Computer build.

[kirstymelb101]

Dear computer enthusiasts,

I started a thread while back regarding a new computer build, since then I've been procrastinating and have made no effort to EVEN start looking. I'm no computer wizz and my knowledge about electronics is VERY limited. The specs I want for this computer build aren't too hardcore and fit in my price range, hopefully 5555 +

Note: My main use will be for basic video editing (Sony Vegas Pro 10. Adobe Premier), Facebook, games (latest), streaming video.

Specifications:

Operating System: Win XP/7
CPU: Quad-Core Intel/AMD CPU
Memory: 4GB RAM, 6GB Hard Drive Space
Sound: DirectX compatible sound card
Video Card: DirectX9 video card with 1GB memory. GTX 260/Radeon 4890

My question - If I buy all these parts whole sale, either ask my friend or get an IT specialist guy to build it, how much will everything cost roughly?

Edited February 5, 2014 by kirstymelb101

[tingtong]

few notes:

Windows XP wont go well with your latest games, technically it is Win7 or 8 now...

neither will your DirectX9...

or the 1GB VRAM...

the HDD space i am sure is a typo only.

as for buying wholesale? what? 1 pcs each?

if you buy from the same shop the pasts, or most parts, they will assemble for you.

[Somtamnication]

Set up a budget of like 15k. invateit.co.th, a sponsor here, has barebones and stand alone pcs.... Buy from them. No need to buy pieces here. XP is obsolete, so is directx9.

I build my own systems and always use them.

[wolf5370]

I think your specs are too low these days for video editing. and XP is on its way out of service, so go with 7sp1 or 8.1.

This is quite expensive for Pro upwards, assuming non pirated - and best to get online (via ISO download) as its cheaper that way - even second hand software available that way with verified serial numbers.

Go for more RAM - DDR3 at least 8GB (2x4GB) - try and get a mainboard (motherboard) with four DIM sockets (memory slots) if you can - this gives you more upgradeability, although DDR3 dims come in larger sizes now, so 2 will suffice probably. Get them online too - cheaper that way.

Go for the best video card you can buy - personally I would go for a DDR5 NVIDEA card (as ATI can be a pain with their updates, bugs and lack of on going support for older models - going forward, they are also tricky to update sometimes due to installer bugs).

Unless you really need external Midi or something like that, I would just go with the sound card built in to the motherboard, they are usually pretty good these days and come with software - any mixers etc, can be done externally - PCI slots are like gold dust, VDO cards usually take a couple of slots (due to space) - you might want a wireless network card, and this will likely leave you one slot, which you might want for video capture (firewire ports etc) depending on what video equipment you have.

Get a good quality fan system (or water cooling if you can afford it) - or use only in a cool environment, temperature shortens the lives of the memory and CPU - Video Cards will usually just shut down if they get too hot. Also get a good quality UPS (mine has 640watt/hr battery and monitoring - the power here switches very often and surges are common as a result). You also need a good PSU (I would suggest 500+ watts minimum). Get the power supply unit (PSU) AFTER you decide on the motherboard (in fact the motherboard should be the first choice - so CPU/memory/gfx card/PSU/etc can be ensured to fit) - there are several board plug sizes and not all PSUs cater for more than one set up. And HDD - I would go for two 1tb rather than a single larger one - this allows for faster reading and writing and allows for a place to backup to for system restores in case of main drive failure (although that should really be done from time to time externally/offline). You will probably also want a DVD (re)Writer too - and a case with good cooling environmentals.

There is an old list by Tywais (just found it for you http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/61857-on-line-computerelectronic-stores/ ) that list a load of Thai online links to component suppliers - some are now dead, but most aren't.

As to putting it all together - it really is quite simple these days. Once there used to be all sorts of switches to set (using pin nulls - and bios settings) but mostly they self set these days. The manuals usually tell you exactly where to plug most things in. Get it all running to the BIOS first (RTFM) and then you can power off, put in the Win DVD, and boot to install.

