06May Low price editing computer.
People always ask if there are any cheap options for upgrading their editing computer. DSLR footage does take a beefy machine to edit, but can you get away with lower end parts and still have a pleasant editing experience? Honestly, I went from a computer that couldn’t handle DSLR footage to a computer that handles it beautifully. I never actually tried anything in between. I also haven’t used an AMD based computer in years. So I though maybe I would try an AMD configuration on my server upgrade and test out CS5 on a lower priced setup at the same time.
Here is the parts list:
- AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor – $110
- ASUS M4A78LT-M Micro ATX AMD Motherboard – $60
- G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM -$45
- Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB hard drive – $35
- Radeon 512mb Graphics card (used) – $25
The Grand total on this mixed up mess of parts is $275. I also through in a Rosewill wireless N network card for $20 extra. I’m working under the impression that you already have a computer case laying around the house with a usable power supply and a copy of windows. If not add another $140 for a case and a copy of windows 7.
I will be working on this project most of the weekend and should have some results posted in the next few days. I think, if all goes well, my server will also be a usable editing computer. These aren’t the most amazing computer parts you can get but it will be interesting to see if this configuration can handle the load of CS5 editing.
You could also by all this in the form of the HP Pavilion p6720f
May 7th, 2011 at 4:43 am
For $65 more you can use an nVidia card suitable for Adobe CS5 Mercury engine and take advantage of hardware acceleration.
That will speed up that super low budget PC to another level without braking the bank.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261056
May 25th, 2011 at 9:53 am
Do you have recommendation for Intel Proc Systems instead of AMD?
I’m planning to build my new desktop PC and want to use nVidia, because im a PPCs user.
Thanks
May 15th, 2011 at 9:57 am
[…] more on color correction, Art USB Dual Pre review (and mod), and those editing tests on that AMD server I put together a few weeks ago. Hopefully it will be a productive […]
July 28th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Did you ever do any tests on this new computer?
Thanks and keep up the good work! 🙂
July 28th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
I’ve been meaning to get back to that project. I haven’t had time to sit down with it and run all the tests since I’ve been out of town for a large part of the last two months. Hopefully I’ll have some free time this coming month to get it back on my list and get it done.
September 10th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Hey Deejay i was wondering if 4gb would be enough. I want to buy a new laptop and i was thinking a macbook pro with i5 and 4gb of memory. This would be enough to handle the hdslr footage or not?
September 11th, 2011 at 8:55 am
For most normal HDSLR editing that should be fine.
September 11th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
Cool ok thanks!