Advice on PC build for HD Video Editing

[211]

I'm helping a buddy build a new PC. He specifically wants one that he can edit HD video on.

I've got a hardware list together for him. Can anyone suggest something different or why these parts I've spec'd wont work?
We're trying to keep it under $500.

Xigmatek ASGARD II B/B CPC-T45UC-U01 Black / Black 0.8 mm SECC / Aluminum and Aluminum Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$29.99
Newegg.com - Xigmatek ASGARD II B/B CPC-T45UC-U01 Black / Black 0.8 mm SECC / Aluminum and Aluminum Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

AMD Athlon II X4 645 Propus 3.1GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
$118.99
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X4 645 Propus 3.1GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX645WFGMBOX

ASUS M4A78LT-M LE AM3 AMD 780L Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
$64.99
Newegg.com - ASUS M4A78LT-M LE AM3 AMD 780L Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT
$79.99
Newegg.com - G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT

(2x) HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.C HDS721010CLA332 (0F10383) 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$54.99
Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.C HDS721010CLA332 (0F10383) 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Thermaltake TR2 W0379RU power supply
Newegg.com - Thermaltake TR2 W0379RU 500W ATX 12V v2.2 Power Supply
$39.99

Also, you'll notice I've spec'd 2 HITACHI HDDs. I'm suggesting he runs these in RAID-0.
Does anyone disagree with a RAID-0 setup for this specific application (primarily video editing)?
I realize the inherent risks with RAID-0, and he does as well but I think for video editing the performance gain may outweigh the risk factor; I also recommend that he uses his old 250GB drive to back up his content.

Actually, speaking of which. If we do decide to go Raid0 and a second drive, what drive should I put Windows on? The raid array or the 250gb drive?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I know nothing about AMD and only a bit about video editing.

But I would find out what video editing application he intends to use and then seriously investigate that application to find out how well (if at all) it can take advantage of multiple-core processors.

It might be that it can't or can't very well. Lot of apps can't. In that case, I would probably go with a processor that had a high clock speed and just 2 cores, rather than a quad-core processor that had a lower clock. That might lead you to prefer AMD or Intel, I have no idea given your price range.

I'd make sure the app really needed 8 gigs of RAM. It's possible, but hardly a sure thing. Win 7 honks with 4 gigs. If I didn't buy 8 gigs, I'd put the saved money toward a better power supply.

Better brands would be Seasonic or Corsair. Not over 400 watts unless you have plans for a very hefty graphics card.

Which I don't see on your list.

Can't help you on the RAID thing.

 

[mitchell65]

What Video editing program is he intending to use?

 

[Zepher]

What equipment is he going to primarily be shooting with?
You won't need raid either.

Premiere Pro CS5 will use a lot of cores, here is a shot of my setup when I was testing something for someone,

 

[211]

He'll be using Premier Pro CS5.
We already bought two 1TB hard drives and we're planning on keeping the OS (win7 64bit) on a seperate drive and just dedicate the RAID array to the encoding process.

I realize we don't "NEED" a raid but everything I've researched says theres' performance gains to be had (if you set up the system right), so I'm looking at it as a 'why not'? Unless theres really a reason NOT to.
...besides the whole data-loss drive failure part. We all know to back our files up.

I'm not entirely sure what equipment he'll be using. I know he's got a few HD helmet cams for action shots. He's also got another video cam but I don't know the specs.

Oh, also, I've opted to omit a video card for now because the onboard video seems to be pretty decent. My thoughts were we'd wait and build up the machine, see how the onboard video handles the gfx duties. If he decides he needs an add-in card we'll pick one up used on ebay. He won't need anything bleeding edge so I'm sure there's several options to be had for under 50$

Make sense or no?

 

[Zepher]

When you do decide on getting a graphics card, get an Nvidia card, Premiere Pro CS5's rendering engine uses the CUDA technology in Nvidia cards.
You will get Performance gains using raid, but you won't notice it with your editing system and you have a higher risk of losing your working data if one drive fails.

I would up the budget a little and get a 6 core AMD since you will be relying on the CPU for 100% of your rendering.

 

[211]

You will get Performance gains using raid, but you won't notice it with your editing system ...

why because of only having 4 cores?

LOL, I like that... "ONLY" having 4 cores.

 

[Zepher]

You will get Performance gains using raid, but you won't notice it with your editing system ...

why because of only having 4 cores?

LOL, I like that... "ONLY" having 4 cores.

lol, no because the data rate of your video is not even going to bottleneck a single drive.

Ideally you want to have at least 3 separate drives in your editing system.
1 for the OS and programs
1 for your Raw footage (your working projects will also be on this drive)
1 for your Project Materials, music, graphics, titles, animations, basically stuff you will be storing and using on all of your projects.

 

[whs]

I found that the number of cores make a difference in video editing. I would probably go for one of those 6 core AMDs. And what about a muscular video card?

My systems all have SSDs which I think speeds things up. But that is, of course, a price question.

 

[211]

Ideally you want to have at least 3 separate drives in your editing system.
1 for the OS and programs
1 for your Raw footage (your working projects will also be on this drive)
1 for your Project Materials, music, graphics, titles, animations, basically stuff you will be storing and using on all of your projects.

Okay, good advice. Maybe then what we'll do is change it up a bit.
Since we' already bought the two 1Tb drives we'll use the 250Gb SATA drive for the OS and, as you suggested, one drive for the raw footage and one for the project materials.

Unfortunately he already pulled the trigger and purchased everything in the list; including the quad core AMD.
I was also trying to work within his < $500 budget so that's why I decided on the proc that i did...
Oh well. As needed he can always pick up six core proc later I suppose.