Questions with buying new PC.

T

TheEnglishClutch

New Member
Hey, I'm going to be buying a new PC in the next month or two and would just like a bit of help and advise from you guys please.

I currently have an iMac (Summer 2007) 2.3GHz Intel Dual Core with 2GB RAM, 512MB Graphics Card, was good back then, but very standard specs now. I do a lot of video editing in Sony Vegas (I run Boot Camp Windows XP on the mac) and I need a good spec computer to record and edit with.

I record with a Hauppauge HD PVR at 13.5MB/s and need a quick computer to edit and record with. I only need windows operating system, and would strongly prefer to stick with Windows XP (32-bit) as it has no problems, and in Windows 7 there may be a few driver support problems. (I have a Windows XP install disc, home edition)

Anyway this is the computer that I am considering buying, it seems to be everything I was (Quad Core, 4GB RAM, 1GB Video Card, 500GB or more Hard Drive)

Price wise I would like to keep it below £350 / $560

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280451935735&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I would also like it to be upgradable in 2 or 3 years time, when quicker processors are released, would that be possible on this model.

Also I need to buy a 20 - 24 inch hd monitor for under £125 / $200 if any of you have any suggestions, but mainly I am just wondering whether this PC will suit my needs.

Thanks very much, if you need to know anything else just ask and I will reply.
-Mark.
 
The thing is, XP is old, and isn't nearly as secure as win7. I'd just get 7 pro if I were you...it has something called XP Mode, where it basically uses a virtual pc with XP on it to run the program.

New intel processors will be released on the LGA 1156 and 1336 platforms. That one has the older LGA 775, so no, you couldn't upgrade.

It also has the older DDR2 RAM, which is slower than current DDR3, and generally has less capacity. It's usually not the bottleneck, but that could easily change as new programs come out.
 
Depends for your uses for the PC, as well i think as i looked at the Intel website that processor is 2.33ghz, socket LGA775. LGA775 wouldn't be upgradeable i think int he near future but those are just my opinions.
 
AusLinda said:
Depends for your uses for the PC, as well i think as i looked at the Intel website that processor is 2.33ghz, socket LGA775. LGA775 wouldn't be upgradeable i think int he near future but those are just my opinions.
Click to expand...

Won't be upgradable in the distant future either :P
 
Intel is known for loving to change their sockets every processor generation, which means you gotta buy a new motherboard every time you upgrade
 
tlarkin said:
You bought a Mac but run Sony Vegas on boot camp instead of Final Cut?:confused:
Click to expand...

I use Sony Vegas as it is easier in my opinion, and I knew when I had to upgrade my computer, it would be a lot cheaper to get a quick PC to run Vegas instead of having to buy a Mac with good specs to run Final Cut.

From reading your posts, I would like to try and get either an upgradable motherboard such as the LGA 1156 or 1336 platforms or a very quick good motherboard and processor that will last for 2/3 years and keep running very quick. I understand sometimes you can't upgrade and have to buy a new computer completely (motherboard, processor etc), but I would like to have this computer for 2 years without having to upgrade it if possible.

Also is there much difference between DDR2 and DDR3 RAM?

Thanks very much guys, if any of you have any suggestions or anywhere for me to look for a computer with specs like mentioned above please post it.

Thanks again,
-Mark.
 
TheEnglishClutch said:
I use Sony Vegas as it is easier in my opinion, and I knew when I had to upgrade my computer, it would be a lot cheaper to get a quick PC to run Vegas instead of having to buy a Mac with good specs to run Final Cut.

From reading your posts, I would like to try and get either an upgradable motherboard such as the LGA 1156 or 1336 platforms or a very quick good motherboard and processor that will last for 2/3 years and keep running very quick. I understand sometimes you can't upgrade and have to buy a new computer completely (motherboard, processor etc), but I would like to have this computer for 2 years without having to upgrade it if possible.
Click to expand...

If you look at total cost of ownership, buying something like a Mac is actually cheaper in the long run, but I won't go into great detail since you want to buy a PC. Who is to say in 2 years Intel won't release a whole new socket which then requires you to buy a new motherboard and now the power connectors on the motherboard are different because the new processor requires an 8v connection or something like that, and well that is not a standard connection on a powersupply, or they change the pin outs? It has happened many times over the past 10 years.

Also is there much difference between DDR2 and DDR3 RAM?
Click to expand...

yes, DDR3 allows for more bandwidth, though many articles out there will claim that DDR3 has slower latency times. Overall, if DDR3 did not perform better than DDR2, then why would they sell it? You will get some performance increases running DDR3.
 
tlarkin said:
If you look at total cost of ownership, buying something like a Mac is actually cheaper in the long run, but I won't go into great detail since you want to buy a PC. Who is to say in 2 years Intel won't release a whole new socket which then requires you to buy a new motherboard and now the power connectors on the motherboard are different because the new processor requires an 8v connection or something like that, and well that is not a standard connection on a powersupply, or they change the pin outs? It has happened many times over the past 10 years.



yes, DDR3 allows for more bandwidth, though many articles out there will claim that DDR3 has slower latency times. Overall, if DDR3 did not perform better than DDR2, then why would they sell it? You will get some performance increases running DDR3.
Click to expand...

Sure I understand.

Do you think that a Quad Core processor running at about 2.3 - 2.6GHz will be enough. I just want a PC that will be able to record 13.5MB/s 1280x720 gameplay from PS3 and also to be able to edit without much lag, eg be able to watch video smoothly under preview settings (half quality).

