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Question

New PC/Old PC

Apr 16, 2015 4:44AM PDT

Hi,

I have some questions about buying a new PC and what to do with an Old PC. Both Desktops.

New PC - I have been doing some googling and research, and have a general idea about what I want to get, but I want to run it all by you guys to see what you think. I have a feeling it may be too elaborate.

First off - It's been over 10 years since I bought a new PC. What are some of the options? Going to the local store? Best Buy? Dell.com? Etc. Where to go to get something customized?

For my own research so far, I have been investigating what people have to say about getting a PC for video editing. I have HD videos from my DSLR camera that I currently cannot even view on my PC. I want to make sure I can view them this time. I am not a pro, and I will not be doing heavy video editing. Maybe just two or three times a year. Basically, I want things to work whenever I do use them. I thought using a video editing computer for my research, would be a good starting point. But like I said, I'd like to hear what you guys have to say about that. Maybe I don't need all of it or can spend less money.

So, here it is:

Intel Core i7 (4770, 4790, 5820), AMD FX-8350
16 Gig of Memory - Expandable (Always look to get expandable, I say)
1 TB Solid State Hard Drive
Video Card GeForce, GTX-770. (This can be replaced anyway, if I get a lower lever one, and don't like it)

Thanks!

Old PC - I have an 11 year PC that I bought at the local store. It is running Windows XP-Pro. I know there is no longer any support for XP. If I wanted to give this PC to someone would it be safe for them to use it as is? Assuming, of course, cleaning up my programs and files. I know it could be upgraded with a new hard drive, OS, etc. However, my thinking is, that a pretty decent PC new or even refurbished can be bought for about $300 or so. So, I am thinking that once you start putting money into this one, you are slowly going to start getting closer to the amount for just buying a new one. Is XP still safe to use? Any other thoughts?

Thanks.
NYV.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Personally I would just keep the old PC for surfing.
Apr 16, 2015 6:46AM PDT

because you won't get much for it. The new PC for your video. You are pretty much on the high end already so it should last for awhile.

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I agree
Apr 21, 2015 8:37AM PDT

The new PC looks really capable.
As far as the old PC, I think if XP's working fine than I'd just leave XP on it and let the new owners decide what they want.

Digger

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Answer
Put Linux Mint 17 MATE
Apr 16, 2015 10:30AM PDT
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Linux
Apr 17, 2015 12:57AM PDT

I totally agree...repurposing older systems, XP..etc. with Linux is a GREAT way to go, the new Mint variants are super nice..it saves scrapping systems that otherwise would wind up in the scrap heap.

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Linux is great for the technie but
Apr 28, 2015 12:17AM PDT

Windows just because of support from 3rd parties and MS is better for less experiences uses. I've been in the computer field 25 years and I find linux much less user friendly because I'm not used to it. I have Mint installed in a VM and I just enjoy the Windows experience better.

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Answer
Bucks
Apr 17, 2015 3:31AM PDT

If you have a bunch of them go for it.

Let's say you have a top of the line I7.
You covert some video file and it takes 1 hr.

Now let's say you have a top of the line I5.
You convert the same video file and it takes 1 hr and 20 minutes but you save 100 bucks.
Your call.

1TB SSD.....that's an expensive unit.
Only you know what sort of file sizes your playing with and the storage space that's needed.
Perhaps you could back that down to a 500GB unit with a HD for storage.
Save a buck....your call.

As for the XP machine.
I'll agree with the others that OS may not be a good candidate to surf with.
Msft has stopped security updates and the anti vendors may not support it.
Your call.

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Answer
Responses so far
Apr 21, 2015 6:15AM PDT

Thanks for the responses! Very helpful stuff!

Maybe I can tone it down a little in regards to the new PC. I have not searched for a new computer in a while. I just want to make sure everything works smoothly. I thought that searching for a computer used for video editing would give me more then I need, but thought better to have more then not.

As for the old PC - interesting idea about Linux. Seems pretty cheap to buy too.

Is it a pain to install?
Is it easy to get to understand?

Thanks again.
NYV.

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go to you tube
Apr 21, 2015 6:22AM PDT

run search on Linux Mint and watch the ones by Spatry, Infinitely Galactic, TOStoday. Current LTS (long term service) version of Mint Linux is 17 or 17.1

If you are going to just have the linux on there, then let it take over the drive on install and do it's thing and no problems.

There are 3 methods of installation. One is full install. One is dual boot install. The last is whatever you want install using the "Something Else" option.

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even linux has limits
Apr 21, 2015 7:36AM PDT

the latest linux no matter the distro may not play well with an 11 year old pc. it would be best to get a live disk and run it off the disk first to see if there will be issues.

also a bit of research may need to be done when it comes to video edition within linux.

http://opensource.com/life/15/1/current-state-linux-video-editing

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I see Blender is the favorite
Apr 21, 2015 10:27AM PDT
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Answer
Your build is massively powerful.
Apr 21, 2015 5:34PM PDT

Your build would totally work I suppose, but there aren't many reasons to put in so much power unless you also want to do some heavy gaming.

The i7 is probably a good bet because video editing and video rendering are 2 sides of the same coin, and those are principally driven by the processor. An i5 would have comparable power, but the i7 would have a couple extra features that will prove helpful. The i5 would take a little longer, but also be about $100 cheaper.

The 16GB RAM is probably more than you'll ever need.
1TB SSD is going to be massively expensive. I think you'd be better served with a 64gb SSD to run the OS and key programs and a 1TB HDD for storage. It would save you a couple $hundred.

