Foo - What's Your Computer Setup?

Simple, just post your computer setup. I'll start.

Motherboard: ASUS A8N-VM CSM
Processor: AMD Athlon 3800+
Hard Drives: 2, 40gb primary, 150gb secondary.
Disk Drives: None
Video Card: BFG Tech nVidia GeForce 9800GT
Keyboard: Saitek gaming keyboard.
Mouse: Logitech G5 gaming mouse.
Monitor: Envision 17" LCD.

I've got 3 laptops and 3 workstations.

When I want to use one of the workstations, I put the keyboard on top of the closed laptop.

Woah, your computer's about as old as mine is.

DFI LanParty nf4 Ultra D
Athlon 3500+
2 gigs Kingston RAM
Zotac 8800gts
couple of HDDs 1 TB + 400 GB
couple of Samsung DVD burners
emachines keyboard
G5 mouse
Dell 22" LCD monitor
Netgear WG111 v3 USB wifi.

Hopefully going with a new mobo/cpu/RAM in order to play BF3 here later this month.

Ah, another geek thread.

Home:
Dell Optiplex GX620 (3.2GHz P4, HT disabled, 1GB RAM) running Debian Squeeze. I paid $45 for it at surplus at the university. Works like a champ.
Wife has a 13" MBP that is only a few months old and I left on OS X 10.6.
We also share the previous Mac, a late-2005 12" PB G4.
Network at home is through a Buffalo DD-WRT 802.11b/g/n box.

Work:
Dell Optiplex... 980, I think. Quad-core, 4GB RAM, ATI Radeon graphics, dual 20" Viewsonic LCDs.
There's also an Inspiron 8600 lappy (1.7GHz, 2GB RAM) on my desk I use when I'm breaking the desktop. Both run Debian Squeeze and are pretty much identically configured.
And then there's my server room, which contains various Dell and Apple models from the last several years, 20 machines in all. These machines have a mix of RHEL5, WS2k3, WS2k8, OSX 10.4 and 10.5... and there are a couple of small Infrant NAS units in there, too. The Macs (3) and NASes (2), I inherited when the Overseas Studies tech guy bailed in the spring. All but the Macs and NASes are plugged into a Belkin KVM. Everything is connected to the outside world through run-of-the-mill Cisco and Juniper hardware that the university takes care of. We are soon to make the jump to ESXi from RHEL5 with VMWare Server on two of our servers. By then, we will have 6 guests on 2 hosts. I will also be shutting down 2 more physical machines as their functions have become obsolete.

So let's see... that's a total of 25 physical and 5 virtual machines. :)

A8N? holy crap, that is old.

then again, I do have an 8RDA+ right here in front of me. I'm not using it, but its carcass does sit in front of me.

I have four. The home system is the best equipped:

Intel i5-2600k
nVidia 480GTX 1GB video card with fans and stuff on it
Gigabyte P67 board
16GB DDR3 1333
640GB mechanical drive with 64MB cache, plus a 750 and a 320
Corsair TX-series power supply
22" LG monitor
IBM M-Series mechanical keyboard! ALL HAIL THE M-SERIES!!! :beer:
64-bit Win7 Ultimate



At work, I have the other three.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff237/mechBgon/workspace/IMG_0079.jpg
^ my "Employee lounge" system is for lunchtime relaxation, and also gets used by the bookkeeper in the mornings. It's a

2.8GHz Sempron unlocked into an Athlon II dual-core
4GB RAM, basic hard drive
AMD 785G-based board
dual 19" LCD monitors, dual-head ATI video card.
64-bit Windows 7 Pro
inexpensive HEC power supply
Card table
Wireless Sony headphones for jammin' to some YouTube tunes at lunch
Mini-fridge sidekick :D





My workbench's computer is a

3.0GHz Athlon II X4 quad-core
6GB RAM
AMD 785G-based board
dual 20" LCD monitors on a dual-head HD4830 (yeah, I could play Half-Life2 at work :))
120GB OCZ Agility 3 solid-state disk drive
APC Back-UPS 1000Pro battery backup
IBM M-Series mechanical keyboard! ALL HAIL THE M-SERIES!!! :beer:
64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate





http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff237/mechBgon/workspace/IMG_0078.jpg
^ my Windows Home Server is also at work, mainly to back up all the computers so when the poop hits the air-circulation device, I have an easy way to fix it and get on with my life.

