Photo and Video editing computer - new build

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H

htpc_newb

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Jan 27, 2010
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18,510
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This Week

BUDGET RANGE: I am willing to spend a bit to get a good machine but everything within reason. I want value for my money but am willing to spend money.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Photoshop with large files, Premier, After Effects. I am looking for quick render times.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: speakers, mouse, keyboard, monitor

Power (already have this):Thermaltake Toughpower W0224RU 850W ATX 12V 2.3

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe - probably not though

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 2560x1600 30"

Case: Zalman GS 1000 or Corsair Obsidian 800
Mother Board: ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
CPU: Intel Core i7-930 2.8GHz 8MB
RAM: CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM
Video Card: Recommendations?
Sound: onboard

HDD boot: Samsung 10,000 RPM 120GB (already have)
HDD cache: perhaps an SSD drive?
HDD storage: a few drives I already have

So any thoughts on this system? I think trying to pick a video card is always a headache.
 
MadAdmiral

MadAdmiral

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Nov 11, 2009
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Case: Don't spend $200-300 on a case. That's bordering on retarded. The most expensive case you should ever buy is the HAF 922.

RAM: Too expensive again. Buy two sets of either G.Skill Pi Series 3x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 7 for $360 or Mushkin Enahnced Redline 3x2 GB 1600 mhz CAS Latency 6 for $460. The G.Skills are faster for the same price, and the Mushkins are the fastest sticks on the market.

GPU: I would look into if nVidia cards fair better with your system or not. Another thing I would look into is the workstation GPUs (ATI's Fire or nVidia's Quaddro lines). These are perfect for your uses. Buy the biggest one you can afford.

HDDs: If you get a SSD, you should only put the OS and applications on it. SSDs hate constantly writing data. If you decide to get an SSD, make sure that you leave a 20% cushion for free space, otherwise the drive will slow down considerably. Here's a good 128 GB SSD: Corsair Nova 128 GB for $320.
 
H

htpc_newb

Distinguished
Jan 27, 2010
19
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18,510
Thanks for the reply.

I like the large sized cases but you probably do have a point. The Corsair case is a bit over the top. I could always just stick with the old LianLi case I have but I was hoping to improve airflow a little.

Thanks for the Ram suggestions, I'll check into those.

Video Cards - I'll check those too and post and link to what I find.
 
gkay09

gkay09

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Jul 28, 2008
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@MadAdmiral those Mushkin RAMs are unnecessary for his usage...

@htmp_newb, stick with that Corsair RAM you have...

And as for the graphic cards, it would depend...If the apps that you use take advantage of Nvidia's CUDA / ATI's Stream, then I would get the one that it supports...
And Workstation cards might or might not affect much...again this depends on the s/w that you use...
 
H

htpc_newb

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Jan 27, 2010
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18,510
Well I was trying to edit my first reply with the updated info but I guess I can't.. so here is the new suggestion

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Update - New revision

Power (already have this):Thermaltake Toughpower W0224RU 850W ATX 12V 2.3
Case: Zalman GS 1000
Mother Board: ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
CPU: Intel Core i7-930 2.8GHz 8MB
RAM: G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Video Card: ATI 100-505553 FirePro V5700 512MB PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card
Sound: onboard
HDD boot: 10,000 RPM 120GB (already have)
HDD cache: 15,000 RPM drive - Fujitsu MBA3073RC 73.5GB 15000 RPM 16MB Cache
HDD storage: a few drives I already have
 
gkay09

gkay09

Splendid
Jul 28, 2008
8,861
0
31,960
H

htpc_newb

Distinguished
Jan 27, 2010
19
0
18,510
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Update - New revision

Power (already have this):Thermaltake Toughpower W0224RU 850W ATX 12V 2.3
Case: Zalman GS 1000
Mother Board: ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
CPU: Intel Core i7-930 2.8GHz 8MB
RAM: G.SKILL PI Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150442
Sound: onboard
HDD boot: 10,000 RPM 120GB (already have)
HDD cache: 15,000 RPM drive - Fujitsu MBA3073RC 73.5GB 15000 RPM 16MB Cache
HDD storage: a few drives I already have
 
H

htpc_newb

Distinguished
Jan 27, 2010
19
0
18,510
Yeah, I thought to go with a 15k drive instead of a SSD. I have a 10K drive already so I would use that for my program drive, then for a new 15k cache drive since SSD isn't good for cache. I guess I could put both the cache and the programs on the same drive but I thought it might make things smoother to separate them.
 
gkay09

gkay09

Splendid
Jul 28, 2008
8,861
0
31,960
^ The SSD have come a long way...that benchmark is an old one...I would suggest you to browse even more about the SSDs before making the purchase...
http://www.anandtech.com/storage/
Am still not convinced with the 15K drives over the SSDs...
 
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