Need advice on computer purchase for running VV

gnostic19 wrote on 11/12/2004, 2:24 PM

Are off the shelf computers(ie Dell, Alienware, etc.) going to run VV and other DV/Software based NLEs efficiently? I don't have the where with all to build my own system.
My budget is 1000-1500 dollars. I have put together a Alienware system and Dell system online for just under $1500.

What are the hardware items I need to have to run VV efficiently? I assume they include:
media HD
Firewire port
1 gig RAM
XP Pro
I guess sound/video cards aren't a concern becasue VV only outputs via firewire.
Are there any other vendors out there I need to look at?

Thanks for any and all help. I run a Velocity system at work but am looking to build as computer for home use that can edit video for side projects.The Velocity system is all analog I/Os so i have no exp with firewire editing. I haven't even really settled on Vegas yet but I have heard good things about it. I also am considering Premiere Pro9used it a long time ago...didn't like it) and Canopus.

Here is the alienware configuration:
1] Area-51®

Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2

Chassis: Alienware® Full-Tower Case (480-Watt PS) - Saucer Silver
Power Supply: Alienware® 480 Watt Power Supply

Processor: Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 530 w/ HT Technology 3.0GHz 1MB Cache

Motherboard: Alienware® PCI Express Motherboard with Intel® 925X Chipset

Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz - 2 x 512MB

Graphics Processor: ATI RADEON™ X300 PCI Express 128MB DDR w/Digital and TV Out

System Drive: High Performance - Serial ATA - 80GB Seagate® Barracuda 7,200 RPM w/8MB Cache

Storage Drive: Additional Storage Drive - 120GB Seagate® Barracuda 7,200 RPM w/8MB Cache

Optical Drive One: NEC® ND-3500 16x Dual Layer DVD±R/W Recorder
Optical Drive Two: Lite-On 52x32x52x CD-RW Drive

Floppy Drive: 3.5" 1.44 MB Floppy Disk Drive - Black

Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 ZS High Definition 7.1 Surround Firewire (IEEE® 1394)

Network Connection: Integrated High Performance Gigabit Ethernet

and the Dell configuration: (I will have to add an extra HD)

Dimension 8400 Pentium® 4 Processor 540 with HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB)

Operating System Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

Memory FREE UPGRADE! 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (2x512M)

Monitor FREE UPGRADE! New 17 in E173FP Flat Panel Display

Video Card 128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon™ X300 SE X300SE [320-3934] 6

Hard Drive 80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) 80S [341-1055] 8

Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices 3.5 in Floppy Drive FD

Network Interface Integrated Gigabit Ethernet IN [430-0742] 13

Modem 56K PCI Data/Fax Modem DFAX [313-2279] 14

CD ROM/DVD ROM Dual Drives: 48x CD-RW Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability

Sound Card Sound Blaster® Live! 24-bit ADVANCED HD™ Audio SB1024
18

Video Editing IEEE 1394 Adapter 1394 [320-0169] 85

Dell Media Experience Dell Media Experience™ DMX [412-0660] 115

Comments

Red96TA wrote on 11/12/2004, 2:46 PM

Here's my thing...take the specs into any computer builder in your area and he can probably build your computer to your specs for half the price. On top of that, the computer will be modular, meaning that in a year, all you have to do is bring the computer in and have them upgrade the motherboard, cpu, and ram and send you on your way for a fraction of the price of a new computer...in the short AND long run, it's a better deal. Almost all of the builders will warranty their work as long as Dell and the parts you get are higher quality.

Chanimal wrote on 11/12/2004, 4:04 PM

I agee with Red96t, although I build my own systems. If I had to choose, I would select the Alienware. Dells are reliable, but I own three (1 laptop and2 desktops (Dell is in Austin, where I live) but they are NOT very expandable. They are 2.4 and 2.8 Intels, neither allow an AGI graphics adapter, only have 3 slots and have little room for expansion. Plus, the OEM version of the sound doesn't have all the features AND, their version of windows doesn't support larger harddrives, without contacting tech support for the fix (that was a pain).

However, if you build, you still need to know what components to get (or the pc builder may just use cheap components (i.e., cheap motherboard, junky powersupply, built-in sound, etc.).

I have built several with the following components:

- Case - Antec with antec 300+ power supply (usually 380). Mine uses a Coolermaster case with an enermax 400 watt)
- AMD 64 3,000 or more processor (still cheaper than the Intel comparative as of last week)
- Motherboard (I'ved used Abits, Asus, Dragon, Gigabyte and MSI). Depends on the features. I currently use the Gigabyte. Options I want include 4 IDE ports (I run with 5 built-in harddrives and a tray for removable drives), plus 2 SATA, firewire built-in, they all have usb2. Anything else is optional for me.
- RAM. Min 512, prefer 1 gig or more (I run with 1.5 gig (for ram rendering previews). I am not a strong proponant of various brands--I've used PNY, Muskin, etc. and generic brands, without noticing the difference (so long as they have the same speed and latency rating).
- Video card - ATI AGP (I noticed your Alienware had a PCI?). I use the 9700 Pro All-in-Wonder for the analog capture and TV, PVR capabilities. I build my friends PC last week with the 9600 XT All-in-Wonder (it is slower for 3D, but we don't use it, but it supports dual monitors and the xt also has FM radio). Otherwise, a generic (non-ATI brand, but uses an ATI chipset) 9200 can be found for $69.00.
- Sound card. You can use the built-in one on most motherboards, but it usually misses features for the MIDI, it also uses some processor speed. I use an Audigy 2, which sounds fine for what I do, but most would prefer a "real" audio card (search and you'll see several recommendations).
- DVD/CDROM Burner. I have a Plextor and 2 Sony's (including the latest 540b). Pretty cheap now a days. Have both +/-R capability.
- A couple extra fans (I have 2 in front, 2 in back (plus power supply has two), plus one on top, and a "slot" fan that exhaust the air from my ATI card. The one I built last week had a big fan in the back and was VERY quite. We added another big fan next to the hard drives to pull the heat away. I like this.
- Big harddrives. I don't even touch anything less than 200 gigs. 3 of the 5 fixed drives are 250gig. I prefer WD. Maxtor work well. I avoid the Hitachi drives (formerly IBM "Deathstar" disk - great performance but 2 of them went out on me before any of my WD failed (they all fail - it's just "when"). I recommend a minimum of 2.
- Disk tray. These are only $19.95 for the installed case which comes with one tray. Additional trays are only $12.00. I have them in all 4 of my home/office pc's and have 4 extra drives that I can snap in and out within a minute. Beats the compatability issues of the ISB/Firewire and a LOT cheaper.

The mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc. are preferences.

Hope this helps.

P.S. There are a LOT of configurations listed here, this topic comes up a lot (do a search for more info).