Thunderbolt – Video Editing and High-End 3D Modelling Computer

Price as at 2 November 2011

Prices fluctuate daily, so it is impossible to update prices every day, so please fill in the form at the bottom of the page for today’s price. I’ll respond as soon as I see your request.

If you would like to order, or have a query about the machine, then use the same form at the bottom as well and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Video editing / high-end 3D-Modelling Computer – The “Thunderbolt”.

Video editing in programs alike Adobe Premier CS5 and very large 3D models require very fast hard disk space and lots of it. In addition, of course, to

• The fastest possible CPU
• Lots of RAM
• A professional workstation Graphics adapter (NOT a gaming card)
• A dual monitor setup.

The fastest possible Hard drive system is achieved by using a 250GB SSD to store the operating system and the program files, and a pair of Western Digital 10000rpm Raptor hard drives (The fastest mechanical hard drives you can buy) connected in a RAID-0 configuration.

This machine now approaches the level of the fastest workstation available. There are more expensive CPU’s  and more expensive quadro video adapters available, but the return on the extra investment is not very high at all – any performance gains will be minimal in practice in exchange for a huge price increase. So, in a nutshell, spending more than the price of this workstation is just not going to be worth it.

Highlights:

• It uses the newest Intel Sandybridge I7 processor and 16GB of DDR3 RAM
• A rock-solid Intel performance motherboard
• Two 600GB WD Raptor Hard drives in a RAID-0 configuration
• 250GB Intel SSD – the fastest SSD currently available.
• HP nVidia Quadro Graphics adapter with 1Gb Graphics RAM
• Logitech MX5500 Revolution wireless keyboard and mouse. (IMHO, this is the most comfortable and precise mouse for 3D work).
• Superb Quality 800W Corsair Power Supply
• Built in 1000bit/s Network adapter
• 7.1 Audio built in for surround sound
• Blu-Ray 12x Read/Writer
• 22x DVD Read/Writer
• Nvidia-approved Chassis – officially approved as suitable for nVidia Quadro
• 3-year warranty

This is what the internal components look like:

Technical Specifications:

• CPU: Intel Sandybridge lga1155 i7-2600 – Quad core+Hyper-Threading 3.4ghz 3.8ghz turbo boost
• Motherboard: Intel P67BG BurraGe; LGA1155 mb; Chipset: intel P67-B3
• RAM: 4x 4GB DDR3-1600
• Graphics Adapter: HP Quadro 2000 Graphics adapter with 1Gb 128-bit ddr5 Graphics RAM
• 2x Hard Drives: Western Digital VelociRaptor WD6000HLHX 600gb , 2.5″ hdd with 3.5″ heatsink , SATA-6G , 10000rpm
• SSD: Intel 510MLC series – 250GB (SATA6G read/write : 500/315mb/sec) – DELUXE Model Only
• PSU: Corsair GS600 600W Power Supply
• BLU-RAY: Asus BW-12B1LT – 12x blu-ray writer with Lightscribe
• DVD: 22x SATA Super Multi – Double Layer dvd-R + dvd±r/rw + dvd-ram + cd+/-rw
• Logitech Cordless Desktop MX5500 Revolution , bluetooth wireless, LCD display
• Coolermaster cm690ii Advanced , Nvidia edition chassis.

Today’s Price:  R26660 + VAT = R30392

Price includes assembly, configuration and testing.
Price does not include monitors or software. See below for suggestions.

• If you purchase Windows (see below), I will install it for you and update it with the latest service packs, patches and drivers.
• If you purchase Antivirus, I will install it for you and download the latest definitions.
• If you purchase one of the Microsoft Office suites, I will install it, download the latest updates and set up Outlook to work with your e-mail account.

Optional extras:

There are literally thousands of extra goodies that I can supply you with.
Here are a few of the most common items that are usually bought together with the machine:

LCD or LED Screen Monitors

 

There are scores of monitors from different manufacturers available. I have selected five different monitors as suggestions to go with your machine. They are all “wide screen” types:

	Price Excl. VAT	Price Incl. VAT
Asus VH192D, 18.5″, LCD, 1360x768px, Contrast Ratio 10000:1	R780	R889
Samsung B1930N, 18.5″, LCD 1360×768, Contrast Ratio 50000:1	R866	R987
LG E2041S-bn, 20″, LED, 1600x900px, DFC contrast ratio – 5000000:1	R1021	R1164
LG E2241T-bn, 22″, LED, Full HD 1920×1080, DFC contrast ratio- 5000000:1	R1724	R1965
Asus VE247H , 23.6″ Wide LED , Full-HD, 2 x 1w speaker , 1920×1080, ASCR contrast ratio – 10000000:1	R2874	R3276

For Gaming, I particularly recommend a somewhat larger screen like the 23.6″ ASUS VE247H

Windows:

 

You will need operating system software to run the machine. You might already have your copy of Microsoft Windows, you might prefer Ubuntu Linux, but if you wish to order Windows7 from me, here are the available versions.
For this machine I would recommend Windows Home Basic – 64-bit although any one of them will work just fine. :

	Price Excl. VAT	Price Incl. VAT
Windows 7 Home Basic 32bit	R769	R877
Windows 7 Home Basic 64bit	R769	R877
Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit	R968	R1104
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit	R968	R1104
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit + 32bit	R1219	R1390
Windows 7 Professional 32bit	R1303	R1485
Windows 7 Professional 64bit	R1316	R1500
Windows 7 Professional 64bit + 32bit	R2091	R2383
Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit	R1755	R2001
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit	R1755	R2001
Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit + 64bit	R2037	R2322

Anti-Virus:

 

If you are on the Internet, an antivirus is essential. There are free antivirus programs and there are those that cost an annual fee. Free antivirus? Well… let’s just say: “You pay for what you get”. An antivirus program is initially purchased (from your computer supplier – someone like me) and then usually renewed annually over the internet using your credit card. If you are uncomfortable with credit cards over the internet, then you can always get another disk from me in a year’s time. There are two anti-virus programs that I recommend. You only need to buy one of them. I recommend the Kapersky.

	Price Excl. VAT	Price Incl. VAT
Norton Anti-Virus 2011	R132	R151
Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2011	R153	R174

Application Software:

 

There are hundreds of thousands of programs available. Most are purchased directly from the manufacturers on the Internet via credit card.
The most often-used program suite is Microsoft Office (Word, excel, outlook etc…), which, curiously, is usually not purchased over the Internet and downloaded. Instead Microsoft office is usually purchased from a computer supplier like me. Here are the current prices.

If you are a home user who does not use Outlook, then go for the “Home and Student” version. If you need Microsoft Outlook, however, then the “Home and Business” version should do you fine.

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010 – with DVD – includes word, excel, powerpoint, onenote – licensed for noncommerical use	R697	R794
Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 – with DVD – includes word, excel, powerpoint, onenote , outlook	R1531	R1745
Microsoft Office Professional 2010 – with DVD – includes word, excel, powerpoint , onenote , outlook, publisher, access	R3997	R4557

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