Posted by bmcswain on 12/03/05 15:58

>1. CPU Do I need dual core?
One thing to think about is the future. While dual cores are not in
the mainstream of computing for 2005, this system will be with you
probably through 2008. There is little software today that takes
advantage of dual core CPUs. That will begin to change in 2006. You
don't want to be lusting over software features that run only on dual
core CPU's and have to upgrade your MoBo and CPU.

The other part of this could be - Dual Core is coming, BUT it's not
here yet. Buy a less expensive MoBo and AMD 3000+. You'll be able to
do everything you want. Save the money that you would have spent on
the Dual MB+CPU. When you feel you must upgrade (2007, 2008), you can.
This would probably be my strategy. (BTW I am editing on a 2002
AMD2500+ and ASUS A7N8X with a ATI AIW 7500. It works just fine.)

2/ Video card
>>I don't really need capturing capability as I'll be mostly working with MiniDV for now
You've thinking in a box. For the price difference it's not worth
ignoring. The Video Card is the most expensive part in your system.
Unlike the Dual Core discussion there is probably not a excellent
inexpensive short term solution. Buy one that is highly rated that can
do the capturing. There is and will be alot of demand on converting
video tapes to DVD. You might start a business to pay for your new
toys.

For that reason, I'd recommend a video card from the ATI All In Wonder
series. The X800 is their latest. (Newegg $299). It only has a single
DVI otuput but you can attach a 2nd VGA monitor.


3/ Any other hardware

case - Antec SERVER case with lots of 3.5" bays.. You will find that
before too many months go by, you will fill up the 3.5" bays on a
normal case. Harddrives are so inexpensive, you'll just keep adding to
what you already have rather than copy your data to a new larger drive.

The case should have plenty of up front USB and IEE394 connectors.

Soundcard - any one will do. You need one, but don't spend too much on
one. This is not what this system is about.

Good Luck. Let us know where you end up.

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