Quiet(ish) and Safe HD Video Editor + Some Gaming

[freshjuice]

Wow! It's been a looooong time since I've been here.

I need to build a new PC system, primarily used for:

• - HD video editing (amateur level...think nice quality online video)
  - recording (direct from camera via firewire).
  - Fast internet connection for occasional live webinar streaming
  - some gaming

If it has a "little" noise, that's okay, but I just don't want it screaming at me everytime I do a render in Sony Vegas!

Also, I want to make sure it is stable. No overclocking, risk of overheating, etc.

I need to keep it under $2000 if possible.

It has been such a long time since I've built a system that I don't even know where to begin in terms of components. Could someone give me a suggested list of current components to buy?

[Ch0z3n]

depending on how little gaming/video editing you need, you can get a system for well less than that.

Proc: 4850e $50
Mobo: 780g $70
RAM: 2x2gb $40
DVD Burner: $20
HDD: 1gb ~$80 now, so take your pick. just look on forums for suggestions.
Case & PSU: whichever tickles your fancy
CPU HS: recommended list

If you need more video card, a 4670 can be had for $50-$70

Unless I am vastly underestimating how much power you need, you can easily make a perfectly serviceable system for $400-$500

[CA_Steve]

I came across this thread at Sony's Vegas forum. Bunch of users with benchmarks. Looks like you want a quad core, 4GB of RAM and a 64-bit OS for best performance. Here's a snippet where the user compared versions, different OS, and 4/8GB RAM for rendering times:

"AVI to MPEG2 3 minute
8.0 XP64 4Gb 1:21 8GB 1:18
8.0 VISTA64 4GB 1:24 8GB 1:22
8.1 VISTA64 4GB N/C 8GB 1:33
8.1 XP64 4GB 1:43 8GB 1:34
8.0 XP32 4GB 2:01

John Cline's HD Render test
8.1 XP64 4GB 1:43 8GB 1:42 O/C CPU @ 2.8GH-1:38 2.9GH-1:34
8.1 VISTA64 N/C 8GB 1:43
8.0 XP64 4GB 1:58 8GB 1:56
8.0 XP32 4GB 1:59
8.0 VISTA64 4GB 2:03 8GB 2:00"

I can't imagine spending $2k. Probably closer to $1k depending on your need for rendering speed and your gaming needs.

[psiu]

depending on how little gaming/video editing you need, you can get a system for well less than that.

Proc: 4850e $50
Mobo: 780g $70
RAM: 2x2gb $40
DVD Burner: $20
HDD: 1TB ~$80 now, so take your pick. just look on forums for suggestions.
Case & PSU: whichever tickles your fancy
CPU HS: recommended list

If you need more video card, a 4670 can be had for $50-$70

Unless I am vastly underestimating how much power you need, you can easily make a perfectly serviceable system for $400-$500

Slight fix made

Concur. Easy to step it up from that as a baseline as well--what does HD video editing stress the most? I'm really not sure. Obviously more memory would be fairly easy and cheap to add. Bluray could be added fairly cheaply. Quadcore really doesn't add much either. If the load is CPU oriented, switch brands and get an Intel quad. Going all the way to i7 and DDR3 would definitely be a price/performance bridge to cross though.

[freshjuice]

I love this forum! You guys rock!

is the 780g an integrated video card? I ask because I didn't see a video card on the list.

I think the
- video card,
- processor, and
- memory

get taxed to most on renders, in that order.

If the load is CPU oriented, switch brands and get an Intel quad. Going all the way to i7 and DDR3 would definitely be a price/performance bridge to cross though.

What is a good i7 Board, then?


P.S. Specific current components that you would buy if you were me, I'd really appreciate.

[Ch0z3n]

Good call on the slight fix.

Yes, the 780g is integrated, it is a radeon 3200 I believe.

I'm not sure how much video card you want, but ATI has some good choices in mid-range graphics:

$130: 4870
$100: 4770 or 4850
$80: 4830
$60 4670

I think ATI has a version of crossfire that can turn off the discrete graphics card when it isn't needed to save power.

I don't think the core i7 ddr3 bridge was necessarily one he wanted you to cross. Right now, I think the early adopters fee is still too high. You will pay a lot more money and might not see much of a difference.

I can't give you any specifics atm, im at work on my phone. I will try to make some later.

[CA_Steve]

I think the
- video card,
- processor, and
- memory
----------------------------------------------------

Sony Vegas doesn't use the video card at all for rendering...just displaying the result.

[freshjuice]

Thanks for the clarify CASteve. I guess then it's just a matter of how extravagant I want to get for my game habit.

[CA_Steve]

yep....and that's really driven by your monitor resolution and then by the games you want to play (some have insane requirements, some don't).

[freshjuice]

1
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders
Item #: N82E16832116488
Return Policy: Software Return Policy $99.99
1
EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813188039
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy $299.99
1
Antec P183 Black Aluminum / Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811129061
Return Policy: Manufacturer Warranty -$20.00 Instant $179.99
$159.99
1
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920
Item #: N82E16819115202
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy -$9.00 Instant $288.99
$279.99
1
Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817371024
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy -$9.90 Instant $149.95
$140.05
1
Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm SSO CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835608007
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $79.99
1
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (bare drive)
Item #: N82E16822148337
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy -$10.00 Instant $139.99
$129.99
1
ASUS ENGTX260/HTDI/896M GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
Item #: N82E16814121316
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy $25.00 Mail-in Rebate
$199.99
1
Rosewill 18" Serial ATA II cable Model RC-18"-SA-90-BK, Black
Item #: N82E16812119229
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $1.99
1
CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D
Item #: N82E16820145224
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy $166.00
1
PLEXTOR 22X DVD Super Multi Burner Black IDE Model PX-850A SW
Item #: N82E16827249041
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy $48.97

