Photo/video editing pc build

[kengebo]

I know next to nothing about computers, let alone building them. I would like to build a computer to use primarily for photo/video editing. I would like to keep it around $1500 or less. What is a good resource for learning what to do? What do you recommend for this build?

 

[ACTechy]

If you Youtube: building video editing pc 2013, you'll get some decent videos (ex. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIq8cZSXMPo)

Here's the type of build I'd recommend in that price range:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z87 Pro3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($138.60 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($85.83 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT NZXT H230 Black ATX Mid Tower ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 750W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1204.32
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-04 18:32 EST-0500)
(http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1Xuy8)

Not sure if your budget includes all peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc), so I didn't include them, but there's headroom.

For video editing, i7 is the way to go. 16GB would be minimum to keep your renders happenin.' GTX 760 or better, especially if you're editing with Adobe. Operating system is preferential, just added Win 7 for the sake of it.

You can put something similar together using PCPartPicker, and it shows most of the best prices around the web, which is nice.

 

[kengebo]

Awesome! Thank you! A few quick questions though. After reading through your suggestions, I calculated 1tb+120gb memory. Is that correct? I shoot in RAW, and that takes up shit tons of memory, so I want to have a lot. I do not have a monitor, what should I look for in a good editing monitor?

 

[sora]

Awesome! Thank you! A few quick questions though. After reading through your suggestions, I calculated 1tb+120gb memory. Is that correct? I shoot in RAW, and that takes up shit tons of memory, so I want to have a lot. I do not have a monitor, what should I look for in a good editing monitor?

Yes. You should load the OS onto the SSD for a faster startup time though.

 

[ACTechy]

Awesome! Thank you! A few quick questions though. After reading through your suggestions, I calculated 1tb+120gb memory. Is that correct? I shoot in RAW, and that takes up shit tons of memory, so I want to have a lot. I do not have a monitor, what should I look for in a good editing monitor?

Yeah, so quick distinction: memory = RAM, just so we don't get too confused So I suggested a 120GB SSD for your OS/some editing programs (keep things snappy). There's enough headroom on the build above to add several more terabytes, should you need more storage space, so no problem there.

These are supposed to be good monitors for graphic stuff:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?nm_mc=AFC-TechBargains&cm_mmc=AFC-TechBargains-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16824260055 ($100 off right now)

There are loads more monitor options though.

 

[kengebo]

Ok, just making sure I understand. The 120gb SSD is not for storage of files so much as storage of programs? Which leaves the 1tb as storage of files (in my case, mostly photos), correct?

Thank you so much for your patience! I really appreciate this!

 

[ACTechy]

Ok, just making sure I understand. The 120gb SSD is not for storage of files so much as storage of programs? Which leaves the 1tb as storage of files (in my case, mostly photos), correct?

Thank you so much for your patience! I really appreciate this!

Exactly. 120GB for operating system and a couple programs (photo editing probably). 1TB for all photos/docs/videos, etc.