MK5 Golf GTI
General => Random Chat => Topic started by: George on October 09, 2013, 09:20:34 pm
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Can anyone recommend a good PC forum please? I need a new system but can't find a good forum for specification advise
Thanks
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Try the forum section on tomshardware should find what you need
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What do you want to know?
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I've just bought a GoPro 3+ for recording skiing next year but my current PC is over 10 years old and struggles to play HD videos just on youtube! I want to spec a new machine to last me the next ten years, it'll be used for internet browsing, itunes etc but viewing and editing the GoPro footage will be the most taxing task.
Do you have any recommendations for systems or websites I can build a machine on? I'd want to go for i7 processor really
Thanks
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I've just bought a GoPro 3+ for recording skiing next year but my current PC is over 10 years old and struggles to play HD videos just on youtube! I want to spec a new machine to last me the next ten years, it'll be used for internet browsing, itunes etc but viewing and editing the GoPro footage will be the most taxing task.
Do you have any recommendations for systems or websites I can build a machine on? I'd want to go for i7 processor really
Thanks
If you are looking to build your own, try Bit-Tech for some ideas. The builds are based on various budgets:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/buyers-guide/2013/08/22/pc-hardware-buyer-s-guide-august-2013/1
You might need to buy the magazine for the latest version...
Alternatively Novatech are worth a look as they offer a variety of PC's:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/
Don't rule out an AMD machine, their CPU's will meet your requirements.
Ps Make sure you spec an SSD drive!
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Thanks for the advice above!
What will the benefits of an SSD drive? My budget won't stretch for a SSD drive big enough to store everything
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What's your budget? I have built 4machines from £500-1200 in the past few month so I'm pretty upto date on tech vs money.
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Hi
For what you are after, an i7 is a waste of money, as is an SSD Drive.
Novatech is a very good option, as are AMD based systems. ( I'm actually the training manager there )
You haven't however mentioned what program you plan to use to edit your footage.
Adobe Premier is what I use, although I have used Final Cut as well.
What you are looking for ideally, "cost vs worth while performance" is an i5 or similar AMD. 8-16GB of Memory and a large storage area.
Premier and most of the editing software mainly use processing power and memory for its performance and although they are helped out by gaming graphics cards, you would be better off fitting a Quadro or Firepro.
But in truth unless you are talking heavy editing, this might also be over kill.
So if you can confirm what software you plan to use and a budget, I can design you a system and Novatech can build if for you.
Mat
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Definitely would echo what's been said about AMD processors, Im a network/computer technician by trade so I build quite a few systems weekly and when it comes to bang for buck you just cant beat them.
AMD FX-8350 4GHz Socket AM3+ 8MB Cache - £148
It will chew up and spit out most tasks.
Couple it with a decent gigabyte board, a fair graphics card and 16gb of RAM (1600 minimum)
and your laughing! I'd say £400 is plenty to build a decent spec AMD now days where as you'll need £600ish for the equivalent Intel.
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I've been using an over clocked 4Ghz i7 and SSD drive for boot and progs since 2009 and its still very quick... The SSD makes the biggest difference IMO. They are very affordable now too, use HDD for storage.
At the time AMD weren't in the same ballpark with performance, haven't bothered looking into it since the build because it just works so well... Touch wood.
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Thanks for the advice,
Here is the system requirements for the GoPro editing software: http://gopro.com/software-app/gopro-studio#system-requirements
It recommends i7?
I doubt I'll be editing the software heavily, and I'll probably stick to using the GoPro software as no doubt it'll meet my needs (I can't guarantee this though)
I thought the SSD would be a good idea for moving the large files quickly?
Thanks
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Hi
Its the old story with IT
The more you pay, the better you get. Do you need it, is usually the question.
For what you are after I think an I7 would be over kill unless you are either have the money to spare or are a heavy user.
SSD are fast, yes it would transfer faster using one but when you copy the RAW files off a GoPro and start creating projects with them, they get really big really fast.
If you look at the spec's it also says it will run on a Intel C2D and a 5400 spin hard drive.
So it really comes down to budget.
I would probably go with a customised
http://www.novatech.co.uk/pc/range/novatechblacknta18.html (http://www.novatech.co.uk/pc/range/novatechblacknta18.html)
Have the SSD taken out and replace it with another 2-4TB Harddrive.
The card already supports OpenGL and the rest is more than powerful enough to last you.
Don't forget you need to add in the price of Windows 7 or 8. I would recommend going Pro over Home, it just means later if you start increasing the memory the system can use it.
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Thanks for your help MAJINVASH, I really appreciate it!
If there's a saving to be had I wouldn't mind building the system myself, even though I'm not up to date with current specs I can do simple PC building (I can ask the PC builder at work to do the tricky bits like mounting the processor to the motherboard).
