Tips for speeding up working in a large assembly

[MYPrecision]

I am currently working in a relatively large assembly (with a bunch of subassemblies). I am finding everything very slow to work with. Just changing a configuration of a part or making a sketch and a subtract is painfully slow. I was just wondering if anybody has any tip to speed up the process. Basically I am transfering screw holes / keys and that sort of thing to a die shoe with all of the stages in separate assemblies. I am running an i7 and 12 gig if ram. Any tips wold be appreciated.

 

[dwc]

The first thing I always do is turn off the Auto refresh.
That speed things up loads.
Don

 

[ASP]

If you already have subassemblies, why don't you edit only these ?

 

[MYPrecision]

I do as much as I can in the sub assemblies and then I have to put all of the sub assemblies on a master plate. I then transfer the screw/keys/pockets etc. to the master plate.