The Video Card, unless you're gonna be gaming, is mostly unnecessary. I would go with one of the old 600 series Geforce and save a couple $hundred.


As far as your old XP system, you might get $50 for it. If you sell it you would probably want to format the drive outright, but then you'd only have the hardware as your selling point. Some people are interested in purchasing old IDE drives, though, so you might make some money selling the hard drive blank. Honestly I wouldn't say anything 10 years old would be worth selling or keeping unless you're using it as a bare bones system for script testing or something - something that you don't care too much if you destroy it fiddling with things best left alone.

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Answer
More Good Stuff
Apr 27, 2015 6:29AM PDT

Some more good stuff to think about here, thanks again.

Any thoughts on building your own PC?

Is it a pain to do? pros? cons?

Thanks again.
NYV.

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"building your own PC",
Apr 27, 2015 7:46AM PDT

pain, pro, or con? I think that depends on who you asked. Until recently, I built all my PC, reason being ..there was a financial advantage, but nowaday it's no longer the case...or at lease not enough to make it worthwhile. An example: I bought a new Lenovo with win8.1 for under $250, a refurbished Dell optiplex 580 with win7 for $99. Windows alone would have costed $80.

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Buy or build
Apr 28, 2015 1:31AM PDT

If your looking for something special then you build or have it built.
If your looking for a standard rig then you visit wally-mart or the like.

I doubt you'll find a video editing rig at wally-mart.

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Answer
So video work is a hobby and...
Apr 27, 2015 7:55AM PDT

not a profession? But it sounds like you maybe interested in games though.

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Games and Video
Apr 29, 2015 5:56AM PDT

Not really. I like video games, but can't say I am a "gamer" in the sense of looking for a great machine to play with. I am still playing NFL Blitz 2000, ha ha.

I think what I am seeing here, is that I am use to using slow computers at home (tough streaming videos too), and I just want to make sure things work without any problems with the new one. For all I know, something "off the shelf" might work fine for me. I only research these things when I am purchasing a new computer, and it's been a while since I have done that.

Either way, I would rather have my own specifications and have a little more power then needed now, because who knows what will be needed in a few years.

The responses her being very helpful. Once again, thanks to all.

NYV.

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Answer
Ok what is usually do unless I've
Apr 28, 2015 12:13AM PDT

seen an advertisement about a specific model i got to places like Tiger Direct or Newegg and look around. Now i Have an advantage fro Tiger direct as they have 2 local retail stores in Orlando. But I shop around online and go to Best Buy, Staples or any local shop and physical try. Models vary between Best Buy and Newegg which are basically the same PC but one may have more memory or HD space. Tiger Direct and Newegg will probably have more model then the big stores so you really want to include them to gather info. You also may see one you like and it's just missing something and you can co to the Computer brands site and configure with most brands (Acer is one that only sells pre-configured laptops).

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What's your price point?
May 1, 2015 2:54PM PDT

New PC: I usually shop for a new PC by first deciding how much I'm willing to spend, and looking around at Best Buy, Dell, HP, etc. to see what I can get for that much money and working trade-offs from there. I would hazard a guess that you haven't looked to see what your specs would cost. A 1 TB SSD will cost about $500 and a thumping core i7 about $400. Add in the OS and you're already at $1000 and you just have three pieces. I do video editing (and photo editing, graphic design, 3D modeling and some other stuff) on a 2-1/2 year old Dell with a 3 Ghz core i5, 1 TB HD (no SSD), Win 8.1, and a 24 in monitor that I bought at Best Buy as a bundle for $500. Almost Anything you buy today is going to be 50 to 100 times faster than your 11 year old PC, whatever it is. You could spend $2000 and get capacity you will never be able to use, or shop around in the $500 aisle and get something that will do just fine. Use cpubenchmark.net to compare processor performance.

Old PC: No one including you, has any real use for it.. Erase all your stuff or remove the harddrive, and donate it (Goodwill) or recycle it (Best Buy).

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Not an unlimited price
May 7, 2015 5:22AM PDT

I am not looking to break the bank here. Yes, judging by some of the quick searches I have done, my original specs would be pretty expensive. I am going to tone it down to something along the liens of what you are saying. Thanks for the input and that you can do video editing just fine on your PC. $500 range would be great, but may be willing to go a little higher. It all depends on what I find. Good idea about seeing what you can get for the prices now and working from there.

Thanks again for all the input.

NYV.

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Here's my personal view on video work.
May 7, 2015 5:48AM PDT

It's usually very time consuming so I generally assigned a computer specifically for that purpose. It doesn't have to be very powerful like game computer. Of course it would be a different story if you are doing this as a business (time is money).

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Check the Woot today. Under 300 gets a basic machine
May 7, 2015 5:54AM PDT
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Using Web Sites/ Graphics Card
May 19, 2015 5:39AM PDT

From checking out the web sites for TigerDirect, BestBuy, Newegg, etc. I am seeing mostly Intel video cards like HD Graphics and not as much GE Force cards. Is there a big difference? Is GeForce (Even a lower lever model) strictly just for gaming?

Thanks again.
NYV

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Let me share my old laptop.
May 19, 2015 5:45AM PDT

It was a Lenovo Y530 with the Intel 4500MHD at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146540

It did 1080p from my web connection just fine. Today I pretty much write it's fine unless the question is to run any game. I've lost track of upset folk because they got some Intel GMA and tried to game on such.
Bob