Time for a New Build, Looking for Input

[Dark54555]

It's been a while since my last post on here, but Anandtech has never let me down in terms of good input on a PC build. My last build (a P4 3.0 desktop from almost 4 years ago) has finally basically bit the dust, plus with some new video editing needs and some new Starcraft and Diablo on the way, I figured it was time to build something new. I did build a C2Q system for my parents about 18 months ago, but it seems like the landscape has changed a lot since then.

Primary computer uses:
-Music/video/photo file storage
-HD video editing (just got a Canon HF20 in anticipation of a new addition to the family)
-Some gaming (I'm over 90% a console guy, but Starcraft II and Diablo III will be must haves...I'll put Rage in the 'Maybe' column)

Parts to be salvaged from the previous computer:
-Keyboard, Mouse, Display, Speakers
-SATA DVD-RW
-SATA DVD-ROM

The previous computer has an Antec NeoHE 430. I'd be interested to get thoughts as to whether this is salvagable based on possible builds below, or whether the 430 watts just isn't enough (even with three rails). I've debated on salvaging my Antec P180 case...but it occasionally shorts out when using the front USB, which is highly irritating (kills power to the entire system). As much as I like the case, it may have to go unless someone knows what might be causing that.

For new parts, I have no particular brand allegiance other than Western Digital (those HDs have always served me well). I'd like to keep total cost at about $1000. Further point: I plan to run Windows 7. Probably should keep that in mind when reading.

The main debate I'm having is processor based. In short, Core i7 vs. C2Q vs. AMD Phenom II X4 vs. tough it out for a month to wait for Lynnfield. In any event, the processor will dictate the mobo and RAM, though on all counts I'm leaning to ASUS, Gigabyte or DFI models. I really just don't have a good grasp on what the performance is like on this end at this point for my needs, so I'm looking for the most input here.

Video card: Seems like a pretty even fight between the GTS 260 Core 216 and the 4870, unless I'm missing something.

I'm planning to run 3 HDs, all Caviar Greens (1 as the OS hd, and 2 in RAID for storage) unless someone has a compelling reason to avoid the Caviar Green line.

This build is basically in the early planning phase, so any input is welcome and appreciated.

Forgot to mention, US parts.

 

[Dark54555]

To follow up a bit, here are 4 builds I was considering:

Build A: ATX Core i7
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz
ASUS P6T
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000)
3x Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS
PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB
~$965 (if the previous power supply and case can be reused; otherwise just over $1000 with any decent case)

Build B: MicroATX Core i7
Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz
DFI LANPARTY JR X58-T3H6
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000)
3x Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS
PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB
Antec Mini P180 Black Steel MicroATX Mini Tower
~$1045 (if the Antec Power Supply can be salvaged)

Build C: Core 2 Quad
Intel Core2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz
ASUS P5Q3
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
3x Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS
PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB
~$745 (plus case, so about $800 if PS can be reused)

Build D: AMD Phenom
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz
ASUS M4A78T-E AM3
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
3x Western Digital Caviar Green WD5000AADS
PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB
~$785 (plus case, so we'll call it $850)

If any can't salvage the PS, increase the price about $100 for a CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W.

Any comparative thoughts would be very helpful.

 

[Blain]

Read this forum for "New Build" threads.
There have been 859 of them posted in the last month.

 

[Dark54555]

Having read most of the first couple pages, I'm not building a 'high end gaming rig' or a 'super budget rig' or a 'mac pro replacement' or a 'pro video rig.' I'd be willing to bet someone has some better idea of how amateur video editing at the HD level will go on these kinds of builds. I'm pretty sure Starcraft 2/Diablo III will probably be fine on any of them.

 

[Blain]

"Super cheap video editing rig"

"Help design my video edit / gaming PC"

"Looking for pre-defined shopping list..."

 

[Dark54555]

The third link was moderately helpful. I'm still hoping someone can weigh in on how Pixela Imagemixer/Sony Vegas/Asobe Premier performance is comparatively between the i7/C2Q/Phenom II X4 is (even better if someone's tried it in Win 7 RC).