[freshjuice]

1
Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817371024
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy -$9.90 Instant $149.95
$140.05
1
ASRock M3A780GXH/128M AM3 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813157161
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy $89.99
1
LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black IDE Model GH22LP20
Item #: N82E16827136147
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy $23.99
1
Scythe SCKTN-3000 92mm Sleeve "KATANA3" 3Heat Pipes CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835185096
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $28.99
1
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders
Item #: N82E16832116488
Return Policy: Software Return Policy $99.99
1
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK
Item #: N82E16820231189
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy -$10.00 Instant $69.99
$59.99
1
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (bare drive)
Item #: N82E16822148337
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy -$10.00 Instant $139.99
$129.99
1
Antec P183 Black Aluminum / Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811129061
Return Policy: Manufacturer Warranty -$20.00 Instant $179.99
$159.99
1
AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDX945FBGIBOX
Item #: N82E16819103675
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy $225.00

[Asulc]

Build Option 1

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders

I would wait for Windows 7, and just use a copy of Windows XP for now if you have one available. Buying a brand new OS with a newer one scheduled to be released soon is not worth it in my opinion...

EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8) LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

Something a little cheaper would be worth it especially if you won't be doing SLI/Crossfire... Maybe a Asus P6T Deluxe?

Antec P183 Black Aluminum / Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

No comment needed, will be good, proven design

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920

Best value i7 processor available, overclocks very well (if you are interested)

Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Quiet PSU, will provide enough power for your system. A little overkill, look at the 650 watt version or something by Seasonic/Corsair over ~450 watts

Noctua NH-U12P SE1366 120mm SSO CPU Cooler

Good cooler will work well and quietly

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (bare drive)

Loud? Look at Western Digital drives?

ASUS ENGTX260/HTDI/896M GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Good video card

Rosewill 18" Serial ATA II cable Model RC-18"-SA-90-BK, Black

Is this for the hard drive or DVD drive? If so you don't need to purchase one separately, motherboards come with some.

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C8D

Expensive for the performance... Try G.Skill?

PLEXTOR 22X DVD Super Multi Burner Black IDE Model PX-850A SW

DVD drives are DVD drives...

Build Option 2

Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

See above...

ASRock M3A780GXH/128M AM3 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

Fine

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black IDE Model GH22LP20

Fine

Scythe SCKTN-3000 92mm Sleeve "KATANA3" 3Heat Pipes CPU Cooler

Fine

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders

See above

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK

Fine

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (bare drive)

See above

Antec P183 Black Aluminum / Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Fine

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core

Fine

Missing graphics card? The integrated 780G is nowhere close to a GTX 260...

I hope all that helps you! Good luck!

[freshjuice]

i7 build with some economic choices, based upon yoru reccomendations:

• Using my old XP 32-bit for now. I've got a bunhc of unused licenses and I agree with Asulc on waiting for Win7
  
  EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI (x16/x16/x8 LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard I'll never skimp on a Mobo
  
  Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz
  
  Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler
  
  WD Caviar Green 1 TB
  
  Antec P183
  
  Antec CP-850 850W Continuous Power CPX CP designed to be paired with the P183. Room for future expansion.
  
  Sony Sata DVD Burner
  
  VGA MSI N9400GT-MD512H Silent poor for games but good for video playback and H.264 stripping. I can always upgrade later when I deserve it.
  
  G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

Total = ~$1300 for a future-ready, upgradeable machine that will last a good while.


Thanks for your help, everyone!

[CA_Steve]

The weak links will be:
- using the 32-bit OS. Can only address maybe 3GB of your RAM.
- WD Green. Slower rpm means quieter, but also means lower performance than the Blue.

Unless you actually go with some SLI graphics config, the 850W supply will always be overkill. You might consider some of the Gigabyte mobos. They are very well made.

[psiu]

Don't know if you pulled the trigger or not yet, but:

WD Blue line is probably the better choice for a system drive. Still quiet, but faster. And check out the Radeon 4670, it would smoke the 9400 and still be low power.

And I don't know anything about specific i7 components or whatnot, they are waaaaay out my price range (well, the range where my wife doesn't kill me).

[freshjuice]

- WD Green. Slower rpm means quieter, but also means lower performance than the Blue.

I'm confused about this
Western Digital Caviar Green 1 TB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive 3.5 Inch, 32 MB Cache, 7200 RPM SATA II WD10EADS

This is same RPM and 32 MB cache. Where is the performance hit?

[psiu]

- WD Green. Slower rpm means quieter, but also means lower performance than the Blue.

I'm confused about this
Western Digital Caviar Green 1 TB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive 3.5 Inch, 32 MB Cache, 7200 RPM SATA II WD10EADS

This is same RPM and 32 MB cache. Where is the performance hit?

I don't think it's actually 7200rpm. As far as I know none of the Green drives are. When they came out WD *very* carefully described their Intellipower system as having speeds up to 7200 rpm and giving the impression that these were variable speed drives. However they are fixed speed drives.

Both SPCR and Storagereview (I think) confirmed the speeds.

[CA_Steve]

Read through this Tech Report review. It will show the +/- of the Green vs other drives. Similar results at other review sites. Take the noise measurement tests with a grain of salt, they didn't bother to convert a bedroom into an acoustic lab.

[freshjuice]

Ahh, okay. I made a n00b mistake

Now that I understand the Black/Blue/Green difference, I actually ended up with the Black.

It's worth the noise tradeoff to me to have the best write speeds, especially since it's in a good p183 case anyway.

When I dump direct video to my computer using firewire (from my Canon HV30 using HDV Split for those who care), writing GBs at a time, HD speed will become very noticeable factor. I'll have to accept a little more noise.