Building a video-editing computer is a straightforward task.
A video-editing computer is typically a top-of-the-line computer with much processing power. Editing video takes quite a bit of memory, free disk space and speed. Exceeding the minimum requirements is usually a good idea if you are doing video editing on a regular basis. Buying a computer built like this can be quite costly. However, you can save some money by doing it yourself. The process will take about 2 hours, depending on your comfort level with handling technical instructions.
Instructions
1. Prevent static electricity by grounding yourself by touching something metal. Static discharge can ruin electronic components. You can also wear a wrist strap that has a cord attached to something metal to keep you grounded during the entire process.
2. Remove the lid or cover from the case. A newer case will have a lever that when pulled will open the cover or lid with no tools. Older cases will require you to use a screwdriver to remove screws fastening the case to the chassis.
3. Install the processor onto the motherboard. The socket for the processor is located towards the center of the motherboard. It is a square-shaped socket that is either black, white or brown. The socket is notched at one corner to match a similar notch on the processor. Line the notch up on the processor with the one on the socket. Place the processor into the socket and close the lever to lock it into place.
The minimum processor speed needed to run high-end video software is an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz processor. This will meet the minimum requirements of popular choices like Avid, Final Cut and Pinnacle.
4. Install the heat sink on top of the processor. The heat sink is a silver, metal block that locks on top of the processor to remove the heat it emits. The heat sink is locked into place with a brace that locks on each side of the processor socket.
5. Mount the RAM memory modules into the memory slots. Place these modules into empty slots on the motherboard. The modules have a slit that align with a notch in the slots. This keeps you from installing the modules in the wrong direction. They then lock into place with plastic locks on each side of the slots.
The minimum amount of RAM for most popular video-editing software is 2 GB. However, the more RAM you install the quicker you can process video. Furthermore, more RAM will allow you to have several applications open at one time if you are importing video and images from other applications.
6. Mount the hard drive. The hard drive mounts inside a cage in the chassis and secures with small screws provided by the hard drive manufacturer.
The size of the hard drive you choose is dependent on the number of files you plan to store. Video files are also large; some up to dozens of gigabytes
7. Mount the DVD burner drive. The DVD burner drive is also mounted in a cage in the chassis. You use screws to secure the drive to the cage, and the screws are provided by the drive manufacturer. The DVD burner will allow you to move your files to DVD for viewing on DVD players. It also gives you a way to archive old files from the hard drive to free up disk space.
8. Connect the hard drive and DVD burner to the motherboard. Data cables will run from the motherboard to the drives. The data cable connectors are formed in a certain way that allows them to only plug into the drives in one direction. This keeps you from accidentally plugging the cords in the wrong direction.
9. Connect the hard drive and DVD burner to the power supply. The power cables run from the power supply to each drive respectively. Like the data cables, the power connectors are shaped in a certain way to allow only one way for them to connect correctly.
10. Place the cover or lid back onto the case.
11. Install a 64-bit operating system. The hardware used in this configuration will support Microsoft Windows XP, Vista and 7. It will also support all popular versions of Linux.
12. Install your video-editing software. Popular choices for Windows include Avid, Final Cut and Pinnacle. Some popular video-editing software for Linux include Avidemux, Cinelerra and Kdenlive.
Tags: hard drive, drive burner, heat sink, into place, video-editing software, Avid Final