64-bit WHS 2011 running on yet another AMD 785G-based board
Athlon II X2 dual-core, 2.8GHz
4GB ECC RAM (hey, it's a server)
750GB primary drive, 1.5GB secondary
no monitor or keyboard or mouse
APC Back-UPS Pro 700VA battery backup
FSP 350W power supply

ECC RAM...phat. I haven't seen that stuff since I had a Dual Pentium Pro back in the 90's.

Computer setup...let's see if I can even recall what's in mine...

Antec Sonata Case (so freaking quiet)
Corsair HX650 PSU
Intel I5-650
Some motherboard
4GB of some kind of RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX580 video card
Some brand of SATA 250GB HD
LG Blu-ray burner
DELL 2209WA IPS monitor
APC 1500VA UPS

Also use a Thinkpad X201, which I probably use more than the desktop.

Not really a gamer, but built to accomodate Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 and the demands put on a system with video rendering.

Motherboard: MSI P97a-G45
CPU: Intel Core i7 2600k (haven't pushed it)
P/S: Antec High Current Gamer Series 750w
RAM: 8gb GSkill DDR3 (two open slots to take to 16gb if necessary, but currently don't see the need.
Video: PNY Nvdia Geoforce GTX 460
HD: 2 WD 1T Black
Mouse: Logitech M310 wireless (motherboard only had 1 pinned connection for either mouse or keyboard)

Now the older recycled cheap stuff included with above build from an E6300 Pentium it replaced

Case: Antec mid
Keyboard: Microsoft wired
Drive: HP DVD writer (trashed a 3.5 floppy as no connection on MB)
Multi-card USB reader
Monitor: older 17" Sony, windows only sees as 'generic'. My next upgrade, looking at 23" IPS panels like the Dell Ultra

Windows Experience Index 5.6, held back by the HD transfer rate, all other scores 7.5 or higher.

----------------
Older notebook
HP-G60
AMD Turion Dual core RM-72 2.10gh
At maximum 4gb RAM, fully utilized with 64 bit operating system.

Windows Experience index 3.7 (Graphics performance) with all other scores ranging from 4.8 to 5.9

Main PC:

Athlon 64 X2 5000+
8GB Corsair DDR2
Abit KN9 SLI
XFX Radeon 6850
Corsair TX850
8XHDD's for about 6TB
Generic rackmount server case
2X19" LCD's
Cheap Logitech keyboard and wired mouse
Win7

The plan is to relegate this to home server duties once I finish up my new main rig. It will be placed into a server cube in my workshop and also function as a backup gaming rig for guests since my shop is wired for LAN parties.

Workshop PC:

Core 2 Duo mobile @2GHz
2GB DDR2
Aopen miniITX board
Aopen S120 case
2X160GB 2.5" HDDs
17" LCD
Cheap Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse
WinXP

The whole case is under 8" squared, very conveniently sized. I have it hooked up to a KVM switch for working on other PCs as well as a stereo receiver wired into the shop.

