To add on that: not only the processor, but really mainly the file system is the bottle neck. So with a SSD in a system, even a Surface with i5 7th generation performs quite well. I did not do such extensive testing as you did, but my conclusion from using various PCs over the last years is, that placing TMs and TBs on a SSD improves the system much more than a faster processor.

It definitely would Jerzy! I have not had the chance to compare a setup with a translation memory or termbase on a spinning, conventional hard drive, as I have only used Trados since January 2018, and I only have a spinning disk on my old desktop for file archives and games, but I'm sure it would be abysmal in comparison to ANY SSD: either the slower SATA3 ones, like I have, or even the faster NVME ones.  From what I've read here on the forums, the NVME drive at 2,000+ Mbps does not make a huge difference if you already have a SATA3 running at 500 Mbps.  The leap from the 50 Mbps spinning disk is already so huge that afterwards, there are some diminishing returns.

I used a Dell desktop, an Optiplex with i7 (I think it was 4th gen) and a hybrid-HDD (750 GB). This was around Studio 2014 or so. I have had my TMs and TBs stored on that hybrid HDD, while all my project files were already stored on a NAS in my network. The performance, especially with my big TMs (around 1,4 million segments at that time in the biggest one), was poor. So I bought a SSD, installed it in that very Dell and the performance improved greatly. So from that time on I always had the TMs and TBs on a SSD, even if Windows was still installed on a spinning HDD. My next PC, a Dell XPS desktop, was already equipped with a SSD 256 GB, where all programs were located. I have also installed an extra SSD for TMs/TBs there. My current Dell Precision is equipped with SSD 512 GB for programs and I installed here the same SSD, which I removed from the XPS, for TMs and TBs. The performance is satisfactory, however Studio could be faster... This time, however, this is not the hardware of my PC, but most probably the fact, that all my project data are on NAS - Studio does not perform as well in this scenario now, as it was in times of a much "simpler" Studio like 2014. Nonetheless, the current version of Studio is the best one in terms of usability.

I used a Dell desktop, an Optiplex with i7 (I think it was 4th gen) and a hybrid-HDD (750 GB). This was around Studio 2014 or so. I have had my TMs and TBs stored on that hybrid HDD, while all my project files were already stored on a NAS in my network. The performance, especially with my big TMs (around 1,4 million segments at that time in the biggest one), was poor. So I bought a SSD, installed it in that very Dell and the performance improved greatly. So from that time on I always had the TMs and TBs on a SSD, even if Windows was still installed on a spinning HDD. My next PC, a Dell XPS desktop, was already equipped with a SSD 256 GB, where all programs were located. I have also installed an extra SSD for TMs/TBs there. My current Dell Precision is equipped with SSD 512 GB for programs and I installed here the same SSD, which I removed from the XPS, for TMs and TBs. The performance is satisfactory, however Studio could be faster... This time, however, this is not the hardware of my PC, but most probably the fact, that all my project data are on NAS - Studio does not perform as well in this scenario now, as it was in times of a much "simpler" Studio like 2014. Nonetheless, the current version of Studio is the best one in terms of usability.

Good to know.  I have been considering NAS, but I am reluctant to do so for the exact reasons you mention. Perhaps with 10 Gbit ethernet it would be fast enough, but that seems to be the expensive technology for the moment.
Do you find that the application performs better on desktop-class hardware?  

Well, I use desktops, because I am used to that. I am in this profession since 1990 - laptops were simply far too expensive those days. And I do not travel that much, when I would really need to work. So when I've decided to buy a laptop, mobility was the main criteria for it. I have only once bought a 17" laptop and regretted that bitterly, as exactly at that time I started to travel for providing training and carrying that heacy load with me was a pain somehwere... So the next one was a Dell Vostro 13", also a disappointment, because of the overall quality of that cheap machine. So I learned my lessons and bought a Sony Vaio Z series 13", which was my best laptop ever. Followed by next Vaio Pro, also a very good one. Both Vaios have had the current i7, but still all my desktops at the same time were at least as powerful.
I've been using the Vaios same way as the desktop - it means Studio was running locally on the PC. So I think the performance of the processor was weaker as the desktop I've had at the same time, but the file system was faster alltogether, as all files were on SSD - TMs, TBs AND the project files.

Now I have a MS Surface Pro with LTE and i5 7th gen, so comparing this to the Dell Precision wit i7 8700k would not make any sense... Nonetheless, it is possible to work on Surface locally. However, I mostly use TeamViewer on the Surface to connect to my desktop at home and work there. This way Surface is performing perfectly well, wherever I would be. And because it has LTE, I can work literally from everywhere, where I have Internet.

As for the NAS: I cannot imagine working without it anymore. All data is there, so when I buy a new PC, it can be used almost at once - just install the main software you need and start working, installing everything else as needed. With NAS all my backup problems from the pre-NAS days are gone. NAS does backup on its own. So my main NAS is connected via RTRR to another NAS, which saves backup every night at 2:00 am to a next NAS located in the basement. This one stores the backup each night at midnight to the NAS number 4. This way I can roll back up to 48 hours, if necessary.

Sounds like a great setup! I started working in translation in 2010 after a career change, but always worked within Microsoft Word or the native application of the document. I was apprehensive about using CAT tools until I took the plunge and bought Trados with the level 1 training package.  I have never looked back.  However, after many years, I finally find myself with a critical application that demands high-end hardware to really perform at its best (and even THEN Trados can be a bit sluggish at times.)  It seemed for a while that the incremental changes in Intel processors were no match for the upgrade power of an SSD.  Now I feel that the SSD is a bare-minimum requirement, followed by the fastest processor you can get your hands on, with the core count not really mattering for Trados, beyond four cores.

Well, I agree with you fully. When a translator buys his or her hardware, I would always advise to buy the absolutely best machine one can afford. So in first line go for a SSD enabled system, then chose the fastest processor from the highest line you can get. If it is a laptop, chose a screen of at least full HD resolution. This said, I would recommend to lease the system instead of buying it, if it is possible in your country. This way you pas just few Euros in month and can afford really the best hardware available on the market at the time. Then you will not experience any bottle necks for a reasonable amount of time, as after the leasing period you simply switch to new hardware... Combined with the NAS solution, all this is really feasible - I do this since more or less 10 years now.

Hi guys,

This post/thread is extremely relevant, as I am right now in the process of deciding what kind of work computer to buy next. I was about to post a similar question (What's the best hardware to run CAT tools with massive TMs/TBs?) here and there in the familiar places online.

My situation: I have been very happy with my powerful Dell Precision M6800 laptop now for almost 5 years (i7, three SSDs, two graphics cards, 32GB RAM, etc), but am now looking into getting something even more powerful. Crucuially, mine doesn't support NVMe drives, which is one thing I want to test.

I'm toying with the idea of getting a really, really powerful PC desktop, and am currently doing research. I want to get something with (if possible):

• i9 (latest, most powerful, overclocked; Core X Series with a crazy amount of cores)
• NVMe drives: 2 in Raid 0 for extra speed
• 128 GB RAM
• probably full watercooling

I'll keep you posted on my progress here!

Michael

Neat! I want to know how this monster rig unfolds!

Michael Beijer said:

I'm toying with the idea of getting a really, really powerful PC desktop

Hmmm, aren't translators being somehow overpaid? ;-)