Home Video Editing -- $800

ExistNY

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (Next 1-2 weeks) BUDGET RANGE: US$$700-900 without monitor

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Most taxing use would be editing of home videos captured using a new HD camera; user is not a gamer

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg, but other sites are welcome as well.

PARTS PREFERENCES: Not sure between Intel and AMD

OVERCLOCKING: No. Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not sure.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Just a solid, well-balanced home computer. I would prefer a large harddrive.



I am helping a family member put together a basic, solid, salt-of-the-earth type PC that can handle most tasks thrown at it. I think the most taxing thing this computer will be asked to do is edit/process home video captured with a 720p HD camera. Beyond that, the family loves music and (obviously) HD home videos, so harddrive space is important. No one will be playing the latest games on this PC.

Just as a starting point, I went to Dell's website and managed to build the following for $899:

i7-920
Vista Home x64
3GB 1066 DDR3
1TB
16x CD/DVD Burdner
ATI Radeon 4350

I basically want to beat the above by building it myself (with perhaps a beefier videocard), but when I went to newegg to purchase parts with the above specs, I found I was spending over $800. What am I missing? Should I be using AMD processor/mobo combination for this build? It seems the i7-920 is too expensive for my budget range and I would be better served spending more on a stronger video processor. Or is the CPU the more important component for video editing?

All answers are appreciated! Thank you.
 

skora

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I'm there with mindless, the $800 budget for an i7 x58 platform is a bit out of reach. Whats the possibility of waiting to see what the i5 socket 1156 platform can do compared to the AMD Phenom IIs? No offical release, but will be by the end of the year. I'm guessing late Sept or Oct along the Win7 release.
 

ExistNY

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I don't think they can wait -- a recent lightning storm toasted their over-half-decade old Dell workhorse. They are pushing for a Dell, and I am offering to assist with building one. But I have no experience purchasing quality parts on a tight budget like this (I spent over 2k on my pc), and I am not familiar with the trade-offs of AMD processors. I will do my own research before counseling them, but just wanted a big picture idea of the type of hardware I should be looking at given that these users are not interested in gaming, but do plan to edit/process HD video. So what's the deal with HD video anyway? Does it not require much GPU horsepower? I noticed the above rig does not contain a videocard. . .

As an aside, please don't forget that $100 needs to be included in the budget for windows vista home premium x64. This is one major advantage Dell has over building a budget PC -- the operating system comes with it at an enormously reduced rate.
 

skora

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HD decoding has gone from software en/decoding to a module built into the graphics chip. Makes it very efficent. En/decoding is now just running the signal through a process, not calculating the image. So HD video task are very simple to do compared to rendering a battle field with mine explosions all over. The last few gens of integrated graphics do very well with HD. Even some budget mobos have HDMI output on the board. The 785G is the most recent release for IGPs, see here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-785g-chipset,2381.html

Are these the type of clients that will upgrade when they need a little bump, or just use the system till its past its useful life and then replace it? If they will run it into the ground, the a socket 775 system can work for them. How's this tickle your fancy:

Combo:
CPU: Intel Q9550 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041
OS: Win Vista 64 Home Premium w/ free win 7 upgrade http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677
$315 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.235897.19-115-041

Mobo: Asus Geforce 9300 730i
Here's the capabilities for the 9300 http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3432
$120 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131348

Option to save money
G41/G43/G45 They range in price from $55-$130. Some research would have to be done to see which is best for their use. But the more expensive one can still make budget.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010200280%20107172715&name=Intel%20G41%2fG43%2fG45

Ram: 4 gigs DDR2 1066 OCZ Platinum
$51 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298

HDD: 2x 1tb WD Caviar Black
$190 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

Options to save money:
Caviar green instead of blacks $10 each and lower power consumption over the life of the drive, but slower performance
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317

Case: When you order, search for something with free shipping and about $40 will get the job done. I pulled this link as an example. But cases can cost $20 to ship, so the free shipping is very important.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119161

Combo
PSU: OCZ modXtreme Pro 500w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016
Optical: DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188
$80 (Theres also a $20 mir for this if you want.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.237098

Total $803 w/ $20 mir available.



 

ExistNY

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Thanks to all for the replies. I think going with 775 might be a good idea, since these are definitely the type of folk who won't open the case for another 4-5 years. I am confident I can build a solid system for $800 if we opt for the 775 platform, especially if we follow Skora's suggested build above. It seems my options are (1) a budget build with AMD, (2) a budget build with 775 socket mobo and processor, or (3) convince them to spend just another $100-$200 and get an i7-920, which I understand is significantly more powerful than the other two. I am a little skeptical of integrated graphics -- I am searching for, but can't find, a comparison between the 9300 and 4850 discrete graphics card. They do have three kids, so I imagine in a few years they will want to pop in a video game or two.

This is the i7-920 build with discrete graphics that I would propose for them. It might be overkill for their needs for now, but I think they will enjoy using it over the next 4-5 years. If they insist on keeping their budget to $800, then I will propose the 775 socket with IGP Skora put together (seems very nice for their needs as well).


