The best PC hardware configuration for a multimedia rig.....?

Answer 1

1. Dual Cores, even multi processors. I like AMD's, get massive L2 cache.
2. As much ram as possible (2+ Gigs)
3. Huge drives 2x >250GB internal drives
4. 500GB+ External Drives
5. Dual Monitor Setup. Some cards support 3 monitors!
6. Top End Video Card
7. Make sure you have multiple firewire connections.
8. Disconnect from the internet. YOu can disable some hefty running processes if you can kill firewalls and network connections.
9. Uninstall EVERY PROGRAM you do not need. This will also disable some useless services. This includes junk antivirus that you dont need.
10. Disable fancy "themes & transparency". You will want your graphics card to put its all towards your editing.
11. DVD+R DL (up to 8gb disc), and a BluRay burner (up to 25GB disc)

12. A seperate HDTV, and compatable BluRay player and DVD player will allow you to quickly preview bother BETA and FINALIZED versions of your edits. External devices are critical, because colors can be very different on your PC no matter your setup.

13. Make sure your motherboard has the firewire built on. Also make sure that it has 4+ ram slots. Get the fastest "Front side bus" available.

14. Invest on a very high quality power supply. Dont be afraid to get extended warranties on the more expensive parts.

All the above mentioned can be had for <$3,500.00

Answer 2

Well that depends on what you can afford.

I'd say decent Dual Core processor (or better), proper graphics card (though even a GeForce 7300 GS would probably do for most uses although if you can afford better get it), lots of RAM (but if you're using a 32 bit OS don't bother getting more than 3 GiB) and one or two big hard disks (if you use those 10000 rpm drives make sure you cool them well because they do tend to run hot). Dual layer DVD burner to watch movies and make them and a firewire port for plugging a DV camera in. It's important that the components are balanced so that one under performaning part doesn't hold the rest of the computer back.

I'd go for a big Monitor or two as well.