How to make an M3800 operate faster?

I've got a Dell Precision M3800 laptop that I primarily use Lightroom for photo organization and editing. It runs more slowly than I would like, and I'm contemplating upgrading it.
I've currently got
one 8GB RAM
500GB storage, with an external 5T Seagate hard drive
i7-4702HQ CPU @2.20 GHz
64 bit processor

I've read a little bit about adding a second stick of 8GB RAM, or getting a SSD drive which only has 6GB.
Which would be better? Could I do both? Anything else I should consider?

Thanks

 

Those are separate upgrades, and you can do both. More memory is helpful if you typically use 75% or more of your existing RAM on a regular basis.

And getting an SSD with a large enough capacity to replace your existing hard drive (500GB or higher capacity) would allow you to load and save data much faster, which typically makes a system feel faster in day-to-day operations.

 

Yeah, do both.

The RAM upgrade is the first thing you should do though. LR loves a ton of RAM.

Too bad your notebook can't take more than 16GB though...

The SSD will make the LR database much faster too. This isn't a one or the other (upgrade). Both are needed if you want to see maximum performance for your workflows.

Buy the fastest, highest quality RAM you can install (buy two sticks and after testing the new modules, sell the old one if you want...) and buy at least a 1TB or larger SSD and OP it by 33% or more (if you won't use all the capacity...).

I would also recommend a clean install of Win10x64Pro on the SSD and using PerfectDisk Professional to defrag not only the SSD, but the external HDD too from time to time.


I don't understand the comment about an SSD with 6GB capacity?

Buy matched (kit) RAM modules and do a clean install of Win10x64Pro on an OP'd SSD 1TB or bigger and use PD14 Pro occasionally on all your drives.

LR will thank you for it.

Good luck.

 

Thank you both for your replies.

A couple more questions:
I use my 5T hard drive to store all of my photos. If I buy a 1T drive, are you suggesting pulling some of those pictures back onto the internal drive? I keep my current internal drive at least 2/3 empty.

The SSD with 6GB comment- Dell offered to sell my this - Samsung 750 EVO MZ-750500 - solid state drive - 500 GB - SATA 6Gb/s for $149.99. I was reading the SATA 6GB/s. Obviously, I don't know what it means, but to me I thought I was trading my current 8GB of RAM (which could be upgraded to 16) for this SSD with 6GB. I'm sure I'm wrong, but I don't understand how. Please tell me.

Thanks all!

 

You can leave your photos on your external if you want. Putting the photos on an SSD would speed up their access time, but you'll generally notice the biggest difference between programs that run on a hard drive vs on an SSD. Basically, files, photos, music, video, etc can be accessed up to 5 times faster on an SSD vs a hard drive. But running Windows and programs can be up to 40 times faster on an SSD compared to a hard drive. So Tiller & I were recommending running Windows and your programs from an SSD. As a general rule, higher-capacity SSDs are faster, so Tiller was recommending you get a higher-capacity SSD

An SSD would fit in the same place your 500GB hard drive is inside your computer. You have to take out your current hard drive to put in an SSD. Memory fits in a different spot in your computer. Many systems come with more slots than memory modules, which allows you to put another memory module in the empty slot later to add more memory to the system. So if you currently have one 8GB memory module in your system, you can buy another 8GB module and put it in the empty slot. Tiller is recommending getting rid of your current RAM and buying a matched set of 2 8GB memory modules, one for each slot, to make 16GB total. Buying a matched set enhances compatability in some cases, although I don't usually see a need for it.

When they say the SSD is 6 Gigabits per second, the 6 Gbps is the type of interface between the SSD and the processor. The interface (also known as SATA version 3) supports a maximum transfer speed of 6 gigabits per second. The SSD you buy will not go quite that fast. It will probably have a maximum transfer speed of roughly 500 megabytes per second, and its speed will vary depending on what kind of data you're accessing.

You can go a lot more in-depth with this if you want, and pick and choose between different SSDs (Samsung 850 EVO & Crucial MX300 are good for most people, Samsung 850 Pro & Sandisk Extreme Pro are the best for heavy workloads), but that's a basic overview.

 

Continue to use your 5TB HDD to store your photos too. Just make sure the LR catalogue is created and stored on the internal drive (SSD).

OP your SSD by 33% or more (if you don't need/use the capacity).

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...d-pm961-nvme-ssds.789771/page-2#post-10394274

Keeping it empty (even 2/3's of it...) is not the same thing as OP'ing it.

For LR to get a performance/productivity increase, it needs both (max) RAM and fast storage (SSD) - especially for it's database - that is why you should create the LR catalogue on the fastest storage device you have - and never an external drive.


Yeah; you got mixed up with the terms, but don't get the Sammy 750 EVO budget, budget drive...

If your LR workflow is for your personal (i.e. 'light') use, a 1TB or 2TB 850 EVO would be a good choice.

If your LR workflow is for work related productivity (i.e. 'heavy') use, then a 960GB SanDisk Extreme Pro (if you can find one) or a 1 or 2 TB Samsung 850 Pro is a better choice.


Workflow overview for installing upgraded components:

• Back up your data to two or more places off your current HDD (copy, don't 'move').
• Remove the AC power from the computer and remove/disconnect the battery.
• Remove the old RAM modules and install a matched set of SoDimms (kit) to bring your system to 16GB RAM.
• Power up the computer and test the new RAM for 12 to 24 hours to ensure it's stability.
• Remove the AC power from the computer and remove/disconnect the battery.
• Remove the HDD and replace with the SSD.
• Power up your computer and do a clean install of Windows 10x64 Pro.
• Install all drivers necessary for your notebook's hardware
  • chipset drivers, video, sound, network, mouse and any other drivers needed.
• Install your programs and configure to your liking.
• Install your data and you're ready to go.
• Enjoy!

Good luck.

 

The fog is starting to clear!
Thanks for helping me understand this.

I am a "personal", not "work" user. Due to the volume of data I have, I will continue to store my pictures on the external drive, but will take your recommendations to make both of these upgrades.

A quick Google search showed me this: Samsung 850 PRO 1 TB Internal SSD - 2.5" - MZ-7KE1T0BW - SATA 6Gb/s
from B&H Photo-Video-Audio
for $413. That seems like a good deal compared to the other drives you mentioned.
Would you agree, or am I reading something incorrectly?

Thanks again!

 

That link doesn't work for me here. But as you are satisfied that you are within your budget, it is a good choice for your workload.

If you can find a SanDisk Extreme Pro 960GB SSD, that would be my preference (it should be less expensive too), but at 1TB or bigger, a brand name SSD like Samsung will be a good choice to make today.