Help with new system!

[jennyandgreg]

Ok I need advice. I am building my first PC with digital video a key use. What do you guys think of the setup?? I am really a newbie here so please give me any advice you can!! I plan to capture all my video with my Sony firewire camcorder so I didn't plan on purchasing a capture card....

Motherboard - Asus P4C800 Deluxe
Processor - Intel Pentium 4 3.0c Processor
Memory - Kingston 512MB DDR400 Memory (2)
Video Card - ATi 9700 Pro
Hard Drives - Seagate Barracuda Plus 120GB drive
DVD Drive - Sony DRO500A
Operating System - Windows XP Pro
Case - Chenming X-Pider Case
Power Supply - Antec Truepower 480 Watt

[turm]

Not that I’m an expert but I came up with exactly
the same configuration except case and p4 chip
(2.66 for cost reasons)

[Popee]

System sounds great. More than you need in most cases. However, I would consider a second hard drive. It is usually best to keep the OS on one drive, and capture to a second drive.

Ron

[mkelley]

Yep, Ron's right. That was the first thing that jumped out at me -- you really need a second drive.

Even two 80 gig drives would be better than one 120 gig drive (of course, two 120 gig drives are best, and at today's prices it's almost a no-brainer).

[jsnkc]

Everything looks pretty good except for the second drive which has already been covered, and I also would avoid the Sony DVD burner...too many bugs. Go with the Pioneer A-05 instead, as a bonus Pioneer just announced that they are dropping the prices on the drive also.

[mkelley]

And for a dissenting opinion, I *love* my Sony drive.

My father once bought a Chevy that had problems (a "Monday" car) and the rest of his 80+ year life never bought anything other than a Ford, as he was convinced it was the best. Sony drives are just fine, despite anectodal evidence which can be found for any product or brand.

OTOH, I don't think the ability to create +R/RW is all that big a deal (the reason I bought the Sony is that it's the one drive that nearly all new software is being test with). The Pioneer is also a good choice.