Build for $1,500 video editing machine

[ericfree]

Hi, my name is Eric. This will be my first build, and I'm looking forward to finally learning how to build my own computer.

The system is going to function mainly as a video editing machine running Abode Premiere Pro 2, but also as my main office machine. Price is NOT my first consideration. I care more about having a highly reliable workhorse that will give me at least 4 years of trouble-free use.


$150: Case
Thermaltake Eureka VC8000BWA Black Chassis : 1.0mm all aluminum Front bezel : Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811133011)

$100: PSU
Thermaltake Purepower RX W0142RU ATX12V 500W Cable Management / Active PFC / 14CM Fan / Triple +12V Rails Power Supply - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817153050)

$210: MOBO
ASUS P5W DH DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131025)

$308: Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6600 - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115003)

$183 : 2GB Memory
Kingston HyperX 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2/1G - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820134009)

$255: 3 Hard Drives
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148140)

$30 : DVD Burner
SONY 18X DVD±R DVD Burner Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model AW-Q170A-B2 - OEM (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827131038)

$300: Video Card
Matrox Parhelia APVe (http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/crepro/products/parhelia/apve.php)

$670: Monitor
HP LP2465 Carbonite-Black 24" 6 ms (typical gray to gray) DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor with Height & Pivot Adjustments - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824176059)
or
Dell UltraSharp 2407WFP Black 24" LCD Monitor (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=320-4335)


That's about $1,500 not including the Monitor and OS.

I already have speakers, mouse, keyboard.

Questions:

1. How does the parts lineup look?

2. What's your opinion on the monitor? Better the Dell or the HP or other?

3. Do I need any thermal compound for the build?

4. Do I need to buy any additional fans?

5. Do I need to buy any additional cables, connectors, etc?

6. I want highly reliable hard drives. Is the Seagate Barracuda the way to go? I am willing to spend a few extra bucks.

7. I am not planning on including a FDD. Is that OK?

8. The OS will be Windows XP. I have a license for XP on a machine I bought 4 years ago that recently died and am not using anymore. But I never received the installation disk from the computer manufacturer:
a. Can I use any XP installation disk and use this license key?
b. Where can I find a XP installation disk? (I'm going to ask some friends to see if they have any.)

[chuck4456]

If you're going with i975x, the best are the Abit AW9D and AW9D MAX. 2 gigs of DDR2667 will give you all of the performance that you require. CORSAIR VALUE SELECT PC5300 is a steal right now. A LITE ON DVD Burner will be a better choice. Looks like good specs on the video card. It may suit your needs - not up to date on that one. Someone else here is, I'm sure. Check the PSU reference thread. Good ones will be highlited in bold blue. Monitors are entyrely subjective. You should be able to obtain a disc from your PC manufacturer. If not, tack on another 1-150. Seagate's are tops.

[Mr.Ferrari]

I would opt for a Xclio StablePower 500w or 460w. Or a Silverstone ST50EF instead.

Go for the corsair definately..Kingston just does not have their kind of reputation, especially the hyperX series.

As for the monitor, I have heard great things about Apple's Cinema line of monitors for excellent color reproduction. VERY $$ though. The DELL should be a safe choice, can't really comment on the HP.

Barracuda 7200.10 for the HDD is a great choice.

Thermal compound comes preapplied to your CPU heatsink.

BE warned, the Copy's of XP that come on prebuilts are usually tied to that motherboard's bios. And the "installation" CD is usually a recovery cd.