On another note, are you a GoPro user yourself? If so do you think one 64GB card will last me for a weeks snowboarding?
George
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Hi
You will save about £40 with building it yourself.
I have a 16GB card in mine and its plenty.
Your issue will be battery life. In use, you will get maybe 3hrs out of it a day.
With 64GB you will have plenty of space to bore every friend you have silly for months to come after your holiday.
As much fun as you think filming POV snowboarding is.. watching it back... oh my its dull :)
Before you head out, get something like this http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/gopole-reach-gopro-hero (http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/gopole-reach-gopro-hero) . Takes a while to get used to riding with one but makes the films "slightly" more interesting.
Where are you heading out to?
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I have been out of the PC components market for sometime now so can't give too much advise but I put a SSD in my aging 4-5 year old PC (which was built it for £1200) last year and what a difference it has made.
I have a 180GB drive for the system and programs and 2 other standard drives for storage. It has really refreshed the PC. I was thinking I needed to upgrade the Processor/MoBo/RAM but the SSD upgrade has meant I won't need to in the near future. Especially as I'm not a hardcore user anymore.
Anyway that's my most recent experience.
I got most of my advice from this forum when I was building it:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/
EDIT:
My spec FYI (copied from my overclockers sig):
Q9550 @ 3.50GHz || Asus P5K Deluxe || Zotac GTX 280
Kingston HyperX 8GB (4x2) || Corsair HX 650W || Lian Li PC-7
Intel 330 180GB || Samsung F1 1TB || Seagate 1.5TB || TRUE 120
X-FI Xtreme Music || Saitek Eclipse 2 || 24" VA Monitor
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I don't know why I said snowboarding, I'm skiing so will be attaching the GoPro to the end of my pole as well as helmet and chest.
I'm not sure where we are going yet, last year myself and friend went to Sauze d'Oulx in Italy for a week and it was fantastic, I'm trying to get more of my mates interested this year.
I'll look into a second battery nearer the trip, the supplier I bought the camera off didn't list any but the camera is only been out a week.
Regarding the PC, is it worth getting a SSD just to load windows and other programs on and then using a normal SATA drive for bulk storage?
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Regarding the PC, is it worth getting a SSD just to load windows and other programs on and then using a normal SATA drive for bulk storage?
Absolutely mate! That's exactly what I've been doing for 4 years.. it's a great way of doing things imo. :happy2:
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SSD's make a lot of difference, last year upgraded an oldish VAIO laptop to SSD, it was slow on the HDD... given it a new lease of life with just an i3 processor:
i3 SSD completely OFF to ON
i7 SSD opening progs:
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Hi
If you have the spare money yes an SSD would improve load up time and make things faster..
For the same money you could get a bigger Sata HDD which would benefit you for what you are after.
For actually using the PC for video editing, I honestly don't think you would notice the difference. The finalising time would be faster but actual usage, not so much.
I am not anti SSD at all but they are expensive for the performance increase.
My PC has them
i7 4770
Asus Mobo
32GB DDR3 2400Mhz Ram
2 x 250 Intel SSD In Raid 0
2 x 3TB WD Red
Nvidia 680 Graphics Card
Corsair 1250W PSU
But I play games on time as well.
Mat
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Could I be cheeky and ask Mat and the others who have contributed towards this thread to spec me up their suggestion on here:
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/
Just the following:
Processor
Motherboard
Graphics
Ram
HDD
Case
PSU
I'd prefer under £500 but could go as high as £800
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I5 4670k + decent cooler
Asus z87 - k
Gti 670
8gb 1600mhz vengeance
Samsung 250gb Evo
Zalman z11 plus
Be quiet 630w psu
Run it and when it becomes sluggish the i5 will over clock and there headroom for a 2nd gtx670
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I5 4670k + decent cooler
Asus z87 - k
Gti 670
8gb 1600mhz vengeance
Samsung 250gb Evo
Zalman z11 plus
Be quiet 630w psu
Run it and when it becomes sluggish the i5 will over clock and there headroom for a 2nd gtx670
Roughly the same as what I'm about to upgrade my internals to. I'm gonna be getting:
Intel i5 4670K
Asus Z87 Deluxe
Corsair 16gb (2x 8gb)
Samsung 840 Pro 256gb SSD
And that would go with my:
Corsair H100 Cooler
Samsung 830 120gb SSD
Samsung 1TB HDD
Asus GTX 560 (I think)
NZXT Phantom case
Corsair 1000W PSU
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http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/processors/intel4thgencorei3i5andi71150socket/bx80646i54670k.html (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/processors/intel4thgencorei3i5andi71150socket/bx80646i54670k.html) CPU - The Fan it comes with is fine.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/motherboards/intel1150h81chipset/microatxformfactor/h81m-e.html (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/motherboards/intel1150h81chipset/microatxformfactor/h81m-e.html) Motherboard - Simple you dont need anything more advanced
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/memory-pc/ddr3-pc3-128001600mhz/bls2cp8g3d1609ds1s00ceu.html (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/memory-pc/ddr3-pc3-128001600mhz/bls2cp8g3d1609ds1s00ceu.html) Plenty
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/cases/cases/fd-ca-core-1000-bl.html (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/cases/cases/fd-ca-core-1000-bl.html) Simple and clean
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/powersupplies/nov-psg400.html (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/powersupplies/nov-psg400.html) Modular and reliable
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/harddrives-internal/sata2tbto2.5tb/wd2002faex.html (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/harddrives-internal/sata2tbto2.5tb/wd2002faex.html) Primary Hard Drive with OS
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/harddrives-internal/sata3tbto4tb/wd40efrx.html (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/harddrives-internal/sata3tbto4tb/wd40efrx.html) Secondary Drive
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/opticaldrives/satadvdwriters/sh-224dbbebe.html (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/opticaldrives/satadvdwriters/sh-224dbbebe.html) DVD
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/amdradeongraphicscards/amdhd7850series/fx-785a-cnjc.html (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/amdradeongraphicscards/amdhd7850series/fx-785a-cnjc.html) Graphics card that supports the software that GoPro requires
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Don't forget to shop around....novatech is rarely the cheapest! But when they are great service.
