping (codename: SLACR). It runs less hot, uses less electricity, and provides great potential for overclocking.

Mine runs at 3 GHZ with the default cooler. That's quite a performance increase, for free!

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I take pictures so quickly, my highschool was "Continuous High".

I'd take the Radeon 4850, really no reason to go with the 9/8xxx series of Nvidias but I know why you suggested it.

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Graham
Flickr

take up a second hobby and build yourself a new computer for loads cheaper than buying it.
http://www.newegg.com

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Nikon D5000
Sigma 18-200mm
Sigma 50mm 12.8 macro