Good spec pc for video editing

[del_piero_3]

Hi guys,

I need a powerful machine that is to be used for video editing. I dont mind building it myself or buying it pre-built. I could do with some ideas though, just that my knowledge in hardware isnt up to scratch, been a while since I last built a pc. I already have the software and operating system (vista and win7). My budget is around £700, thats including tft screen. What do you think of the below:

1) Fujitsu Amilo DP3/Pi3635 Desktop PC - Desktops at Ebuyer

Best price £479.00 Delivered. Free upgrade to windows 7
Processor
* Intel Core 2 Quad processor Q8200 2.33GHz,
* 1333MHz FSB,
* 4MB 2nd Level Cache
Memory
* 4GB DDR2 SDRAM 1066MHz
* Configuration: 2 x 2GB
Hard Drive
* 1TB (1000GB) Serial ATA
Optical Drive
* Blu-ray drive (read) and SuperMulti DVD burner (read and write)
Software
* Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
* Microsoft Works
* Microsoft Office Home and Student Trial
* Adobe Acrobat Reader
* Nero Essentials S (CD/DVD burning software)
* Cyberlink PowerDVD BD
* Norman Security Solutions

Display
* Monitor Not Included
Graphics
* ATI Radeon HD 4850 Graphics card
Input Devices
* Standard keyboard and Optical Mouse
Networking
* 10/100/1000 Mbps LAN
* Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Interfaces
* HD Audio 7.1,
* 8 x USB Ports,
* 1 x Firewire Port,
* 1 x VGA,
* 1 x DVI,
* 1 x HDMI,
* 1 x mic-in,
* 1 line out
Expansion
* 20-in-1 Cardreader
Warranty
* 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty

2) http://configure.euro.dell.com/dells...212&lid=122756 (with all default options, this EXCLUDES monitor).

305-D004510 Home site - Best price £479.00 Delivered.
Inspiron 545 MT(D004510)

Windows 7 Upgrade Eligible

Inspiron 545 Minitower with Black Bezel
Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q8300 Processor (2.50GHz, 4MB cache, 1333MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 (64 BIT) - English
6144MB Dual Channel DDR2 800MHz [2x2048 + 2x1024] Memory
640GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive
512MB ATI Radeon HD 4350 graphics card
Display Not Included
Integrated Channel High Definition Audio
Dell(TM) USB Entry Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
Dell 2 Button USB Scroll Optical Mouse - Black
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year
Piano Black
19-in-1 Media Card reader
DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
McAfee® Security Centre - 24 Month Protection - English
1 Year Limited Warranty - Collect & Return

3) The Dell Online Store: Build Your System (with all default options, this includes monitor).

Studio XPS -(D00SX03) Best price £710.00 Delivered
Base Intel® Core i7 Processor 920 (2.66GHz, 8MB cache, 4.8GT/sec)
Microsoft Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 (64 BIT) - English
Memory 3072MB (3x1024) 1067MHz DDR3 Tri Channel
Keyboard Dell USB Entry Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
Monitor DELL 20W HD MONITOR ST2010 - BLACK - UK
Video Card 1GB NVIDIA® GeForce GT220 graphics card
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA (7200RPM) Hard Drive
Floppy Drives and Additional Storage Devices 19-in-1 Media Card Reader
Mouse Dell Laser Mouse USB (6 buttons scroll) Black
Optical Devices 16X DVD+/- RW Optical Drive (DVD & CD read and write)
Sound Cards Integrated HDA 7.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Speakers No Speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Shipping Documents English Documentation with UK/IRL Power Cord
Gedis Bundle Reference D09SX03
Standard Warranty 1 Year Premium Warranty Support

 

[del_piero_3]

^^^Anyone...

 

[crichard]

How will you import your video? via a firewire or usb connection? or direct from a flash memory card?

I haven't kept in touch with PC based video editing software so the best thing to do is to find a recommendation for the editing software and then view the Operating system & Hardware recommendations that the software needs. I would imagine that all three of those machines would do the job but do double check what the requirements of the editing software are.

Another thing to watch out for is camcorder compatibility against the editing software, if for example you have a high definition camcorder say AVCHD, check with the software manufacturer that the editing software is compatible with that model of camera.

Once you've chosen the software list it here and then we can help further if need be.

I've just bought a second hand MAC pro (dual intel cpu, quad core) for another £300 on top of your budget, you might want to consider one from ebay as you can get a lot of machine for the money, if you feel comfortable using a mac and fancy trying imovie then this may be a good option. If it has the later Leopard operating system it can be configured to run XP or MAC OSX.
Then you can use it to run your windows applications.

The choice is down to you, happy to buy a second hand well engineered machine with ilife? or choose your video editing software and check the pc's you list against it's needs.


Carl

 

[senu]

If you plan to edit AVCHD,, get the i7 system if you can afford it
You can not go wrong with it TBH

Most current software on the PC now will edit AVCHD from pretty much any camcorder


If funds are tighter the Fujitsu seems to offer more for your money than the Dell Inspiron

If you are editing from firewire ( HDV or DV) all those systems will fly!


I would not self build.. Unless you really love the idea, these preconfigured ones are VFM and any problems are someone else headahce within the warrantee period
Aldi have a Medion AKOYA Q8600 on sale from Tommorow 27th , worth checking out

 

[mmace]

i7 with monitor £619
http://www.avforums.com/forums/camc...ram-20-monitor-500gb-hdd-619-great-avchd.html

 

[jonnypb]

i7 all the way if you're going to be using AVCHD files