A full build from bits to running computer usually takes a few hours at most (the install of windows takes a while!)

[kirstymelb101]

As mentioned, my knowledge about computer/hardware/software is very limited. Please when explaining speak in laymen terms because I'm absolutely clueless as to what's good/not. I need to make a comparison in my own mind, so I'm able to identity the difference between good/bad computers, and the only way I can do that are with games.........

Let's say I want to play Skyrim on ULTRA graphics, what system requirements will I need?

I just figure this is one of the latest games out (I think) and require high specifications, so If my computer is able to run this game smoothly without any lag, I'm sure it will work fine for my other priorities...............sorry If I sound stupid

Edited February 5, 2014 by kirstymelb101

[SoFarAndNear]

If you doing video editing as serious business I wouldn't suggest you to build your own hardware. If you have any problems with your systems, no one can guarantee you with help.

[SoFarAndNear]

If you want to play Skyrim on ULTRA you need at least:

Graphic: Geforce GTX 560 oder Radeon HD 6850

CPU: Core2 Duo E8500 oder Phenom II X2 550

RAM: 4,0 GByte

I have these information from a gaming site.

[ETatBKK]

'basic video editing (Sony Vegas Pro 10. Adobe Premier)'

how basic ? video editing is VERY hardware demanding, on processor speed, lot of RAM, powerful display adaptor, and a fast harddisk. once you set your level of expectation, we could throw in appropriate ideas !

cheers

[tingtong]

Let's say I want to play Skyrim on ULTRA graphics, what system requirements will I need?

I just figure this is one of the latest games out (I think) and require high specifications, so If my computer is able to run this game smoothly without any lag, I'm sure it will work fine for my other priorities...............sorry If I sound stupid

Skyrim is a 2011 game...hardly one of the latest out.

It is a nice game, nevertheless.

[dave_boo]

From what you've stated I pieced together a list. I highly recommend the Haswell line and if not into overclocking the i5-4670 is a really good compromise. A single 8GB stick is ~300thb cheaper than going dual channel (2x 4GB) but as mentioned before it will negatively impact your rendering speeds. The GTX660 may be called overkill; but it will play all current games on high settings with fluid frame rates and will play next gen at 1920x1080 fairly well also.

If you go with an AMD (no use getting less than the FX-8320) you'd save only some 500 baht and increase your render times and decrease your fps in games.

I disagree with the barebones option; the cheapest barebones on invadeit that is expandable is the Sandy/Ivy Bridge Shuttle SH61R4...which costs 7 590 baht (the list below has the equivalent parts totalling 4 470 baht. There are some name brand desktops that are attractive (the HP Pavilion 500-097L being notable), but all have issues. The 500-097L has a 3470 which runs the x264 benchmark 81% as fast as the 4670 and the GT640 is only ~25% as powerful as the GTX660. Not knowing if the RAM is single channel or not, you would still need to spend at least 1 400 baht to get dual channel and 2 790 baht for a Windows license. You end up at 24 180 baht for a machine that is not 85% as powerful as my below recommendation.

ASRock H81M-DGS

1 890 baht

Corsair VS Series VS450

1 180 baht

Cooler Master Hyper 101

550 baht

Kingston 8GB 1333MHz DDR3

2 790 baht

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

3 790 baht

Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX660

6 990 baht

Zalman ZM-T1

850 baht

Seagate Barracuda 1TB

2 150 baht

Intel Core i5-4670

7 950 baht

Total

28 140 baht

[newcomer01]

Sometimes I can't tell where these are posted from. I'm in Chiangmai.

I have used JIB twice now and bought the components there and they assembled and checked it for me. Means if there are any problems they can change the parts immediately (if have them). Always been good with the warranties.

Prices were as per their website and they gave me a discount as if was sold as a whole computer.

