Video Editing Machine: Will this rig work?

[EnergyzeX]

Hey Guys,

I've been reading the website and the forums the last week and I've benefited heaps from listening to your experiences.

I'm building a video editing machine because our current desktops are too slow. Could you check if this rig will work, have adequate power, run cool and silent. Thanks!

Here is what I'm proposing:


Case: Antec P182 Performance One Black ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply: Antec TruePower Trio 650W ATX 120mm fan
CPU: Intel Q6700
Motherboard: Asus P5N-E SLI
RAM: Corsair 4GB (4x XMS2 1GB) PC-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 RAM
Video Card: GeForce 8800GTS 640Mb
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
Hard Drives: 2xWestern Digital 500GB, 7200 RPM, 16 MB Cache SATA II
DVD Drive: Sony DRU830A
Video Editing Card: MATROX RT.X2 (http://www.matrox.com/video/products/rtx2_card/home.cfm)


Cheers,
Daniel

[Jamie Nixx]

Looking good that is a very nice rig :D

4GB is overkill unless you are using Vista, and you have to modify windows XP to recognise 4GB, and in some cases that much ram can actually slow your system down.
Opt for 2GB because that is all you are going to need for now.

If you are not going to be overclocking i would recommend you stick with the stock Intel cooler as they are very good.

And if you are going to be overclocking, that cooler is terrible, go for the arctic cooling freezer 7 pro.

The case maybe a bit small, i would go for the Antec 900 ultimate gaming case, it is the best case for cooling.

To run a system like this you are going to need at least 600w of a decent brand name psu.

Here are some good brands of psu

Enermax
Hiper
Corsair
Tagan
Seasonic
OCZ

There are some other but i cba to list them all :p

Hope this helps!

[The Wise Monkey]

Uh, hes chosen a 650W Antec - nice choice.

I don't know much about video editing cards, so I assume that the one you have chosen is good. :)

[Jamie Nixx]

Edited it i see :)

Yep very decent PSU.

[EnergyzeX]

Thanks for feedback guys.

I was doing some more thinking and reading about the case. Whether I should go for the Antec 900 or stay with the P182.

I think I'll stick with the P182 for a few reasons:

(Personally) I find the blue LED fans to be very distracting when I'm editing.
I really appreciate working in a quite environment for long periods of time.
I'll install an extra 120mm fan at the front to improve the airflow.
The airflow of this case should fine because I'm not overclocking anything.


Do you agree?

Cheers,
Daniel

[The Wise Monkey]

The case for your PC is entirely your decision mate - you don't have to justify it. :)

I actually quite like blue LEDs, so I have loads on my case. :D

[Jamie Nixx]

The p-182 is an excellent case mate and as WM said, there no need to justify your decision.

:)

[EnergyzeX]

Thanks for your words of affirmation guys. Makes me feel confident with my rig.

I guess I wanted to share the thoughts I was having so you could review them and point out any misconceptions I may have from my inexperience.

And just to let you know. I've ordered the parts/components for my new rig. It's very exciting! Can't wait to put it all together. However I'll have to wait a bit longer than the usual customer (2 weeks) because the Matrox Video Editing Card has to be ordered from the US.

Oh well...I guess I could build the PC first and then insert the Matrox card when it arrives...HEY that's a great idea! I'll do that.

[Jamie Nixx]

Lol :D

Enjoy building it mate and if you get stuck we are here to help.


:)

[EnergyzeX]

Hey Guys,

Just thought it would be nice to update you on my progress. I FINISHED and it WORKS!!! Hahaha!

I didn't encounter any serious problems whilst building my first computer. The only hiccups were:


Used a Thermaltech 120mm fan (the red one) instead of a Antec because the supplier had run out of stock.
Monitor not displaying image on first boot (Forgot to attach power to the Nvidia card. Whoops)
Reinstalled Windows twice (something was wrong. The icons weren't appearing.)


Here are some pictures.

YUMMM! Computer components.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/TheBreakthrough/reduced_DSC_0444.jpg

[Inside] I'm a little worried about the Matrox card restricting the airflow to the Nvidia card but at least they have direct cooling from the front Thermaltech fan.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/TheBreakthrough/reduced_DSC_0448.jpg

[Inside] It's nice to keep most of the wires out of the way. Improves the airflow.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/TheBreakthrough/reduced_DSC_0449.jpg

Monitors. Keyboard. Mouse. Speakers. HDV Camera. Matrox RT.X2 Ports.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/TheBreakthrough/reduced_DSC_0532.jpg

Surge Protector Power Board. Subwoofer.Antect P182 Case.
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/TheBreakthrough/reduced_DSC_0533.jpg

Isn't it pretty?
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m12/TheBreakthrough/reduced_DSC_0534.jpg

Thanks for all your help, reassurance, and recommendations!
Daniel

[Jamie Nixx]

Very nice, the airflow to the Nvidia card should be fine, the case has a lot of room inside especially since you have tied the cables to the back.

Glad it went well :)

[The Wise Monkey]

Looking good. :)