UPgrades possible for HTPC?

[leatherlips]

I have a media center PC I built a couple of years ago (based on advice from this forum, THANKS!)
At the time, I was not intending on using it for video editing, but now want to dual purpose the machine.
SO, I'd like to know what upgrades I should make to it to be a "decent" system capable of reasonable render times when video editing. If it matters, I use Vegas Pro for editing. The hardware specs of the current system are Below. I would expect CPU upgrade, hard drive(s), even mother board is not out of the question.
Not sure what I can keep (if anything).
Thanks again!




Summary

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Computer:
Computer Type ACPI x64-based PC
Operating System Windows 7 Professional Media Center Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 1
Internet Explorer 9.10.9200.16576
DirectX DirectX 10.0
Computer Name MGHTPC (MG-HTPC)
User Name Mike
Logon Domain MGHTPC
Date / Time 2013-05-27 / 10:20

Motherboard:
CPU Type DualCore , 2800 MHz (14 x 200)
Motherboard Name Unknown
Motherboard Chipset AMD 780G/780V/790GX, AMD K10
System Memory 3584 MB (DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM)
DIMM1: G Skill F3-12800CL9-2GBNQ 2 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz)
DIMM2: G Skill F3-12800CL9-2GBNQ 2 GB DDR3-1333 DDR3 SDRAM (8-8-8-22 @ 609 MHz) (7-7-7-20 @ 533 MHz) (6-6-6-17 @ 457 MHz)
BIOS Type Award Modular (11/30/09)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter ATI Radeon HD 4200 (512 MB)
Video Adapter ATI Radeon HD 4200 (512 MB)
Monitor Generic PnP Monitor [NoDB]

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Realtek ALC885/889A/890 @ ATI SB700 - High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Adapter Realtek ALC885/889A/890 @ High Definition Audio Controller [1002-970F] [NoDB]

Storage:
IDE Controller Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
IDE Controller Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Storage Controller MagicISO SCSI Host Controller
Disk Drive SAMSUNG HD154UI ATA Device (1397 GB, IDE)
Disk Drive WDC WD15EARS-00Z5B1 ATA Device (1397 GB, IDE)
Optical Drive HL-DT-ST BD-RE WH08LS20 ATA Device
Optical Drive MagicISO Virtual DVD-ROM0000
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 117.1 GB (27.9 GB free)
D: (NTFS) 1280.1 GB (228.5 GB free)
F: (NTFS) 1397.3 GB (430.2 GB free)
Total Size 2794.4 GB (686.6 GB free)

Input:
Keyboard HID Keyboard Device
Mouse HID-compliant mouse

Network:
Primary IP Address 192.168.1.110
Primary MAC Address 6C-F0-49-0D-9C-62
Network Adapter Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller (192.168.1.110)

Peripherals:
Printer \\mgbedroom\HP LaserJet 4 Plus
Printer \\WHS2011\Jordan Printer Direct
Printer Fax
Printer HPColorJ (HP Officejet 6000 E609n)
Printer Microsoft XPS Document Writer
FireWire Controller Texas Instruments TSB43AB23 1394A-2000 OHCI PHY/Link-Layer Controller (PHY: TI TSB43AB23)
USB1 Controller ATI SB700 - OHCI USB Controller
USB1 Controller ATI SB700 - OHCI USB Controller
USB1 Controller ATI SB700 - OHCI USB Controller
USB1 Controller ATI SB700 - OHCI USB Controller
USB1 Controller ATI SB700 - OHCI USB Controller
USB2 Controller ATI SB700 - EHCI USB 2.0 Controller
USB2 Controller ATI SB700 - EHCI USB 2.0 Controller
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Input Device
USB Device USB Input Device