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Aria seems to beat most places on price! :happy2:
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Aria seems to beat most places on price! :happy2:
And fail so hard on after sales service. Hence why I'd never again shop with them.
For me scan is round the corner so they are my preferred shop even if they are sometimes a few £ more expensive.
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I've never had a problem with them and I place large orders weekly?
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I've never had a problem with them and I place large orders weekly?
Oh ordering is fine.
DOA returns or warranty returns have both caused issue for me.
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Yea had a couple too but they were smooth with rma, maybe they favour business customers?
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Scan are our main competitor in the UK and are a great running partner.
There maybe cheaper companies out there but just remember. The cheaper you get the parts for, generally the cheaper the support you are going to get after.
I spend a great deal of my day explaining to my new recruits the concept of value.
Novatech will never try to be the cheapest and in truth the retail market isn't our target any more, we are moving more B2B and winning contracts all over.
I forgot to mention that you are going to need to budget in on top of whatever parts list you choose, about £80 for either Windows 7 or 8 Home.
8 is fine.. Its good but very very different to use. It is however going to be patched soon, so that it looks and feels much more like Windows 7.
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Scan are our main competitor in the UK and are a great running partner.
There maybe cheaper companies out there but just remember. The cheaper you get the parts for, generally the cheaper the support you are going to get after.
I spend a great deal of my day explaining to my new recruits the concept of value.
Novatech will never try to be the cheapest and in truth the retail market isn't our target any more, we are moving more B2B and winning contracts all over.
I forgot to mention that you are going to need to budget in on top of whatever parts list you choose, about £80 for either Windows 7 or 8 Home.
8 is fine.. Its good but very very different to use. It is however going to be patched soon, so that it looks and feels much more like Windows 7.
Have novatech closed some of their stores recently?
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Yes we looked at the retail market and shop front is in decline.
We pulled out early.
Within a few years the high street will be dead.
The 3 stores were nothing but Argos style collection points for us.
They were all making profit at the moment but we like to plan ahead.
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Thanks for the list Mat! A few questions for you:
Why is the primary HDD so big? I assume I will use this for OS and Programs only?
Are there any other good value cases, not keen on the look of that one
Oh, and is it worth getting a good cooler for the CPU and overclocking it?
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Grab an SSD for gods sake mate, NIGHT AND DAY... I'm sure most of your progs and OS will fit on 128GB, the WD Blacks (albeit good disks) are noisy and are blown out the water by SSD (I have two), the Reds are nice as regularly accessed NAS disks (I have one), otherwise Greens are cheaper and sufficient for storage/backup (I have four)
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I'm sure you'll need some sort of cooler on the CPU. :laugh:
Water cooling FTW.
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I will mate! So the WD colours signify level of spec on the SATA HDDS?
Mat said the OEM cooler will be fine for that CPU but I'll probably get an upgraded one so I can overclock it. I guess that means I'll need a better motherboard too?
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Grab an SSD for gods sake mate, NIGHT AND DAY... I'm sure most of your progs and OS will fit on 128GB, the WD Blacks (albeit good disks) are noisy and are blown out the water by SSD (I have two), the Reds are nice as regularly accessed NAS disks (I have one), otherwise Greens are cheaper and sufficient for storage/backup (I have four)
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I'm sure you'll need some sort of cooler on the CPU. :laugh:
Water cooling FTW.
This!