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Video editing PC - September 2008

hwi-h  PC Advice » Video editing PC - September 2008

Author: Koen Crijns 09/24/2008

Video editing PC

Configuration

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 Processors
Video editing is one of the applications for which a quad core processor is really worthwhile. Almost every video compression algorithm is multithreaded, meaning that it will run almost twice as fast on a quad-core, as it would on a dual-core, and almost four times the speed of a single core processor. We pick Intel's Q9450 from the 45nm Yorkfield line. This processor is not only faster and more efficient than the last generation quad-cores, but also SSE4 compatible. It is expected that more videocodecs will be made for these instructions, which will have a positive influence on performance. The chosen Q9450 processor runs at 2.66 GHz with 12 MB L2 cache.
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8 GB (4x 2 GB DDR2-800) 8 GB (4x 2 GB DDR2-800) Memory modules
Since you will be working with large files on a video editing pc, we recommend 8 GB of memory. That means using a 64-bit operating system, but really for a purpose such as this, that is recommended anyway. You can always do transcoding to 32-bit only codecs on a different (virtualised) machine. As the machine won't be overclocked, no superfast modules are necessary. Instead, choose DDR2-800 modules of a known brand. That way it is almost guaranteed that your system will work in a stable fashion.

Nexus XiR-2300 Nexus XiR-2300 CPU coolers
Though the boxed Intel cooler that comes with the Q9450 works quite well, we rather invest some money in a cooler like Nexus' XiR-2300. It cools a little bit better, with a lot less noise. Since this is a computer you will be using for extended periods, silence can be a must.
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Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R Mainboards
For Intel computers motherboards based on the P45 chipset is the best choice at the moment. The P45 combines up-to-date specifications with great performance. Our choice is the Gigabyte GA/EP45/DS3R, a decent, stable motherboard with enough hard disk connections, onboard Firewire-controller to directly connect a digital camcorder, as well as Intel RAID functions. While a separate RAID controller is a good upgrade for the enthusiast, the main bottleneck for a system such as this would not be the storage array.
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Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 Graphics cards
The latest Radeon HD 4850 by ATI offers excellent image quality and accelerates all types of HD video. As such the card is a fine choice for a video editing system. That aside this is also a choice with a good future ahead: ATI has promise to offer an Adobe plugin before the year is over, which will at least partially accelerate video encoding by the graphics card.
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Samsung Spinpoint F1 640GB SATA2 4x Samsung Spinpoint F1 640 GB in RAID 0+1 Hard disks/SSD's
One of the major problems with video editing is the amount of space that is required. It can often grow so big that it's nearly impossible to create back-ups. A crashing hard disk however may not become fatal. On the other hand, fast transfers are quite appealing as well. With those factors in mind we choose four 640 GB hard disks and configure them in a RAID 0+1 array. The setup will keep all data safe when a hard disk breaks down. The available capacity of 1.28 Terabyte, should last quite a while. Our pick is the Samsung Spinpoint F1 series, which thanks to their 320 GB platters, are the fastest 7200 rpm drives available.
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LG GGWH20L LG GGWH20L Optical drives
If you are editing in HD formats, of course you want to store your work on a suitable medium. Blu-ray is the de facto standard following in DVD's footsteps, and LG's GGW-H20L is the best Blu-ray burner we have tested in our lab when it comes to reading and writing this format. A nice coincidence, it also reads and writes DVD's in better quality than pretty much any 'ordinary' DVD drive we have tested.
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Antec Performance One P182 Antec Performance One P182 Cases
Antec's P182 is a very sleek case that allows components to be built in easily. The case also has enough features to keep the PC quiet. More importantly the case layout and built-in cooling guarantee optimal airflow that includes the storage array, a major source of heat. A coincidentally nice benefit is the stylish design; a video editing PC is an expensive thing and deserves to look good.
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Antec NeoPower 650 Antec NeoPower 650 Power supplies
In our recent test of power supplies the Antec NeoPower 650 proved to be the ideal power supply for single graphics card computers. This supply combines very stable voltages with high efficiency and a low sound production. The power supply is modular, meaning that you can easily leave out the leads that aren't needed.
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Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3200 Laser Logitech Cordless Desktop MX3200 Laser Keyboards
A PC like this needs a matching keyboard and mouse. Our choice is Logitech's Cordless Desktop MX3200, a wireless keyboard and mouse set. The keyboard does not only look very stylish, but is als comfortable to use. As expected, Logitech has added several multi-media keys to the board. The wireless mouse in this set is very precise due to the integrated laser technology.
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Creative GigaWorks T40 Creative GigaWorks T40 Speaker sets
Though a video editing PC does not need require a surround speakerset, what it does need are high quality stereo speakers. Creative has released an excellent sounding pair with the Gigaworks T40.
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Samsung SyncMaster 245T Samsung SyncMaster 245T Monitors
We choose a dual monitor setup for this machine. The picked monitors are Samsung's SyncMaster 245T screen. The choice for two monitors is simple; software like Adobe Premiere works great when you have the primary screen on one monitor and the additional buttons on the other. The choice for a 24" screen is not just based on the "the bigger the better" idea, but on the fact that some of the 24" models (under which the chosen Samsungs) can show resolutions of up to 1920x1200. This allows playback in Full HD without having to scale things down. The Samsung screen has an MVA panel, offering a great viewing angle (important when you place two monitors side by side) and an excellent color display.
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Contour Design ShuttleXpress Contour Design ShuttleXpress Extra
An extra that can't be missed with a video editing PC; the ShuttleXpress by Contour Design. This disk allows easy control in software like Adobe Premiere. Though only few stores sell it, you'll be able to find it with some research.

 

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