best PC combo for editing AVCHD might not be i7 !!

[zorba11]

I just came across this interesting benchmark:
bit-tech.net | Feature - Intel Core i7 CPU and Platform Value

It takes PRICE as well as performance into account, and makes some interesting conclusions, e.g. AMD Phenom systems give the best "bang for your buck".

Now its from Nov last year, and obviously prices will have come down, and more so for the newer CPU's as well as the infrastructure you need to mount them (motherboard, memory etc.). but still, of some value.

Has anyone seen anything like this that might be more uptodate?

I need something to edit AVCHD but I am not a gamer, so if I could get away without an i7 I probably would.

Any advice - would the AMD Phenom be a good bet ?

[mmace]

couldn't care less what they say, £650 for a full i7 PC (everything except monitor) and I can edit AVCHD perfectly with no stuttering (£650 when it first came out, may be cheaper by now)

[zorba11]

@mmace,

having read back through a lot of the i7 / AVCHD editing posts in this forum I am now tending to agree with you.

It seems from ppl's comments as if AVCHD editing is the sort of work the i7 was born to do (as it is heavily multi-threaded or something - be grateful if anyone could fill in the technical blanks, or point me to some sources).

Next problem is where to get one approaching £500-600. From a quick glance online, I found this one @ Mesh:

[FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial]Intel® Core™ i7 920 Processor
[FONT=Arial](2.66GHz, 8MB Cache, Quad Core)
Windows Vista™ Home Premium -64bit
Free Upgrade to Windows 7 Option
4GB 1333MHz DDR3 Memory
[FONT=Arial]1TB UltraFast Hard Drive
512MB ATI HD4770 Graphics - DirectX 10.1
[FONT=Arial]ASUS P6T Ultra High Performance Mainboard
Multi GPU CrossFireX Support
22x Multi-Format DL DVD Writer (R/W DVD, CD)
[/FONT][FONT=Arial][FONT=Arial]New Midi-Tower XGS Gaming Chassis
- Silent technology with 550W PSU

PRICE = £695 + VAT (£799)

MESH Computers - Award Winning Review PCs Since 1987 - Desktop, Intel Core i7

Do people reckon this is a good baseline for AVCHD editing?
How about upgradeability/expandability.

I'm toying with the idea of running Virtual PC (or whatever the OS/tool is, that lets you have a virtual install of any OS simultaneously so you can boot between OSs)

@mmace - Was yours £620+VAT or £620 all in ?
where did u get it again ?


[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

[zorba11]

looked a tiny bit harder (ahemm) and found this

Core I7 920 Desktop


.rgTitle a {font-weight: bold} http://i.dell.com/resize.aspx/deskto...-435mt/149/100

Dell Studio XPS™ - (d00sx02)
Core i7 technology

• Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 920 (2.66GHz, 8MB cache, 4.8GT/sec)
• 3GB (3x1024) 1067MHz DDR3 Tri Channel
• 640GB Serial ATA (7200RPM) Hard Drive
• 16X DVD+/- RW Optical Drive (DVD & CD read and write)
• 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce™ GT220 graphics card
• Display Not Included
• Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 (64 BIT) - English
• 1 Year Premium Warranty Support

Manufacturer Part d00sx02
Dell Part d00sx02uken

Price http://i.dell.com/images/global/general/spacer.gif £759.00 You Save http://i.dell.com/images/global/general/spacer.gif £90.00 http://i.dell.com/images/global/general/spacer.gif
Total http://i.dell.com/images/global/general/spacer.gif £669.00 http://i.dell.com/images/global/general/spacer.gif
incl. VAT, shipping

[stefanjan]

Originally Posted by zorba11

I just came across this interesting benchmark:
bit-tech.net | Feature - Intel Core i7 CPU and Platform Value

I need something to edit AVCHD but I am not a gamer, so if I could get away without an i7 I probably would.

Any advice - would the AMD Phenom be a good bet ?

It was good for me.

I bought this one Acer Aspire M5201 9550 4GB PC Base Unit, Reviews & Price Comparison

I have just started editing AVCHD using Premiere Elements 7 a couple of months now.

[zorba11]

tending towards the i7 now...

BUT wondering if it might be worth waiting a month till Windows 7 comes out...

I presume Windows 7 on i7 platform should be pretty good chemistry ?

How long will it take Dell, Mesh etc. to make available Windows7 versions of the builds I namechecked above - immediate? months? honestly, what do you reckon ?

....as if I can't get an prebuilt windows7 on i7, will have to consider building my own (scares the life out of me, but will try if needs-be!)