Yessir we did (and thank you so much for your input) but the ones we were talking about are sold out now that I have the money. These are two different PCs and like I say my only concern is the 4 GB RAM limitation (the other 2 BOTH had 8 GB max)
Thanks TB,
Randy

I would buy the AMD unit...

The AMD machine has two open memory slots and a capacity of 8GB, according to that link. It would be quite rare for a 64-bit capable mobo to NOT offer at least 8GB RAM capacity, seeing as how increased RAM capacity is one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) reason for going 64-bit. I'm surprised that the Intel machine doesn't offer this...

I am at work so I didn't have a lot of time to look at both machines, but at first glance...they look similar. But the AMD has a dismal 300-watt PSU, which is the absolute minimum you'd ever want. So you better plan to replace that if you start adding components. The Intel machine has a 400-watt PSU, and that'd be better obviously. The AMD's PSU would probably handle 4GB more RAM, but barely..lol. The AMD unit has 2 hard drives, but it appears that the Intel machine only has one...although it's 750GB. But I would still go with the AMD unit, because you end up with an extra drive to put your media on. Both machines have 7200 RPM hard drives, so there's no issue there.

A couple of other things: The AMD machine has 2 firewire ports, while the Intel unit only has 1 port; and the AMD machine also has one more open PCIe X16 port, so if you want to add another video card, the motherboard will support it.

So while I will look more at these when I get home later, my first impression is to advise you to buy the AMD. However given the lower cost, I would seriously consider upgrading the Power Supply Unit to at least 650-750 watts at some point. You wouldn't need to do it now most likely, but you should in the future--especially if you plan to add components...which undoubtedly, you will.

If you have to pull the trigger, pull it in the direction of the AMD in my (somewhat rushed) opinion.

TB

The AMD unit has 2 hard drives, but it appears that the Intel machine only has one...although it's 750GB. But I would still go with the AMD unit, because you end up with an extra drive to put your media on.
I have plenty of HD space so that's not an issue... except that the Intel has a 400 watt PSU compared to 300 w

A couple of other things: The AMD machine has 2 firewire ports, while the Intel unit only has 1 port;
I have a PCI 4 port card. The Intel would have 2 PCI slots available once I chunked the modem I guess?

and the AMD machine also has one more open PCIe X16 port, so if you want to add another video card, the motherboard will support it.
The Intel has what (appears to me) a dual monitor card and an HDMI. Is that right?
This is a tough decision for me so if anyone else has an opinion please comment.
Thanks very much,
Randy

well, you'd want to add another HD to the Intel machine then, so you didn't have to put the media on your system drive.

As for the video card--yes, you are correct. The Intel machine appears to have another card, with dual DVI ports. Get yourself DVI-VGA adapters (if your monitors don't have DVI ports), and you are good for three monitors. But the AMD has an HDMI port as well. And yes, it looks to me as though you could remove the modem from the Intel and get yourself another PCI port, as you mentioned.

But don't forget about the lack of memory capacity in the Intel. While the deficiencies you mentioned about the AMD machine can be corrected through the PCI bus (for the most part), the lack of DIMM slots in the Intel machine can not be fixed--what you get is what you've got. So if the RAM thing is important to you (as I gathered it was from your first couple of posts), then the AMD is the only way to go. But if you can live with one hard drive and 4GB of RAM...then go for the Intel.

I too am curious to see what others say...

TB

Here's what I'd like to know TB...if I'm not doing HD do I really need more than 4GB RAM?
Whenever I do upgrade to HD I'm looking at an investment of well over $10K anyway (I'll have to get 2 good cams) so another $500 at that time would be a drop in the bucket to upgrade the PC (or maybe even just the motherboard).
What do you think?
Thanks,
Randy

what i want to know is why is it that on fast intell core 2 duo with 4 GM of ram and fast sata drives i still can't preview HD videos at Best quality while my friend on comparable Mac (in FCP) not only can he can also add some effects to it???

So Patryk are you suggesting I get a Mac and convert to FCP? : )

No, but i can't comprehend it. My friend get more milage while editing while my machine renders faster... Of course of the two i would rather have the editing side.

Randy, I don't necessarily think you'd need 4GB of RAM to work with HD anyway. I work with it in XP with only 3.25GB of RAM; even though there's 4GB installed under XP, the limitations of the OS have left me with FAR less. So Vista 64-bit will use the entire 4GB, and you shouldn't have any problem.

I'd say that, if you really like the looks of the Intel system (even though you can essentially make the AMD system the same thing via PCI components), then have at it. I really don't think the 8GB vs 4GB thing is going to be a deal breaker when working with video...even if you eventually go HD. But don't buy the Intel machine thinking that it's got more features than the AMD unit--because those are correctable. As I mentioned, you can fix that stuff. And the PSU is upgradable as well. The chances of you buying a machine that is perfect for what you need, and will remain perfect for your future needs, is very low. Since the AMD machine has 8GB of RAM capacity, it was probably designed to power that much RAM--so I really don't think you'd need to change anything until you decided to upgrade via the PCI bus.

So either system would probably do just fine for you, seriously.

TB

Randy,
I'd go with the Intel myself. Also is this a system you are building or buying?

If possible pay a bit more to have the C drive partitioned with a 40 gb empty slot. This will be so you can format the 40 gb space and install xp or vista and create an image of the origitnal for back up.

Once you do this revitalizing your pc takes 5 minutes and it's WELL worth the effort.

Some of us here on the forum build em for people. It's actually easy if you've never done it.

my suggestion is to build it yourself.

Aug

I'd go with the Intel myself. Also is this a system you are building or buying?
They're both from TigerDirect

If possible pay a bit more to have the C drive partitioned with a 40 gb empty slot. This will be so you can format the 40 gb space and install xp or vista and create an image of the origitnal for back up.
Can you provide a link on how to do this...I'm a bit of an idiot on that stuff

Once you do this revitalizing your pc takes 5 minutes and it's WELL worth the effort.
Well besides being an idiot I'm tired of waiting and want to buy one before they sell out like they did before.
I'm going to wait until the morning to order in case someone comes along later tonight and says "oh hell no...you need the extra RAM!!!"

Thanks very much everyone,
Randy