Cart Item List:

ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard
$169.99

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601920
$279.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5
$94.99

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$59.95

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders
$99.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
$69.99

VisionTek 900241 Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
$114.99

G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ
$119.99

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model GH22NP20
$27.99

Rosewill RCR-IC001 40-in-1 USB 2.0 3.5" Internal Card Reader w/ USB port / Extra silver face plate
$11.99

Grand Total: $1,049.86



Question for the board -- does anyone know where I can find a comparison of the performance tradeoffs between IGP and discrete graphics?

Thank you!


 

skora

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If you can sell it, the i7 is a great platform. Expensive though.

There is no comparison for a 4850 to any IGP. The IGP can't compete, but for what they are doing, is more than good enough. Spending money now on a discrete card won't get them any more performance. If you do build them the 775 system, that mobo IGP can be turned off when a discrete GPU is added. That would be best as an upgrade later. Spending $100 on a GPU in 2 years will blow away spending $100 now on a 4850. That will give them the best level of performance needed along the way instead of front loading it when they won't use it.

Here's a few changes for an AMD IGP rig. If you're not OC the CPU, this will be nice over the Q9550 as the speed is almost 600mhz faster.

Asus 785G Mobo $100 (Best IGP out right now)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

AMD 955 x4 3.2ghz and 4gigs OCZ gold DDR3 ram $265
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.237844

Then just combo the OS with a Hard drive.

If only using 1tb drive and want the discrete GPU, get this mobo and then pick the GPU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.234361

 

ExistNY

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Skora, thanks again for following this thread. Much appreciated. So you would recommend the 785G over NVIDIA's 9300 IGP? This build you are proposing seems very affordable . . . almost too good to be true. I just wish I had a good measure of the price/performance tradeoffs. Seems to me like the marginal benefit of each dollar spent at this range is pretty great.
 

skora

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AMD is known for their market strategy of hitting the sub $1000 sweet spot for builds. It really is a lot of computer and should last this family a nice long time. Graphics will be the only update that will need to be done if their kids get into gaming.

To compare the 785G and the 9300, check here. This is in the link above about the 785G, but lots of good info for you to look at.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-785g-chipset,2381-9.html

I tally $700 even delivered with the following parts (not including the $20 mir for the PSU). The links are above:
Asus 785G AM3 $100
AMD 955x4 w/ OCZ ram combo $265
Case $40
500w OCZ PSU and optical $80
1tb Caviar black HDD and Win Vista HP w/ free win 7 upgrade combo $190
Rosewill card reader $12
Shipping $10

Or if you decide against the IGP, this:
Gigabyte 770 AM3 mobo w/ Win Vista HP w/free win 7 upgrade combo $170
AMD 955x4 w/ OCZ ram combo $265
Case $40
500w OCZ PSU and optical $80
1tb Caviar black HDD $95
Rosewill Card reader $12
Shipping $10
That totals $675 + the GPU. The 4850 is the sweet spot here too for performance/price. $95-$130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048&Description=4850&name=Desktop%20Graphics%20%2f%20Video%20Cards&ActiveSearchResult=True
I'd still recommend against this since there is no need for it. For just playing HD content, the IGP is more than enough to decode the signal and for encoding the signal into a different format, that's CPU based and you're covered there.

With the left over money, I'd go and get a GPS and geocache with the kids and keep them active outside before opening the door to gaming. I know it hasn't done anything to improve my health. :laugh:

If these are home movies, provide a quality backup solution for them against data loss from another lightning strike or all physical damage. They can keep the external drive off site. You'll be a real hero if they end up needing it.
 
I also did a trial build using the i7 920/Asrock X58 and came up with something about $833. With their uses in mind i'd stick with the i7, the next best option would be to wait the 2 weeks until the i5/i7/LGA1156 are released from their NDA (they're already out in some retail channels in Taiwan, Aus and a few other places) official release date is Sept. 8

From preliminary pricing the i5 750 will be about $205, the i7 960 will be about $295 and the P55 motherboards will run from $130-$200+.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/170292/intel_lynnfield_chips_on_sale_in_taipei_ahead_of_schedule.html
 

ExistNY

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Dirtmountain, you have good experience with the Asrock X58? Skora is making a compelling case for the 785G/AMD955 set up . . . The question is whether the $200-$300 extra for i7 is worth it. And what's this business of LGA1156? Is it Intel's answer to AMD in this price range?

I think I have sufficient information to offer good advice. I will advise them that for $700-$800, they should go with the AMD and build it. If they are willing to spend $200-$300 extra, they can get a nice bump in performance, but they probably don't need this bump for their everyday needs. As compared to Dell, their website doesn't seem to offer the 785G/955 option, so building definitely wins out over buying in the $700-$800 range. If we enter i7 price range, then it's a bit of a toss-up between building and buying, but we should probably build anyway just for the fun an experience of it.

