The Perfect Creator Pc?

[BrianR]

I'm closing in on retirement and want to spend more time on video and photo creations and productions.

 

If my wife were to agree, what would be the perfect dedicated PC (components, etc.) to buy or build that would run everything optimally without overkill?

 

Memory processor, 32-bit vs. 64-bit, etc.

 

I am not a Unix or Linux maven, so let's stick with Micro$oft OS options

 

Thanks for your input -

 

Brian

[d_deweywright]

Unfortunately, when you get into video work, there's no such thing as "overkill." Actually, for many folks, there's no such thing as "overkill" in any aspect of having a PC!

 

It sounds like you're comfortable with building your own PC? Anything you buy now (processor/motherboard) will be 64-bit, though you could still run a 32-bit version of Windows on it (as I do). But go with the 64 bit version for no other reason than you can access more than 4GB of memory. So, then it's a case of how much RAM can your MB hold? If I were going with Windows 8 (which I can't imagine doing, but that's a personal bias) I'd consider blowing some of my budget on a touch-screen monitor.

 

It's hard to have too much hard drive space, but I'm wary of putting all my eggs (data) in one basket (hard drive). So, while I know you can buy 4TB drives. I'd much rather have 2 - 2TB, or even 4 - 1TB drives than 1 - 4TB drive. And I'd consider an SSD drive for my OS installation. (You can see my drive layout in my signature. I've not gone the SSD route yet.)

 

I don't have a particular brand of video card that I prefer, but a good video card will help speed up your video rendering efforts. As with most things, you're limited only by your budget.

 

So, there are just a couple very general things in my "things to consider" list. You'll likely get more (and quite possibly better) ideas from others.

[BrianR]

So, here are some more pointed questions:

 

Memory

• How much RAM will NXT 2 use if available (max)?
  
• Can all of the subprograms use the same amount of RAM or does it vary?
  

Processor

• Does NXT 2 Pro make use of multiple processors on one chip (ie quad processor chip)?
  
• Is there a benefit in NXT2 Pro to using more than one physical processor?
  
• Is NXT 2 Pro compatible with Xeon processors?
  

Video Card

• Need recommended specs here because my present ATI Radeon card causes problems
  
• How much video memory can NXT 2 Pro us?
  
• Multi-headed video cards or multiple video cads?
  

Contact Person

• Are there target specs listed for future versions of the NXT suite?
  
• If this is getting too techie, can anyone recommend a particular Roxio engineer that can answer these questions??
  

[cdanteek]

I would go with a Intel CPU, Nvidia Video Card better CUDA Support than ATI Stream has.

 

Buy as much and new product as your money allows, it will be outdated in a year.

 

My Hard Drive setup.

 

 

Memory

• How much RAM will NXT 2 use if available (max)? I have 12 GB 4GB would be OK.
  
• Can all of the subprograms use the same amount of RAM or does it vary? Roxio uses the CPU more than RAM.
  

Processor

• Does NXT 2 Pro make use of multiple processors on one chip (ie quad processor chip)? Yes.
  
• Is there a benefit in NXT2 Pro to using more than one physical processor? Multi Core CPU's are faster.
  
• Is NXT 2 Pro compatible with Xeon processors? I wouldn't buy a Xeon CPU it's a work station CPU and Big money!
  

Video Card

• Need recommended specs here because my present ATI Radeon card causes problems I would buy NVIDIA 1GB or larger.
  
• How much video memory can NXT 2 Pro us? See question above.
  
• Multi-headed video cards or multiple video cads? Running two and three video cards have caused some problems with Roxio Software. They were designed for gamers and fast frame rates.
  

[BrianR]

CD, thanks for your inputs!

[sknis]

Did you click Cd's "Spoiler" to see what he has.

 

Mine is in my signature - both computer work well with Creator and other programs.

 

Consider also the future needs - 4K video, 3D video (if not a fad), etc. Don't buy a computer just for Roxio Creator, check out the needs for Corel, Nero, Cyberlink and others.

[ggrussell]

Even though ATI still supports Stream, AMD now has better support for OpenCL. I've never had issues with Roxio and my ATI card(s). I do have other software that utilizes ATI video card better.