Need RAM, but in the meantime, some questions about optimizing performance

Recently upgraded to FCP X and Lion (so I could import from my Canon XF105), knowing that eventually I would have to add RAM for a total of 4GB. So things went rather well as long as I did not tax the program too much as I was learning how to operate FCP X. When I started doing things like bringing in the music track from ITunes, it screeched to a crawl, with the endless spinning beach ball. I just ordered the RAM from Apple, but in the meantime, are there other steps that will optimize performance, or is RAM the only issue. I have the Original media volumes on an external hard drive as well as the media in Events. But I don't know what stress the editing process has on my home hard drive. For example, should I edit using proxy media? In some ways, I don't know the questions to ask unless something goes wrong. Are there some hints for housekeeping that will improve performance of the MAC and FCP?
Thanks.

You mean you have less that 4G of RAM? That's just untenable. 4G is really the minimum, and even that is barely adequate. You should be editing with your media on a separate, dedicated media drive. What computer is this? What graphics card?

Untenable is indeed accurate, but it is what I have. My Mac is the spring/fall 2007 which can only use 4 GB RAM--they even say it can only use 3GB of that, which I don't quite understand, but in any case, I ordered 2GB & will install it. My media is stored on a dedicated 2T G-Technology (Hitachi) hard drive. Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT 256 MB

I went to the Apple Store Genius Bar to ask about how Lion & FCP X would do on this computer. I had read about the need for additional RAM & graphics, but was told by a genius there, that I could definitely get away with what I have. My problem is the problem everyone has: I can't really afford a new Mac which is the ultimate solution to these problems. I am hoping to get by or is it entirely untenable?

What computer is this? Is this a MacPro?

You were misinformed. It will work, but it's not really adequate for any length or complexity of program.

It is a MacBook Pro. I understand the downsides and wish it could be different since I am trying to edit a 1 hour documentary. Anyway, thank you for your help.
Best

You've got the same year MBP as I do. It will take a max of 8GB RAM. You want to do that, 8GB RAM. Go to Other World Computing (.com) for your RAM. That model will install RAM easily.

Who ever made the 3GB RAM comment has no clue what they're talking about.

Ordering only 2GB RAM won't help, as there are only 2 RAM slots. You'll need the correct pair of 4GB RAM cards, if memory serves correctly.

I'm currently running Mountain Lion Server on mine with FCP X, no problems. Get a FW800, 7200 rpm drive and you're good to go.

Put all Projects and Events on that external drive, not on your internal system drive. You could also consider a SSD drive in place of the DVD drive, which would not be much storage, but would be very fast, although expensive.

Break your 1 hour project up into sections. Make Compound Clips in an Event, edit each segment of that full 1 hour first. Then when each "scene" or "chapter" is finished, drop them into a single Project timeline for assembly for export. Do not attempt to edit in one single hour long Timeline, it'll be a mess and reduce performance.

In the preferences set for better playback over better quality. You may, if you have performance issues, edit with Proxies.

Also, you may want to get a copy of this PDF:
www.fcproxuniversity.com/documents/FCSystemMaintenance.pdf

This is music to my ears. Thank you, thank you. I will let you know how it goes with the RAM, external HD (which I have, but now will check specs,) and the tips on editing in segments.

Is my graphics card that came with this model up to standard? Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT 256 MB

I have to tell you, I had pretty much lost hope that I could pull this off. Thanks again.

FCP X should run at least as well as FCP 7 on that MBP. It's not a tower with a really nice powerful GPU. It's a laptop. But it should do that job OK. Oh, turn OFF background rendering.

I did a demo the other night, and forgot that background rendering was turned on. I was puzzled why my performance suddenly dropped badly. When I saw the background process wheel progressing, I realized it was on, turned it off, and the rest of the demo went just fine.

As I further reveal myself as a rank amateur: how do I turn background rendering off?

Preferences, somewhere in there... (not at my workstation at the moment)

I went to Other World Computing: eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/Pro/Core2/
They don't offer 8GM RAM (at least anymore)--says on the page that Apple tested for a maximum of 4GB, and they tested for 6GB. They offer a set of 4GB & 2GB. I couldn't find 8GB for the MBP 3,1 17"

Holy crap! I was wrong! I rarely fire up my MBP. Most places I teach have Mac's set up for me to use already. But I just fired mine up, I do have a MBP 3,1. It does only have 4GB RAM in it. WTF? Man, I swore there was 8 in this thing! I feel so inadequate now. Geez, look at that GPU. 8600 GT, that's just freakin' SAD! I gotta get me a new laptop. Actually, I'd rather figure out how to live without one. But, I run an FCPUG, travel non-stop, I need one on occasion. Ggggrrr...

bites...

The 8600 does not meet the minimum requirements: support.apple.com/kb/HT4664

However, I have been working with FCP X on an iMac of similar vintage with a non supported GPU. It worked slowly as molasses - didn't have real time effects preview and stuff, but I could edit with it. 10.4 broke it though. Won't work anymore.
Motion 5 runs great on that machine.

The 3GB max are in the non-pro MacBook of that year. IIRC, OWC managed to get 6GB into it (4+2).

Correction - your 8600 WILL work, but it's the bare minimum. You can't expect your machine to be a race horse.

Having taught on my 17" MBP of the same year, running OS X 10.8 Server, FCP X and Motion run, but are really slow, lots of hesitations when you get into serious work.

BenB wrote: Having taught on my 17" MBP of the same year, running OS X 10.8 Server, FCP X and Motion run, but are really slow, lots of hesitations when you get into serious work.

Even though the UI is made with the laptop in mind, you still need some hardware oomph. My top of the line 2010 MBP fully decked out can handle FCP X just so.

Amazing: Motion seems to need less hardware resources than FCP. Is this an issue with the database?

My once racehorse of a MBP is pretty much a rundown swayback now, but I hope to keep her going a little longer before I put her down (How's that for extending a metaphor!) The question is, is it safe to add the 6GB set, or is the whole thing going to blow up on me? (another metaphor, sorry)

Actually Motion needs more hardware power, much more than FCP. It will chew up and spit out GPUs like no ones business.

BenB wrote: Actually Motion needs more hardware power, much more than FCP. It will chew up and spit out GPUs like no ones business.

According to system requirements, yes. However, I haven't seen any difference between Motion 3 and 5 on my non supported iMac yet. It also runs snappier on my MBP than FCP ever would.
The biggest project I did so far only had some 25 or so layers "only" though, so I don't know how it'd fare with some more sophisticated stuff.

JW, the OWC stuff is safe. Don't worry.

My projects typically average 130+ "object layers". That's not counting filters and behaviors. Motion will bog down a system way faster than FCP with very few behaviors and filters. Better the GPU, the better it'll run.