Graphic Card too slow?

I have a Mac Pro with 2x2.8 GHz Quad-Core and 14 GB memory, a cinema display and a second monitor.
I'm currently working in Motion creating an animation with music, camera movement and about 8 layers and 8 lights...all keyframed.
When I reached the third layer I had to reduce render quality to draft and disable the lights to be able to keep on working. Whenever I made a move I had to wait for a couple of seconds for the screen to refresh.
The activity monitor shows that I have enough RAM left and should be able to work without delay...only I can't.
Is that normal? Or is my graphics card (256 MB) too slow?
Or is there a way to tell Motion to use all of the CPUs simultanously?

The graphics card is the key component for Motion's performance - you didn't say what kind you have, only how much VRAM is on it. If it's the stock card, it's a slow card. The best card for Motion right now by far is this one:

[www.barefeats.com]

Also, using two monitors splits the VRAM on the card, further hurting performance.

Hi Mark, thanks for your reply. jap, I have the standard card.
Ok, so I'll try to get this ATI card...218 dollars isn't even expensive. thanks!

I bought the ATI 3870 two week ago. Nice card and very quiet. Don't forget to plug in the power cable to the mother board...

I don't have it yet and looking forward to find out how much faster things will work then.

I got the new card yesterday but somehow it's not as fast as I expected.
Should I keep the old card installed and work with the new ATI and the old one? Am I doing something wrong or is it normal that Motion is so slow once I'm working with 10 layers, 10 lights and behaviours ect. ?

You can bring any Motion system to its knees with enough blurs, lights, particles, long project, etc.

You might want to check out this article:

[provideocoalition.com]

Oh thanks, that helped...especially setting in and out points. It's only a 25 seconds timeline but with a looooot of layers and lights. Turning off the lights is very useful too.
But the most effective is deconnecting the second monitor!

Good to know, thanks for posting back.