I'm still working on my next PC, and though it is running, it's still a ways from finished:

i7 2600K @3.4GHz (For now)
8GB Corsair Dominator DDR3 1866 (will be adding another pair for 16GB)
Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z Z68
XFX GTX580 (Another will be added later)
Corsair AX850 Gold
Corsair Force Series GT 90GB SSD (Will be paired up with an enterprise-class 1TB 2.5" HDD to create an SSD cache)
Lian-Li PC-V354A

I plan to watercool this bad boy despite the relatively diminutive size. A Phobya Xtreme200mm radiator just fits in the front of the case, driven by a 180mm Silverstone FM181 fan, and there's even room for a push-pull setup. After considering just how much hardware I plan to cool (CPU, 2XGPU, RAM, Mosfets) I decided to add a second 200mm rad in the top of the case, requiring a shroud to be fabricated (also planned for a push-pull config if needed). The pump is the Swiftech MCP35X that is PWM-controlled by the motherboard. Once 180mm fans are available in PWM models I'll run them too from the BIOS since the Gene-Z has 2XCPU and 3XChassis fan headers, all PWM.

The theory is that a larger fan moves more air with less noise, just as a 120mm fan is much quieter than an 80mm. By having the fans and pump "throttle down" under light usage, it should be vewwy, vewwy quiet. When gaming I have a headset on anyway, so it can sound like a jet taking off for all I care...though it probably won't. :D

2 Macbook Pro's
2 Sony Vaio Laptops
1 wireless networked printer/scanner.

That is all I know. I am the finance department. The kids are the IT department. :)

Now, where TF is that "any" key.

The laptop is ~ 4 years old and will probably be replaced in the next year or two. Inspiron 1525 running running T5750 core2duo - still works well and handles the kid's resource-hungry flash game sites.

Desktop is a quad-core Q6600, 4GB memory, 2TB total disk space. Just added an extra 19" non-widescreen monitor to give a nice big 2560x1024 real estate. It was an HP, but fell out of the car during a fire evacuation and the case was damaged so I put the guts in a new case. Only other thing I had to replace was the power supply. Lucked out on that one, as I hadn't backed up the HDD in quite some time. Needless to say I backed it up when it was back up and running.

And both systems are running Vista, without a hickup, device problem or virus. Hoping windows 8 will be out for some time, with a service patch out, before upgrading.

Antec P183 case w/3 Noctua 120mm fans on Zalman controller
Asus P6TD Deluxe motherboard
Corsair 750w power supply
Core i7 920 w/ Noctua NH-U12P cooler
6GB Corsair Dominator RAM (3x 2GB)
Sapphire Radeon 4850 GPU w/Zalman ZF1000 copper heatsink
2x Western Digital RE3 1TB Enterprise drives in Raid 1
1x WD RE3 in Rosewill eSATA enclosure for backups
LG Blu-ray ROM/DVD Burner + LG DVD burner
LG Flatron 22" monitor
Logitech G5 mouse
Microsoft Natural Multimedia or IBM Model-M keyboard (w/ detachable key caps and cable)
M-Audio Delta 1010 audio interface
Running Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit and Windows 8 Developer Preview

It really is amazing how many nerds are on the bike forums.

My last DIY computer build was in 2004 - a P4 with two 7200RPM hard drives in a RAID 0 array. It was fast for 2004. :) My ex-wife has that computer now.

My work laptop is a Thinkpad T510. My personal laptop is a Thinkpad Z61m, but it's dead. It fell off the bike a few too many times.

I'm still undecided on replacing the dead laptop with another laptop, or build a desktop system.

Main
CPU: Core 2 Duo E6400 (2.13Ghz) w/ thermalright ultra-120
Mobo: Asus P5W-DH Deluxe
RAM: 4x 1GB patriot extreme DDR2-6400
GPU: Powercolor AMD HD5770 1GB w/ Arctic Cooling Accelero S1
PSU: Corsair HX-520
Drives: 1x WD blue 640GB, 1x hitachi green 2TB
Case: Antex Solo case (reduced air flow restriction mod)
OS: WinXP MCE

monitor: Dell U2311H
keyboard: MS digital media pro
mouse: OCZ equalizer & logitech MX620

