Slipstream/Video

[Erich]

I notice that Scan have updated some 3xs systems after the Windows 7 release, but not the Slipstream video system, which is still dated May09. I have been waiting! Presumably it can be better/cheaper by now, as well as include the new OS.

I have some questions about the existing spec
- Worth getting the lower latency memory, or is there some other constraint that makes it no better?
- I am curious about what makes the Quadro card better for video than e.g GTX (I rarely game, but sometimes)
- Any chance of USB 3.0 on the MB?
- the MB has 1 eSata external port, right? Video is all about extra storage
- hardware RAID not required because it's already on the MB? I understand that software RAID is a Bad Idea
- Is my understanding of RAID correct: RAID 0 striping faster for big files, slower for small, twice the probability of HD failure. RAID 1 same speed as no RAID with half prob of failure (in an ideal world).
- EcoGreen same price as faster SpinPoint because it saves pandas?
- Max possible disk space is 3TB, one TB each on boot/media/data drives?
- I have not yet done any high-def video but plan to. Do I need worry about HDCP issues?

I use Sony Vegas and Pinnacle (old versions).

My current Scan system is 6 years old and has taken 2 weeks to do Picasa facial recognition on my photo collection and is only 50% finished. I built that one myself, but a friend says that 3xs systems are tricky to build (he got one of your water-cooled gaming jobs).

Thanks!

[Pete the Painter]

HI Erich,

Just to let you know the Slipstream Video Editing System is now updated with Windows 7 options.

Worth getting the lower latency memory, or is there some other constraint that makes it no better?

More memory a better option than tighter timings. CAS 8 Options on there for 6GB Packs

I am curious about what makes the Quadro card better for video than e.g GTX (I rarely game, but sometimes)

Quadro's are generally more beneficial as they have approved drivers for certain software such as Adobe suites. They also feature better components for longer longevity. Having said that I'd expect you'd be fine with a GeForce card especially for the odd gaming experience

Any chance of USB 3.0 on the MB?

Not on this choice of motherboard. Currently only available on some P55 boards.

the MB has 1 eSata external port, right? Video is all about extra storage

Correct, of course you could have extra HDD's internally

hardware RAID not required because it's already on the MB? I understand that software RAID is a Bad Idea

Horses for courses. In majority of apps especially video editing you'd be fine using onboard raid. I edit in Edius and Premiere using a mix of Raid 0 and Raid 1 using onboard raid. Having said that, if you use a hardware raid card you can offload some CPU cycles off the CPU leaving power for other tasks.

Is my understanding of RAID correct: RAID 0 striping faster for big files, slower for small, twice the probability of HD failure. RAID 1 same speed as no RAID with half prob of failure (in an ideal world).

Raid 0 with a large block size beneficial for editing HD however loose a drive and you loose everything
Raid 1 still fast but with redundancy of the spare drive (only see size of a single drive)
Best of both worlds....Raid 10 using a Hardware raid card I also use this on another system with an Adaptec 5805

EcoGreen same price as faster SpinPoint because it saves pandas?

Max possible disk space is 3TB, one TB each on boot/media/data drives?

Not necessarily, depends how you set your drives in computer management. Personally I'd try to keep it under 1-2TB's ......lot of data to loose or backup

I have not yet done any high-def video but plan to. Do I need worry about HDCP issues?

No need for the work you're planning to edit unless you plan to add copy/content protection to your final disc and want to playback your Blue-Ray disk on the PC.

Hope I've managed to answer all your questions
If you need any further drop us a line.


Pete

[Erich]

Thank you for the kind reply.

As a price check, I compare your system to the Dell XPS top of the line. Both with 3.06 GHz, 6MB mem, 1TB (roughly) RAID 0, GTX 260.

The Dell is £1,089 incl VAT. Scan is £1,818. Is this a fair comparison? The Dell will have noname components and a cramped motherboard, most likely. But 80% is a large spread. Also Dell has an 8MB option, which Scan do not.

