Best Hardware Configuration for Vegas?

Robert Eldon

Robert Eldon

Well-known member
As I was preparing to get a new PC primarily for video editing, I was wondering if anyone had ideas for the 'best configuration'?

What components would deliver the best performance?

Faster Processor?

Lots of Memory?

Faster Hard Drive?

Graphics Card?

I'm checking the Sony website as well.
 
If I had to prioritize, I would chose processor speed as the most important criterium, as long as hd, ram and graphics card are at least decent.
I would recommend the following specs:
-Dual-core Intel or AMD CPU (I would pick an AMD X2 3800+, can be faster, of course)
-1 GB of Ram (I´ve got 2 GB in my machine but I haven´t noticed any improvement over 1 GB)
-7200 RPM S-ATA Harddrive (at least 250 GB). I think any recent harddrive above 200 GB will do. They´re all fast enough. There are differences in heat dissipation, power consumption and noise levels, of course, so pick one according to your preferences)
-Grafics card with 2 DVI outputs. The day will come when you will appreciate working on two TFT monitors, especially with NLEs.

If smooth previewing and short rendering times are really important to you, you should invest some money in a decent dual-core CPU. And buy a motherboard from a reputed manufacturer like ASUS or ABIT, not some cheap "Supertronic" crap with poor driver support and unintelligible manuals.

Have fun buying and assembling!
 
Thanks. I've been seeing a lot lately about the Dual-core processors. That defintely seems the way to go.

What about the Hard-Drive? Does it need to be fast? 7200RPM or faster? 10000RPM

I'm probably going to configure this and buy from Dell. I don't trust myself to build my own.

If any one component makes the biggest difference, which one would it be?

Thanks for the input.
 
As I said before, the CPU is probably the most important component. You won´t need a 10000 RPM harddrive, 7200 is fast enough and much more quiet. A dual monitor setup will be very convient as well.
 
I'll concur with Tersites. A dual-core system is definitely helpful. I'm running an AMD64 3500 right now and it is quick. But my friend has an X2 3800 and it is even better. The processor will be your most important component in terms of render speeds. All of the advice Tersites gave you is right on, at least in my opinion. I also have 2 GB of DDR400 RAM and it didn't really change much when I went from 1 GB to 2. Good luck with your system.
 
Not to derail the thread, but I'm trying to decide between an X2 3800 and a 4200. Big enough difference to pay an extra $65 for the 4200? Anyone?
 
Is it possible to run a three monitor setup? I've got a dual setup right now, but they are just regular 19" LCD monitors. I'd love to be able to keep the workspace, add a PCI video card, and throw an HD monitor in there.

Anyone running somthing like this?
 
Thanks Spot.. i had that machine a few months ago.. all except the floppy drive that is :)

I love AMD... cant wait for the new procs to come out, but that new Dual FX chip is pretty killer for renders.
 
O.K. then. Dual Core it is! 1GB should be fine (That's what I have now).

Is it possible to run a three monitor setup? I've got a dual setup right now, but they are just regular 19" LCD monitors. I'd love to be able to keep the workspace, add a PCI video card, and throw an HD monitor in there.
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I'm really curious about this as well. I'm currently running two Dell 1905FP and would love to add maybe a 2405 (I think it's a Dell 2405?). I'll contact Dell.

Thanks.
 
yes you can add as many monitors as you want. Most video cards dont support more than 2 monitors, but you can add a second pci or pci-e video card and just keep adding monitors.
 
The ASUS A8N-SLI board (which I run, and so does JohnnyRoy) has two PCI-E slots. You can run them in tandem as an SLI array, or you can run them independently.
 
I love the idea of 'fanless'. This ASUS A8N-SLI board, how is it cooled? Not that it really matters, just curious?

Yeah I had the A8N-SLI Premium last, good board. Nice and Quite (fanless) to boot.
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Jarred, you said 'last'. What do you have now if you don't mind me asking?
 
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