Suggestions on PC spec for AVCHD file handling

[dicksibo]

Re an earlier post and the handling/editing of AVCHD files on my PC, although I thought my PC spec was reasonably good, (Pinnacle 12 Ultimate with an AMD 64 x 2 Dual Core processor, 2G of RAM and a 512MB on the graphics card, OS is XP sp3) it handled std def OK but its abundantly clear that’s its not got enough poke with HD, its like watching paint dry.

I’m looking to build a new PC, and I want to stick with a PC rather than MAC based system. Preferably AMD based as I’ve built a number of AMD based PC’s without problem in the past, however if its thought I’ll get more “bang of my buck” with an Intel based machine then I’ve got no real issues with that option.

I can spend up to £750 (could stretch to another £50) on the new system. Any thoughts on processor/component spec would be most appreciated. Will a £150/200 graphics card bring anything to the party in terms of speeding up the rendering process or is that all processor/ram based? As I say any suggestion gratefully received.

PS, not sure whether the above should be in this forum or computers forum, if incorrect, moderator please move.

[Sheks]

Hi,

I am no expert, but recently got a new PC to handle AVCHD editing.

A number of sources seemed to suggest that multi-core (quad) processors are best for this type of application, but graphics card doesn't make a hug difference.

Over the last 10 years I have built all my PC's, so looked into building an Intel Core i7 system, but came to conclusion at the time that I couldn't build an i7 core machine cheaper than Dell could build it for me (this was a few months ago now, so things may have changed). Cannot quite believe I bought a Dell, but in fairness it is very good and brezzes through AVCHD editing, sometimes doing renders quicker than real time, which is amazing, although my videos are generally short with a few titles and transisions etc - nothing complicated.

All the best
Sheks

[dicksibo]

Sheks,

Many thanks for the info, I'm on my way to the Dell website.

Regards
Dicksibo

[A n d r e w]

Originally Posted by Sheks

graphics card doesn't make a hug difference.

I think you'll find that even graphics cards like a hug every now and then.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Sheks

Hi,

I am no expert, but recently got a new PC to handle AVCHD editing.

A number of sources seemed to suggest that multi-core (quad) processors are best for this type of application, but graphics card doesn't make a hug difference.

They most cetainly do for playback. Try playing back blu ray with an Nvidia card with the Nvidia Purevideo HD which off loads the work off a CPU to the GPU, you will notice a difference
Some software also utilise GPU power to background render effects during editing
At any rate a decent graphics subsystem does PC benchmarking no disfavours

Over the last 10 years I have built all my PC's, so looked into building an Intel Core i7 system, but came to conclusion at the time that I couldn't build an i7 core machine cheaper than Dell could build it for me (this was a few months ago now, so things may have changed). Cannot quite believe I bought a Dell, but in fairness it is very good and brezzes through AVCHD editing, sometimes doing renders quicker than real time, which is amazing, although my videos are generally short with a few titles and transisions etc - nothing complicated

.
I have similarly self built until I got a Medion and Mesh Q 6600 and Q 9640 for the sum of thier parts ( less software) but I also bought Bluray Drives and hence my cooment on how much difference a decent graphic card can make
FWIW the Q6600 overclocker to 3.0Ghz without breaking out into a sweat