New computer for my Dad

[A5]

Used for: Occasional HD video editing and general purpose (no gaming at all)

Budget: $400 for CPU/RAM/Mobo/PSU

Country: USA

Brand Preference: None

Using current: Hard drive, case, DVD-RW, OS License

Plan to build: Within the next 2 weeks

My current idea looks something like this:

Phenom 9950BE
Biostar TFORCE TA790GX (not GX3 - I don't think it's worth $25 for solid caps on non-critical areas)
OCZ ModXStream Pro 400W PSU
Crucial Ballistix 2x2GB CAS 4 RAM (substitute whatever CAS 4 kit is cheapest when I'm buying - is this important, or can I go with CAS 5?)

Total Price: $357+shipping at Newegg.

I went with AMD on this due to the absurdly low prices on the Quad-core Phenoms...I know they're a lot slower than the Intel quads, but I don't know if I can fit the new quads in this budget. Feedback appreciated.

 

[Denithor]

Q9400 $270
Foxconn G43MX-K $63AR
Corsair 2x2GB DDR2-800 $25AR
OCZ 500W PSU $25AR

Total: $383AR

That will kill any AMD setup you can put together today. Make sure the software your father is using will actually use a quad-core processor before you buy. Duals are much cheaper & run considerably cooler.

 

[mpilchfamily]

I asume you already have an OS and drives? Keep in mind that an old install of an OS on an old HDD won't work with the new parts. Mainly the motherboard.

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Q9400 $270
Foxconn G43MX-K $63AR
Corsair 2x2GB DDR2-800 $25AR
OCZ 500W PSU $25AR

Total: $383AR

That will kill any AMD setup you can put together today. Make sure the software your father is using will actually use a quad-core processor before you buy. Duals are much cheaper & run considerably cooler.

Thanks. He's using Sony's Vegas software, which does use quad cores. I'm not sure he'll use the system enough to justify it, but it's not my money

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
I asume you already have an OS and drives? Keep in mind that an old install of an OS on an old HDD won't work with the new parts. Mainly the motherboard.

Yeah I know. I have a Vista license laying around, so I'll just use that.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: A5

Originally posted by: Denithor
Q9400 $270
Foxconn G43MX-K $63AR
Corsair 2x2GB DDR2-800 $25AR
OCZ 500W PSU $25AR

Total: $383AR

That will kill any AMD setup you can put together today. Make sure the software your father is using will actually use a quad-core processor before you buy. Duals are much cheaper & run considerably cooler.

Thanks. He's using Sony's Vegas software, which does use quad cores. I'm not sure he'll use the system enough to justify it, but it's not my money

I second Denithor's recommendation, I just finished a build for a friend with a Q9400 and it's an insanely powerful CPU and an overclocking monster to boot. It will encode circles around the Phenom

and use less electricity doing it.

 

[Denithor]

Just a note, I made this recommendation specifically keeping the cost below $400 as you mentioned. For a few bucks more I would probably suggest going with a slightly higher end G43/G45 motherboard (Asus, Gigabyte, etc). If you plan to do any overclocking the better boards have more configuration options and better voltage control (even if you're not overclocking they are probably a bit more solid).

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Just a note, I made this recommendation specifically keeping the cost below $400 as you mentioned. For a few bucks more I would probably suggest going with a slightly higher end G43/G45 motherboard (Asus, Gigabyte, etc). If you plan to do any overclocking the better boards have more configuration options and better voltage control (even if you're not overclocking they are probably a bit more solid).

If I do overclock it, it will be pretty mild since I'm just using the stock cooler. I was thinking about going with a Q8200 with a mild OC instead of the Q9400 to save some money...I really don't think this rig will be used more than once a month, so I think the reduced speed may be worth some cash in pocket.

 

[heyheybooboo]

I don't know what version Vegas your Pop is running but Sony 'generally' uses MainConcept encoders (depending upon your output) and if anything, they seem to favor AMD over Intel.

The Phenom 9950BE would be roughly equivalent to the Q9450 - I think there are benchies over at Tom's ...

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
I don't know what version Vegas your Pop is running but Sony 'generally' uses MainConcept encoders (depending upon your output) and if anything, they seem to favor AMD over Intel.

The Phenom 9950BE would be roughly equivalent to the Q9450 - I think there are benchies over at Tom's ...

He's using Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum, if that makes any difference.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: A5

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
I don't know what version Vegas your Pop is running but Sony 'generally' uses MainConcept encoders (depending upon your output) and if anything, they seem to favor AMD over Intel.

The Phenom 9950BE would be roughly equivalent to the Q9450 - I think there are benchies over at Tom's ...

He's using Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum, if that makes any difference.

I think you have hit the jackpot. The only thing you have to worry about is your Pappy learning how to use that HD cam as a capture device and converting all the tape of you when you potty trained.

I'm assuming he has a Sony HD cam (though it may not matter). As long as your HDV source, HDV project and HDV output settings are configured exactly the same Vegas 9 will 'smart render' seriously reducing hardware time.

If the cam output is set for HD-mpeg4 AVC / HD-mpeg4-h.264, etc., just make sure your project and output is set the same.

I haven't tried the 'Platinum' but if it is like the standard Vegas 9 it uses MainConcept for mpg4 h.264 (and mpeg2 & 1 IIRC) and will 'prep' for DVD Architect (is that included in the 'Platinum' version ?)

You need to verify the HD cam output - if it has firewire you need to spec your mobo accordingly ...

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo

Originally posted by: A5

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
I don't know what version Vegas your Pop is running but Sony 'generally' uses MainConcept encoders (depending upon your output) and if anything, they seem to favor AMD over Intel.

The Phenom 9950BE would be roughly equivalent to the Q9450 - I think there are benchies over at Tom's ...

He's using Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum, if that makes any difference.

I think you have hit the jackpot. The only thing you have to worry about is your Pappy learning how to use that HD cam as a capture device and converting all the tape of you when you potty trained.

I'm assuming he has a Sony HD cam (though it may not matter). As long as your HDV source, HDV project and HDV output settings are configured exactly the same Vegas 9 will 'smart render' seriously reducing hardware time.

If the cam output is set for HD-mpeg4 AVC / HD-mpeg4-h.264, etc., just make sure your project and output is set the same.

I haven't tried the 'Platinum' but if it is like the standard Vegas 9 it uses MainConcept for mpg4 h.264 (and mpeg2 & 1 IIRC) and will 'prep' for DVD Architect (is that included in the 'Platinum' version ?)

You need to verify the HD cam output - if it has firewire you need to spec your mobo accordingly ...

He has a Canon HF10, which only seems to have USB 2.0. It shoots HD using h.264 as far as I can tell - does the "smart render" mean I can build a dual core system instead of a quad?

 

[A5]

Never mind the last post. Ordered this just now:
Phenom 9850 BE
ECS A790GXM-A
Corsair 2x2GB from above
OCZ PSU from above
Sunbeam CCF (wanted to see it for myself, also lets me do a mild OC on the CPU)

Total price: ~$340 after all MIRs