They have shops in Bangkok. Check out their website http://www.jib.co.th In Thai but easy to navigate.

I use the shop at 1st computer Square near Cnx Ram on the moat. Plenty of other JIB shops around Cnx (Pantip, Airport Plaza)

Good luck.

Edited February 5, 2014 by newcomer01

[KittenKong]

Yes, JIB are good. About the only Thai parts shop I will buy from.

[kirstymelb101]

If what Dave says is true, the components of his computer build sound perfect for what I want. And that price seems fairly reasonable. Is it really necessary to buy an original edition of Windows 7? I use a cracked version of W7 and works fine, I'm able to download regular updates no problem. If I give JIB computer store the list of all the components/specs I want, will they buy/assemble everything for me? Or do I have to buy the parts first, and then take them to the shop??

Sorry about my n00b questions.....

[RandomSand]

all jib prices:

Does not include case.

I have good experience with a Gview micro-atx "nano" case, includes 500w PSU - B900.

________________________________________________________________________________

CPU INTEL 1150 CORE I3 4130 - 0156001919
3.4 GHz.
Cores: 2
Threads: 4
4,050 (includes fan)

________________________________________________________________________________
MAINBOARD 1150 MSI H87M-G43 - 0203064045
4 x DDR3 1066/1333/1600 MHz
Form Factor m-ATX
3,050
________________________________________________________________________________
VGA ASUS PCI-E GTX650-E - 0562013258
GeForce GTX 650
1 GB. DDR5 128 bit
3,990
________________________________________________________________________________
RAM 8 GB PC DDR-III/1600 KINGSTON (KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX) - 0317049176
Capacity : 8 GB. (2 x 4 GB)
Speed Bus : 1600 MHz.
3,090
________________________________________________________________________________
HDD - 1.0 TB. SEAGATE SATA-III 64MB (ST1000DM003) - 0456484808
Capacity : 1.0 TB.
Spin Speed : 7200 RPM.
1,990
________________________________________________________________________________
SSD - 120 GB. SAMSUNG 840 EVO SSD (MZ-7TE120BW) - 0454004364
Capacity : 120 GB.
Read : 540 MB/s
Write : 410 MB/s
3,790
________________________________________________________________________________
UPS APC 500 VA (BR500CI-AS) - 1807274062
Output Power Capacity ( VA) - 500VA / 300w / Surge energy rating 240 Joules / note: even a "500W" power-supply will only draw around 180 watts with the parts listed above.
2,150
________________________________________________________________________________
Keyboard: 300 - basic logitech
Mouse: 300 - basic logitech
________________________________________________________________________________
SOFTWARE MS-WINDOWS 8.1 64BIT OEM (WN7-00614) - 500906120
3,490
____________________________________________________________________________
TOTAL: 26,200

Should last approx 5 years. Pretty decent setup imho. Replace GFX and add in 8GB more ram in a few years to get more life out of it. Note: Install Windows on SSD... System will fly.

A small-shop-builder outfit should be able to build all these parts and sell them as a system for the total price as shown. Reason is: that these prices are full retail, but builder will make on the parts alone.

Edited February 6, 2014 by RandomSand

[RandomSand]

If you buy it from JIB at the prices they list; then they'll build it for you, I'm pretty sure.

Edited February 6, 2014 by RandomSand

[manarak]

From what you've stated I pieced together a list. I highly recommend the Haswell line and if not into overclocking the i5-4670 is a really good compromise. A single 8GB stick is ~300thb cheaper than going dual channel (2x 4GB) but as mentioned before it will negatively impact your rendering speeds. The GTX660 may be called overkill; but it will play all current games on high settings with fluid frame rates and will play next gen at 1920x1080 fairly well also.

If you go with an AMD (no use getting less than the FX-8320) you'd save only some 500 baht and increase your render times and decrease your fps in games.

