Help: Building Computer for HD Video Editing

[Rantlers]

Hey guys, I'm trying to build a computer that is capable of editing HD audio/video files that will eventually be run off an HTPC.

I am, however, a n00b when it comes to building computers but am really looking forward to the experience. I've been doing a lot of research over the past week, I think I finally have it narrowed down to the components I'll need, but I just wanted to get some opinions from some more experienced people before I start spending like crazy. Here's the setup I'm currently considering:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=17727047

I am open to any changes you may think are necessary. Any feedback at all would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Sharpie]

Will this computer be making the library files(...*.iso??) that you will play back to your screen? or do you have another PC already for that purpose? Your componets don't look bad but which MB are you getting...the Intel or Gigabyte? My preference is Intel, but thats me!

Have you considered a device like this? With a massive Network Attached Storeage architecture built up over time so as to spread out the cost. Look at the details of the middle unit on that link. It has 2 USB ports for direct connections of external drives and it will browse network folders and plays *.iso files. It has HDMI output. It retails for approx. $119. You can buy a lot of network soreage for the remainder of money left over based on the list price of your componets. If you search for "media bridges" you will find other solutions like this.

I grew tired of maintaining a seperate PC for home theater and went for this type of setup. Since I already had a PC for every day use I create the iso on it and copy them to my NAS.

Good luck on what ever path you choose!

[molson1138]

I've never heard of XCLIO and IMO a good PSU is one of the most important components. A bad PSU can cause all kinds of strange issues that can be difficult to troubleshoot. I'm a big fan of Corsair. Antec gets good reviews but I had one fail on me so I'm bias against them.

I'm not as up to date on mobo/CPU combos as I used to be but do you *need* a $200 mobo? Not saying it's bad but usually the advantages you get on a more expensive mobo only take effect if you overclock your system. If you don't plan to OC, you can save a little money. I've heard there isn't a lot of choice with core i7 mobos so that might be the cheapest you can go already.

The Nvidia GTX260 is a good choice but did you look at ATI? I know the ATI is better on the high end, not sure about the mid-range cards, but it might be worth comparing. Also, if you are going to use this PC to feed your TV you might want to look at a GPU that has HDMI.

One last recommendation. I'm assuming you are looking at using the 1TB drive as your main drive and the 2TB for video. 1TB is overkill for a main drive. It's better to have a small main drive and then have everything else on a separate drive. If you can afford it get a smaller SSD for your main drive. Something like THIS or THIS.

Other than the PSU, all these are just suggestions and personal opinions. From the components you listed it looks like you will be very happy with this build. Building your own system is a lot of fun. Good luck!

[crackinhedz]

lets keep this thread pertaining to the building of a PC, and not discussion of ripping bluray's as that is a no-no.

[Rantlers]

Originally Posted by Sharpie

Will this computer be making the library files(...*.iso??) that you will play back to your screen? or do you have another PC already for that purpose? Your componets don't look bad but which MB are you getting...the Intel or Gigabyte? My preference is Intel, but thats me!

Have you considered a device like this? With a massive Network Attached Storeage architecture built up over time so as to spread out the cost. Look at the details of the middle unit on that link. It has 2 USB ports for direct connections of external drives and it will browse network folders and plays *.iso files. It has HDMI output. It retails for approx. $119. You can buy a lot of network soreage for the remainder of money left over based on the list price of your componets. If you search for "media bridges" you will find other solutions like this.

You got it, I'll be designing my main computer. I'm actually planning on creating mkv's and muxing in lossless audio rather than dealing with big bulky iso's.

That's actually a great idea and much more affordable than an HTPC. I'll definitely consider going that route once I have my PC up and running and am all settled in. Thanks!

Originally Posted by molson1138

I've never heard of XCLIO and IMO a good PSU is one of the most important components. A bad PSU can cause all kinds of strange issues that can be difficult to troubleshoot. I'm a big fan of Corsair. Antec gets good reviews but I had one fail on me so I'm bias against them.

I'm not as up to date on mobo/CPU combos as I used to be but do you *need* a $200 mobo? Not saying it's bad but usually the advantages you get on a more expensive mobo only take effect if you overclock your system. If you don't plan to OC, you can save a little money. I've heard there isn't a lot of choice with core i7 mobos so that might be the cheapest you can go already.

The Nvidia GTX260 is a good choice but did you look at ATI? I know the ATI is better on the high end, not sure about the mid-range cards, but it might be worth comparing. Also, if you are going to use this PC to feed your TV you might want to look at a GPU that has HDMI.

