I have a PC with a 1.67 GHz processor and 1 Gig of RAM.

Will I be able to import video and edit it without major problems or upgrades?

Thanks!

you might want to invest in more ram

First, what kind of video.

Second, how old is this computer?? Seriously, it's time to start looking in to a major uprgrade.

I'd worry more about your hard drive right now. I've been importing video on computers with no problems since the days of 867mhz and 512mb ram. Of course, that was a mac... but still... the only way to find out is to try it.

Also depends on what software you are using. But say you shot something on a Canon MV960 or something similar and you want to edit it then you should be fine with what you have. However if you want to get into hi-def and other higher quality stuff I would look at getting something much stronger.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mr. Blue,

haha, if you want to get into HighDef, you may as well throw your old one out. If its simpler video, you might want to upgrade your HD and ram (as has been said).

Actually I'm just starting out on a GL2. So I won't be moving up to High Def for quite a while.

Thanks for all the input!

Daniel

1 gig of ram is A LOT! right?

How many RAM do you all have? i have 1 gig ram and was under the impression that this is more than most people use...

One gig is pretty much standard now for new computers. It's nowhere near a lot either. If you're going to be editing video or playing games the more the better. I only have one gig right now, but sometimes things are a little slower than I'd like. I just don't have the money to buy any more.

The rams fine, its mainly used for rendering so the more you have the better. Your processor's to slow, you'll have a problem importing, and I know from experience. You have to have a second hard drive atleast 120 gig. Graphics card suggested. I just suggest you get a new PC just for editing and capturing. You'll tear your hear out with that thing and I also have...

Yeah, seriously, you should just get a new computer. Save yourself the hassle you will experience otherwise, and get a new computer! You can get quite a good system for around $1000. I'd suggest a dual core processor (Core 2 Duo), at least 1 gig of ram (as has been said, this is pretty standard now), at least a 200 gigabyte HD (7200 rpm will be fine), and at least a dedicated graphics card (you do NOT want an integrated chip). A computer such as this should be able to handle a GL2 fine, and will last you for a while.

And, if you ever are planning to move to highdef (as one of your posts suggested you might eventually), you'll want to beef everything up (especially ram and HD space).

Unless you have excessive amounts of patience (or a Mac) Dual Core processors are pretty much necessary. They are amazing.

If you custom build you can get an editing monster for $500. Ill see if I can make a rough list for ya:

AMD Athlon 64 x2 4600 Dual Core CPU (4.8 Ghz) Motherboard Combo: $175

200GB SATA Internal Harddrive: $50

Any PCI-Express Graphics Card : $75-$300 depending on what type of work you will be doing. Hehe. This is where I completely blew my budget, I found a $990 graphics card for $300 and snatched it without a second thought. But for these purposes, lets just assume you can get something satisfactory for $100

2GB DDR2 667 Mhz RAM: $100

DVD-RW Drive: $40

Computer Case, Fan, Power Supply Bundle: $20

4 Channel PCI Sound Card: $10

Various Cables: $5

That totals exactly $500. (assuming you already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse) If you want to spend less you can down-size the CPU or only get 1GB of RAM.

$20 is not going to get a good case, fan, and power supply. Those are things you really don't want to skimp on. A hot PC is a bad PC. Also, no power supply that can support all that hardware is going to cost anything south of $50 (not a decent one. You do not want to skimp on those things, trust me on that.

I'd also avoid the AMD's. Intel's Core 2 Duo line is far superior. It might be a bit more pricey, but it is a more efficient chip, that has less power draw, and runs cooler.

Braininabox, what are you using for these prices? Newegg? $100 for 2gb of ram sounds suspiciously cheap. One thing you learn when building computers is to avoid the "off brands". Sometimes, going brand name really is the way to go (brand name for ram would be something like Crucial, Patriot, etc).

Of course, you could always go the easy, simple route, and just buy a mac. I got tired of the building process, and always having one little glitch, and of PC's in general. So do that. Join us. (haha)

Cinematical,
I bought my case, 3 LED fans and 600W power supply for $15. I have had no problems.
Hm, thats interesting that you prefer the Intel Core 2 Duo line. I was convinced that the AMD Athlon had the upper hand. Any specific reasons or experiences? Because with my CPU I have rendered animations for 2-3 days non-stop and have experienced no problems.
And the RAM prices are from eBay. A lot of people dont trust the site, but I certainly do. I bought every single part from there and had/have absolutely no issues whatsoever.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: braininabox,

Thanks guys...

I'm just leaning towards getting another MAC. I used to have a powerbook, but needed a PC for work.

Mac's are definately way less of a pain.

Thank you for all of the info.

Wow, if you really got all the case stuff for that, it was quite a deal. Good job.

The Core 2 Duos are much better than the AMD's. AMD used to have the upper hand (back when Intel was on the Pentium IV line). The Core 2 Duo line was Intel's answer to AMD's better CPU's and increasing market share. The Core 2's have outclassed the AMD's in every speed and render test I've seen. That's not to say that the AMD's aren't any good, they're just not up to the performance level of the Intel line (currently).

As for RAM off of ebay... there are definately some good, respectable dealers. But in general, it's safer to go with brand RAM. Look at the timings as well as the rated speed. With off-brands, most of the time you'll get perfectly fine ram. But sometimes you wont. Those sometimes aren't fun.

If you were to build a PC, I'd suggest doing it through Newegg.com for the parts. The site has nearly every piece of hardware imaginable, at very good prices, and you can read tons of customer reviews (generally people who build their own computers know their stuff, so the reviews are quite handy).

Get a 24-inch iMac. Do it for me. Please.


Sweet, sweet screen real-estate.


(a joke, of course...)

Thats very interesting Cinematical....according to all the information I have ever received, AMD Dual Core CPUs completely dominate Intel Dual Core CPUs.

Heres a seven round battle that puts the entire line of AMD Athlon 64 x2's against the entire line of Intel Pentium dual core CPU's.

AMD vs. Intel

If you dont want to read the whole article (or series of articles) basically the AMD CPU's outperfrom the Intel ones in every single area and cost considerably less.
Then again thats only from one source, and I guess it could be biased for all a know. Then again it could be true

This message has been edited. Last edited by: braininabox,

Yes, that was based on the Pentium line, which AMD did completely dominate. Core 2 Duo (annoying, confusing name, I know) uses a whole new architecture and was created to respond to the AMD domination. AMD is now farther behind.

This is an article that covered the new CPU's:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2014646,00.asp

Specifically, look here:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2014653,00.asp

Even the lower end Core 2 Duo's outclass the higher end AMD's. For price: performance, Intel has the torch.

And, if you get a Mac, you get Core 2 Duo!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cinematical,

Ah. Thanks for pointing me to the light. That makes much more sense now that we are on the same page.