Lots of people ask in this forum: "What computer works well for editing in Vegas?". In response to these numerous threads, many people provide information about their configurations, and offer advice on which things in a computer are important (CPU, CPU, CPU), and which are less important.
I've been on the sidelines for six years, reading these threads and absorbing all the great advice. This past week I finally took the plunge and got a new computer. Since I am VERY happy with my computer, I thought I'd share my experience. While I am sure others might do things differently, it is for me, the perfect Vegas computer.
Of course this recommendation will be obsolete in a few weeks when something better comes along ...
Build vs. Buy
First, I decided to purchase rather than build. I have an EE degree and have built and repaired all manner of electronic equipment, but I have great respect for all the subtle things that have to be done correctly in order to make a computer not only fast, but reliable. Therefore I didn't want to build.
I ruled out the big companies (Dell, HP, etc.) because of all the unnecessary software, and also their inability to add unusual items to the configuration. These companies are very good, and their configurators have many choices, but those choices are still limited.
I quickly narrowed down the choice to Boxx, Falcon Northwest, and Polywell. Boxx and Falcon turned out to be very expensive -- unbelievably so, actually. Polywell, who made the computer I have enjoyed for over six years, once again was the clear favorite. They are also semi-local (I'm in Carmel, CA, and they are in the San Francisco area).
I dealt directly with a salesperson who spent a LOT of time with me, and who really helped me make a decision. He earned his money on this deal, and deserved every nickel. I probably ended up getting quite a few things and spending more money than I would have otherwise (i.e., he did his job ...), but I don't regret any of these extravagances.
Configuration
Based on input in this forum, I built the computer around the Intel i7 chip. I splurged and got the fastest 3.2 GHz clock speed. Polywell builds using a number of mobos, but we used ASUS P6T Deluxe motherboard. This has a huge number of things on the motherboard, including RAID, SATA, and IDE controllers; two network ports; sound; Firewire; and a large number if USB ports. I do lots of sound work, so I opted for the Creative Titanium xFx sound card. The salesman convinced me to go with two 15,000 RPM Cheetah disks, one a 73GB Cheetah 16 for Windows XP, and the other a 146 GB SAS Cheetah H. I have partitioned both of these so that only Windows and Programs are on the main partition, making backup a cinch.
The video card is an nVidia 9800GT.
The computer has 6 GB of DDR 1333 PC3 RAM (3 x 2GB).
I got a LiteOn iHAP-422 drive. I spent hours researching this, because the burner can make a huge difference in quality, and this drive gets great marks at the amazingly geeky and wonderful CDFreaks.com DVD burning forum. I wish other technology had this much data available. I have tested burns from DVDs done on my various older burners, including various Pioneer drives, my Plextor 760a, Plextor 800, and this new drive -- using TY02 Taiyo Yuden, Maxell (the original 2x that everyone used to love) and many others, and this make the lowest error rate burns of anything I've owned.
I orignally spec'd the computer with a Blu-Ray burner but pulled it because I still haven't had any requests for this technology, and haven't yet upgraded my own home theater (maybe after the economy picks up ...)
The case is a Lian PC-60A, similar to my old case.
I got a Samsung 2253BW monitor. Just one monitor. This is probably the weakest part of my setup. It's very nice, but I am sure others would have suggestions on a better monitor for Vegas.
The computer is dual boot with Win XP Pro (32-bit) on one drive, and Vista Business 64-bit on the other drive.
Other things: two hotswap SATA removable bays; memory card reader; and a 1 TB Seagate SATA-II drive (in one of the removable bays).
Performance Tests
I get 1:26 on the RenderTest HDV file, using Vegas 7.0d under WinXP Pro, rendering to HDV 1080i m2t using Best quality.
I get 1:28 using Vegas 8.0c on WinXP Pro.
I get 0:59 using Vegas 8.1 under Vista 64-bit.
I haven't read through all 334 posts in that Rendertest thread, but I think this is one of the fastest times posted by a non-overclocked, fan-cooled computer (there are one or two times reported that are half this, but I suspect they made the same mistake I initially did and used the Sony YUV codec which is the default after you first install 8.1).
I get full framerate playback of both HDV (from my FX1) and AVCHD (from a borrowed SR12), using Best Full (i.e., 1440x1080) resolution in the preview window. Playback holds up much better using 8.1 under Vista. In that environment, I can add color correction and other things and still maintain full framerate playback, even at Best-Full. Of course you MUST match the project settings to the video (i.e., DON'T use SD project settings for HD material).
I can go on, but that gives you the basics. If you want to see the specs, go to this page:
Polywell X5800A. After reading the specs, you can configure your own. This is not a cheap proposition, but for me it is as close to the "ultimate" stock Vegas computer as I know how to purchase (until dual CPU i7 mobos become available). I listed my configuration over in this thread: Polywell configuration (go to the bottom of the post).
