02-24-2004, 10:31 AM | #1 (permalink) |
Canadian Beer Ambassador
Location: Cumming, GA
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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.
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Take Off Eh! |
02-24-2004, 10:49 AM | #2 (permalink) |
Insane
Location: Chicago
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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!
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02-24-2004, 11:10 AM | #4 (permalink) |
Psycho
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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 |
02-24-2004, 11:41 AM | #5 (permalink) |
Knight of the Old Republic
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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$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
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"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert |
02-24-2004, 11:46 AM | #6 (permalink) | |
Registered User
Location: Somewhere in Ohio
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Quote:
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 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. |
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02-24-2004, 01:26 PM | #7 (permalink) |
Canadian Beer Ambassador
Location: Cumming, GA
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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!!!
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02-24-2004, 01:31 PM | #8 (permalink) |
Knight of the Old Republic
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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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
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"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert |
02-24-2004, 01:40 PM | #9 (permalink) | |
Registered User
Location: Somewhere in Ohio
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Quote:
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. |
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02-24-2004, 01:43 PM | #10 (permalink) |
Canadian Beer Ambassador
Location: Cumming, GA
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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.
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Take Off Eh! |
02-24-2004, 02:45 PM | #13 (permalink) | |
Registered User
Location: Somewhere in Ohio
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Quote:
It went up $5 from a month ago when I bought mine. http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...tCode=80097-20 |
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02-24-2004, 03:01 PM | #14 (permalink) |
Insane
Location: Truro, Nova Scotia
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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.
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02-24-2004, 03:23 PM | #15 (permalink) | |
Knight of the Old Republic
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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Quote:
-Lasereth
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"A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert |
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building, system |
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