I disagree with the barebones option; the cheapest barebones on invadeit that is expandable is the Sandy/Ivy Bridge Shuttle SH61R4...which costs 7 590 baht (the list below has the equivalent parts totalling 4 470 baht. There are some name brand desktops that are attractive (the HP Pavilion 500-097L being notable), but all have issues. The 500-097L has a 3470 which runs the x264 benchmark 81% as fast as the 4670 and the GT640 is only ~25% as powerful as the GTX660. Not knowing if the RAM is single channel or not, you would still need to spend at least 1 400 baht to get dual channel and 2 790 baht for a Windows license. You end up at 24 180 baht for a machine that is not 85% as powerful as my below recommendation.

ASRock H81M-DGS

1 890 baht

Corsair VS Series VS450

1 180 baht

Cooler Master Hyper 101

550 baht

Kingston 8GB 1333MHz DDR3

2 790 baht

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

3 790 baht

Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX660

6 990 baht

Zalman ZM-T1

850 baht

Seagate Barracuda 1TB

2 150 baht

Intel Core i5-4670

7 950 baht

Total

28 140 baht

Yes, this looks good, it's a midrange PC.

Spend the additional 2500 baht or so for an SSD to get a quick system.

[WhizBang]

Note: My main use will be for basic video editing (Sony Vegas Pro 10. Adobe Premier), Facebook, games (latest), streaming video.

Specifications:

Operating System: Win XP/7
CPU: Quad-Core Intel/AMD CPU
Memory: 4GB RAM, 6GB Hard Drive Space
Sound: DirectX compatible sound card
Video Card: DirectX9 video card with 1GB memory. GTX 260/Radeon 4890

Sony Vegas Pro is now at version 12. I would strongly recommend upgrading. That said, it will require an x64 OS. So that lets XP out. Might want to look at Windows 8.1 (minus the metro interface).

Premiere Pro is now also x64 only.

I would also increase memory, maybe to 16GB. I hope you ment 6TB and not GB of hard drive space. If not, 6TB is good, while 6GB won't even be enough to install the OS.

Most motherboards have sound builtin now, so, unless you have special requirements, I would just stick with what comes on the MB. But you might want a higher end video card, at least something in the 600 or above GT/GTX series, as high as you can afford if you want to be able to actually play the lastest games.

I would also look to make sure your new MB has USB3 onboard. The more connectors the better.

[WhizBang]

If you doing video editing as serious business I wouldn't suggest you to build your own hardware. If you have any problems with your systems, no one can guarantee you with help.

Disagree completely. I do a lot of video editing and build my own systems. You just need to know what components you need to accomplish the task. Anyway, the OP said he wanted to do basic editing, although neither Vegas Pro not Premiere Pro is basic. But both are very good editors.

What he needs more than anything is horsepower and memory.

[kirstymelb101]

If you doing video editing as serious business I wouldn't suggest you to build your own hardware. If you have any problems with your systems, no one can guarantee you with help.

Disagree completely. I do a lot of video editing and build my own systems. You just need to know what components you need to accomplish the task. Anyway, the OP said he wanted to do basic editing, although neither Vegas Pro not Premiere Pro is basic. But both are very good editors.

What he needs more than anything is horsepower and memory.

Just to clarify I'm female. I had no intention to correct you, until I saw that you wrote 'he' twice lols.

I barely know how to use Sony Vegas pro. I've been watching tutorials on Youtube and only know basic functions of the program, nothing too extreme. I doubt i'll need a mainstream system for the stuff I want to edit. And if ever I start to get real into movie editing I can always upgrade my system right? My main purpose is for cropping clips together, a few cool affects and music played in the background.. Nothing fancy believe me.

[JSixpack]

Most motherboards have sound builtin now, so, unless you have special requirements, I would just stick with what comes on the MB.

Very true. And this is the conventional wisdom. Nowadays, a sound card is probably the last component you'd think of.