NAS
CPU: AMD Athlon II 160u (1.8Ghz high efficiency & low power) w/ scythe ninja
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H
RAM: 2x 2GB corsair DDR3-1600
GPU: on-board 880G
PSU: Seasonic S12-330
Drives: 1x seagate momentus XT 500GB, 2x WD green 2TB, 1x hitachi green 2TB
Case: Antec P180 (reduced air flow restriction mod)
OS: WinXP

KVM shared with main

Netbook
Lenovo x120e
APU: AMD E-350 (1.6Ghz) w/ HD6310
RAM: 6GB DDR3-1333
HDD: corsair force 120GB SSD (refurb)
OS: Win7 home premium 64bit

Tablet
RIM playbook 7" 16GB

At work I got a new CAD workstation about 2.5 years ago. I did my research, spec'd the parts, but had our supplier build it.
Case: Antec 300
Mobo: Gigabyte EP45
CPU: Intel E8500 dual core
CPU cooler: Zalman
4GB ram
Hard drives: WD 300GB Velociraptor, WD 1TB
GPU: ATI FireGL video card (for CAD)
Monitors: a pair of Viewsonic 22" widescreen monitors
OS: Windows XP Pro 32bit
After I received it I overclocked it to 3.8GHz and it runs 24/7

I built my home desktop computer:
Case: Antec 300
Mobo: Gigabyte EP45
CPU: Intel Q9400 quad core
CPU cooler: Xigmatek
4GB ram
Hard drive: WD 750GB black
Monitor: 17" 4:3 on a folding monitor arm at the end of the sofa
OS: Windows 7 32bit home premium

Oddball computer:
Mac mini

Work laptop:
Dell Latitude E6500 15" business class
Intel P9400 dual core processor
Hard Drive: Samsung 128GB SSD
OS: Windows Vista Pro 32bit

Travel laptop:
Toshiba T135 13"
CPU: Intel low voltage dual core 1.6GHz
OS: Windows 7 32bit home premium

I've run my business on Macs for 20 years. In my office we have two 24" iMacs, an old G5 tower (we don't really use that anymore), my own workstation which is a 27" iMac (I got that about a year ago) and my laptop which is a 13" MacBook Air.

My work laptop is a Thinkpad T510. My personal laptop is a Thinkpad Z61m, but it's dead. It fell off the bike a few too many times.

I'm still undecided on replacing the dead laptop with another laptop, or build a desktop system.

Thinkpads are great--about the only laptop brand I like.

I think you should get another Thinkpad AND build a desktop system.

The Windows delusions are strong in this thread.

The Windows delusions are strong in this thread.

the only complaint I have against macs are the lack of games it supports.

The Windows delusions are strong in this thread.

No delusions. I like Macs. Work uses Windows. I can use either Mac or Windows for general web browsing, but Visual Studio 2010 works under Windows (yes I know, I can run Windows on a Mac, but why?)

I have thought about buying a Macbook Air. Add in a 27" cinema display (for $1000 :eek:) and it's a beautiful thing.

I have Windows on my workstation (running on Parallels). I do have to use it to access the odd client 3D file that's hard or impossible to view on the Mac because the antediluvian company that makes that particular software doesn't have a Mac version (this only happens with some 3D modeling programs, and it's rare). The degree to which Windows sucks cannot be overstated. It sucks less than it once did, but not much less. Every time I have to use it I'm amazed at how clunky it remains compared to OS X even after all these years.

What I find fascinating is that the PC business is so friggin hard to make money in that Hewlett Packard, the largest PC manufacturer on the planet, was until quite recently seriously debating spinning off its PC division because it was so marginal in terms of profit. Apple has 12% of domestic PC marketshare but over half the profits. And that market share is growing rather rapidly; I'd be surprised if it doesn't double within 5 years. At that point Mac will be 25% of market share. But Apple's mobile platform iOS has broader impact, and since tablet computers and smart phones are really computers, Apple's overall market share of OS software is no longer accurately reflected in traditional computer market share statistics, it's considerably larger if you look at the bigger picture.

