new PC suggestions

[kj1983]

I would like to buy a new PC to do video editing software such Adobe Premier Pro. I don't care if it's either Windows or Mac.

I try to stay below 1K budget. But it seem it's possible to get a good system. If it's over 1.5K, why not go with Mac?

Any suggestions? 8)

No taxes yet.
MacBook Pro, 17-inch, 2.5GHz
Item Price: $3,035.00

Dell XPS: $1,699.00

Why can't I just buy a Windows PC without an OS from Dell, I already have OS software disc already. In this case, I have to build from scratch?


PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Processor Q9450 (12MB Cache,2.66GHz,1333FSB) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1 edit
MEMORY 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs edit
HARD DRIVE 750GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache edit
OPTICAL DRIVE Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability edit
MONITORS 24 inch E248WFP Entry Widescreen Digital Flat Panel Monitor edit
VIDEO CARD ATI Radeon HD3870 512MB GDDR4 edit
SOUND CARD Integrated Sound Blaster®Audigy™ HD Software Edition edit
SPEAKERS No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system) edit
KEYBOARD Dell USB Keyboard edit
MOUSE Dell Optical USB Mouse edit
FLOPPY & MEDIA READER No Floppy Drive or Media Reader Included edit
MODEM No Modem Requested edit
My Software & Accessories
ANTI-VIRUS & SECURITY McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 24-months edit
PRODUCTIVITY No Productivity software pre-installed edit
My Service
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 2Yr Ltd HW WRTY, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis, 24x7 Phone Support edit
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Included 3 GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Yr edit
ENVIRONMENTAL OPTIONS Recycle my old system with Dell (FREE) edit
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
Adobe Elements Studio Adobe Elements Studio for XPS™ 420
Labels Windows Vista™ Premium
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
Optional Support Services Dimension XPS, Specialized Support
PHOTOS, MUSIC & MORE! No Entertainment software pre-installed
DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESS No ISP requested


Lenovo Desktop:

ThinkCentre A57 Small Form Factor
From: $1,399.99 *
Sale price: $917.94 *
Total savings: $482.05 *
After rebate: $867.94 *

ThinkCentre A57 Series SFF - On-site Warranty 1 Year Parts / 1 Year Labor
Description Part number Unit price* Quantity Price*
ThinkCentre A57 Series SFF - On-site Warranty 1 Year Parts / 1 Year Labor
Edit 9704CTO $723.55 1 $723.55
Processor: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E8200 Processor (2.66GHz 1333MHz 6MBL2) 1
Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic 1
Operating system language: Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic -English 1
Form factor: Mechanical Package SFF 2x3 no FDD Robust 1
Total memory: 4GB PC2-6400 SDRAM (2 DIMMs) 1
Video adapter: Intel GMA 3100 Integrated Graphics 1
Audio adapter: Integrated High Definition Audio 1
First hard drive bay: 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200RPM SATA II 1
Networking: Integrated Gigabit Ethernet 1
Keyboard: Lenovo Preferred Pro USB Full Size Keyboard - US English 1
Pointing device: Lenovo Optical Wheel Mouse - USB Primax 400 DPI 1
Power cord: Line Cord - US 1
Language Pack: Language Pack - English 1
Accessories and options:
Lenovo L197 Wide Monitor 4434HE1 $194.39 1 $194.39

[edDV]

What formats are you editing?

Why can't I just buy a Windows PC without an OS from Dell, I already have OS software disc already. In this case, I have to build from scratch?

That might save $40-60 or so (their cost).

Do you already own Premiere Pro CS3? That will set you back $600 or so. Factor that in.

[yoda313]

I know wiht firewire and usb these days its a whole heck of a lot easier to upgrade macs with periphals than before. HOWEVER I am still a firm believer in the ease of upgrading a pc versus the mac. Simply because the mac is so darn properietary.

If your serious about video and photo editing the main specs to concern yourself with are processor power and ram. THat would mean a quad core would give the best results today and 4 gbs is max for a 32bit os. A 64 bit os will let you use as much ram as you cna throw at it. Howver things like drivers and video codecs are not fully 64bit compatible yet.

I'd focus your budget on upping the processor and ram first and then worry about the rest later.

Personally I prefer windows since I grew up using dos (5.0 was when I was really starting to use it but I think our 286 ran 4.0, can't remember and we got rid of that ages ago - still have my 386 though and it works ).

[TimA-C]

Go for 2 or more SATA drives, you'll find it's a LOT quicker working from one drive and writing to a second drive. Make sure you go for a decent quality power supply, motherboard and memory, and make sure that the case has good airflow from front to back - there's no point in having a quick machine if it keeps crashing every 30 minutes.

[kj1983]

edDV: Not own Premiere yet (still on trial) i'm not worry about the software for now since I can get it for cheap with student discounts

can't find any deal with lenovo desktop with quad core

[kj1983]

I decide to build a computer from scratch.

Any suggestions to what I have so far? Thanks..

Here's the list (missing something?)


# computer case

# atx power supply

# motherboard

# processor (cpu)
Intel® Core™2 Quad Processor Q9550

# heat sink

# memory (ram)
4GB

* optical drive

# hard drive
500 GB

* screwdriver

# case and processor fans

# operating system
Windows Vista Ultimate

# peripherals

# Software
Adobe CS3 Master Collection

# Monitor
19" LCD

[bendixG15]

Its been said before ..... you need more than 1 HDD... 2 is good ... 3 is bettter

[bunginuts]

here is a wonderful site i found that you can get complete desktops and dirt cheap upgrade parts too www.geeks.com

[aedipuss]

well geeks is ok if you know exactly what you are getting, but most of their stuff is used/refurbed/pulls/cheap clone. buyer beware.

[Soopafresh]

http://www.gamepc.com/shop/custom.asp will make a PC to your specs. Saves a lot of aggravation, IMHO. I've built so many that it's a chore to put them together any more.

Or, you can get a barebones kit and assemble some of the stuff yourself:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4086974&Sku=P450-9110%20C