Computer?

FilmMakerr

FilmMakerr

Veteran
Hi, I wanted to upgrade my PC, I currently use a:

HP Pavillion
AMD Athlon
2.08GHZ
448 mb of ram

I wanted to get a new computer so I can edit on easily without my computer freezing or anything, can I go with a lap top? Or should I go with a desktop? can you give me some good computers I should try checking out. Thanks.
 
First of all, what is your budget?
If it is unlimited, check out alienware, they have awesome setups, but cost a lot.

If it is heavily budgeted, check out www.newegg.com , were you can get parts to custom build your own setup.
 
I can recommend you to use intels 3 GHZ or faster dual CPU and a motherboard with intels bridge. 1 to 2 GB RAM, min 160 GB HD for program - 2 * 160 GB HD in RAID 0 for your movies
 
Depends, do you need the portability of a laptop? Are you going to be running DV Rack? Next are you editng video and sound? Buy or buld a computer to fit its purpose.
 
Gopher_Greene said:
Depends, do you need the portability of a laptop? Are you going to be running DV Rack? Next are you editng video and sound? Buy or buld a computer to fit its purpose.
Click to expand...


Yes, I will be editiong video and sound. But I wasn't sure if weather a laptop is better or a desktop, I'm a screenwriter as well, I thought maybe the laptop would be better.
 
Whiles there's lots of differences between laptops and desktop the main on to consider is the portability. If you need to take it on the road, then get the laptop. If not you can get a lot more bang for your buck in a desk top.
 
But, there isn't any difference correct? As in if I buy a laptop with the same Specs a desktop would have. Just making sure, and is there anything else I should look for in a laptop besides what the other poster said?
 
How is this:

3.04GHZ
1 Gig of ram
P4

does that sound like something I'd be interested in? Is pentium 4 worth getting ? I heard the newer technology is going to take over the p4's, the centrino?
 
The Centrino is an Intel chip made specifically for laptops to consume less power and run cooler. It's not as powerful as a P4, but can get the job done if you're not doing major editing on it. If you want it to be your main editing deck, consider an Alienware. I have an Alienware MJ-12m 7700, http://snipurl.com/hin6, that I love. It's a P4 with 2GB RAM, 2 100GB hard drives, high-end video card, 17-inch screen; the works (full disclosure: I have no relationship with Alienware, other than being a satisfied customer). It was very expensive, but well worth it, IMO. I also use DVRack, and have it loaded for editing - but I don't use it for anything else. HTH.
 
Seems like a very fast system. Couple of things:

1) I don't know how well AMD chips work with PC-based editing systems, and if there are any quirks to be aware of. Maybe someone else can answer that.
2) You might wanna check the website for the editing software you'll be using and see if it's been optimized (or soon will be) for 64-bit.
3) I'd get another hard drive dropped in there. Use the second drive exclusively for video files, and the first as your system drive.
4) I'd go for double the RAM, if you can afford it. Maybe double the video RAM too, if possible.
 
Thanks for the reply, editing programs I'll be using are :Adobe Premier 1.5, Vegas 6, and alot of other production programs.

I talked to another guy, that offered me a custom built pc for $860, 3.4Ghz, 2GB, and 120GB of space and a tower,400 watts.
 
I would go with an AMD Opteron in a dedicated workstation/desktop. I use AMD chips exclusively in large supercomputing clusters to do research physics (electronic structure calculations in condensed matter theory). I especially love the Opteron. The newer Opteron 175 is a fast dual-core chip designed to work in a less expensive single-socket motherboard, while providing near-identical speed as two individual single-core Opterons (252). To the best of my knowledge, many of the needs of NLE software, from a performance viewpoint, are similar to those floating point needs of my physics calculations.

You can't get any Opterons from Dell, since they're Intel-only, but it's well worth the effort to source them elsewhere.

Also, remember the significant thermal, reliability, and cost benefits of desktop/workstation over laptop, so only get a laptop if you absolutely need the portability.

Feel free to PM with any questions regarding my experiences with 100 Teraflops of processor power, 100+ Gb of RAM, and 1.5+ Terabytes of storage.
 
I certainly wouldnt get a laptop if you have to choose one or the other. The desktop potentially can give you much more power for your $$. I have a laptop as well as a desktop and find half time I cant be bothered carrying the laptop around.

How comfortable are you with PC Hardware?... if reasonably then source your parts and build your own. Depending on the CPU you purchase make sure you provide adequete cooling and you should be set.

I would go with an AMD Opteron in a dedicated workstation/desktop
Click to expand...

AN excellent CPU.

Everything depends on your budget. I have found alienware overpriced. Heres a tip.. if you see an alienware you like. List all the hardware components. Find a local reputable dealer and have them quote all the parts for you - but make sure components they quote like RAM ARE THE SAME, dont just say 2gb RAM, specifically check the component number. Once you get the quote ask for a build price.... normally not too much.

OK lastly... I find that one of the most overlooked components of a PC is the PSU (power supply) make sure you get a quality PSU that rates to the power output required. If its a crap PSU / not high enough power output your pc will run, but it will suffer when power draw is at maximum such as rendering.
 
I too am shopping for a computer to edit video from my new DVX. Do I need to make sure I get a computer that will "dual dock" so I can run a second monitor to view the video as I edit? I've been looking at Dell computers and the dual dock runs up the cost of the computer a great deal.
By the time I get a dual dock PC laptop I could pay the price of the 17" powerbook with DVI. Apple tells me I could buy their software that creates a windows platform on their machine and then I could run either Vegas of Final Cut Pro Express. (I can't afford Final Cut Pro)
The other alternative is to bag the idea of the laptop having editing capability, and get a dual dock and firewire added on to my old dell desktop.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
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