You chastise me for using low-spec computers, and other than number of hard drives and newness of video card, we have pretty much the same computer. Tsk.
Since when did I need a reason to chastise you?

Since when did I need a reason to chastise you?


Fox smells its own hole first.

I have you two beat for low spec main computer.

no... wait... E6400 is better than Athlon 64 X2 5200+

Mobo... some asus
CPU AMD Phenom II X6 black edition (six cores)
RAM 12 GB
Main HD 500GB cheapo disk
Storage 4 x 2TB Raid 5 Array (8TB total before formatting)
Video 2 x HD Radeon 6870 in crossfire
Monitor 3 x Acer 23.5" in eyefinity (5760x1080)
UPS : APC 1000
+several game controllers and unimportant gadgetry

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn53/RubenX_Longwood/Other/9e3b06b1.png

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn53/RubenX_Longwood/Other/8ac3d4b2.png

Ohh... almost forgot... and holding everything together, an old 20 bucks case from 10 years ago.

I don't think mine is particularly low spec. Still feels fast to me.

same. But as far as computer trends are concerned, dual core is for low end systems.

why else would netbooks and tablets come with dual core?

by the way, how quiet is your system?
my main is quieter than the static noise emitted by my speakers.

I have Windows on my workstation (running on Parallels). I do have to use it to access the odd client 3D file that's hard or impossible to view on the Mac because the antediluvian company that makes that particular software doesn't have a Mac version (this only happens with some 3D modeling programs, and it's rare). The degree to which Windows sucks cannot be overstated. It sucks less than it once did, but not much less. Every time I have to use it I'm amazed at how clunky it remains compared to OS X even after all these years.

What I find fascinating is that the PC business is so friggin hard to make money in that Hewlett Packard, the largest PC manufacturer on the planet, was until quite recently seriously debating spinning off its PC division because it was so marginal in terms of profit. Apple has 12% of domestic PC marketshare but over half the profits. And that market share is growing rather rapidly; I'd be surprised if it doesn't double within 5 years. At that point Mac will be 25% of market share. But Apple's mobile platform iOS has broader impact, and since tablet computers and smart phones are really computers, Apple's overall market share of OS software is no longer accurately reflected in traditional computer market share statistics, it's considerably larger if you look at the bigger picture.

Let's not confuse PC hardware makers with Microsoft.

Apple makes the hardware and the software. They also don't sell the low-end stuff, they leave that for other companies. That's not saying they're expensive because for the same specs, it's roughly the same.

I mentioned the $999 Cinema Display... it's got a beautiful IPS panel. You can buy a monitor from Dell with the same panel... for $999. You can also buy a TN panel for $400, but Apple is smart to stick with the higher-end, higher-margin stuff.

I'm not an Apple hater. I love the design of their products. I'm considering a Macbook Air as my next computer. If I ever get a smartphone, it'll be an iPhone. However, Windows has become quite a nice OS. I've really come to like Windows 7. I may fell much differently once Windows 8 comes out.

I don't think mine is particularly low spec. Still feels fast to me.

It will...until you try something newer.

I'm actually OK with this PC for general usage, but I want to play some newer games with full eye-candy, as well as gain new compatibility.

Let's not confuse PC hardware makers with Microsoft.

Apple makes the hardware and the software. They also don't sell the low-end stuff, they leave that for other companies. That's not saying they're expensive because for the same specs, it's roughly the same.

Apple designs the hardware. It's made by the same Asian companies that make PCs that run Windows, Linux, etc. There are a lot of Foxconn bits in my Apple. You see the same bits in Dells and HPs, also.

Some computers out there are terrible, though. I took apart an emachines (these are some of the worst) with no provision for cooling the harddrive whatsoever. I installed an extra fan in that box and it works fine. First HDD died on my friend after 2.5 years or so.

It will...until you try something newer.

I'm actually OK with this PC for general usage, but I want to play some newer games with full eye-candy, as well as gain new compatibility.

