Recommended PC upgrades for CS3 & HDV footage?

T

Tom Films

Active member
I am filming with an Canon A1, going to be upgrading to CS3. I currently have...

Dell Dimension 3000
Intel Pentium 4 3.00GHz
1022MB Ram
Intel 82865G Graphics Controller


What upgrades do I need? Processor? Video Card? Ram?

Thanks
Tom
 
Checkout the Adobe hardware spec requirements for CS3. That would be a good start and give you a wish list to work from or follow.
 
So based on there product requirements, they recommend...

2.4GHz processor for HDV)
Intel Centrino®, Intel Xeon® (dual 2.8GHz processors for HD)
2GB RAM
NVIDIA Graphics Card (not sure which one)

So do I just need a Intel Xeon 2.8GHZ dual processor, more RAM, and what video card is recommended?

Are these adequate resources or just scraping by with A1 footage?
 
It really depends on the length of the project. That recommended spec is probably good for projects that are 5-10 minutes long, but for anything over 30 minutes that system is going to be brought down to its knee very quickly. Instead of investing in more expensive hardware that will become outdated quickly, think about getting AspectHD as an alternate codec that's much easier to edit.

And don't spend a ton on a graphic card, they do very little to help you edit quickly. I would get 4 GB of RAM.
 
I've got a Dell 490 with twin XEON 3.2's and four gigs of RAM. Had been cutting some MXF projects for some time without issue using RAYLIGHT. Now that Premiere CS3 is "P2 Aware" with the latest patch I don't need Raylight any longer (or the CineForm product).

But you're using an A1, so back to your question: Premiere has become a fully mature NLE. Like Barry said in another thread, you get a lot of great additional sofrware with Production Premium CS3 i.e., AE, OnLocation, Encore . . .

While not exactly a "light speed" situation, I am also able to do rough cuts on a core duo 2gig laptop with 2 gigs of RAM. As suggested above a slow processor and too little ram can take a while rendering your final output--editing the timeline is not an issue. I think I would (as jade8472 said) upgrade your ram. See how that goes before jumping into more expensive solutions.
 
So I should get 4gb ram. What about the processor? Should I upgrade to a dual Intel?

I have no idea about video cards, what is a good card to upgrade to?

So with a dual processor, 4GB ram, and Adobes "P2 Aware" patch, is AspectHD no longer necessary?
 
What dual processor is recommended?

Tiger Direct has...

Intel Core 2 Duo - 3.0GHZ - $279
Intel Core 2 Quad - 2.4 - $289
Intel Core 2 Quad - 2.66 - $579
Intel Xeon Dual Core - 2.33 - $529

Are the core 2's a good processor for HD video?
 
Dont underestimate the Graphics Card. Many plugins and FX can make use of the GPU to assist with rendering. eg MBs.

(I tested that and found a significant speed gain)

Premiere also has a use GPU playback option.
 
So I'm thinking about a intel core 2 duo 3.0ghz for $279. Is that what I need?

Also will be adding 4gb ram and still don't know what graphics card I need. ANy recommendations?

So will a core 2 duo and 4gb ram be more than enough for CS3/HDV footage (movie will be an hour long)? I will be running AspectHD if needed.
 
Well scratch that. Turns out my Dell isn't compatible with dual core processors and can't hold 4gb ram.

So now I'm looking at a new Dell XPS 420 with...

Intel Core Duo 2 3.0GHZ
4GB Ram
320 GB HD
Dual Drives
256mb Nvidia Geforce 8600 graphics card

For $1400 from Dell

Is that a good setup & price? Thought about the Mac, but it's nearly double the price.

I will be upgrading to CS3 for $799 and running AspectHD ($499) if necessary, since CS3 can't handle 24f footage yet.

Total cost about $2700.

Thoughts on the setup and price for A1 HD footage editing?
 
Dont buy a dell. They are very propriotary(not sure how thats spelled). Meaning that if you want to upgrade, your gonna have a hard time. Since your buying the big pieces of a pc, I would suggest getting a custom built pc. You will get more bang for your buck as well.
-If your gonna get a graphics card go with an Invidia 8800 series(work horse)
-Then you gotta have sufficient power for all those parts(probably 600 watts or more).
 
I tend to agree with Skiers187 -- BUT be sure to get your custom built PC from someone who KNOWS what they're doing. Main thing -- be SURE they use at least an anti-static mat, preferably an anti-static wrist strap too. I know, I know -- plenty of people will say, "I never used any of that, and my computers worked fine." Sure they did......for awhile. Then you started having 'issues', didn't you? Know why? Because that static electricity you discharged through your system when you were putting it together wasn't enough to kill components outright -- but it did weaken them, so in a few weeks or months they started failing or behaving erratically.

Anti-static measures are a must for anyone building, servicing or upgrading your editing PC. Unless, of course, you LIKE the idea of buying new hardware over and over. :-)
 
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