Need some Opinions... Buying New Computer

[Burning Zombie]

I am in the market for a new computer, I usually replace my system every 6-8 months due to the enormus wear and tear I put on it.

I have been a solid AMD buyer for 4 years now and I am deciding to try Pentium 4 (intel) this time.

I have settled on a Motherboard -

MSI NEO2 PFISR - stats are amazing and it is capable of the 800mhz FSB.

Memory - Still deciding, I know It be at least 1 gig maybe 1.5

DVD writer - LITE-ON 832 probably

DVD-ROM - Lite On of course

HDD - Still deciding, Minimum Storage Capacity I want is 80gb but I was think of going 120 and just using a 20gig Partition for the OS.

Processor - I was thinking P4 northwood 3.0c or 2.8c Northwood. I hear too many bad things about the prescott.

Video - Nvidia Ultra 5200 or 5600 Hundred.

Sound - onboard is fine with me.

I would really like everyone's opinion on some of the items I have chosen, and I really would like opinion on which processor I should go with... 2.8c or 3.0c or whatever you think I should go for.

Anyone feel like helping a brother out? :P

[Ripper2860]

Go the 120GB HDD and stay away from the NV5200 if you do any gaming. Go at least a 6800Ultra if you want NV or the 9800 ATI.

If all you will be doing is ripping or encoding and the primary concern is 2D quality and/or dual DVI flat panel support, the 5200 will do just fine.

Everything else looks pretty good !!

[Burning Zombie]

Thanx for the feedback!

[Cobra]

If you aren't a big-time gamer and won't miss DX9 effects, why not see if you can get an older GeForce4 Ti-series? My Ti4600 beats the snot out of the FX5600 in framerate but won't do things like DX9 effects or anti-aliasing as nicely. If you like framerate over effects, you may be able to save a bit there.

Cobra

[rallynavvie]

If you're planning on doing any video work with the machine I'd look into a second hard drive. Encoding to the same drive you're reading from is really slow.

With the prices of P4s these days I'd just get whatever is the most you're willing to afford. I agree with getting Northwoods over Prescotts though, the Prescotts just throw way too much heat.

Video card depends on what you're planning on doing with the system and how much you're willing to spend to get performance from it.

For memory 1GB is more than what most people will be able to use so that should be plenty. Make sure to get good branded stuff like Mushkin or Corsair. That board is dual channel so you'll need two identical sticks of 512MB to make a proper 1GB.

Invest in a good power supply. I'd recommend an Antec True450 or better so you have plenty of room for upgrading. That and the latest video cards are very power-hungry.

[gitreel]

I usually replace my system every 6-8 months due to the enormus wear and tear I put on it.

What on earth do you do that you need to replace your computer so often?



I do video work on both my systems. I built my first system about 4 years ago and am still using it.

[Burning Zombie]

I leave my Computer run 24/7, not too mention I do heavy DVD writing, I make at a minimum 3-5 discs a Day. Sometimes I do intense Runs like 20-25 burns a day, but thats only on weekends when I have time.

I do Video editing once and awhile and the PC also doubles as my Sequencer for my Mini Studio.

Gaming, I don't bother with, I play a few games, Like No Limits, RCT, and Scream Machines, I do a tremendous amount of Surfing and Downloading.

I prefer to replace the system every six months because for what I pay for the parts and the use I get out of it. I make at least 60% of my money back

For instance when I built this sytem 7 months ago this is what I put into it:

1 - Black case with External LED Temp Display, Side panel Fan 400w PS. $56.00
1 - Asus AV78X-X Motherboard with 333mhz Frontside Bus $69.00
1 - AMD Athlon XP 2700+ Processor $77.00
1 - 64mb Geforce 4 MX 440se Video card $51.00
1 - Maxtor USB 2.0 4 port PCI add-on $18
1 - 40gb 5400RPM WD HDD $41.00
1 - 80gb 7200RPM WD HDD $71.00
1 - Opto-rite DD0405 (replaced LDW 411s) $69
1 - Lite-on 16x DVD-ROM $40.00

For a Grand Total of $492.00 Barebone Cost $202.00

The Memory I got for free as well as the Pinnacle Capture Card in the System.

For Instance this System as described above is currently on EBAY, I started the Bidding at $300 it already has 1 Bid, and 11 watchers, I will probably Get about $400-$450 out of it when it is all said and done.

Have a look if you choose:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5109913071&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

[Comandante G]

I expect to initiate myself in video editing and I'm planning for a new PC. Since I'm not in the US, new models are very expensive and I'm figuring up why to spend more money that I need. At present I use an AMD Duron 750 Mz/256 Mb RAM & 40 Gb HD that is fine for my jobs.

I was looking up your previous recommendations and I am looking for:

Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2800
512 Mb RAM DDR 400Mhz
HDD 2x120 Gb/7200 rpm
Video Geforce 4 128 mb 5200 TV Out DDR
DVD R/W
Flyvideo 3000 or Pinnacle PCTV

The video input card is not yet decided, since we have PAL-N TV standard and my camcorder is a Sony Hi8 analog and I has a concern regarding the capability of the Flyvideo 3000 to meet MPEG2 and the quality of the Hi8.
According on what I read, I think that dual-processor computer is not necessary, as well as SATA HD. I was wondering if 512 RAM is enough and if 64Mb for the Video card may be enough since I will not use it for gaming.

Your comments pls?

[Burning Zombie]

I have a Pinnacle Capture Card and it works pretty good.

I would buy another.


UPDATE:

First I would like to thank everyone for their input.
second I was offered a deal I just couldn't pass up.

I have been a long time AMD user, 4+years so I wanted to give Intel a try and that is why I looked for some opinions.

The Guy I buy my parts from said I should try the AMD64bit 3200+. He said the benchmarks are outstanding and it smokes the P4 3.0 not too mention it is the only 64bit chip out.

He said try for 60 days if I don't like it he would exchange it for the P4 3.0

So I went with the ASUS K8SE-Deluxe Motherboard TheAMD3200+ 64bit chip and I am gonna give it a whirl.

Everything worked out to the same price so I am not concerned, If I don't like it, I will just exchange it.

So to update everyone... if anyone cares :P ...

I am going to go AMD 64bit for the moment.

I will let everyone know on another update how it goes.

Thanks again for your help and input.

[rallynavvie]

The Guy I buy my parts from said I should try the AMD64bit 3200+. He said the benchmarks are outstanding and it smokes the P4 3.0 not too mention it is the only 64bit chip out.

Uhh, OK. I wouldn't trust him any further if he said that. Those A64s are baby 64-bit consumer procs. The Athlon FX are the real deal. That and the Opterons. Oh and Intel's Nocona Xeons. They're all 64-bit consumer procs. I'm ill-content with the instruction sets included on the A64s as well.