I'm looking to buy a new machine to replace an aging Dell box. I've been out of the hardware market (until now) and really don't know the best deal/quality out there.

So, any suggestions for a new desktop machine that will be used primarily for video editing/graphics/web (FCP, Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash)? Most video projects are under 30 minutes so I only need to hold about 1.5 hours of video/audio on disc as I archive everything to DVD after each project. I have a general duty 19 inch flat panel with OK resolution and color but I'd like something designed for graphics (at least a 19 inch LCD).

I don't have any experience building my own system, so I really don't consider it an option. Also, "next day" support is also a big plus with off the shelf systems (when they actually come through).

Finally, my software is vested in the Windows platform so Mac is not an option. And the kicker is I'm looking to spend 3K or less on the system.

Any Ideas?

Thanks!

 

Build it...



Its really not as hard as you think it might be.

 

Ok thanks, I don't doubt that I could plug a circuit board into a slot, etc. My point was I'm not a hardware guy & I don't know what works well (and what doesn't). Your hardware recomendation is?

 

For an LCD, I'd recommend a Samsung LCD.

 

Dell + Sony LCD

Building your own system can be better but too much of an hassle in my opinion. Dell is the next best option. Sony makes the best LCD's in the market.

 

i'd normally recommend dell myself, but my 8 month old dell laptop just broke down on me and is on its way for repairs, so i'm not too happy with their products at the moment...

btw, you can always go to a private computer store and have the guys there build a computer for you to your desired spec. the parts, imo, are usually better quality, and you get only what you need and want, nothing more, nothing less... just make sure they offer some type of competitive warranty similar to those offered by name brands...

 

The only way you're going to learn to build a computer is to do it yourself.

Once you learn how to, it's much cheaper to just update components as your computer ages. That way, you can have a top notch computer by doing small upgrades here and there.

I've built my own computers for about 7 years now.

 

No matter what you do, buy AMD.

 

what's wrong with intel??

 

Nothing...

I just built a computer for someone...

2.4 P4 800FSB
Asus Motherboard 800 fsb
512 megs of PC400 (? can't remember exact speed)
with a 40 gig hard drive with a big buffer.
New Case

I took the other parts out of their old computer and total cost to them was around $500. Not a bad prcie for a really fast computer