Is there a big difference between quad core and i5/i7?

Thanks for the quick reply,
-Mark.
 
Yes, I can record on my PC up to 30FPS with just using FRAPS. Depends on how you are capturing it, I suppose. Like the input devices and such. As for editing, any new generation hardware is going to be an improvement of your current system, but new software may require more resources. I am not familiar with your product, but I assume they publish minim required specs and recommend specs and that would answer your question.
 
The i5 and i7 have much better performance compared to the Core 2 processors. I'll let someone else explain it...i'm not typing all that in t9.
 
tlarkin said:
Yes, I can record on my PC up to 30FPS with just using FRAPS. Depends on how you are capturing it, I suppose. Like the input devices and such. As for editing, any new generation hardware is going to be an improvement of your current system, but new software may require more resources. I am not familiar with your product, but I assume they publish minim required specs and recommend specs and that would answer your question.
Click to expand...

I use a Hauppauge HD PVR, basically it just takes the Component cables and splits them to the computer and tv so you can record and watch on the tv at the same time. Yeah I already have the minimum specs, I just want to be able to render videos quicker (which is just about the processor) and also to be able to preview videos well (1GB Video card should be enough, I have 512GB at the moment and it can just about watch it in preview without lagging.

Basically I'm going to get a 1GB Video Card, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 500GB+ Hard Drive, Quad Core, as these specs would be fine, I don't need an insanely quick PC, just a quicker PC overall as the mac is slower. Do any of you guys have any suggestions on which model to buy?
I am pretty much limited to ebay though, due to my budget being £400 / $600

Thanks,
-Mark.
 
Drenlin said:
The i5 and i7 have much better performance compared to the Core 2 processors. I'll let someone else explain it...i'm not typing all that in t9.
Click to expand...

I may consider getting the i5 as I will be keeping this PC for hopefully 2 years before updating it. I will try and do a bit of research into how much quicker i5 is compared to Quad Core Core 2 processors.
 
Well, my opinion is, that if you look at total cost of ownership, the corei5 would be a better buy than anything else as it is the new socket and probably will be the new socket for a few years. Until Intel decides to use new technology instead of core ix.

As for best bang for your buck I am not sure as I don't live in the UK....

As for video cards go with Nvidia as they now allow products like Adobe to use their API to offshoot data to help over all performance. I don't think ATI does this yet. I am not sure if your program supports such tech, but if it does not it may in the future.
 
tlarkin said:
Well, my opinion is, that if you look at total cost of ownership, the corei5 would be a better buy than anything else as it is the new socket and probably will be the new socket for a few years. Until Intel decides to use new technology instead of core ix.

As for best bang for your buck I am not sure as I don't live in the UK....

As for video cards go with Nvidia as they now allow products like Adobe to use their API to offshoot data to help over all performance. I don't think ATI does this yet. I am not sure if your program supports such tech, but if it does not it may in the future.
Click to expand...

I've just done a quick search, is this the type of thing you mean?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PC-Intel-Quad...tZUK_Computing_DesktopPCs?hash=item5ad66919cd

Quad core i5, Nvidia graphics card DDR3 RAM.
 
Last edited:
tlarkin said:
Well for Nvidia look here:

http://hothardware.com/News/Adobe-CS4-To-Be-Accelerated-By-NVIDIA-GPUs/

Like I said, only Adobe so far is taking advantage of it and it is really new technology. However, if deemed successful I can see other vendors taking advantage of Nvidia as well. Nvidia, of course would welcome any vendor to write specific code to utilize their hardware as it would boost their sales.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I will try to be getting a i5 Quad Core with Nvidia then, Nvidia is a great graphics card anyway, but with this extra GPU technology it would be a great graphics card to get.

How much do you guys recon I'll be able to save if I make a custom PC myself instead of buying one off eBay? Because I've heard they aren't that hard to make, you just need to have the right parts and everything, or would it be too complicated for me. I know the basic's but I don't really know much about which motherboards are best etc.

Thanks,
-Mark.
 
TheEnglishClutch said:
Yeah, I will try to be getting a i5 Quad Core with Nvidia then, Nvidia is a great graphics card anyway, but with this extra GPU technology it would be a great graphics card to get.

How much do you guys recon I'll be able to save if I make a custom PC myself instead of buying one off eBay? Because I've heard they aren't that hard to make, you just need to have the right parts and everything, or would it be too complicated for me. I know the basic's but I don't really know much about which motherboards are best etc.

Thanks,
-Mark.
Click to expand...

You are from the UK right? I would ask some UK members where to get the best deals, because I am not sure if Newegg.com ships cheaply to the UK or not.
 
tlarkin said:
You are from the UK right? I would ask some UK members where to get the best deals, because I am not sure if Newegg.com ships cheaply to the UK or not.
Click to expand...

Yes I am from the UK. Any UK members know where to get the best deals? :D

Newegg doesn't ship to the uk.
I am going to look around overclock.co.uk a few people have recommended it.
 
Last edited:
How much do you guys recon I could save if I made a PC with these specs myself? Buying one with these specs off eBay costs about £475 / $750

i5 Quad Core
4GB DDR3 RAM
1GB Nvidia Graphics Card
500GB Hard Drive

Thanks very much,
-Mark.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top