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Minimum CPU for AVCHD?
I know this seems like a tired old question but I searched and didn’t come up with anything really useful for Vegas (lots for Premiere).
I’m running Vegas Pro 9 (considering upgrading to 10). Currently using a dual core 3GHz processor, Win7 Pro 64 bit, 4GB RAM, nVidia GT210 GPU.
Currently, editing a single video track containing 1080i AVCHD is OK and the preview plays back smoothly with about 80% CPU usage. Going to two video tracks with a third containing text items causes choppy preview with 100% CPU usage after a couple seconds. I have tried all sorts of configuration changes such as turning off the continuously updating video scopes, etc. and nothing reduces my CPU load by much. It plays for several seconds or more and then the CPU load hits 100% and it starts stuttering. Renders are perfect.
Based on the search results I read, more/faster CPU cores is the way to go (as opposed to more RAM, for example). If I double the number of cores from 2X 3GHZ to 4X 3GHz, does that seem like a reasonable way to get smooth preview with two video tracks and a text track?
I also see that Vegas Pro 10 can take advantage of my nVidia card’s GPU. Can I expect an improvement in preview smoothness or does that only apply to renders? I prolly should download the trial version and see……
TIA,
PaulPaul Goelz
Rochester Hills, MI USA
paul at pgoelz dot com -
8 Replies
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I prolly should download the trial version and see……
You answered your own question….lolSteve Rhoden
(Cow Leader)
Film Maker
Filmex Creative Media.
1-876-832-4956
https://filmex-creative-media.blogspot.com/ -
There’s really no “minimum” processor to use with Vegas. If your PC runs Windows, you can run Vegas. It depends on your definition of “run”. Anything less than a dual-core processor will seriously test your patience while the processor tries to keep up with your editing. AVCHD is highly compressed and you need the current state-of-the-art processor, like an Intel i7, to keep up with the real-time demands.
“I also see that Vegas Pro 10 can take advantage of my nVidia card’s GPU. Can I expect an improvement in preview smoothness or does that only apply to renders? I prolly should download the trial version and see……”
If you have a decent processor then you will likely see better performance with CPU only. the GPU will only help if you have an old, slow processor.
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com -
I’ll try downloading 10 this evening and see. I have a decent CPU but it is only a 3GHz dual core. The big question is whether Vegas 10 can take advantage of my GPU to assist preview playback. If so I can avoid upgrading my PC. I am satisfied with render speeds.
If I have to upgrade my CPU it will likely mean new CPU/MB/RAM since my current motherboard is a socket 775 board and there aren’t many 3GHz socket 775 quad cores out there that I can just drop in.
Paul
Paul Goelz
Rochester Hills, MI USA
paul at pgoelz dot com -
OK, downloaded Vegas Pro 10 and tried it on a typical “two video track with text items on a third track” project that Vegas 9 could not play smoothly. Vegas 10 plays it perfectly. There isn’t much margin…. it runs between 70% and 85% CPU utilization (which spikes to 100% when processing transitions). But it is definitely better than Vegas 9 so I’m sold. Now to see if I qualify for any upgrade discounts. For some reason I can’t log into my account and it asks questions I don’t think I supplied when I try a password reset. So I’ll have to call customer service…. but they are currently “closed for a company wide meeting”. Hope that isn’t a bad thing 😉
Paul
Paul Goelz
Rochester Hills, MI USA
paul at pgoelz dot com -
I use an Intel i7 970. It’s OK with 1 AVCHD track OR multiple HDV tracks, but preview gets choppy with multiple HDV AND AVCHD track combinations.
The second gen Intel i7 2600K has an onboard GPU which is claimed to really assist with previews.
My system specs: Intel i7 970, 12GB RAM, ASUS P6T, Vegas Pro 10e (x32/x64), Windows 7 x64 Ultimate, Vegas Production Assistant 1.0, VASST Ultimate S Pro 4.1, Neat Video Pro 2.6
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Interesting. My 3GHz dual core machine can play two AVCHD tracks (from a Canon HF100) with one video FX per track (color corrector) plus an additional video track for titles and credits. Preview is fine although as I said above, the CPU hits 100% at the transitions.
Rendering, on the other hand, is a disappointment. With GPU acceleration enabled, the CPU hovers around 50% and a Sony AVC render takes substantially longer than it did in Vegas 9. With GPU acceleration turned off, the CPU stays at 100%. Not sure if it is as fast as Vegas 9 but it is at least close. Note that I have a low end graphics card, the nVidia GT210. I’d consider upgrading it but I HATE noisy PCs and the 210 (this is the version with the fan) is about as noisy as I want.
So while upgrading Vegas cost a bunch, it was cheaper than upgrading my PC. To upgrade my PC (the MD doesn’t do quad core) would mean a new MB/CPU/RAM at a minimum.
Paul
Paul Goelz
Rochester Hills, MI USA
paul at pgoelz dot com -
When I have 2 tracks, it is with Vasst Ultimate S quadcam running. I have not tried using the stock standard multicam built in to Vegas as it does not suit my particular workflow style. Might have to do some experimentation.
My system specs: Intel i7 970, 12GB RAM, ASUS P6T, Vegas Pro 10e (x32/x64), Windows 7 x64 Ultimate, Vegas Production Assistant 1.0, VASST Ultimate S Pro 4.1, Neat Video Pro 2.6
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All that the CPU usage tells you is if the CPU is your bottleneck. In this case, it is.
…In My Opinion….
Trying to use GPU for some of the preview will be counterproductive for all but the slowest CPU’s. By the time Vegas renders the frames for delivery to the GPU, there’s little left for the GPU to do.
If it were as easy as some seem to think, Sony would have done it long ago simply for the marketing advantage.
…In My Opinion…No one with intimate knowledge of the Sony Vegas architecture has said anything to the contrary.
Steve Mann
MannMade Digital Video
http://www.mmdv.com
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