I'm hoping to make the big leap from single core to (who knows how many) core here pretty soon just for Battlefield 3.

Let's not confuse PC hardware makers with Microsoft.

Apple makes the hardware and the software. They also don't sell the low-end stuff, they leave that for other companies. That's not saying they're expensive because for the same specs, it's roughly the same.

I mentioned the $999 Cinema Display... it's got a beautiful IPS panel. You can buy a monitor from Dell with the same panel... for $999. You can also buy a TN panel for $400, but Apple is smart to stick with the higher-end, higher-margin stuff.

I'm not an Apple hater. I love the design of their products. I'm considering a Macbook Air as my next computer. If I ever get a smartphone, it'll be an iPhone. However, Windows has become quite a nice OS. I've really come to like Windows 7. I may fell much differently once Windows 8 comes out.

Apple doesn't make hardware, they outsource that crap to companies like Intel. Hell I am sure they would out source Software too if they could keep a tight control on the entire thing.

I manage to rule the world with nothing but my Acer Aspire netbook.

My desktop computer was built when P2's were the latest greatest thing and have upgraded the hard drive to a 120 Gig, installed a 128 G Force video card and a Gig of RAM to use it as a spare / backup and media machine.

I manage to rule the world with nothing but my Acer Aspire netbook.

My desktop computer was built when P2's were the latest greatest thing and have upgraded the hard drive to a 120 Gig, installed a 128 G Force video card and a Gig of RAM to use it as a spare / backup and media machine.

You always were good with antiques. ;)

You always were good with antiques. ;)

I have managed to put up with you for quite a while... :)

I have managed to put up with you for quite a while... :)

Ouch.

Is this the Pick on WB thread I'm in by mistake?

Huh, same setup here, except with the addition of a Linksys WRT54G running DD-WRT acting as a repeater.

I heart DD-WRT.

I was not a believer until I bought that Buffalo access point, which I only bought because my WRT54G (using Linksys firmware and with high-gain antennas) died after several years of service.

I wish DD-WRT had a tad more functionality - the ability to choke a user's bandwidth by MAC.

I'm a generous guy so used to share my internet with the entire apartment complex and most folks would just do normal email/browsing stuff, maybe even watch hulu or whatever, 'til this one lady would join and I don't know what she was doing but she would flood the upstream all the time.

DD-WRT has timed access and on/off access for MAC addresses or IPs, but no throttling capabilities, at least not that I found. I had to shut that lady down 24/7 because she was too obnoxious.

I wish DD-WRT had a tad more functionality - the ability to choke a user's bandwidth by MAC.

I'm a generous guy so used to share my internet with the entire apartment complex and most folks would just do normal email/browsing stuff, maybe even watch hulu or whatever, 'til this one lady would join and I don't know what she was doing but she would flood the upstream all the time.

DD-WRT has timed access and on/off access for MAC addresses or IPs, but no throttling capabilities, at least not that I found. I had to shut that lady down 24/7 because she was too obnoxious.

Very trusting of you....

Let's not confuse PC hardware makers with Microsoft.

I didn't.

Tough business, the PC business, particularly on the Windows side.

I wish DD-WRT had a tad more functionality - the ability to choke a user's bandwidth by MAC.




Unfortunately, not by MAC...

http://markmaunder.com/2011/01/26/how-to-reliably-limit-the-amount-of-bandwidth-your-room-mate-or-bad-office-colleague-uses/

I wish DD-WRT had a tad more functionality - the ability to choke a user's bandwidth by MAC.

I'm a generous guy so used to share my internet with the entire apartment complex

I'd advise against that. If someone does something seriously illegal using your connection, you'll be the guy getting your computers confiscated so the authorities can search them for child porn or so forth.

Regarding the cores subject, I feel dual-core is the sweet spot for the basic desktop user. Beyond that, if you're a gamer, quad-core is probably the best bang for the buck. If you're doing a task that scales well with more cores, like video editing, then even more cores (physical, preferably) are desirable, but also do your research on which type of CPU performs best for your app.

