New computer build for Photo/Video editing - any input?

[PhotoLasVegas]

Ok, so "techies" can read the entire post... and input/changes/comments are appreciated - we haven't bought it yet so we can change...

For those that just want quick specs:

Being built to run Win7 and Premiere CS5 and some related software. Plus, since our main focus is photography, it will run Lightroom and Photoshop CS5 - and I'd guess they will be blazing fast! :)

750w Power Supply
Intel Core i7-920 2.66GHz Quad-Core Processor
Ripjaws Series 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000
GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 Video
Will be using my existing internal "storage" HD (2tb - 7200rpm), buying a 2nd 2tb internal, and a much smaller and faster "OS" hard drive.
I will also use my current DUAL Dell.com E248WFP 24'' Widescreen LCD Monitors
Utilizing my current BluRay/DVD burner
I will add an eSATA card to interface with our 3, 2tb externals.

Entire build will be around $1600 but I'm thinking I won't need to upgrade for at least 2-3 years... this should easily handle the video files straight from the 7d... and the motherboard I chose is ready for the faster Intels, I just can't justify spending 2x or 3x the $$ for the additional power (yet).


Now, for the techie info... links to the entire setup including case, etc. etc.
If you have any suggestions, changes, questions, PLEASE ask and PLEASE give your advice and knowledge! I'm pretty computer-literate but this is only my 2nd scratch-build so input is WELCOME!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129058

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143190

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 (my OS and program disc)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177 (this is to replace the BluRay burner in my "old" box that is being moved to the "new" box)

So..... what do you all think???

[Dan7312]

One thing to keep in mind with the i7 procs's, is that are triple channel memory so if you don't add memory 3 chips at a time (as you did) you will lose memory bandwidth.

I have a similar system, but a 960. I have 12G and for what I do, most of which is not photography, I find I always have over 6G of memory in use.

I find PS and Bibble run very fast. I also use Camtasia and when renders video it pegs all the proc's (4 hyperthreaded, so 8) at close to 100%.

Dan

[PhotoLasVegas]

ahh, cool, thanks for the input. My understanding is that video card is a monster - does a lot of the processing in there- at least for the video rendering, etc. The MB has room for 6 sticks so I could always get 3 more.. and this is the PC2000 so it's pretty fast. Everyone says the i7 is better at photo/video than the AMDs :)

From what my research tells me, this processor and this video card will do rendering at "real time" or faster - there's a guy with a similar system that has gotten to FIVE composite 1080p video streams (from a 5d) running at the same time "live" with no rendering at all - and the final render to BluRay quality takes about 75% of "real time".

[timk519]

I'm looking at doing something similar - lots of pic / vid processing, as well as database work. I'll be watching this thread with interest. :deal

[angevin1]

Considering the title of this thread, have you looked at the Quadro FX cards?

[PhotoLasVegas]

Yes, they are just way out of my budget. Adobe directly supports the GeForce GTX 285 (the only non-quadra card that they support) and it's "certified" or whatever to work with Premiere CS5. Right now, video is the 2nd priority HOWEVER we are already so busy I don't want to waste time waiting for rendering while editing - so it's worth the extra cost - the 5-layer composite work using native 7d file editing is WAY past where my video editing skills currently are anyway. :) So I can't justify the Quadra line....

[angevin1]

Yes, they are just way out of my budget. Adobe directly supports the GeForce GTX 285 (the only non-quadra card that they support) and it's "certified" or whatever to work with Premiere CS5. Right now, video is the 2nd priority HOWEVER we are already so busy I don't want to waste time waiting for rendering while editing - so it's worth the extra cost - the 5-layer composite work using native 7d file editing is WAY past where my video editing skills currently are anyway. :) So I can't justify the Quadra line....


You may want to read thru my thread here (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=167091).