I hope this helps someone! :)
I've been on the sidelines for six years, reading these threads and absorbing all the great advice. This past week I finally took the plunge and got a new computer. Since I am VERY happy with my computer, I thought I'd share my experience. While I am sure others might do things differently, it is for me, the perfect Vegas computer.
Of course this recommendation will be obsolete in a few weeks when something better comes along ...
Build vs. Buy
First, I decided to purchase rather than build. I have an EE degree and have built and repaired all manner of electronic equipment, but I have great respect for all the subtle things that have to be done correctly in order to make a computer not only fast, but reliable. Therefore I didn't want to build.
I ruled out the big companies (Dell, HP, etc.) because of all the unnecessary software, and also their inability to add unusual items to the configuration. These companies are very good, and their configurators have many choices, but those choices are still limited.
I quickly narrowed down the choice to Boxx, Falcon Northwest, and Polywell. Boxx and Falcon turned out to be very expensive -- unbelievably so, actually. Polywell, who made the computer I have enjoyed for over six years, once again was the clear favorite. They are also semi-local (I'm in Carmel, CA, and they are in the San Francisco area).
I dealt directly with a salesperson who spent a LOT of time with me, and who really helped me make a decision. He earned his money on this deal, and deserved every nickel. I probably ended up getting quite a few things and spending more money than I would have otherwise (i.e., he did his job ...), but I don't regret any of these extravagances.
Configuration
Based on input in this forum, I built the computer around the Intel i7 chip. I splurged and got the fastest 3.2 GHz clock speed. Polywell builds using a number of mobos, but we used ASUS P6T Deluxe motherboard. This has a huge number of things on the motherboard, including RAID, SATA, and IDE controllers; two network ports; sound; Firewire; and a large number if USB ports. I do lots of sound work, so I opted for the Creative Titanium xFx sound card. The salesman convinced me to go with two 15,000 RPM Cheetah disks, one a 73GB Cheetah 16 for Windows XP, and the other a 146 GB SAS Cheetah H. I have partitioned both of these so that only Windows and Programs are on the main partition, making backup a cinch.
The video card is an nVidia 9800GT.
The computer has 6 GB of DDR 1333 PC3 RAM (3 x 2GB).
I got a LiteOn iHAP-422 drive. I spent hours researching this, because the burner can make a huge difference in quality, and this drive gets great marks at the amazingly geeky and wonderful CDFreaks.com DVD burning forum. I wish other technology had this much data available. I have tested burns from DVDs done on my various older burners, including various Pioneer drives, my Plextor 760a, Plextor 800, and this new drive -- using TY02 Taiyo Yuden, Maxell (the original 2x that everyone used to love) and many others, and this make the lowest error rate burns of anything I've owned.
I orignally spec'd the computer with a Blu-Ray burner but pulled it because I still haven't had any requests for this technology, and haven't yet upgraded my own home theater (maybe after the economy picks up ...)
The case is a Lian PC-60A, similar to my old case.
I got a Samsung 2253BW monitor. Just one monitor. This is probably the weakest part of my setup. It's very nice, but I am sure others would have suggestions on a better monitor for Vegas.
The computer is dual boot with Win XP Pro (32-bit) on one drive, and Vista Business 64-bit on the other drive.
Other things: two hotswap SATA removable bays; memory card reader; and a 1 TB Seagate SATA-II drive (in one of the removable bays).
Performance Tests
I get 1:26 on the RenderTest HDV file, using Vegas 7.0d under WinXP Pro, rendering to HDV 1080i m2t using Best quality.
I get 1:28 using Vegas 8.0c on WinXP Pro.
I get 0:59 using Vegas 8.1 under Vista 64-bit.
I haven't read through all 334 posts in that Rendertest thread, but I think this is one of the fastest times posted by a non-overclocked, fan-cooled computer (there are one or two times reported that are half this, but I suspect they made the same mistake I initially did and used the Sony YUV codec which is the default after you first install 8.1).
I get full framerate playback of both HDV (from my FX1) and AVCHD (from a borrowed SR12), using Best Full (i.e., 1440x1080) resolution in the preview window. Playback holds up much better using 8.1 under Vista. In that environment, I can add color correction and other things and still maintain full framerate playback, even at Best-Full. Of course you MUST match the project settings to the video (i.e., DON'T use SD project settings for HD material).
I can go on, but that gives you the basics. If you want to see the specs, go to this page:
Polywell X5800A. After reading the specs, you can configure your own. This is not a cheap proposition, but for me it is as close to the "ultimate" stock Vegas computer as I know how to purchase (until dual CPU i7 mobos become available). I listed my configuration over in this thread: Polywell configuration (go to the bottom of the post).
I hope this helps someone! :)