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I'm using DP 8 on my PC. I have several virtual instruments and it's taking a while to load these instruments when I open my DP project file, sometimes 3-5 minutes or longer. How can I get a faster loading time?

My setup ... i7-4790 processor @ 3.6 GHz, 1TB hard drive 7200 rpm (currently 68% full), and 16 GB of RAM. I have Windows 8. I have a MIDI keyboard and that's it in terms of hardware (no audio interface or anything else).

I'm not sure if my issue with the "slow" loading time would be solved with more RAM or a bigger/faster hard drive? Or maybe there's something else going on with my PC? I don't know much about hardware. How should I upgrade my computer? Thanks in advance for your recommendations/advice!

Getting rid of the Hard Drive and using SSDs on a SATA bus will dramatically increase lost times. Which VIs are you using? Some load faster than others. Ex: Play instruments take forever, Kontakt much faster.

Also, how much of each instrument you load into RAM makes a difference. But SSDs make a bigger difference!

A 1T Samsung 850 EVO will set you back around $300 — add $11 more if you need an adapter to make it fit a 3.5" drive space.

If you have multiple drive bays, then two 1T drives will cost a little less than a 2T but those are finally available. A 500G runs around $160 if you want to have your system and VIs on separate drives.

You have many choices but going to an SSD or two gives the biggest bang for the buck.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I already have a 1 TB 7200 RPM hard drive that came with my computer, so I want to add a 1 TB internal SSD.

I have a Dell PC, which is less than 1 year old, so I called their product support line this afternoon. The person I spoke to suggested that the motherboard in my computer "might" not support an internal SSD. He said that my computer might randomly power down if I added an SSD.

So instead of adding an SSD, he recommended that I add a 7200 RPM hard drive ("or something slower" - his words). Does this sound like legit?

mlcomposer wrote:Thanks everyone for the recommendations. I already have a 1 TB 7200 RPM hard drive that came with my computer, so I want to add a 1 TB internal SSD.

I have a Dell PC, which is less than 1 year old, so I called their product support line this afternoon. The person I spoke to suggested that the motherboard in my computer "might" not support an internal SSD. He said that my computer might randomly power down if I added an SSD.

So instead of adding an SSD, he recommended that I add a 7200 RPM hard drive ("or something slower" - his words). Does this sound like legit?

Sounds like you were talking to an idiot.

So instead of adding an SSD, he recommended that I add a 7200 RPM hard drive ("or something slower" - his words). Does this sound like legit?

Ha! I don't know anything about PCs, but I'm with Mike. This is the opposite of what you should do. What support person would possibly recommend a slower hard drive if you want faster load times?!

Since I'm interested in getting an SSD to host virtual instrument samples, is there a speed difference between an internal vs. external drive?

Dunno about PCs. On a Mac the internal SATA is much faster than any non-SATA external solution.

mlcomposer wrote:Since I'm interested in getting an SSD to host virtual instrument samples, is there a speed difference between an internal vs. external drive?

Since we don't know your setup, no one can answer that. eSATA or Thunderbolt will be as fast as an internal SATA drive. USB 3 is bit slower. FireWire and USB 2 are a lot slower.

The fastest is an internal PCIe drive but those are a lot more expensive.

If you don't have USB 3 and want an external drive, add eSATA — your PC will see it as an internal drive (MAC or PC). A PCIe card to add eSATA is inexpensive as is an eSATA Dock to hold a drive.

If you have an internal bay, I don't understand why you wouldn't use it.

SSDs use LESS power than spinners.

Try it. You'll like it.

Another thing that can speed up the loading times is VEP.
For larger projects I always load them in there, even on the same machine...And if DP crashes, guess what - it's still loaded.