Need help! What computer should I buy?

trentp

trentp

Active member
Hello, I got my HVX about a month ago now, been shooting p2, but the thing is I have an old HP laptop I got in high school. The HP was holding up well for standard def editing (given that I had all the time in the world to wait for it to render) But now I know it cant handle the HD footage. So I have come to realize its time to break down and get a new computer. But I am a college student so money is an issue.

So this is what I have been looking at:

1. A baseline mac pro (or maybe a slightly upgraded refurbished one)

2. A 24" imac

3. A dell xps, one that runs about $2400 or so, I dont want to go much over that.

I really have no idea which route to go, I do want something that will last a while and handle editing dvcproHD. Any suggestions?
 
i say get you a quad mac g5. mine still screams, speed wise and you can pick one up for about 1200 or so
 
Thanks guys! I'll look for a G5, and those custom built ones are looking pretty good too.
 
i'll have to give my .02

I've got a 24" imac and not only does it scream but the combo of price and screen real estate is unbeatable. not to mention that you can more easily transport it if you have to.
 
If your on pc i assume you already have pc sofware. if you switch to mac you will need to add new sofware to the cost. You can built yourself a nice quad core pc for less then a 1000$.
Unless you have special affection or need for a mac it will cost you a lot more for similar specs.
Spending too much on a computer is not wise as within a year or two they are completely outdated.
Think about it.
If u just bought an hvx you will probably be spending a lot on needed extras.....

They is a thread on the cafe a la dvx subforum about a quadcore pc built for editing.

Good luck

-Pierre
 
Thanks for the help guys, I think I am for sure going to go for a PC, I have the software and know how to use it. And now the only thing I am contemplating is whether to try to build my own or order a custom built one from magicmicro.com.

Trent
 
Dell has been kind to me for years; their warranty's and support alone are worth it and you can build as you desire.
 
trentp said:
Thanks for the help guys, I think I am for sure going to go for a PC, I have the software and know how to use it. And now the only thing I am contemplating is whether to try to build my own or order a custom built one from magicmicro.com.

Trent
Click to expand...

Dude, I was going to build my own, then I did the math and found out that I could actually get a custom built one from magicmicro for about the same price or less.
 
Dell is Okay, self-built cheaper

Dell is Okay, self-built cheaper

J.R. Hudson said:
Dell has been kind to me for years; their warranty's and support alone are worth it and you can build as you desire.
Click to expand...
I agree with their kindness, however I think their custom built computer price is inflated compared to a self-built one.

I just ordered the following:

Products
Qty.Product DescriptionTotal Price 1DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #50891 GIFT
Item #: COM $-49.99 Item(s) shipped from CA Tracking Number: 1Thermaltake Toughpower W0128RU ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817153040
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $144.99 Item(s) shipped from NJ Tracking Number: 6Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822148262
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy $419.94 1XFX PVT80GGHF4 GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported HDCP Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814150171
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy $279.99 1XFX DX10 Game - Retail
Item #: N82E16800989003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $49.99 Item(s) shipped from TN Tracking Number: 2Intel Xeon E5335 Clovertown 2.0GHz Socket 771 Active or 1U Processor Model BX80563E5335A - Retail
Item #: N82E16819117121
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy $739.98 1ASUS DSGC-DW Dual Socket 771 Intel 5000X MCH SSI EEB 3.61 Server Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131170
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy $419.99 4SUPER TALENT 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 FB-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) ECC Fully Buffered Server Memory Model T667FB2G4 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820609199
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy $559.96 Please be aware that Newegg does not deliver packages on Saturdays or Sundays. Delivery attempts will be made on weekdays only. Subtotal:$2,564.85 Tax:$0.00Shipping:$97.14Rush Order Fee:$2.99Total: $2,664.98


No case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. All which I have alot of.

Optical Drive add $500 for a Blu-ray
Operating System $240 for 64bit Windows (XP or Vista) XP will be around for awhile , however Vista is gaining more support for future stuff.

Add all of that and compare to a compatible custom built computer anywhere, and you will see what I mean by inflated.

Most of the components available from Dell and HP are sub-par with what I got. Yet they charge more.
 
pdsage10 said:
Dude, I was going to build my own, then I did the math and found out that I could actually get a custom built one from magicmicro for about the same price or less.
Click to expand...

What was the set up you went with?

And what would be a good monitor to get, I was looking at a 24" widescreen from dell or hp, any suggestions?


Jeff- I am using premiere, I tried avid but was turned off by how long it took to do anything on my computer (it was probably because my computer is so old) So I was going to go with CS3 and then get raylight. I haven't got raylight yet because it's not even worth it on my current pc.

-Trent
 
Dell monitor is great as a computer monitor. LOVE IT... not so great as a video monitor though.... but now they have come down in price that I'll have to get another HD video monitor for sure.


I also would 2nd the macbook. I got mine brand new for 950.. threw more RAM in... and a larger 7200 Harddrive and I've been running FCP without issues.. as well as running windows on it and doing webcasting with the system. Better reliablility running windows on my mac doing webcasts than running WME on a PC itself...
 
I also would 2nd the macbook. I got mine brand new for 950.. threw more RAM in... and a larger 7200 Harddrive and I've been running FCP without issues.. as well as running windows on it and doing webcasting with the system. Better reliablility running windows on my mac doing webcasts than running WME on a PC itself...
Click to expand...

I like the price but I still feel like I can get more for the price out of a decktop, so I am leaning that way. As for the monitor, does anyone have any thing to tell me about the dell 2407WFP? It looks pretty good to me.
 
trentp said:
What was the set up you went with?

And what would be a good monitor to get, I was looking at a 24" widescreen from dell or hp, any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I got it about a year ago with a 3.6mhz dual core, asc motherboard 64bit, 4 gb ram(updated recently to 6gb ram), two 300 gig internal drives and windows xp (avid doesnt work on vista). I already had an Envidea graphics card and 24bit sound blaster sound card. As for monitors, I dont care what anyone says, for true picture quality/color/depth lcd is ok but crt is the best.
 
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