DMI:
DMI BIOS Vendor Award Software International, Inc.
DMI BIOS Version F5
DMI System Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
DMI System Product GA-MA785GMT-UD2H
DMI System Version
DMI System Serial Number
DMI System UUID 36434630-34393044-39433632-FFFFFFFF
DMI Motherboard Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
DMI Motherboard Product GA-MA785GMT-UD2H
DMI Motherboard Version x.x
DMI Motherboard Serial Number
DMI Chassis Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
DMI Chassis Version
DMI Chassis Serial Number
DMI Chassis Asset Tag
DMI Chassis Type Desktop Case
DMI Total / Free Memory Sockets 4 / 2


DMI

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[ BIOS ]

BIOS Properties:
Vendor Award Software International, Inc.
Version F5
Release Date 11/30/2009
Size 1024 KB
Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120
Capabilities Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD, BBS
Supported Standards DMI, APM, ACPI, PnP
Expansion Capabilities ISA, PCI, AGP, USB

[ System ]

System Properties:
Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Product GA-MA785GMT-UD2H
Universal Unique ID 36434630-34393044-39433632-FFFFFFFF
Wake-Up Type Power Switch

[ Motherboard ]

Motherboard Properties:
Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Product GA-MA785GMT-UD2H
Version x.x

[ Chassis ]

Chassis Properties:
Manufacturer Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Chassis Type Desktop Case

[ Memory Controller ]

Memory Controller Properties:
Error Detection Method 64-bit ECC
Error Correction None
Supported Memory Interleave 1-Way
Current Memory Interleave 1-Way
Supported Memory Speeds 70ns, 60ns, 50ns
Supported Memory Types SPM, DIMM
Supported Memory Voltages 2.9V
Maximum Memory Module Size 4096 MB
Memory Slots 4

[ Processors / AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 240 Processor ]

Processor Properties:
Manufacturer AMD
Version AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 240 Processor
External Clock 200 MHz
Maximum Clock 3000 MHz
Current Clock 2800 MHz
Type Central Processor
Voltage 1.0 V
Status Enabled
Upgrade Socket 754
Socket Designation Socket M2

[ Caches / Internal Cache ]

Cache Properties:
Type Internal
Status Enabled
Operational Mode Write-Back
Maximum Size 128 KB
Installed Size 128 KB
Supported SRAM Type Synchronous
Current SRAM Type Synchronous
Socket Designation Internal Cache

[ Caches / Internal Cache ]

Cache Properties:
Type Internal
Status Enabled
Operational Mode Write-Back
Maximum Size 128 KB
Installed Size 128 KB
Supported SRAM Type Synchronous
Current SRAM Type Synchronous
Socket Designation Internal Cache

[ Caches / External Cache ]

Cache Properties:
Type Internal
Status Enabled
Operational Mode Write-Back
Maximum Size 1024 KB
Installed Size 1024 KB
Supported SRAM Type Synchronous
Current SRAM Type Synchronous
Socket Designation External Cache

[ Caches / External Cache ]

Cache Properties:
Type Internal
Status Disabled
Operational Mode Write-Through
Maximum Size 1024 KB
Installed Size 0 KB
Supported SRAM Type Synchronous
Current SRAM Type Synchronous
Socket Designation External Cache

[ Memory Modules / A0 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A0
Type EDO
Speed 53 ns
Installed Size 2048 MB
Enabled Size 2048 MB

[ Memory Modules / A1 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A1
Type EDO
Speed 53 ns
Installed Size 2048 MB
Enabled Size 2048 MB

[ Memory Modules / A2 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A2
Type EDO
Speed 53 ns
Installed Size Not Installed
Enabled Size Not Installed

[ Memory Modules / A3 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A3
Type EDO
Speed 53 ns
Installed Size Not Installed
Enabled Size Not Installed

[ Memory Devices / A0 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Size 2048 MB
Speed 1333 MHz
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator A0
Bank Locator Bank0/1
Manufacturer None
Serial Number None
Asset Tag None
Part Number None

[ Memory Devices / A1 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Size 2048 MB
Speed 1333 MHz
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator A1
Bank Locator Bank2/3
Manufacturer None
Serial Number None
Asset Tag None
Part Number None

