My original Desktop PC for video editing was a HP Pavilion Core 2 Duo 2.4GHZ with 4GB ram and a 1GB GTX 550 Ti GPU.
Here it is getting the old 512gb card upgraded to the GTX 550
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7qGAcRqL0U
When I moved over to all High Definition Cameras it started to show its age so I supplemented it with a refurbished Dell XPS 17 (l702x) laptop which I then started to use for everything. That was a HUGE improvement with a quad core i7, 12GB Ram and a GT555M 3GB GPU (GT 550 ti has a higher passmark score.
Unboxing the Dell XPS 17
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGF3TBnkhqg
Even though I can edit HD video on the XPS 17 without any problems, using a desktop would be more comfortable (and I do play PC video games so an upgrade would be nice for that too).
After a lot of dickering around between going Mac with Final Cut Pro I decided to stick with PC’s as I have a lot of PC only software for CAD/CAM type stuff..
This is the package I received after copying a build I found online.
- Gigabyte Z87 LGA 1150 2-Way SLI Overclock ATX Motherboard (GA-Z87X-OC)
- Intel i7 4770k
- Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus Cooler
- Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM
- GTX 770 4GB DDR5 Graphics Card (Replaced with an EVGA GTX 780 FTW a few days later) I overpaid for the GTX 770 and then there was a sale on the GTX 780 so it only cost a few dollars more
- Samsung EVO 840 120GB SSD
- Corsair TX650M Modular Power Supply
- Corsair Carbide 500R Case
(The above links are my Amazon affiliate links to each part on Amazon – check this PC Part Picker link to see all the components and comparison shop other stores)
I chose these because they are good performance per $ and they are all compatible with OS X if I ever wanted to install it as a “Hackintosh” build.
Motherboard
Anti-Static wrist band which is grounded to my heating duct-work
Intel I7 4770K
Stock cooler that came with the Processor (wont be used)
Processor being placed on the Motherboards socket
16GB of RAM
Being placed into sockets on motherboard – I’m using dual channel configuration (which is better, I’m not sure how exactly… ) so I followed the motherboards directions on which sockets to install them into.
This is the Hyper 212 Plus cooler I’m using instead of the stock one that came with the processor.
The Backing plate goes on the reverse side of the motherboard to provide additional strength and then the X bracket secures the cooler on top of the processor.
(I did add a layer of thermal paste to the above surface – check YouTube for how to do that if unsure)
The fan then gets attached (you cannot get to the screws with the fan/or fans attached)
I choose a Corsair Carbide 500R case in black because I liked its features – lots of space, nice organization, good cooling options and excellent reviews.
Install the I/O (In, Out) planel that came with the motherboard into the case.
Check positioning of the Motherboard – this case didn’t require any standoff’s, and attach it with the 9 screws included with case after making sure the ports line up with the panel.
The Graphics card I started off with in this build was a Gigabye GTX 770, thats all that I show in this post. I ended up replacing it with an EVGA GTX 780 FTW
GPU installations are just a matter of inserting it into the PCI slot and connecting the power if it needs it.
I went with a modular supply to help keep the case a bit tidier. The Corsair TX650M got good reviews and has enough capacity to run the PC even if I make some upgrades in the future.
I bought a 120 GB Samsung 840 Evo SSD to install my OS and important files on, and I’m using a 1.5 TB HDD that I already owned for all my document folders and larger program installations.
They both simply screw onto plastic trays that came with the case and then slide right
Both sides of the finished PC, and next to my old PC – Huge difference in size, power and mess inside.
First boot went without a hitch into the BIOS
I have a licence for Windows 8 Pro and I put the installation files onto a USB thumbdrive. Installation also went fine with no issues (which surprised me).
Included case fan lights, Can turn them on/off using the button on the front.
Performance is excellent.
Using Premiere Pro CC everything works really fast and responsively – Rendering is fast, scrubbing of clips after being imported is nice.
Games also work great, this video of Battlefield 4 game play (1080p, Ultra) was recorded using NVIDIA Shadow Play with FRAPS for the onscreen FPS count.