PC Performance

[suffolkscrapper]

I have recently started trying to do digi LO's and have downloaded a few freebie kits to try my hand. However I have had huge problems with pc freezing and so decided to increase my RAM. THis has improved the problem a little but after a few steps in producing a LO my PC is slowing to a snails pace. Im wondering if I need to upgrade my Graphics card as this only has 64mb of RAM. I have 384 mb RAM now. Im using a trial version of Corel Paint Shop Pro X

[Jules1960]

Everybody who is anybody in digi scrapping will tell you "industry standard is 300 dpi".

I have a top spec computer and can't be bothered with the time it takes to render at 300 dpi. I always have and always will use 200 dpi, prints just fine for me and haven't had anyone say my pages look awful.

Try one at both 300 and 200dpi, print, compare and decide for yourself if the quality is good enough for you.

Other tips would be if you don't plan on printing at 12 x 12 don't make your page that size. If you are going to print at home, say 8 x 8, create your page at this size and it will use much less memory and be quicker. You can size down no problem but sizing up from 8 x 8 to 12 x 12 will cause you to lose quality.

PSP have a feature called "scripts". Once I have downloaded my kits, I sent them to a file called Files to Burn in My documents. Once I have enough I burn these to disc and remove them from the computer, this ensures that I will always have the kit in its original form.

Next I have made a script which is called 300 dpi - 200 dpi. Each time I use a paper that is new I run this script - it resizes it to 200 dpi and saves it which fits perfectly into my 12 x 12 page, this saves on resizing within the page. Once you have decided which size you want to use, then create a script (its easy - follow instructions in help) to resize your papers etc. You may even find that if you create at 8 x 8 and 300 dpi it will speed up a bit for you.

My other computer (3 years old) had only 256 and I upgraded it to 512 when I was running V8.1 but I didn't find a noticeable difference. V9 is my current version and runs like a dream. I didn't bother to upgrade to X after the trial expired.

My virtual memory is set at 1024 MB - can't remember exactly how I worked this out-got it online somewhere-but it is working for me.

Hope this helps,
Jules

p.s. there is a thread on Scrapbook-bytes about the hitches and glitches in PSP X. Downloading the recent patches has caused a few problems and it might be better waiting till these are ironed out before buying this version!

[suffolkscrapper]

Thanks Jules for a very detailed reply = thats really helpfull and makes a lot of sense! I havent got time to actually put in action what you have said but later this evening I will put into practice what you have suggested - ill let you know.

Re the virtual memory - my win help file says that it should be set at 1.5x ram but i have set it at the maximum that the settings will allow.

Im really hoping that what you suggest works cos a new graphics card that has been suggested to me is £100! I definately need some more RAM though lol!

[smurfie]

the first thing you should do before starting up memory hungry programs like psp and co is to close down any unnecessary background applications... go alt/ctrl/del.. then processes now click on Username.. it will list all processes in order of user... just close down all applications with your username in front except anything beginning Syn, rundll32 and explorer. Leave local services and network alone though...
Now you start up your graphics package and play to your heart's content...

HTh nicky

[suffolkscrapper]

Thanks smurfie - i will do that now and see what happens :D