That said, if quality of sound is really important to you--and you have good speakers/headphones/ears that can tell a difference--a sound card is nice to have. I'd been listening to sound off my motherboard and it was definitely OK. But I'm always listening to music and have a large collection. I finally splurged on a good sound card, and it made a very noticeable and surprising improvement even for 128-bit MP3s. I really like it a lot and now I'll always have one. I do have good headphones and decent bookshelf speakers powered by a standalone amp.

http://www.techspot.com/article/751-should-you-buy-a-sound-card/

Discussion here:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1230861/do-sound-cards-make-a-huge-difference

[dave_boo]

If what Dave says is true, the components of his computer build sound perfect for what I want. And that price seems fairly reasonable. Is it really necessary to buy an original edition of Windows 7? I use a cracked version of W7 and works fine, I'm able to download regular updates no problem. If I give JIB computer store the list of all the components/specs I want, will they buy/assemble everything for me? Or do I have to buy the parts first, and then take them to the shop??

Sorry about my n00b questions.....

I always recommend going with a real version of Windows; amortised over time it really costs next to nothing and you can rest easy knowing that you did the right thing. I also suggest putting it together yourself...it's not hard and you can learn a lot about your computer doing that. If in doubt, before powering it on simply post some photos of what you had done here on the forum and we'll be glad to give you some advise.

Yes, this looks good, it's a midrange PC.

Spend the additional 2500 baht or so for an SSD to get a quick system.

I've gone all SSD except for mass storage and I personally could not go back. I do question how useful a ~2500 baht ssd could be especially with a computer (apologies but she called herself) n00b. Making sure that only system files and perhaps a couple of programmes are installed on it, putting the swap file on a spinning platter, moving the /home directory (oops...C:\User) to a spinning platter...etc might make more trouble for her than what it's worth. Most likely better of getting more RAM with that money.

Sony Vegas Pro is now at version 12. I would strongly recommend upgrading. That said, it will require an x64 OS. So that lets XP out. Might want to look at Windows 8.1 (minus the metro interface).

Premiere Pro is now also x64 only.

I would also increase memory, maybe to 16GB. I hope you ment 6TB and not GB of hard drive space. If not, 6TB is good, while 6GB won't even be enough to install the OS.

Most motherboards have sound builtin now, so, unless you have special requirements, I would just stick with what comes on the MB. But you might want a higher end video card, at least something in the 600 or above GT/GTX series, as high as you can afford if you want to be able to actually play the lastest games.

I would also look to make sure your new MB has USB3 onboard. The more connectors the better.

I could be wrong, but to me it looked like she listed the software requirements for a game she plays...

Just to clarify I'm female. I had no intention to correct you, until I saw that you wrote 'he' twice lols.

I barely know how to use Sony Vegas pro. I've been watching tutorials on Youtube and only know basic functions of the program, nothing too extreme. I doubt i'll need a mainstream system for the stuff I want to edit. And if ever I start to get real into movie editing I can always upgrade my system right? My main purpose is for cropping clips together, a few cool affects and music played in the background.. Nothing fancy believe me.

Going with a socket 1150 is just about as upgradeable as it gets now. Intel's big boy socket (2011 which can take 6 core chips) is on its last series and will be replaced. Socket 1155 (Sandy/Ivy Bridge 2*** and 3*** series chips) was replaced by 1150. Socket AM3+, AMD's latest, doesn't even have any chips forecast for it. Socket FM2(?) which houses AMD's APU is a (big) step down from even Sandy Bridge.

I had just recently retired my old machine. Was built way back in early 2006 from a Tyan motherboard and 2x Opteron 280. That thing was really fast for the time and served me well. The problem was that there was no upgrade path and when my new laptop can out encode it (quite handily) and it uses an obscene amount of electricity, it's time to upgrade. I'm currently working on putting together another dual processor machine using Intel's 8 core processors. Stupidly expensive, I expect it to last me another 8 years. Right now a Core 2Duo at 1,3ghz, 8GB of RAM and an SSD is plenty enough for 'normal' computer use but running Linux and being able to properly throw cores at various tasks I do definitely makes purchasing such an extravagance acceptable. If after 3 years that 30,000 baht machine (which would obviously be slower now) would need to be replaced because it was no longer quick enough than compared to my current build it cost the same for an inferior experience.

