Newbie system builder need help

[moviefan]

This will be my first computer build and I've run into a wall that just widens every time I try to go around it. I will be using this computer for video editing and encoding. I'm looking at trying to keep this build under $1,000. The last two-and-a-half months have been spent researching buying a prebuilt computer or building my own. I don't know if building my own will really cheaper up front, but after seven years with a Dell Dimension 2100 and the limited ability to upgrade/expand, I've decided that extra upfront costs will save money and headaches later.

Now to the meat. I've gotten this far with my build:

Antec Sonata Plus 550 Black/Silver with 550W Power Supply
Gigabyte GA-EP45C-UD3R Socket 775
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400
G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2-6400) Dual Channel Kit
OR
OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2-6400) Dual Channel Kit
OR
Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2-6400) Dual Channel Kit
750GB Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 7,200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
LG 22X DVD+/- Burner with Lightscribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 - OEM
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders

As you can see, I'm already not sure which RAM is best, but the wall widened this evening whenever I talked with tech support at Micro Center hoping to get some help with a graphics card recommendation. He huffed and puffed because I hadn't already purchased a system or component(s) from Micro Center until I pointed out that customer service connected me. He gave me a SKU number that doesn't seem to exist on their website. But he did say I need a dual graphics card that supported CrossFire or SLI. He also pointed out my selected mobo wouldn't support said dual cards.

So now I turn to the experts I should have several hours ago. Sorry. I need some help on both a graphics card that can take the load off my CPU while encoding/editing video as well as a mobo that will work. I'm leaning toward Intel Core 2 Quads since my research indicates these work well with such tasks, but I won't turn down AMD suggestions.

Any help would be Oscar-worthy,

moviefan

 

[Proximon]

Any video card you can afford is only going to do so much for you. You aren't going to purchase a workstation card for this build, so it's really not a big deal.

The Micro Center guy was just trying to sell you stuff.

Video editing and encoding ONLY, or will you want to game on it?

Crossfire would do absolutely nothing for video editing. I can't believe someone would get paid to make a recommendation like that.

Give me a few and I'll post a full build:

UD3R
Q9550
G.Skill
HIS 4670
CM 690 case
Corsair 450W
Caviar Black 750GB
Lite-on DVD burner
Vista 64-bit

There you are, that gives you a good workhorse with the Q9550, by far the most important part of the build.
Great case and PSU.

 

[aford10]

Here is a board supporting xfire
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

Either of these memory kits are good. I would chose the ocz b/c of the rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227267
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209

video card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102768 (if you have the budget)
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801 (can always add 2nd card later)

psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009 (will run xfire)

 

[moviefan]

Any video card you can afford is only going to do so much for you. You aren't going to purchase a workstation card for this build, so it's really not a big deal.

The Micro Center guy was just trying to sell you stuff.

Video editing and encoding ONLY, or will you want to game on it?

Crossfire would do absolutely nothing for video editing. I can't believe someone would get paid to make a recommendation like that.

Give me a few and I'll post a full build:

UD3R
Q9550
G.Skill
HIS 4670
CM 690 case
Corsair 450W
Caviar Black 750GB
Lite-on DVD burner
Vista 64-bit

There you are, that gives you a good workhorse with the Q9550, by far the most important part of the build.
Great case and PSU.

Proximon,

This looks like a good build, but I'll know more as I check the whole build out (on dial-up that's really slow this time of Friday night, this will change after I build computer). Just one thing, I will probably be adding a second DVD burner and hard drive fairly soon. Everything I've read leaned toward at least 500W PSU or even more. Is this just conventional wisdom or actually good advice?

Also, I don't have the hand-eye coordination for high-end video games. Wish I did, because I've always envied those who did. Strange thing is I have great eyes to do editing of any kind, verbal or graphics. So just video editing and encoding and running word processing. I just am tired of bottlenecks with this old Dimension 2100 and want to avoid that if possible.

Thanks again.

 

[Proximon]

That's a quality PSU that will handle the load, but you can get even more for only a small increase in cost. You have 50 bucks or so flex room:

PC P&C 500W Real nice PSU.
Corsair 520HX Modular unit that would help keep the interior of your case tidy, if you wanted that About the same quality as the first one.
PC P&C 750W This is more than you need, but it does cover some extreme future video card, and has all the connections you'll ever need. Same price as that 520W.

 

[moviefan]

That's a quality PSU that will handle the load, but you can get even more for only a small increase in cost. You have 50 bucks or so flex room:

PC P&C 500W Real nice PSU.
Corsair 520HX Modular unit that would help keep the interior of your case tidy, if you wanted that About the same quality as the first one.
PC P&C 750W This is more than you need, but it does cover some extreme future video card, and has all the connections you'll ever need. Same price as that 520W.

Thanks Proximon,

I'll keep that in mind and look at your other choices. I may go with your first PSU recommendation because of price because this will be a complete system build, including keyboard, mouse, monitor as my current ones have wear and tear from young great-grandnephews getting into my office one day and going a little wild. Also the monitor is a CRT and I really want a Widescreen.
I may have to up my budget by $200-$250. Don't really want to but sometimes you gotta what you gotta do.

 

[Proximon]

WOW. I had not seen this Seasonic:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151056

500W, Modular, Seasonic, 5yr warranty.... 90 bucks. WOW

 

[moviefan]

WOW. I had not seen this Seasonic:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151056

500W, Modular, Seasonic, 5yr warranty.... 90 bucks. WOW

Wow is right, Proximon. This looks rad. Also, I want to give you props for your case suggestion. I early on saw many builds with the Antec cases with comments about their smoothed edges and internal cable layout. I think this is great, but the idea of everything being on top of my case really rocks and rads.

 

[moviefan]

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