suggest video editor build

[rwest]

I'm looking to build a machine designed specifically for video editing. I've got an idea of what I want, but I'm not sure what's gonna get me there. Would like suggestions based on these crireria:

1. Cost is a concern, but I'm willing to pay for quality parts. Therefore I don't have any kind of dollar figure in mind, but I'm almost positive what I'm looking to do isn't going to be outrageously expensive.

2. I'm only looking for advice on the box build itself. I've already decided on an inexpensive monitor, keyboard and mouse.

3. I'm thinking of using Win 2000. Mostly because it's not as resource hungry as XP. Suggestions for an OS would be welcome.

4.This machine's primary duty will be compressing video data.(Encoding) It won't acces the net and won't be used for games. It will be used for video editing only.

5. I need a no frills case with a good PS or I can buy them sepeartely. I haven't really decided about a barebones route or not. Opinions on this are welcome.

6. I'm open to AMD or Intell. I'm not looking for a dual core processor, (mostly to keep cost down) but I don't really need it for this type of unit.

7. Cooling can come with processor or be seperate.

8. Prefer top name MOBO. Onboard graphics and sound if possible. (sound is not neccesary) Stability is of highest concern, and no overclocking will be done.

9. Would like to take advantage of DDR2. I think for my purposes this will be extremely benefical.

10. Unit will need one dvd rom drive and one dvd writer.

11. Unit will need to small SATA HDDs. I don't need large drives. I'm looking at SATA for speed only.

I am open to all suggestions; but remember all I want this machine to do is: Use all of it's resources to move, compress, and move again, a single file.

[newbuilder14]

You really should get Windows XP. With a new computer it will run it with ease. I would recommend dual core processors, as they will perform better and multitask better at the same time, but that is totally up to you (The Intel Core 2 Duos have excelling benchmarks for video editing). With all that said, here is what I will recommend to you:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 link
Asus P5B link
2x512mb Corsair XMS2 link
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250gb link
Antec Sonata II link
Liteon DVD Burner link
Powercolor x1300 512mb link

This is what I would get, and if you can afford it, upgrade the CPU to e6600, get 2gb of RAM, and add a higher power video card.

[glc]

I would actually agree with Win2000. I would highly recommend a Core 2 Duo and a separate video card. The reason for this is to avoid the shared ram situation with onboard video. I'd also go with an older retrofitted chipset as the latest and greatest don't have good Win2000 support.

Motherboard: Asus P5LD2 version 2.0 - solid and proven 945P chipset.
Processor: Whichever C2D you can afford. The E6300 is entry level, it works great, the E6400 is not worth the extra expense, but the E6600 is worth it because it has twice the cache. The E6700 and X6800 are just too expensive. Retail boxed versions come with a heatsink/fan. If you want single core with DDR2, you only have 2 choices - P4 Prescotts or Cedar Mills (run too hot, performance not that good) or AMD AM2 (very fussy on ram - you need DDR2-800 XMS to run right - and very few single core models available other than Semprons). The E6300 will spank both of those options.
Ram: 2gb dual channel kit - Corsair Value Select DDR2-667 is plenty good. The C2D doesn't need XMS or DDR2-800 to run right clocked stock.
Video card: Radeon X300SE 128mb withOUT Hypermemory is plenty good for 40 bucks.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121538
Case: Foxconn TS-1, it comes with a Fortron 300w dual rail PSU. Cheap and very good quality. Stock cooling is fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811153042
If you want more guts, an Antec Sonata II is an excellent case with a 450w dual rail PSU.
Hard drives: Seagate 7200.10's, without a doubt. Almost as fast as Raptors at a fraction of the price.
Opticals: Lite-On is as good as any.

[rwest]

G., I like the case and viv card you suggested. Something of that sort was what I was looking for. I didn't know that about the single core Processors with DDR2.

I'll most likely go with the 6300, thats a great price for that processor.

The Asus P5LD2 for win 2000 works for me.

You suggested 2gig of DDR2-667; but wouldn't I get better performance from the 2 x 512 Corsair XMS like Newbuilder suggested?

I'll Definetly go for the Seagate 7200.10's 2ea.
I like the Liteon dives too. The lightscribe idea was something I hadn't thought about putting in my criteria. But I already use it with another unit and love it.

[glc]

Not that you would notice without overclocking. The 667 value ram is fine. Spend the money on ram quantity instead of speed, that will be a lot more noticeable.

Just make sure the P5LD2 is version 2 - version 1 does not support C2D.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by glc Spend the money on ram quantity instead of speed, that will be a lot more noticeable.

Okay, that does make more sense for my purposes. Yep, when I first looked at the P5LD2 I saw it didn't have support for the 6300. I thought you lost your mind. But then it was me who didn't pay attention to detail.