Gary Blair Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 I am in need of a new desk top computer but am not sure what I should get. I currently have a Dell Inspiron 530 but it is on its last legs (getting the dreaded blue screen). I don’t need this for gaming etc. but would like it to handle HD video editing. I don’t want to pay for options I don’t need but I don’t mind paying to get a good unit that performs well. So the questions to all you that understand this much better than me - can you give me a list of what I need or should be looking for in a new computer? Also should I stick with Dell or is HP or others better?Thanks - Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulanator Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Gary,everyone has their opinions, just like Coke and Pepsi, but I will give you my 2 cents.All of the major brands are pretty much junk any more. Dell quality has fallen way down, and their tech support is horrible. HP is no better, and they also put out junk.Honestly, if you can find a reliable shop or know someone who could help you build a machine, that is your best best for getting a good machine with what you need, and not all the junk they add to it.The problem with the brand names is they buy junk parts, all lower end stuff and that is what you end up with, then they end up in the repair shop (of course I don't mind...)If you are looking at video editing, I would suggest a decent machine, I would look at the Intel Core i7 CPU, and ASUS motherboards are the brand I like for motherboards.I would suggest 8 GB of RAM, a decent Nvidia video card (around $150-200).Hard Drive, get Western Digital black model (they have a longer warranty and better reliability than the blues), probably a 1 TB, esp if you are doing video.Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.Also spend a little more on a good power supply, at least 450 Watts.Computers are not too hard to build nowadays, the hardest part is getting the right components.With those parts, and good shopping you could probably get it for around 800-900 bucks for a screaming system.You can get Higher end Dells, but for the money, you can get a much better system built, and not have to deal with Dell support if anything goes wrong.If Jim Saul is around, he is also a computer guy and he can give you some other ideas.I think you would be much happier with a system you or someone builds for you, than with a prebuilt system, even though it is a little easier.I am sure others here will have different opinions, but this is just from my experience on building systems every day. If you need some help, feel free to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rise Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 try this site....http://www.techbargains.com/I always find good deals there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I've bought multiple (custom) PCs, and a couple motherboards from these guys:http://www.gcworkshop.com .The charge to assemble and burn-in is so low, its not worth buying piece parts anymore and doing the assembly myself.They will also work with you on any special requests, i.e., supplying your own HDD/OS, etc..Delivery is fast..typically have a machine in less than a week from time of order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimswinder Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 paulanator wrote: If you are looking at video editing, I would suggest a decent machine, I would look at the Intel Core i7 CPU, and ASUS motherboards are the brand I like for motherboards.Hey Paul...How about a complete list of materials needed and suggested Model #'s...or would you concur with this list from VideoGuys website:http://www.videoguys.com/Guide/RE/0x54b7fce9364f1c65f31d502cea7a7ef8/Videoguys+System+Recommendations+for+Video+Editing/0x4aebb06ba071d2b6a2cd784ce243a6c6.aspxI built one of their computers about 6 years ago for Video Editing...but have been having nothing but problems with it lately... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Saul Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Hi Gary, Like Paul, I'm a pro but have a different view on vendors. For a desktop computer, I sell / recommend Dell OptiPlex series systems. For Laptops - it's Lenovo all the way My reasoning is that I only sell computers with a 3 year Warranty so you know the money you are spending is going to last a while, and it is not tied to me. If I was hit by a car or went out of business, you are not screwed.Also, the professional lines of computers (OptiPlex in this case) are made to be in a cubical running 24/7 for years. They are engineered to be stable. And before Dell is going to release anything for the business line, it is gone over by electrical and computer engineers to make sure it is stable.My personal computer is one that I put together using all "state of the art" components, and it is fast as hell, but not so good on the reliable, it needs to be rebooted fairly often, which is OK for me but not something that I would want to sell / have someone think of a computer from my business as being anything less that rock solid.In the end the choice is yours as to go with a big manufacturer or components.If you build / have one built you can save money and get more cutting edge technology, but you have a harder time with warranty issue, and usually sacrifice some stability.As for the specs, Paul is right on, the only thing I would add is to get a decent video card. The Windows Aero interface relies on the video card, and a good video card will make windows respond faster to you, plus some of the video editing software use the video cards processer to render .Hope that helps-Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstorms Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Building your own PC from scratch also isn't as easy as it used to be either. I too feel burned by some of the big boys like HP and Toshiba.Lately I've been using Acer, Lenovo, and to a lesser degree Asus and have been much happier.For video editing you'll of course want to pay attention to your processor and video card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caniac Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 been playing with PC's since the early days ('85) and have tinkered with just about all of them and built a few. These days I have had real good luck with HP . . . . BUT I don't usually get whatever one is the lowest price on sale but instead look for the features I want. For my needs, it has to have a 64bit operating system, DVI/HDMI, HD support (preferably NVidia). unless you save a ton of music and video's then a 500gb hard disk is sufficient but if you can a Tera-byte or three for only a couple of bucks more then go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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