chizus21 wrote:My playback is terrible...
It's good that you list your computer specs, but you don't mention what resolution you're working in or what type of files you use. You mention .mp4 files, but that is just a container and I'm more curious about the format of the file, like if it's a long GOP CPU intensive codec like h.264. You also say you've got 4K files. Are you working in a 4K timeline?
Computer specs are always relative. In terms of a color grading workstation you have a weak computer. It's a single CPU, 4 core machine, that if I'm right is only 2.8GHz base with boost up to 3.8GHz (single thread). Your GPU is entry to middle level. And you only have one.
This is not meant to break your spirit. Resolve can run on laptops too, but you'll need to have realistic expectations and configure your workflow properly.
For a proper workstation, I'm guessing consensus for entry level specs would be something like 8-core, 4GHz+ and a GTX 1080 Ti. Many here use dual 1080 Ti and have dual CPU systems. Anyway, don't let this get to you. Resolve is beautiful in many ways.
You'll possibly need to transcode and you should work in a HD timeline. Then you can switch to UHD/4K before exporting. But start by setting your timeline resolution to HD, if it isn't already. That way, maybe you can explore the software better while optimising the rest....