64-bit operating systems, for the most part, only take advantage of pro software at this point. And, although Premiere Elements 9 should work on Windows 7 64-bit, there are occasionally driver issues (some people can't burn BluRay discs, for instance) or other problems and, since the program itself is 32-bit, it doesn't take advantage of the advanced technology.

In upgrading to the Creative Suite, you certainly won't be sacrificing anything, except some simplicity and several hundred dollars. Many pros do use Premiere CS5 as well as its supporting products (including DVD/BluRay authoring program Encore). And you can use it on a very low level if you'd like. But at well over $1000 for the suite, it's your call whether or not you'd be getting your money's worth.

A good graphics card can give you access to some of Premiere Elements more advanced GPU functions (some of which have been removed from Premiere Elements versino 9 anyway) -- but it doesn't play a big role in the overall performance of the program. That's much more processor and RAM specific. A simple 256 or even 128 card is probably good enough. And I know of no advantage or ATI or nVidia or vice versa.

As for computer brand, you'll probably be fine with either a Dell or HP. (I would stick to one of them though for serious PC functions.) Dell's quality has been an issue lately -- but both are excellent machines that usually use top of the line hardware and well-tested operating systems.

In short, if it were my life, I'd go with a 32-bit Windows 7 HP quad-core or maybe i7 running Premiere Elements 9. But that's just my personal opinion.

I've also been testing Premiere Elements 9 on my iMac and I'm slowly transitioning projects over there. You don't get nearly the hardware power for the price with a Mac -- but you do get a predictable operating system that runs the program very stably.

All of this is just my personal opinion of course. Do what you want with it.

I built my own computer http://forums.adobe.com/thread/652694?tstart=0 but for ready made, look at these two vendors

Ready Made Video Editing PC http://www.adkvideoediting.com/
Laptop Video Editing PC http://www.sagernotebook.com/

Premiere Pro has Encore bundled, so you do not lose DVD authoring... the current "sweet spot" graphics adapter for PPro is the nVidia GTX 470

You may look at the user guides... CS5 User Guides - online and PDF
http://blogs.adobe.com/premiereprotraining/2010/08/help-documents-for-creative-suite-5-pdf -and-html.html

And P-Elements 9 http://help.adobe.com/en_US/premiereelements/using/index.html

Ed,

Right now with PrE, any good video card, with proper driver support can probably do all that you can actually use.

One thing to consider is that Adobe is moving towards more GPU acceleration. That was added at a low level in PrE 8. I do not know how things have changed with PrE 9. I'll need to hear from others, on any advances there. Where I am going with this is that PrPro CS5 takes great advantage of GPU power for many things, but only for a limited number of nVidia cards. Will PrE 10 move closer to CS5? Will you ever move to CS5, or newer? If one can answer either with YES, it might lead one to acquire an nVidia card with CUDA support. The downside is that if much time transpires, there will certainly be better nVidia cards, and probably at a lower cost. Trying to "future proof" a new computer, can backfire, so one needs a good crystal ball, or a visit to Sister Esmarelda, the fortune teller...

Good luck,

Hunt

Ed,

I think that you have gotten it all correct.

First, some functions in PrPro will be accelerated with full CUDA support. CUDA is not used by PrE, though there is some GPU acceleration with most newer cards, ATI, or nVidia.

Until one gets to the Quadro line of nVidia cards, it's just the chipset, and they are assembled by different mfgrs. I am not enough of an insider to be able to say if one gets a "better" GTX-285 for $400 vs one for $200. I normally go with the most respected name, if there is a difference.

As for "future proofing," I build my last workstation around a Quadro FX4500. Well, things did not work out so well. While a great card, it became obsolete. Some lower-level Quadro cards could be retro-fitted to CUDA, but mine, near the very top of the line in those days, is an evolutionary dead-end. Still, it has been a very good card, but the $ could have been better spent - if only I had looked more carefully into my crystal ball.

Going back about 3 workstations, we specs. a video card, and the builder got it in. We were waiting for some SCSI 320M drives and in that time, a new version of the card came out. The builder swapped in the new one, but then we found out that Adaptec had just released a new SCSI controller, so we ordered that. During that wait, a newer, better video card was released. When the Adaptec controller came in, we swapped out the video card for the third time. By the time that I got my software loaded and began using that computer, a newer video card and a newer SCSI controller were available. We passed on both! If one can get their new computer home, before it has been totally replaced by a newer, faster, and often cheaper model, they have succeeded. "Future proof?" Heck, I just want one full day of having the hottest computer on the block.

Good luck,

Hunt

Hello Ed,

You mentioned

Lightroom and Premiere Elements are my 2 workhorses, so they are #1 and #2 on my list of "Make Sure These Things Will Work".

I am trying to figure what workflows would require "both" these.. I am a video enthusiast and would love to learn from you about these.

Thanks,
Steven

I have had great luck with eVGA motherboards and graphic cards.  They also provide exceptional service and have a very active forum that includes active participation from eVGA employees.

Thanks Ed!