One last recommendation. I'm assuming you are looking at using the 1TB drive as your main drive and the 2TB for video. 1TB is overkill for a main drive. It's better to have a small main drive and then have everything else on a separate drive. If you can afford it get a smaller SSD for your main drive. Something like THIS or THIS.

Other than the PSU, all these are just suggestions and personal opinions. From the components you listed it looks like you will be very happy with this build. Building your own system is a lot of fun. Good luck!

Yeah, I actually scrapped the XCLIO case & PSU and went with an OCZ PSU that was recommended to my by a member on the VideoHelp forums. I also scrapped the $200 MB and went with a $95 one that has everything I need and still more. Thanks for the warning!

From all the feedback I received bewteen the two forums, this was one of the most important! I did scrap the 1TB HD for my main drive, though I went with a 150GB WD Velociraptor. Won't be as quick as the SSD, but definitely a step up in speed for what I was originally planning.


Here's the final setup I decided on:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=17728627

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by Rantlers

You got it, I'll be designing my main computer. I'm actually planning on creating mkv's and muxing in lossless audio rather than dealing with big bulky iso's.

That's actually a great idea and much more affordable than an HTPC. I'll definitely consider going that route once I have my PC up and running and am all settled in. Thanks!


Yeah, I actually scrapped the XCLIO case & PSU and went with an OCZ PSU that was recommended to my by a member on the VideoHelp forums. I also scrapped the $200 MB and went with a $95 one that has everything I need and still more. Thanks for the warning!

From all the feedback I received bewteen the two forums, this was one of the most important! I did scrap the 1TB HD for my main drive, though I went with a 150GB WD Velociraptor. Won't be as quick as the SSD, but definitely a step up in speed for what I was originally planning.


Here's the final setup I decided on:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=17728627

why did u ditch the i7?

[molson1138]

Originally Posted by Rantlers

I did scrap the 1TB HD for my main drive, though I went with a 150GB WD Velociraptor. Won't be as quick as the SSD, but definitely a step up in speed for what I was originally planning.


Here's the final setup I decided on:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/Pu...umber=17728627

Unless you really need the extra speed you will still be okay with a 1TB drive. I bought a 1TB drive about a year ago for my main drive (SSD is still to pricey for me) and settled on a 1 TB WD Caviar Black over a Velociraptor. Yes, the Velociraptor is faster but because of the aureal(sp?) density of the Black it was "fast enough" considering the price difference. The Velociraptors are FRACKING cool though!

[Delorean2006]

nice setup but really should have gone with the i5 or i7

[oppopioneer]

You might want to check into a bd burner as well...

Pioneer's 12x BDR-205 Blu-ray burner

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/30/p...s-ahead-of-it/

http://hd.engadget.com/2008/03/25/sh...rners-by-2010/

How To Burn A Blu-Ray Disc:

http://www.supermediastore.com/article/u/blu-ray-learn1

http://nextgenburners.com/

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by Delorean2006

nice setup but really should have gone with the i5 or i7

I'm guessing that the OP had a budget in mind, which would have removed the i7 from consideration; add an i7-compatible mobo to the equation and things get expensive in a hurry.

An i5 would be comparable price-wise, but the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition is no slouch in performance, and reviews have shown that it can out-muscle the i7 940 in some benchmarks. It is multiplier unlocked as well, so overclocking is relatively simple.

[BLindsay]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

I'm guessing that the OP had a budget in mind, which would have removed the i7 from consideration; add an i7-compatible mobo to the equation and things get expensive in a hurry.

An i5 would be comparable price-wise, but the Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition is no slouch in performance, and reviews have shown that it can out-muscle the i7 940 in some benchmarks. It is multiplier unlocked as well, so overclocking is relatively simple.

overlocking an i7 is pretty cake even without it being unlocked. running mine at 4.2GHZ thats roughly a 63% increase in clockspeed over stock (i7 920) to do the same on the phenom you are talkin 5.542GHz and good luck hitting that aside from possibly some of the most extreme cooling solutions.

And in regards to video encoding (what the OP was interested in) AMD gets stomped

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2819/6

2.66GHz i7 walks away from 3.4GHz 965 amd

"More of the same here - the 965 BE is faster than any LGA-775 Intel CPU here, but compared to i7 it's noticeably slower."

that said, amd def has a place in the value for the money segment. But right now intel owns the high end. And now that the i7-980 is out its even bigger of a lead