guru suggestions on specs for new comp purchase

[peterthomas]

Hey, thought I'd ask for some critical assistance on specifications for a new computer. I am looking to do some serious video editing..... import, capture, edit, output.... disc copier.... basically, I want to get the most out of EMC9 now, but have good computer capabilities for the next couple years.

 

Below are specs that my technician said would include an onboard video processor, but he gave :EVGA nVidia GeForce 7600GS 256MB DVI/HDTV w/Fan PCI-Express Video Card $ 120.00, as an optional replacement.

 

Other thoughts, should i get firewire? Am I missing anything? stand alone sound card? ( Sound card on the Motherboard is Realtek ALC883 7.1-Channel Software Audio CODEC. )

 

CPU: Socket AM2 support AMD Athlon 64 FX/ Athlon 64 X2/ Athlon 64/ Sempron processor; FSB 2000/1600 MT/s

Chipset: AMD 690G & SB600

Memory: 2x 240pin DDR2-800/667/533 DIMMs, Dual Channel, Max capacity 4GB

Slots: 1x PCI-Express x16 slot; 1x PCI-Express x1 slot; 2x PCI slots

IDE/SATA: 1x ATA-133 channel; 4x SATA2 ports, support RAID 0, 1, 0+1

Audio: Realtek ALC883 7.1-Channel Software Audio CODEC

Video: Integrated Radeon X1250 Graphic Controller, Shared up to 512MB memory

LAN: Realtek 8111B Gigabit Ethernet Controller

Ports: 10x USB 2.0 ports (4 rear, 6 by headers); 2x IEEE 1394 ports (1 rear, 1 by header); 2x PS/2 ports; 1x Serial port header; 1x Parallel port; 1x VGA port; 1x HDMI port; 1x TV-out header; 1x RJ45 LAN port; Audio I/O jack

Power Connector: 1x 24pin main power, 1x 4pin CPU power

Form Factor: Micro ATX, 9.61 x 8.2 inch

 

thanks!

 

Peter.

[Beerman]

As a newbie to building a system and only 1 under my belt, it's great to ask questions. My opinions may differ from others but I'm not into onboard 'anything'. I don't feel that shared graphics is good for one to do lots of video work and while a dedicated sound card may not make much difference, many times (with or without EMC software) problems arise. It's not a great cost for a decent sound card.

Get as much power as you can afford as you may decide to upgrade video one day to something that may suck up more power. Firewire---you already show 2 on your board so you're covered.

RAM? What OS are you running? Vista will run better with more than 2 but 2GB for XP has been plenty IMO.

I'm sure I missed something but that's my 2 cents.

 

Oh, make sure you're box is adequately cooled. A hotter box will kill the hardware much faster.

[ggrussell]

You listed firewre already (2x 1394 ports). $120 for the Geforce 7600GS sounds about right for retail, but I have seen a few on sale for around $79-89 after rebates.

My general rule of thumb: buy the fastest processor you can afford. With WinXP - at least 1GB RAM - 2GB if you can afford it. LOTS of hard drive for video editing.

[peterthomas]

I'm on my first (for personal use) AMD and not regretting it. They'll always be arguments over which is better and alot depends on you. Take a good look at newegg.com for very competitive prices that seem to change very often.

 

 

Thank you all again.... I'll start doing some research on newegg.... i've got an AMD now, and it has worked pretty well for me so far.

 

Peter.

[peterthomas]

In addition to what was said about the case - get them to put two fans in it - one at the front to suck air in and one at the back to extract it.

 

Case fans tend to get overlooked a lot but all modern motherboards have two headers for the front and back case fans

 

thanks all for the input... I forgot to say I'll be using XP....

 

The Nvidia I was a little nervous about as I had heard either the 7300 or one in that line had a bad track record.... anyone have any comparison to an ATI card?

 

I am planning on going with mega memory, way over 100GB... prolly 2 gigs RAM....

 

I like the idea about the fans.

 

I didn't see that firewire was included, thanks for pointing that out.

 

The fellow I talked to said to hold off on Blu-ray// there's something coming out soon that will be as good, but cheaper.

 

I'll ask about any more power

 

as far as CPU's.... any specific ones any of you prefer?

 

thanks!

 

Peter.

[gi7omy]

thanks all for the input... I forgot to say I'll be using XP....

 

The Nvidia I was a little nervous about as I had heard either the 7300 or one in that line had a bad track record.... anyone have any comparison to an ATI card?

 

The fellow I talked to said to hold off on Blu-ray// there's something coming out soon that will be as good, but cheaper.

 

as far as CPU's.... any specific ones any of you prefer?

 

thanks!

 

Peter.

 

 

OK - I prefer ATI myself and also AMD CPU (but no soubt there will be contradictions from the Intel/nVidia aficionadoes

 

Blu-Ray - they're working on combo Blu-Ray/HD drives so it's as well holding off until those appear on the scene. It's a bit like DVD-R and +R - two different ideas but combo drives are commonplace now

[Beerman]

I'm on my first (for personal use) AMD and not regretting it. They'll always be arguments over which is better and alot depends on you. Take a good look at newegg.com for very competitive prices that seem to change very often.

[REDWAGON]

I am in agreement with both Gary and Paul. I have built more than a dozen computers and there is no way I would suggest not having a really good video card over an on board chip. I Agree also that having enough HD space. I suggest more than 100GB and the more the better. And if you have room for more than one hD, get another one with as much space as the primary one. Either that or get an external HD for saving and backing up your files. I also agree that at an absolute miniumum for memory would be 1 GB. and I would suggest that you have 2 GB for the type of work you are planning to do with your computer.

 

I suggest that no matter which type of processor you go with (AMD or Intel) that you have the fastest processor you can afford. So pick your poison. If you are going to be using EMC 9 for your video capture etc. a Firewire card or port is essential but you already have that so no problem. There are so many other parameters that make up agreat computer that it's hard to go over every one buyt as Paul suggested , don't skimp on a cheap computer case. Get one that can handle some heat as you are going to get the harware warmed up pretty good when you start your video work.

 

Have fun

 

Frank...

[gi7omy]

In addition to what was said about the case - get them to put two fans in it - one at the front to suck air in and one at the back to extract it.

 

Case fans tend to get overlooked a lot but all modern motherboards have two headers for the front and back case fans