[manarak]

Yes, this looks good, it's a midrange PC.

Spend the additional 2500 baht or so for an SSD to get a quick system.

I've gone all SSD except for mass storage and I personally could not go back. I do question how useful a ~2500 baht ssd could be especially with a computer (apologies but she called herself) n00b. Making sure that only system files and perhaps a couple of programmes are installed on it, putting the swap file on a spinning platter, moving the /home directory (oops...C:\User) to a spinning platter...etc might make more trouble for her than what it's worth. Most likely better of getting more RAM with that money.

Even a smallish SSD is Enough to install Windows and the most important programs on it, plus have spare space for swap files.

The performance gain is enormous, especially for applications like video rendering which require swap files and temporary storage of large data volumes on mass storage.

[Somtamnication]

Also, the i3 cpu is not quad core. Get an i5 or i7. They will last you a lot longer.

[dave_boo]

Even a smallish SSD is Enough to install Windows and the most important programs on it, plus have spare space for swap files.

The performance gain is enormous, especially for applications like video rendering which require swap files and temporary storage of large data volumes on mass storage.

I will defer to those who mainly use Windows and actually utilise the programmes the OP was hinting at utilising as my expertise lies in another OS (Linux) and is more transcoding and other operations focused.

I will say though that having 16+ GB of RAM in all my machines (including that old Core2 Duo laptop I was talking about earlier) leaves my swap partition untouched. In Linux, at least, it is trivial to use a 'ramdrive' (/dev/shm) which using DDR3 1066 has bandwidth of some 8 533 MB/s; about 17 current SSD in RAID 0. I use the command "mount -o remount,size=8G /dev/shm" which will nicely fit in a dvd iso to transcode via Handbrake. I think that Windows has a similar function that, would appear to me, to be a better solution than wearing out a small (~2 500 baht gets a 60GB which will be filled up at least 1/2 full by a Windows install before restore images start eating that up) SSD for someone one a budget.

[innerspace]

Do not put a swap drive, windows page file or scratch disk on your main ssd.

Ssd have limited writes and while they are being proven to be longer living than thought, excessive writes will kill them.

So for your video editing.... os and video software on an ssd is great. Video processing in plenty of ram is great...cant have enough. But if you are out of ram and needing scratch/swap/page etc put it on another drive. Either slow but safe hdd or for performance a separate ssd you dont mind wearing out.

The specs suggested are fairly good. Pick parts over brand name pre assembled...can upgrade better over time.

Get all the ram you can fit and afford.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[JSixpack]

Do not put a swap drive, windows page file or scratch disk on your main ssd.

Wrong. A common misconception.

In fact, given typical pagefile reference patterns and the favorable performance characteristics SSDs have on those patterns, there are few files better than the pagefile to place on an SSD.

--http://blogs.msdn.com/b/e7/archive/2009/05/05/support-and-q-a-for-solid-state-drives-and.aspx

So for your video editing.... os and video software on an ssd is great. Video processing in plenty of ram is great...cant have enough. But if you are out of ram and needing scratch/swap/page etc put it on another drive. Either slow but safe hdd or for performance a separate ssd you dont mind wearing out.

No. She doesn't do much video editing and the big issue would be running out of temp file space on the SSD. For example she might be using no compression or a lossless codec, hence very large files. For that reason she should just put the video editor's Temp file onto another drive w/ adequate space. In Sony Vegas Pro, that would done via Preferences | General | Temporary files folder.

[innerspace]

I never said dont put page on ssd, I agree they are highly useful for the task. Just said not on the main ssd.

