Video Rendering Build

[oatmeal12]

I am looking to build a new computer which is mostly used for video rendering. I currently have an old P4 3.2 HT, and it doesn't cut it. The top range of what I want to spend is $1500. I don't need Graphics card, hard drive or optical drive.
I know I can get into core i7 for that price but am I better to spend it on Quad core. Just need suggestions. Plus with i7 what is recommended for wattage or PSU and what speed ot DDR3 ram. Thanks

 

[Outlander_04]

All Ci7 cpu's are quad cores . They are your best choice for your usage .

Chose an x58 based motherboard based on the features you need . Since you dont need crossfire or sli you will be able to use one of the cheaper models without compromising performance . 6 gig of RAM in a triple channel kit

Even with a quality case [ suggestion : antec p182 for quiet operation ] and a quiet cpu cooler you will come in well under your budgetl

 

[oatmeal12]

All Ci7 cpu's are quad cores . They are your best choice for your usage .

Chose an x58 based motherboard based on the features you need . Since you dont need crossfire or sli you will be able to use one of the cheaper models without compromising performance . 6 gig of RAM in a triple channel kit

Even with a quality case [ suggestion : antec p182 for quiet operation ] and a quiet cpu cooler you will come in well under your budgetl

Thanks for your answer. Another question then is how big of a difference am I going to see between a quad core Q6600 which I can get a system for $500 and the new i7 more around $1000. THanks

 

[theAnimal]

Thanks for your answer. Another question then is how big of a difference am I going to see between a quad core Q6600 which I can get a system for $500 and the new i7 more around $1000. THanks

Read some reviews of i7, they will have benchmarks comparing them to other CPUs. You may also want to look at the Phenom II.

 

[Outlander_04]

all the core 2 quads seem to scale pretty much clock for clock .
By that I mean a Q6600 at 2.4 GHz is about 25% faster at 3 Ghz

And the i7-920 benchmarks i have seen seem to think its about 20% faster again than the fastest Core2 quad in application benchmarks . You might see close to a 50% speed increase with the i7 over a Q6600

Benchmarks comparing CPU's at
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/desktop-cpu-charts-q3-2008/benchmarks,31.html