Photo and video editing system

[toflo]

Hello,

I am a photographer looking to build a new system to replace my aging Dell 8300. I currently process still image files in excess of 200mb and will be adding digital video in the near future. My main reason for building a system versus just buying a pre-built system is to maximize cost /performance and to have the ability to future proof and swap out parts as necessary.

I would like to spend around $1500 for a system without monitor using a Dual core and a mobo that can handle a future Quad Core.

What I am thinking so far:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard
EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP
COOLMAX CW-650T EPS12V 650W Aluminum ATX v2.01 APFC Power Supply
(2) Seagate Barracuda ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Hard Drives
Thermaltake Tsunami Case

Questions:
1. What changes would you make and why?
2. Considering my end use is this system future proofed.
3. What memory would you buy? I want at least 4gb.
4. Is this the right video card for my purposes?

Thanks for the help!

Tony

 

[Blain]

* 2GB memory
* 74GB Raptor > OS
* 4 x 250GB WD RE2 HDs > RAID 0+1

 

[GuitarDaddy]

2 of these for $160 They will run ddr800 with cas4 timings

And you can drop the GPU down if not doing any gaming to save some bucks

And I would go ahead and splurge for the Q6600, or stick an E4300 in there until the price drops on the quad in a couple of months.

And go with Vista x64 so you can take full advantage of the ram, and be able to stick a couple of extra sticks in for 8gb

 

[lamere]

Dont go with that coolmax PSU, get something like a seasonic or PC&C or enermax,
Coolmax is not known for their power supplies.

I would get as much RAM as you can afford, and i would still stick w/XP instead of vista because you'll get alot less hassle getting stuff to work. It'll only use 2.8GB even if you have more, so when vista does become something useful, you can utilise whatever you have left over.

and getting a raptor drive at least a 74GB as a boot drive will help alot also.

I'm doing the same thing as you are photo editing, and looking to upgrade to a quad core system myself soon

 

[toflo]

I will definately buy the Raptor 74GB, excellent advice. Of Course by adding the Q6600 and the raptor I am blowing my budget by about $500 but I see the value. I have 2-250GB ext.l WD hard drives that I use to back up images so I will hold off on the 2nd internal 500gb drive. I still am unsure about the RAM. Planning on 2GB sticks.

Updated:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard
EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP
Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM
(1) Seagate Barracuda ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Hard Drives
Thermaltake Tsunami Case
Thermaltake W0106RU 700W Power Supply