Building a New System
 

Ok people, I need help! The wife uses the computer the most, usually Photoshop and DV Movie Capture and edit. I use the computer for games, but mostly stick to my Xbox.
All that out in the open, it is almost time for us to build a new system. What MB should I get (Heavy USB/Firewire user), RAM, Graphics Card etc..? I am expecting to pay @ $2K, but will reuse DVD Drive, CDR Drive, (can't reuse memory) and HDD (Not SATA). I want a case with some expansion room if that helps..

Any assistance is much appreciated, the multitude of options out there is overwhelming.

well geez, if your gonna pop out 2 G's then for your movie stuff your gonna wanna get a high end P4 with at least a gig of Memory. Go for the ATI Radeon 9800XT. Im not really sure which case youd go with, probably a full tower case would be good!

You could almost go to the store and buy the most expensive stuff on the shelves and still have money left. I would go with an AMD before a pentium. Take a look at MSI motherboards. I have had good luck with them.

You know, I may get torn a new one for this. But I'd cruise over to Alienware. Not to buy something necessarily , but customize a prebuilt machine you think would work well. Then, print it out, or write down the desired components.

It may start you off on the right foot armed with a bit more knowledge as to what your needs are, and what to look for.

I prefer antec cases, I have had good luck with MSI and the recent Abit motherboards, I choose Intel over AMD, and I like using Nvidia versus ATI

$2k? This'll be fun! :)

Asus K8V Deluxe K8T800 Motherboard - $150
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ $430
BFG NVIDIA GeForce FX 5950 Ultra - $372
Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, ECC, 512 MB x 2 - $350
Enermax 470w PSU - $90
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz Sound Card - $59
Samsung Floppy Drive - $11
Lian-Li PC-78 Case - $90
Dell QuietKey - $7
Any Mouse You Want - $30
Nice Speakers - $200

That's what I'd get if I had $2k to spend on a new PC. That's using the parts you said you would as well. This setup is right at $1,800.

If you want less expensive options, just say so. There's plenty out there!

-Lasereth

Yeah, what are you thinking? Fuck Alienware. He couldn't even buy one of their pieces of shit for 2 grand.

Anyway, do you need a new monitor, mouse, speakers, and keyboard?

Get a Lian-Li case. They are the absolute best. I wouldn't trade mine for anything. I may replace my current Lian-Li with this one. The case is a bit pricey, and it doesn't come with a power supply, but you'll have plenty of cash to get a good PSU.

Lian-Li PC-6070B

http://store4.yimg.com/I/xoxide_1782_6951608

Here's a review of the case.

How much hard drive space will you need?

I prefer AMD, and I'll never buy Intel. I just upgraded and got a Gigabyte mobo, and I couldn't be more pleased with it, and if you plan on gaming on it get an ATI 9800 PRO or XT. I love my PRO. The card just kicks ass. Make sure you get some dual channel RAM. Kingston's HyperX series is awesome. I have a gig of it.

Thank you guys SO MUCH for the advice. I have seen a ton of Alienware propaganda, and seem to be high quality gear. HOWEVER, they are very spendy for what you get. I don't have any issues at all building the system (work on Unix Gear for a Living), but I just get overwhelmed trying to resource all the hardware.
Sixate: Kingston HyperX, huh? I sell their Unix Memory from time to time, I am gonna call and find out what kinda deal I can get. If it is like unix, 20-30% off List. Love the Case.. What does that bad boy run?
Lasereth: AWESOME! I am seriously considering dropping a floppy drive. I haven't used mine in.. well since I got the system. Great listing, that was just what I was looking for.
Mephix: Yeah, I am working on getting a little more set in my parameters. I haven't used any AMD products at all, basically been and Intel Boy all my life. Anyone know any differences between the two (performance etc..) besides brand name?

Thanks again for the quick feedback guys!!!

The main difference between P4's and Athlon 64's is what you want to do with the processor. Pentium 4's have a faster clockspeed, resulting in faster DVD encoding/ripping, media creation, etc. Athlon 64's (and XP's) tend to have better onboard L1 and L2 cache. This results in better gaming performance at a slower clockspeed.

If you're really into gaming, AMD is the way to go in most cases. If you're interested in media creation, then a higher clockspeed will benefit GREATLY (P4's).

-Lasereth

$169 + shipping :(

http://www.xoxide.com/pc6070b.html

I think it's worth it. I woulda bought that case if it was out when I bought my current Lian-Li, but sadly it came out 4 months later. I still may buy that one... It's just to beautiful. Plus, I'm tired of all the lights that I have in mine now. It was cool at first, but it's not needed. I just want something with a classy sleek design.

And if you can get 20-30% off that memory you'd be a fool if you passed that up.

Lasereth: COOL! The main purpose for this PC will be DVD encoding and stuff, so I think the P4 will fit the bill. I like PC games (BF1942!!!) but if the wife is on the PC I am Xbox bound. I wondered about the 64 Bit architecture, but until Longhorn comes out there isn't any way to take advantage of it.
Sixate: Not 100% sure of the discount, but don't see why my Unix discount can't be applied! I am going to call and figure this out. The case is AWESOME! I don't need flashy lights, or neon, or any of that other window dressing. I just want room for 3 or 4 HDD, 3 CD/DVD Drives and TONS OF I/O.

Sixate: Just checked Kingstons website, the 1GB Kit is MSRP $442/ea. HyperX DDR 400MHz (PC3200)

Just emailed my Kingston rep to see if standard discount applies. Want some if it does? :)

how much would that discount be? :D

I paid $250 for mine, also PC3200. So don't pay more than that. I don't need any more, but thanks for offering.

It went up $5 from a month ago when I bought mine.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...tCode=80097-20

If I was in your position, I wouldn't go all out and buy some crazy expensive Video Card right now. The new ones from Nvidia / ATI are due out soon and when they hit the shelves the prices will drop. Also you should look into getting a decient CaptureCard for your Wife. it would be very beneficial if she does any amount of DV Capture.

Ok, then I'd change the motherboard and processor to an Abit IC7-Max 3 and an Intel Pentium 4 3.4 GHz. That's still under your price range. Leave everything else the same. :)

-Lasereth

I can get the memory for $364/ 1GB Kit. Not that hot pricing based on what Sixate paid. :(
Thanks for all your help, now at least I have some direction and knowledge! U guys are awesome.