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New PC - spec required

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Hi all

need to buy a new computer.
Looking to use it for HD video uploading and basic editing for sites like youtube etc. Along with HD photo editing.

Currently have an older desktop that is starting to struggle.
What are the specifications people recommend for this type of usage >?
ie would it be best to go for and i7 processor etc and how much RAM.

Also is a desktop better for this type of work than a laptop ?

Basically looking to have new computer for number of years so looking for sustainability.

Thanks Ian.
«1

Comments

  • steve1980
    steve1980 Posts: 2,334 Forumite
    Without a doubt a desktop is better, more customisable than a laptop.

    You're better off getting the best bits you can afford. Do you have a budget in mind?

    You could get an Alienware PC but alot depends on how much money you have.
    Estate Agent, Web Designer & All Round Geek!
  • Hammyman
    Hammyman Posts: 9,913 Forumite
    Anything with Core i3-Core i7 and 4GB of RAM will be sufficient.
  • kph100
    kph100 Posts: 57 Forumite
    Thanks guys
    Budget upto £1000 but obviously only want to pay for what is needed for basic computing , ie internet, downloading etc with the most intensive work being the HD video editing and uploading.
    Would i7 over i3 be much faster for HD editing ?
    Guess basically the question is is the extra cost worth it , dont want to buy an i3 if it struggles with the editing
  • bengalknights
    bengalknights Posts: 5,021 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    You could also go for AMD Phenom X4/X6 range which are cheaper but are more than capable of doing the HD editing.
  • spakkker
    spakkker Posts: 1,322 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    "Guess basically the question is is the extra cost worth it , dont want to buy an i3 if it struggles with the editing "
    - An i3 cpu will not struggle, it will simply take longer than an i7 cpu.
    It's very much a case of diminishing returns on the money you spend -and for non-intensive use you won't notice any differences.
    It's your call.
  • Hammyman
    Hammyman Posts: 9,913 Forumite
    I doubt the OP would notice if it is only stuff 10 minutes or so in duration. I would imagine compared to what they're running now it'd be "chuffing hell, thats quick" :D
  • kph100
    kph100 Posts: 57 Forumite
    currently have 64x2 athlon dual core 4200
    with 2GB Ram on XP
  • Lil306
    Lil306 Posts: 1,692 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    steve1980 wrote: »

    You could get an Alienware PC but alot depends on how much money you have.

    and a brain

    Alienware is nothing but overhyped crap, it's just a dell ;)
    Owner of andrewhope.co.uk, hate cars and love them

    Working towards DFD

    HSBC Credit Card - £2700 / £7500
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  • Lil306
    Lil306 Posts: 1,692 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    kph100 wrote: »
    Thanks guys
    Budget upto £1000 but obviously only want to pay for what is needed for basic computing , ie internet, downloading etc with the most intensive work being the HD video editing and uploading.
    Would i7 over i3 be much faster for HD editing ?
    Guess basically the question is is the extra cost worth it , dont want to buy an i3 if it struggles with the editing

    Get yourself a sandy bridge PC build, they're monsters at just about everything.

    i2600k - 250
    case + psu - 50
    windows 7 - 150
    ram - 80 (8gb)
    hdd(s) - 100 (o/s and one for active data)
    m/b - 70
    cards - 100

    total ~ 800 and it's more than capable of your editing

    If you need to do it on the cheap, don't. Athlons can't compare to sandy bridge, even the 6 core ones. It's worth spending the extra money
    Owner of andrewhope.co.uk, hate cars and love them

    Working towards DFD

    HSBC Credit Card - £2700 / £7500
    AA Loans - (cleared £9700)
  • 23n1th
    23n1th Posts: 1,523 Forumite
    My advice would be to go down the AMD route, more bang for your buck as they say. That and wait a while, there's a lot on new technology coming out just now (like usb3, uefi, ssd hard drives, etc) which in imho is worth waiting to become more mainstream.
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