Hardware

[John Rofrano]

[Randy Champion] “Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit SP1”

That’s what you want.

[Randy Champion] “Intel Core i3 2100 @ 3.10GHz “

This is inadequate and why it’s taking you so long to get your work done. Intel Classifies the Core i3 has just for word processing and surfing the internet. Core i5 is recommended for consuming multi-media and Core i7 is recommended for creation of multi-media content. As a content creator, you fall into the Core i7 category and should use nothing less. This will boost your productivity significantly.

[Randy Champion] “4.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)”

4G is the absolute minimum for running a 64-bit OS. You really need to get at least 8GB for video editing. This assumes you will get a 4 core i7 and require 2GB per core (4 cores x 2GB = 8GB)

[Randy Champion] “512MB GeForce 8400GS (XFX Pine Group)”

This is an underpowered GPU. A GeForce GTX 560 is the minimum I would use.

[Randy Champion] “Stand alone 2TB FreeAgent GoFlex Drive”

I assume this is a USB 2.0 device. I would get a USB 3.0 drive however your motherboard doesn’t support USB 3.0 so either get a new motherboard or a USB 3.0 card. It would be even better to use eSATA drives and get a motherboard that supports eSATA.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask questions. My computer specs are on the PC Equipment page of my web site.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Randy Champion]

Wow! That must be some kind of machine to work with!! How much, if I may ask, did it cost(minus the keyboard, mouse, monitors and sound system)?

As I’m going to have to attack my boss a piece at a time, in what order should my Want List be in?

Not all who wander are lost.

[John Rofrano]

[Randy Champion] “Wow! That must be some kind of machine to work with!!”

Yea, I’m very happy with the performance of this build. Editing all kinds of native media is very smooth. It is based on the Videoguys DIY9 specs which also have cheaper alternative parts. I specifically stayed with the older Sandy Bridge architecture instead of the new Ivy Bridge because Intel doesn’t make a 6 core Ivy Bridge and with video editing, more cores is what you want.

[Randy Champion] “How much, if I may ask, did it cost(minus the keyboard, mouse, monitors and sound system)?”

For the case, PSU, motherboard, processor, liquid cooler, fans, memory, SSD, Blu-ray burner, firewire card, and internal card reader I paid $1,797 USD.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Randy Champion]

That’s all? I expected it would be twice that. I don’t feel so hesitant about approaching management now.

Not all who wander are lost.

[Alex Murphy]

If you just put it together yourself you could do it for a little over a grand.
$300 – i73770k
$200 – 32g ram
$150 – Motherboard
$150 – Video Card
$100 – for a 2tb Hard Drive (or $200 for either an SSD 128gig + HD 2tb or 2 2tb HD’s
$50 – Power supply
$30 – Dvd burner ($60 for Blu-Ray but your computer won’t be able to play movies)
$100 – Windows

That’s just $1,080 – $1,210 minus the case.
But if you’re going to build a mean machine I do recommend you get a blinged out case with a big window and colored lights. Trust me, you’ll feel better about yourself and produce better work if your computer looks as visually pimped out on the outside as it is internally 😉

[John Rofrano]

[Alex Murphy] “But if you’re going to build a mean machine I do recommend you get a blinged out case with a big window and colored lights. Trust me, you’ll feel better about yourself and produce better work if your computer looks as visually pimped out on the outside as it is internally ;)”

I don’t know about the “bling effect” but you definitely want a lot of ventilation using large quiet fans, not small noisy ones. The larger the fan, the slower in can turn to move the same amount of air and the slower it turns the quieter it becomes. One of my first cases had 7 small fans and it sounded like a 747 taking off. I now use cases that have a few large fans and it’s much quieter.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Pete Mack]

Hi

I’m a complete beginner, and so I’m not sure if the following contribution is the right answer to Randy’s issue. If it’s not, then perhaps a veteran will come along and correct me. That’d be swell if that happened because I’d be learning from my mistake.

What I learned recently is that it appears that Vegas has a functionality that will allow someone with a laptop or an “inferior” computer to use Vegas. That feature, or process, is called “Creating Proxy Files for High Definition Editing.” Sony says:

“If you’re working on a system with limited processing power, creating a proxy file will streamline the editing process and allow you to preview your project.”

Again, I’m not sure if my answer hits the nail on the head, I could be wrong. If I am wrong, I really hope a seasoned Vegas user comes along to correct me.

[John Rofrano]

Proxies can certainly be used on lesser hardware. The only trade-off, of course, is that you need more disk space (and more time to make them) but it’s a fine option of you can’t upgrade your CPU.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com