Preserves the life of your critical OS and data files and shifts the wear out risk to a disposable drive. You could merge the 2 with a single drive, just I wouldnt. I run 2 ssd.

The op specifically said the main use was video editing. Putting the temp files (often called scratch) on another drive was exactly what I said with putting on a secondary ssd. Ram is faster but ssd will give a much better performance than hdd for these temp files...though they are write heavy so separate ssd is safer. 60GB is a lot.

Agree with both you points, just a slightly different take on the same things I suggested.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Tywais]

I barely know how to use Sony Vegas pro. I've been watching tutorials on Youtube and only know basic functions of the program, nothing too extreme.

An inexpensive alternative but still quite powerful and what I use for my video editing is Roxio Creator. Also I have an i5 at the office and an i7 2600k at home and there is a major performance difference. I don't try to use the i5 system for any serious editing anymore but the i7 is great. So highly recommend going the i7 route or an AMD equivalent which is a bit cheaper. And as for SSD, definitely should be adding that to your arsenal. As Dave said, once you go there you can't imagine going back to mechanical.

And spend a little extra for higher end items such s graphics card to future proof your system.

[JSixpack]

I never said dont put page on ssd, I agree they are highly useful for the task. Just said not on the main ssd.

Preserves the life of your critical OS and data files and shifts the wear out risk to a disposable drive. You could merge the 2 with a single drive, just I wouldnt. I run 2 ssd.

I'm sayin' put it on the main SSD for the reasons given. No need for another SSD--needless extra expense and complication. Nobody said anything about 2 SSDs above. manarak suggested "an SSD." Seeing as we were talking about an SSD, then that's the only SSD here and therefore "main."

The op specifically said the main use was video editing.

But she also says, "My main purpose is for cropping clips together, a few cool affects and music played in the background.. Nothing fancy believe me."

Which ain't much editing, as I noted. Sounds like youtube vids, really.

Putting the temp files (often called scratch) on another drive was exactly what I said with putting on a secondary ssd. Ram is faster but ssd will give a much better performance than hdd for these temp files...though they are write heavy so separate ssd is safer. 60GB is a lot.

No. "But if you are out of ram and needing scratch/swap/page etc put it on another drive" makes it clear you're talking about paging. But, you see, that's not the issue here as I already told you.

Video editors don't attempt to put everything in memory, even if you have a LOT, so get this: it's not a matter of swapping or paging. Rather, they by default put temp files on disk--which shouldn't be what you call the "main" SSD (because of the space issue, not the writing) AND needn't be another SSD drive! Given the relative speeds of writing vs rendering anyway, a hard drive will do just fine.

No, 60 GB isn't a lot these days. That gets quickly filled w/ all kinds of stuff. 4 TB is what I'd call a lot. Sounds like she'll do fine w/ the 1 TB that dave_boo already recommended. Fact, 500 GB would do and spend the extra on an external backup drive (if she doesn't have one) or internal.

Edited February 7, 2014 by JSixpack

[guzzi850m2]

I am also thinking about building my own rig and have a couple of questions:

I am mainly surfing and watching movies and play a game now and again.

I run a Dell U2713HM and a dated 22" Samsung monitor that I will likely update soon.

Is a 60GB SSD drive enoufh for the OP system, running with 2 pcs 2 TB HD's?

Is a top i5 prossesor fast enough? Or better go for a i7?

I need USB 3.0 and min 2 of them.

Thinking about getting Win 8.1 but are not firm on that yet.

I think we have a JIB store in Pattaya so I will go and check them out when coming back from overseas work in March month.

I don't have a buget but would like to keep it at say at 30-35K baht (monitor not included), desk top only.

I don't run the AC much in my office in the house, only in the hot months when the heat can be too much so I need sturdy componments and a good case with big fans.

Edited February 9, 2014 by guzzi850m2