I need suggestions for a capture/encoding machine

[MickeyNBK]

I'm getting set to start a project soon and I could use a little help putting together a new pc. I plan on adding a Matrox RT.X100 to capture/edit/encode. I'll be gutting my P3 733 for the basic components so I'll only need motherboard, CPU, ram and a case. For the CPU I want a P4 3.06 Ghz with Hyper threading. Are all of the P4 3.06 Ghz CPUs hyper threading capable or not? If not then which ones are? What type of ram should I get? Can I use PC2700 DDR-333Mhz?

I'm going to be capturing from my DV cam, LD and VHS. I'll be comparing the encoding results from the card with those of CCE 2.66 to see which is best (quality and size).

[Soulhunter]

@MickeyNBK

1.) All hyper threading processors are signd wit an "HT" -> Intel Pentium 4HT 3,06 GHz <-

2.) What kind off RAM u can use depends of the board you wanna buy... Does it suppot it?

Note: 3,06 GHz P4HT has a looot of power... So, if want to be able to use all this power u should use at least 2x256MB PC3200 DDR-RAM (DDR400) better is 2x512 PC3200 with low latency ! A good board for this combi is the "ASUS P4C800".

Hope this Info helps...

Bye

[MickeyNBK]

Thanks for the reply. I couldn't wait, my main box dropped on my last week so I stopped being lazy and did a little research.

Here's what I ended up with:

CPU: P4/2.8CGHz 800M 478P/512K HT
MB: Intel D875PBZLK
RAM: 1gb (2x512)Cosair XMS Low Latency PC3200LL
HD: Western Digital Special Edition 200GB ATA100

Then added a Matrox RT.X100

[Soulhunter]

"1gb (2x512)Cosair XMS Low Latency PC3200LL"

-Yap! 2x512 gives more speed than 1x1024 (with 2x512 you can enable the DualChannel-Ram option in your bios, this brings double amout of BW)... Does the "Intel D875PBZLK MB" support DualChannelRam ? I dont know exactly... but as far I know all "Intel i875" chipsets suppot it... Just make sure your one does it too!

So I hope you have much fun with this system for the next years ;-)

Bye

[MickeyNBK]

Yup the Intel supports dual channel. Cosair comes in matched pairs. I read Maximum PC's review of the Intel and they recommended the Corsair ram with it.

I got a 3.44 on "About Schmidt" with CCE 2.66 and Avisynth 2.51.