Corsair Carbide 500R Case
Asus Maximus Gene-Z Z68 mobo
Corsair Pro Series 750W Power Supply
Intel 2600k Sandybridge CPU
8 Gb Corsair Vengeance RAM
(1) EVGA Superclocked 560 Ti Video Card (for now. Plans to go SLI later)
1 TB WD Caviar Black HDD
Other random odds and ends.

I'd advise against that. If someone does something seriously illegal using your connection, you'll be the guy getting your computers confiscated so the authorities can search them for child porn or so forth.

Regarding the cores subject, I feel dual-core is the sweet spot for the basic desktop user. Beyond that, if you're a gamer, quad-core is probably the best bang for the buck. If you're doing a task that scales well with more cores, like video editing, then even more cores (physical, preferably) are desirable, but also do your research on which type of CPU performs best for your app.

Yeah, I agree. I wouldn't want the feds knocking my door down at 2am because some hack was on my wireless engaged in questionable activites.

I also agree about the cores. My hyperthreaded dual core is more than enough for me.

Apple doesn't make hardware, they outsource that crap to companies like Intel. Hell I am sure they would out source Software too if they could keep a tight control on the entire thing.

Right. I know Apple doesn't actually make the hardware. They SELL it though. I could have worded things better.

I do wish the Buffalo had replaceable antennae, but that's hardly the firmware's fault.


I still have the high-gain Linksys antennae sitting on my desk. TNC connectors. 7dbi. If you want them, let me know.

Case - Cooler Master HAF912
Fans - CM Excalibur on Aerocool 5 channel controller
Mobo - Asus somethingorother
CPU - AMD Phenom II 1100T
Mem - 16GB Kingston 1600
Vid - GeForce 440GT (Zotac)
HDD - 2x 1TB Seagate SATA 6GB
OS - Win 7 64-bit

Primarily used for video editing, running PowerDirector 10. Kicks some serious butt, IMO. I haven't been able to bog it down without trying insane stuff like an 8 panel HD video wall with multiple different effects rendering simultaneously on half the tracks.
As a bonus, Portal 2 looked and played freakin' awesome on it, so again I can't complain.

Regarding the cores subject, I feel dual-core is the sweet spot for the basic desktop user. Beyond that, if you're a gamer, quad-core is probably the best bang for the buck. If you're doing a task that scales well with more cores, like video editing, then even more cores (physical, preferably) are desirable, but also do your research on which type of CPU performs best for your app.

I play a lot of Live For Speed, World of Tanks and soon Battlefield 3. I do a bit of video work but not enough to optimize for it. Nevertheless I may just get a 6-core Athlon. Depends on what seems to work best for my budget when the time comes.

I play a lot of Live For Speed, World of Tanks and soon Battlefield 3. I do a bit of video work but not enough to optimize for it. Nevertheless I may just get a 6-core Athlon. Depends on what seems to work best for my budget when the time comes.

One of the things to pay attention to with video editing is the software you're using versus the system you build. You can throw together the most amazing 64 bit monster rig with linked video cards and 16GB of memory, but if you're using 32 bit software you'll never touch most of your memory and you'll grind your machine to a crawl trying to process large files.
Sony Vegas is nice to work with and has a pretty short learning curve, but unless you shell out the big bucks for the 64 bit Pro version you're stuck at 3GB of memory utilization. PiP formatting or multiple effects transforms will slaughter your processing speed.
PowerDirector 10 has a little steeper learning curve but there's a bunch of tutorial stuff available online. It's comparable in price to the Vegas Platinum home version stuff but it's 64bit support. Something to think about if you're planning to work with large HD files.
Both have similar input/output file-type capacities. I don't know about Sony's in-program music track editing, but I imagine it's very similar to PD10.

I'm using PD10 on my home machine to create my company's upcoming online series of technical advice and troubleshooting tips.