[alexis]

Hi

I was wondering if someone could give me advice re my computer. I would like to find out the specific specs / RAM / memory and video card I have already and also whether it is worth updating the above so that I can put a video editing package on it. I know I'm gonna need a lot of power and memory but not sure how much and whether it is worth it. I have at the moment a Dell Pent III - about 3 yrs old - and wanted to find someone who could possibly inspect / go through the computer and give me a rough breakdown of what additionals I need.

What's the best way to approach this?

[discobay]

Download a bench marking tool like SiSoft Sandra and use it to find out what you have.
Then you can decide what you need based on what video editing software you intend to run. Side of the box or the manufacturer's website should tell you.

[JAherbert]

hi,

video work is disk intensive, P3 would be slow unless you like wasting time,
THe motherboard wouldn't be able to drive/accomodate the latest spec components, e.g. P3 machine can't run large capacity ATA150 hard disks. I reckon you need a NEW PC with:

- lots and lots of disk space, faster ATA150 disks better;
- video card with 512MB Video RAM (dual monitor preferred);
- 1 or 2 GB RAM or more;
- CPU fast L2 cache - 1MB+ would be good; dual CPU would be nice;
- If you want to create DVD's quality sound, audio card to give you 5.1 or equal audio;

It all depends on your bugdet.

[opps]

you can also try AIDA32 - it can produce a detail report of your system configuration, in text or html format

[jimbo]

Or even better get yourself a Mac.

[alexis]

Thanks for all the advice. I have priced a mac with all the necess (optimal) and works out about 24K...was hoping to avoid expense. Yes, I was worried PIII would be too slow. Will download the checkout applications and go from there .

Appreciate your input.

[alexis]

Can't seem to download AIDA32. Tried Sandra and downloaded but it downloaded unsuccessfully and in addition has left files it will not allow me access to delete.

Not having much luck. Any suggestions?

[orrock]

your dell should have a service tag or express service code on it. on laptops its on the bottom and for desktops i believe its on the back. find out what your tag or code is and then you can use dells web site to find specs and expand options.

im using a dell p3 now and would not use it for video editting. in relation to mac you could get by light video editting with an emac 1ghz and 1gb ram.

[opps]

sorry my fault - i didn't test the link.

please try this again: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download181.html

i downloaded, installed, and made myself a report with it and it worked!

PM me your email if you got any problem with the download and i'll send you the installation file (2.87 MB).

[alexis]

Hi and thanks to all for help so far.

AS I mentioned, trying to get a good computer for video editing. Someone's came back with the following specs - made to order. Any advice/would be greatly appreciated.

P4 820 CPU (Dual Core)
Kingston 2GB DDR-2 RAM (1GB x 2)
Intel 945G Mainboard w/ IEEE1394
ATI Radeon X800 128MB DDR3 display card
1.44 floppy disk drive
DVD+-drive
ATX tower case
2theMax Maxpower PM450 Pro Power supply
Seagate 160GB 7200RPM SATA disk drive
Phillips 19" LCD Monitor
Wireless keyboard & Optical mouse

Anything I'm missing or should I be considering something entirely different. (COst of this is around 9-10K)