Also hoping for some better guidance on the power supply. My gut feeling is that I could maybe get by with the NeoHE with the C2Q, but not on the other builds...but I'm not sure. The power supply calculators I've tried put the Intel rigs all below the theoretical total wattage, but not by much.

 

[M0RPH]

Originally posted by: Dark54555
The third link was moderately helpful. I'm still hoping someone can weigh in on how Pixela Imagemixer/Sony Vegas/Asobe Premier performance is comparatively between the i7/C2Q/Phenom II X4 is (even better if someone's tried it in Win 7 RC).

Here are some benchmarks:

Premiere Pro CS4
Sony Vegas

i7 dominates the rest...

i7 doesn't cost that much more if you find a good combo at newegg , or if you have a microcenter nearby for the $200 i7 920

still it would be nice to see what happens with Lynfield, if you have the patience to wait for that... personally i'm putting off my next computer purchase until late this year for this very reason

 

[M0RPH]

Here's the combo for the i7 920 + Asus P6T + OCZ 6GB Text It doesn't look like you factored that into your price for build A.

 

[elconejito]

The C2Q and the PHII are roughly equivalent in performance. So between those two I'd lean towards AMD simply because you at least have somewhat of an upgrade path. If you aren't going to upgrade for another 4-5 years then this is less of an issue.

The i7 is head and shoulders above either of these, especially when it comes to handling video. So consider the extra $200-300 for i7 as "worth it", but it's up to you whether or not you actually want to spend the extra $$$. Honestly any of the platforms will be a HUGE improvement over your current P4.

If you aren't gong to overclock, I'm pretty sure you'll be fine with the NeoHE. My only concern would be the video card pulling too much, but I don't know how you would be able to figure that out. You may want to post specifically about this in the video card subforum. And if you can just not plug in the front USB, I'd keep that case too.

I was at first going to warn you off of the Green drives, for performance reasons. I thought you had a typo in the model# and that was a 500AACS not 500AADS. But a quick google makes me think that is a pretty interesting drive. I didn't see any reviews with benchmarks though. A single 500GB platter doesn't sound half bad. Currently at newegg for $58.

However, if it were me, I'd go with the WD6400AAKS for $2 more. You get more space. The WD6400AAKS is very cool, quiet, and low power, using only 2 platters. Performance is just a little shy of the WD 1TB Black. I'd be really shocked if the WD500AADS could match it in performance. I would hate for you to put this nice build together and realize the hard drives are slowing you down. With HD video, the one thing you can't have enough of is space.

And also along those lines, you REALLY want to make sure you've got a backup plan. Even if it's just burning stuff to DVD or whathaveyou. RAID1 is great for redundancy, but if something happens like an accidental deletion, a virus, your PSU explodes the whole thing is gone.

 

[Dark54555]

M0RPH - Good catch on the combo deal; it wasn't there when I looked at some of those numbers about a week ago. I am wondering if I should wait for Lynnfield (I'm on my laptops more than my desktop anyway), but with a deal like that, it may not be worth the wait. It's really hard to say.

elconejito - My upgrade path on desktops has slowed a lot in the past 10 years. I used to upgrade lots more frequently, but not being crazy about Vista, I didn't bother with the desktop for a while.

I was thinking of using an online backup in addition to the RAID (my wife would kill me if we lost baby videos) in addition to some optical media.

 

[heyheybooboo]

You can snag a WD 320Gb 2.5" hard drive and Vantec external enclosure for $104 for critical back-ups of videos, pics, tax returns, legal papers, etc. - store it with the 'rents or in a safe deposit box.

The Phenom II 945 seems to be at the top of the combo deals this week - the Phenom II 810 was $130 a few weeks back with a promo code. For whatever reason Vegas seems to favor AMD (might be the MainConcept encoders).

The best thing with your video work is to avoid conversion if you can. If your Canon does 'native' AVCHD it should import directly into Vegas. If you then output the same AVCHD the only conversion that will occur will be on your title pages, effects and transitions, etc., greatly increasing performance and saving oodles of time.