Or should I tell them to hold out until Sept. 8 . . . geez, glad this isn't my day job.
 
Me either! Video editing, compiling, rendering etc. is one area where the i7 really shines. I've had very good luck with other Asrock motherboards i've used and the reviews for the Asrock x58 have been good.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cheap-x58-motherboard,2368.html
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3593

At this point in time at the $700-$800 price point i'd go AMD, at the $800-$900 i'd go Intel i7. The problem is that with just 2 weeks until the new Intel i5/i7 LGA1156 come out, there's a real possibility of missing out on better performance at about the same price point as the AMD system. There are some preliminary benchmarks out now on the net, but none i have a lot of faith in. It's a tough call, but you can't discount the warranty or assistance they'd get from Dell, but the familiarity with your system you get from building it yourself counts for a lot also.
 

skora

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Somehow I missed the pre sale rodeo of the i5s. Stupid work not letting me read net news all day long. Thanks for that dirtmountain. If the i5s are that close, then I'd do what I have to get them to wait. Buy a computer from best buy and return it in a month. They have a 30day return policy on desktops last I checked.

The i5s are the same technology as the i7s but with dual channel DDR3 ram instead of triple channel. They will perform similarly or better than the i7 920, from the CPU side of it. It's not really intels answer to the phenom IIs, because the phenom IIs were AMDs answer to Core 2. So the i5s are a superior product and not really a competitor.

The build will look very similar to the AMD 770/GPU build. But the mobo will cost +$75 minimum or so at launch. The CPUs will balance. And the GPU can be toned down from the $100 price point to fit under the $800 mark.

I did look up a gateway refurb that TD was carrying, but it was out of stock. Didn't think to see what NE had in prebuilts. I'll try to remember that on e lebanesguy.
 

ExistNY

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So this new processor/mobo will be priced under the i7 920, or will it just shift current prices down? Sounds like what you're saying is that the new processor will be priced at ~$200, but we would have to pay $70 extra to get the nehalem MoBo. Is that pretty much right?
 

ExistNY

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So the budget has been upped to 1150 total, including a 22-24" replacement monitor. =) That leaves $950 for the box, which should be enough to get the i5/P55.

Question I have for the board: will there be a P55 mobo with an integrated nvidia video processor? Seems like that will be the best setup given the revised budget. The extra cash can go toward more ram and a backup drive.
 

skora

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No, the P55 won't have an IGP. Not sure if there will be a G55/53/51 at launch. But for little cost, you can do better than an IGP. Look for the 4670s and 9600 GSO DD3 GPUs. Usually can find one or the other for $40 amir. The i5 is very possible on $900. Good job convincing them to wait for better performance.
 

ExistNY

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At the end of the day, it will cost at least an extra $75 for the mobo, plus another $50 for the gpu. I suppose if it costs more than that, the AMD/IGP solution is still very much suitable. No harm in waiting until Sept. 8.
 

psycho sykes

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well that cyberpower PC referred to at new egg of course looks pretty impressive for the price, however i'd say STAY AWAY FROM THE POWERS!!!.
ibuypower and cyberpower have been the worst one can get now and have tons of bad reviews.

instead look at this (assuming you'll be using it for home video editing and your budget is $950)

$900 home video editing rig

total 954.91 USD
EDIT: +shipping :D

maybe way beyond budget ;) .

Regards.

PS: if can't manage to get the links from newegg just tell me, also if you would like to change anything that you find too much/less or unnecessary/needed also tell me (prefer PM as i check it more often)

??????? :D .
 

skora

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I realized that you could pull the trigger now on the X58 platform, but there would be no money left over for a backup/external drive. so the chior is singing, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTTTTT~!!!!!!!!
 

psycho sykes

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Can't WRITE my degree of "AGREEEEEEEE!"

although i don't even know you have a main drive, i just forgot to SQUEEZE it into the cart.


Good decision though.
 

ExistNY

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This is the PC I am considering building. Thoughts? Comments? Tips? Advice?

Qty.Product DescriptionSavingsTotal Price
1Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drives
Item #:N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy$94.99

1LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04
Item #:N82E16827106289
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy$28.99

1G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 15000) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231280
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy$94.99

1SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4650 100254HDMI Video Card
Item #:N82E16814102843
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy-$5.00 Instant
$59.99
$54.99

1Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee
Item #:N82E16832116677
Return Policy: Software Return Policy$109.99

1nMEDIAPC ZE-C128 Black Aluminum Panel 5.25"All-in-one Card Reader
Item #:N82E16820132021
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy$24.99

1Antec Three Hundred Black Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811129042
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

Antec TruePower New TP-550 550W Continuous Power "compatible with Core i7" Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817371020
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy-$45.00 Instant
-$20.00 Combo
$189.90
$124.90

1GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD4P ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128400
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy


Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
Item #: N82E16819115215
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy-$15.00 Combo
$379.98
$364.98

Grand Total:$898.82