Help with building/buying

[Chamber005]

So I'm picking up a new pc to replace my Pentium D.

I'm only going to be editing footage from an HF200 for now (24mbps mode needs a core2 duo system at 2.33 ghz or higher), but in the future I'm going to be trying out the EX line.

Can someone recommened the required components?

There seem to be about a million of these for sale for dirt cheap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/DELL-OPTIPLEX-7...ZViewItemQQptZDesktop_PCs?hash=item3358023753

But is a core2 a waste of money, e.g. does the EX line (at 35mbps) require something faster like a quad core?

Also, alternatively, could I just take out the Penny D and stick in a Core2 Duo processor? Are computers that house Ds typically compatible with Core2 Duos?

Thanks!

 

[Cassius]

You don't need a quad core, but your rendering time and preview with layers/effects will be greatly improved if you get one. The new i5 line is not only quad core, but built on superior 45nm technology. The i5, as opposed to the i7, is the new 'mainstream' version, and having recently built an upgrade from Core 2 to i5 I can tell you the improvement is huge and worth the wait to save up for it.

That said, the Core 2 Duo is still going to be a big improvement over the Pentium D. And yes, generally they both carry the LGA775 mount.

 

[Chamber005]

You don't need a quad core, but your rendering time and preview with layers/effects will be greatly improved if you get one. The new i5 line is not only quad core, but built on superior 45nm technology. The i5, as opposed to the i7, is the new 'mainstream' version, and having recently built an upgrade from Core 2 to i5 I can tell you the improvement is huge and worth the wait to save up for it.

That said, the Core 2 Duo is still going to be a big improvement over the Pentium D. And yes, generally they both carry the LGA775 mount.

The LGA775 mount means that I can just toss a new processor in my computer? That would be completely awesome.

How can I tell if my computer will work with the new processor? How can I tell what "mount" it has?

 

[EC Junior]

What model is your motherboard or the Model/Make of your computer if you purchased it ?

 

[Cassius]

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Run this if you don't know offhand. It tells you the motherboard make, among other things, and from that you can search to check the socket and compatibility.