computer spec for about £400-£500?

[zizou]

My desktop has packed in so need to replace it - already have a monitor, printer, etc so just need the base station or whatever its called. Also already have a decent laptop so it would be another desktop im going for.

Windows 7 and capable of editing HD video would be the main requirement, other than that will just be using it for general use like internet, music, microsoft word, access etc so dont need it for gaming. What sort of spec should i be aiming to get for about £400-£500?

Is this good value at about £430? http://www.johnlewis.com/230676435/Product.aspx

(Acer Aspire X3812 with Intel Core 2 Quad 2.5GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, 1TB hard drive with windows 7 home premium x64)

Do i need a quadcore processor or will a dualcore be fine? Thanks for any advice!

 

[twowheelsgood]

The only demanding task you list is video editing. It depends rather what applications you are using (not all can use multiple cores effectively), what formats you work in and how much you do.

If it involves a lot of re-encoding then more CPU is always good. At the more professional end, editing tends to work in an intermeadiate lossless format before final encoding, in which case a fast "scratch disk" is the most worthwhile.

Personally, I'd worry less about the CPU and insist on the following. Although 4 core CPUs are now coming in under the $100 budget price point anyway.

1. 4GB memory
2. A mid-range graphics card with DX10. Windows uses hardware acceleration in graphics cards and it's ever more beneficial to have them as many applications will in future be able to take advantage. Ideally get the new ATI one with DX11.
3. A physically seperate data disc from your main system disc (for data and video editing).

Depending what deals you get, it may or may not be more economical to add the bits yourself, you'll probably get 4GB anyway. Second hard disk (what £50ish these days) and the graphics card (again £50ish).

I used to build my own but generally recommend a basic Dell and add the other bits you may need.

 

[Wigsie]

It all depends what you use it for, PC's are out of date the moment you buy it so shop around for a decent deal with the best spec possible.

The one on John lewis site looks fine, have you tried any specials on the Dell site (as you can upgrade bits like graphics cards etc) or you could wait a week and a half for the post christmas sales and you may get £70 or so off the Acer.

 

[Mr Pig]

My son got a new PC built up not that long ago and the biggest choice to make was Intel or AMD. The AMD route gave similar or better performance for a lot less money so that's what he bought.

My sister would kill me if she knew I was saying this to you as she works for Intel! ;0)

 

[Norm]

If HD video editing is going to be your main processor strain, I would not go for a system with integrated Intel graphics like that Acer unit.

As well as the Dell option (no-one ever got sacked for choosing Dell ) about 2 years ago, I bought a Chillblast Fusion. Chillblast used to have a much wider selection of system units without peripherals, there's only a couple there now and they are around £700.

Mine is a great unit, over-clocked by the builders so it came fully warrantied.

 

[zizou]

Thanks for the info, the HD video is mostly just some random family videos so wont need lots of power to do lots of fancy editing just the easy stuff. I've had a couple of Dells in the past and not had any problems with them apart from a delivery delay which put me off ordering from them again particularly at this time of year.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Have a look round on here

http://www.dinopc.com/shop/pc/20-302-AMD-Dual-Core-PC-95p520.htm