Wait a sec, the 1.2 TB Dell RAID is a lie, it's really half that. Still, that's a £40 difference.

Make no mistake, I dislike Dell. I am just checking prices.

-------------------------------------------
Studio XPS
Price £1,421.00
Total savings* £332.00
Total £1,089.00
Includes VAT & Shipping
No Payments until April 2010*
No Payments Until April 2010*
More information on financing


Discount Details
Preliminary Ship Date: Unavailable1

My Selections All Options
# Studio XPS


Date 28/10/2009 16:02:13 Central Standard Time
Catalog Number 20211 Retail ukdhs1
Catalog Number / Description Product Code Qty SKU Id
Base:
Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 950 (3.06GHz, 8MB cache, 4.8GT/sec) 281387 1 [210-29049] 1
Microsoft Operating System:
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 (64 BIT) - English 186631 1 [619-14486][640-11713] 11
Microsoft Application Software:
Microsoft® Works 9 - English 9078 1 [630-10933] 1002
Enhanced Service Packs:
1 year of coverage included with your PC 322642 1 [754-56815] 30
Protect your new PC:
McAfee® Security Centre 15 Month Protection 89508 1 [650-10762] 1014
Accidental Damage Support:
No Accidental Damage Support 327720 1 [755-10535] 463
Monitor:
Display Not Included 92239 1 [480-10999] 5
Memory:
6144MB (6x1024) 1067MHz DDR3 Tri Channel 188402 1 [370-13804] 3
Hard Drive:
1.2 TB (2x 640 GB) Serial ATA (7200 Rpm) Dual HDD Config Raid 0 Stripe 188439 1 [400-15710] 8
Video Card:
Single 1.8GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 Graphics Card 294427 1 [490-11672] 6
Floppy Drives and Additional Storage Devices:
19-in-1 Media Card Reader 188418 1 [385-10686] 10
Optical Devices:
16X DVD+/- RW Optical Drive (DVD & CD read and write) 188446 1 [429-13316][429-13319] 16
Keyboard:
Dell™ USB Entry Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY) 255298 1 [580-15212] 4
Mouse:
Dell Laser Mouse USB (6 buttons scroll) Black 181574 1 [570-10532] 12
Shipping Documents:
English Documentation with UK/IRL Power Cord 188378 1 [340-15945] 21
Gedis Bundle Reference:
D11SX06 320342 1 [200-61990] 22
Order Information:
Studio XPS Desktop Order - UK 189731 1 [799-11116] 111
Standard Warranty:
1 year of coverage included with your PC 322637 1 [754-56814] 29
DataSafe:
Datasafe Local 2.0 Basic 283296 1 [640-11629] 813
Sound Cards:
Integrated HDA 7.1 Dolby Digital Audio 189326 1 [510-10237] 17
Speakers:
No Speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system) 6655 1 [520-10217] 18
Dell System Media Kit:
Resource DVD - (Diagnostics & Drivers) 188421 1 [340-15963] 319
Protect your Data:
DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year 219457 1 [759-10294][764-10285] 467

[Erich]

I thought the wiki page on Nvidia Quadro (can't post URL) was helpful. Same hardware, better firmware, gaming cards will sacrifice textures for fps speed. My old Scan build has lasted fine, except for the video cards! I replaced them about every 18 months as they died. It didn't matter as they were progressing so quickly.

6 GB of memory feels like the right amount. Does that mean I should double it? But 6GB is the max spec on Slipstream page.

A friend says I should spend money on SSD, that the lifetime problems have been solved and Win7 has an option to not defrag the boot disk. Agree? Again, no option on the Slipstream page for SSD, nor even for 10,000 rpm Raptor.

[Erich]

D'oh! There is a SSD section on the Slipstream page. Which do you recommend?

[Nickyrash]

I just wanted to clarify my soubt can any one suggest me which version of the OS is good for the home propose .