Build a computer for HD - Save $$$

MrPolarBare

MrPolarBare

Well-known member
I just recently bought the components to build my next computer. I figured this might be a good little tutorial for this website, since so many people are wanting to upgrade the computers to accomodate the HVX200. The benefit of building your own computer is better components and performance for a cheaper price. In other words, you can't lose. Also, it is MUCH easier than you think. I'll take you through the buying process for the computer I just built, so you can see step by step how this is done.

Before we pick out the components, I just want to let you know the three places I go to buy this stuff. First off newegg.com rocks. I usually buy everything there. You can go to pricewatch.com, and it will give you the best prices on a certain product from several different stores. The 3rd place I go to is old faithful....eBay.

First off, you need to figure out what processor you want. There are basically two different choices - Intel or AMD. Both companies have several different processor models. They come in all different sizes too (which are called "sockets"). I chose the AMD Athlon 64 X2. This is a dual core processor (which is like having two processors built into one). The socket is 939.

Now I need to find the right motherboard. Your motherboard will create the blueprint for the rest of you computer parts. Personally, I like Asus motherboards, so I go to asus.com and find a motherboard that fits a socket 939 processor. There will be several to choose from. Each will have different features. The motherboard manufacturer's website will explain what the various features do (like SLI,etc). Pick the motherboard that has the feature set that you desire. Make sure to pay attention to the type of RAM your motherboard takes. Also, make sure it has SATA, Gigabit, and PCI Express! I chose the Asus A8N-E motherboard.

Next I will buy the ram. The specs say my motherboard accepts PC3200 ram (4GB max - There are 4 slots that can hold 1GB each). So I buy 2 1GB sticks of PC3200 ram.

Next is the hard drive. Simply buy a SATA hard drive. I bought the 10,000rpm Wester Digital Raptor SATA for my main hard drive. I bought two 7200rpm Western Digital SATA drives which I will run in RAID configuration for my internal storage drive.

Video card. Now you need to buy the video card. It seems like nVidia and ATi own the video card market. I would get a PCI Express card from with one of these companies. I prefer nVidia. I bought the nVidia Quadro FX 3400 card. Note: for some reason nVidia Quadro cards sell for dirt cheap on eBay. I got this card for $550. It retails for probably $1500, and you can shop around online and find it for $1000. So eBay really came through for me here.

Now choose an optical drive (DVD/CD, etc). This is pretty simple. If you want a DVD Burner then buy one. If you only want a DVD player only, then buy that.

Last but not least is your case/enclosure. I already have 3 Antec cases, so I like to stay consistent. Make sure that your case will fit the motherboard you chose (your mother board is either Micro-ATX, ATX, or Extended ATX). ATX is the most common size of motherboard.

So the final checklist is: Processor, Motherboard, Video Card, Ram, Hard Drive, Optical Drive, Case

So that is all you need to be up and running. Of course if you don't have ANYTHING, then you need to get a monitor, keyboard/mouse, and speakers.

Also, don't forget Windows XP. I always buy an OEM version because it is CHEAP. Also, I use Windows XP Home. I don't see the point in paying more for Pro if all you are going to be doing is video-editing.

All of my computer parts will be coming in this week. I can make a short video of me assembling the computer if anyone is interested in how it is done.
 
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Great thead. I've been thinking of building my own pc for a while. The tutorials that I've found elsewhere are all dated. Your component list, though, sounds spot on.

I figure that, if I can install a ram chip, a hard drive, dvd drive, graphics and sound cards I should be able to handle throwing a tower together.
 
Good thread... nice to see something other than "oh just buy a Mac" I prefer more control over the internal hardware than Apple cares to give me.

You should also compare the specs of the system you want to build with the NLE you plan to use. For example, as far as XP Pro vs. Home, you need Pro if you plan to edit your HVX footage in Avid.

Also, many cases do not come with power supplies... and sad is the day when you sit down ready to put the system together and don't have a way to plug it in!

It's also nice to make sure your MB comes with FW and USB 2.0, and it's rather convenient if your case supports front jacks for those inputs.
 
One reason I can see for buying the Windows XP pro is for the 64bit edition which would save you from updating again in the near future when more programs offer full funcionality....

And I was just wonder how a video card really affects video editing for HD? especially the difference between AGP and PCI-E?

if anyone can chime in an answer I'd appreciate it.....
 
What issues are there with Avid and Athlon 64?

Also just to add there's a few other thing you may want to consider;

1. Capture card, if your still going to be using the DVX you need an OCHI compliant card. Also in the HD world you may want to consider a decklink card.

2. Unless the mother board has a resident PCMIA reader you may want to add a breakout box in the front of your computer that has one.

3. Make sure the computer case has a power supply and it's suffient for all your devices.

4. IF your going to be sitting beside your computer editing sound you may want to quiten it down a few decibles. This can range from the simple of "sound proffing" the case to adding water cooling. You can even get watercolled power supplies up to 450w so you can build a totlly fanless computer.

Finally read up on each component, there are at times compatability issues between components. They seem much less common these days then before, but better to do a little research before then to deal with wierd problems latter.
 
Gopher_Greene said:
2. Unless the mother board has a resident PCMIA reader you may want to add a breakout box in the front of your computer that has one.
Click to expand...

I thought the nature of the P2 beast meant extremely short connections and limited us to PCMCIA readers that were on PCI cards. Is there a working solution for a front PCMCIA slot that handles P2?
 
Just to add with what Owen said about the power supply. Make sure you don't skimp on the power supply. I know it may seem like a good way to save 20-40 bucks but in the end it makes a huge difference. I really like Antec for my power supplies and I just bought one of there cases that came with a supply and it had a great one it in.
I think enermax also makes a real good line.
 
Avid is very demanding. If you don't buy a qualified system, stay TRUE to their specifications!
 
DC said:
Avid is very demanding. If you don't buy a qualified system, stay TRUE to their specifications!
Click to expand...

Bwah, at work we have about 10 avid boxes which are fully qualified( HP xw8200), and they crash more often than my home system, which hasn't even got 1 qualified component( AMD, ATI, ...)

But then again, I might just be lucky...
Best thing is to build your own system, and pick all components by hand for quality, like the OP did.

I'm building a new system for going 10bit uncompressed HD out. Not easy, as it takes about 2 Gigabits per second from the HDD's!
 
eLeventy, what type of Hard Drives and array are you using to get your 2gb/s rate on the Hard Drives?

Someone should post the average data rate for different hard drive configurations, ie. ATA, vs SATA, vs SATA RAID, vs SATA RAID 10,000rpm drives, vs SCSI, vs Firewire800 etc... this would great to know when building a system!
 
agenthall said:
eLeventy, what type of Hard Drives and array are you using to get your 2gb/s rate on the Hard Drives?
Click to expand...

I don't know, I haven't built it yet :)
Actual building will be something for next-month. At the moment I'm gathering info, and doing some tests. A lot of info can be found on the CreativeCow Decklink forum.

I'm thinking about 8x Seagate Barracuda's 7200.9 250GB SATA-II in a RAID-0 or RAID-5 system, using an ARECA 1220 PCI-e raid controller. Should be plenty fast to go uncompressed 10Bit 1080 out to a HDCAM or D5
 
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