Would a gaming computer be good for video editing?

[singlecoil]

I will shortly be making a number of YouTube videos for my business, in HD, using Sony Vegas software, and my current computer struggles a bit, especially when it comes to rendering.

I also fancy doing some simulator games, such as trains and trucks.

So with this in mind, I figured maybe something like this would be ideal (I would get it loaded with Windows 7 64bit)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KILLER-GAMING-PC-V-FAST-...

I would appreciate any thoughts on the above, and whether there is anything else that would be better? Budget is not a big problem, so can spend more if need be, though there's no point in spending more than I need to.

TIA.

[Simpo Two]

Not my area of exertise but do you really need HD for YouTube? All it will do is make your files massive and unwieldy.

[TheEnd]

Kinda, although there might be some differences, more RAM for video editing for example as gaming would be fine on 8gb, but rendering etc could do with loads.

[Zad]

Gaming computers tend to put quite a lot of the price into a graphics card. Depending on which software you use, the transcoder can use the GPU, but the people I know who do regular YouTube stuff say it is more trouble than it is worth, and it is better to spend the money on a faster CPU.

I would go for a much bigger hard drive if possible, with the OS and applications on a separate SSD. Video files really gobble up HDD space.

[mrdemon]

stay away from AMD these days imo

gaming is normally i5

you get what you pay for with computers (unless you buy Apple of course)

I would go i7 with a Samsung pro SSD and 16 GIG of high speed RAM, fit a WD black for storage and a GTX 770 or quadro k2000 card.
if you want a custom build pm me, that's what I do.

Edited by mrdemon on Monday 11th November 00:55

[singlecoil]

mrdemon said:

if you want a custom build pm me, that's what I do.

Me too! But not computers.

Will PM you shortly.


Thanks for the replies, everybody.

Edited by singlecoil on Monday 11th November 13:53

[TheEnd]

I'd also go with the above recommendation between i5 and i7.

Both are quad cores, and both can be overclocked for a decent boost in power, but the i7 does hyperthreading or something, making it a bit more efficient.

Gaming doesn't really put too much stress on that part and an i5 is great, but the i7 is better for doing more things as the same time.

Most of the PCs built over the last couple of years were LGA 1155 (this is the style of socket for the processor, so controls what you can fit into it) but there's a newer LGA 1150 socket out now which would be the one to go for.

This means that if you need more power in the future, even in 5 years from now, you'll probably find there has been bigger and better processors released for the 1150 which you can just swap in.


I built an 1155 gaming rig with an i5-3570k which is pretty much in the sweetspot for gaming, and if needed, I have the option of an i7 processor, but that's as far as it goes. Getting an 1150 socket motherboard means you'll have plenty of newer CPUs to swap into it in future.

[Zad]

Just to echo the above sentiments to go with an Intel processor. Preferably one with a 'K' suffix to the model number, as they are unlocked and easier to overclock. Also, spend a few quite on an uprated CPU heatsink/fan. Not because they are better at cooling (which they are) but because the Intel ones tend to get rather loud under load.

[wetny]

If you are buying have you thought about a mac. Comes with movie that is simple and quick to use.

[singlecoil]

wetny said:

If you are buying have you thought about a mac.

No, I must say I haven't. The impression I get is that they aren't particularly good value for money.

[singlecoil]

mrdemon said:

if you want a custom build pm me, that's what I do.

Sent you a pm yesterday, did you get it?

Sorry, should have checked my junk mail box.

Edited by singlecoil on Tuesday 12th November 19:04

[eatcustard]

singlecoil said:

No, I must say I haven't. The impression I get is that they aren't particularly good value for money.

They are much better value than you think.

Back on topic
The i7 is better for video work
i5 for games

More ram is better (16gb)
and 2 HDs in Raid 0 is good (for speed)
SSD is not the best to use for video work (so I am told) but great as a boot drive.

[z4chris99]

had just switched to my boot drive and apps running on SSD and 4tb raids for content...

much quicker than before.

it's a 2008 Mac Pro with 16gb ram and handles HD video just fine!