[ Memory Devices / A2 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Speed 1333 MHz
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator A2
Bank Locator Bank4/5
Manufacturer None
Serial Number None
Asset Tag None
Part Number None

[ Memory Devices / A3 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Speed 1333 MHz
Total Width 64-bit
Data Width 64-bit
Device Locator A3
Bank Locator Bank6/7
Manufacturer None
Serial Number None
Asset Tag None
Part Number None

[ System Slots / PCI ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI
Type PCI
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / PCI ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI
Type PCI
Usage In Use
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / AGP ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation AGP
Type AGP
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / PCI Express x16 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI Express x16
Type PCI-E x1
Data Bus Width x16

[ System Slots / PCI Express x1 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI Express x1
Type PCI-E x1
Data Bus Width x1

[ Port Connectors / PRIMARY IDE ]

Port Connector Properties:
Internal Reference Designator PRIMARY IDE
Internal Connector Type On-Board IDE
External Connector Type None

 

[piasabird]

I dont know much about AMD. However IDE drives are like dinosaurs. A lot depends if you are going to stick with AMD or use Ivy Bridge or a new Haswell chipset motherboard when they come out. The latest i-5 with turbo boost is a good bet. More RAM like 8 gigs is about right for heavy CPU work like encoding.

 

[leatherlips]

I dont know much about AMD. However IDE drives are like dinosaurs. A lot depends if you are going to stick with AMD or use Ivy Bridge or a new Haswell chipset motherboard when they come out. The latest i-5 with turbo boost is a good bet. More RAM like 8 gigs is about right for heavy CPU work like encoding.

Thanks piasabird
I'm pretty open to any changes. Of course I'd rather not replace everything unless I have to, but want to meet my objectives so additional memory, new HDs, CPU (and motherboard?) A new graphics card?

 

[crashtestdummy]

Thanks piasabird
I'm pretty open to any changes. Of course I'd rather not replace everything unless I have to, but want to meet my objectives so additional memory, new HDs, CPU (and motherboard?) A new graphics card?

At that point, what's left? Just the case and power supply. You're basically buying a new computer, but maybe cannibalizing some parts (case, optical drive).

 

[leatherlips]

yes, I guess that's what I'm asking. Can I upgrade parts, or is it best to just start over. its starting to sound like the latter. :|

 

[Binky]

Safest thing would be to ebay the parts and start with a newer build. But if you reallly want to retain the existing windows installation, you can upgrade the CPU, add some memory, and add a video card to give the system a pretty decent boost.

This is about $80 shipped.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&SID=u00000687

I see less than 4GB of memory is reported. Is the Win7 install a 64 bit install? If its 64 bit, bump it to at least 8gb of memory. If its 32 bit, you should really think about whether you want to fully reinstall windows (64 bit) on a old(er) system.

 

[leatherlips]

THanks Binky,

It is a 64bit OS.

So, 4GB more memory, a new CPU(thanks for the link), and any suggestions on a decent graphics card? Do I need to verify that my particular version of Sony Vegas will work with a particular card? Also, I'm not at all familiar with Graphic cards, should I look for a minimum amount of built in memory?

Thanks again!

 

[tkivisto]

I can tell you if you read the reviews that most Intel processors will blow away their AMD counterparts in the encoding side of things. I have no idea why on the full details of the matter and I used to only buy AMD parts so I am not biased to Intel but I would really recommend making the big switch to Intel.

You will want an i7 (with its hyperthreading) and at least 8GB of RAM. I'm not sure how much the video card gets tied into video editing/encoding and I am not familiar with the Vegas Pro software. If you want to do 3D video rendering then for sure you will need a better graphics card but I'm not sure how tied Vegas Pro performance is to video card performance.

And definitely, definitely, definitely get a SATA SSD, you will not regret it. That is the #1 recommended speed upgrade to people that don't have them yet. Even if you store most of your data on a standard HDD, the SSD for Windows and your main applications will enhance your life.