Looking for advice on a new system

[AarontheRipper]

I currently have a Dell that's several years old and is running a 1GHz PIII with 256MB SDRAM. It has been alright, but I'm finally feeling confident enough and knowledgable enough to venture into building a new computer for myself. I plan to salvage a few things from the old computer (my dvd-rom and burner, firewire card, 40gb hard drive), but most of it will be new. I can get a P4 2.6C with ECS mobo for around $220, 1gb of ram for around $100, a 120 gb HD for around $80 for video editing and a new video card. The questions I have are:

1) I'm not a die-hard gamer but would like a decent 2d/3d graphics when I do play or when I'm working with video. Any video card recommendations?

2) Are their any brands of hardware that I should avoid like the plague? In my more ignorant life I would have just accepted anything that Dell would shove down my throat.

3) Will I need a new power supply/case in going from the old to new processor? As a poor college student, I would like to hang onto anything that will be acceptable.

I appreciate the help.

[redwudz]

Just curious, which ECS MB? And I would definately replace the PC case. You are investing a fair amount of money in hardware to put in a case that is 'several years old'. You should be able to get a decent case for around $50US with things like front USB or Firewire connectors.

[AarontheRipper]

It's the 648FX-A. it supports the 800 FSB and Hyperthreading and has a built in 6 channel audio card.

[King-Of-DK]

Unless the old power supply is 300w,you NEED a new power supply as most newer CPU´s can´t operate with under 300w,and that means new case,as powersupply is almost as expensive..where i live the best deal is to buy a complete PC,and then change the cheap parts for better ones. Here it is possible to get a P4 celeron 2,4ghz with case,cd-rom,dvd-rom,512 pc3200 120gb hdd floppy keyboard and mouse for around 350$. I have bought 3 myself of different konfigurations,and all work excellent.

[redwudz]

I believe that MB uses (2) power supply connectors. If so, your old PS may not work anyway. Make sure the PS/Case is P4 compatible. Since it has a 8X AGP slot, take a look at the card I use, a MSI TI4200-VTD8X.

[gmatov]

Next time some of you guys get near a Dell, Compaq, Gateway, whatever, look under the hood. I'm pretty sure you are going to find a power supply in the range of 200 - 250 watts. Micros, 100 - 135. Can't even buy a micro ATX over 135 watts.

They WILL work with less than 300 watts. Our problem is that we put much more in our machines than the average user, DVD burner, couple more HDDs, extra fans, etc.

I go 400 +, myself, 15 or 20 bucks more, but worth it to me.

Cheers,

George

[Craig Tucker]

Just ordered myself a nice 550W antec supply. Pricey, but like George says, worth it for a good power supply. This is the one component that is probrably most overlooked by most people and yet is vital to the operation of your PC. 350-400W would probrably be more than ample for most users.

[gmatov]

Craig,

Antec=good. Go to a show sometime and look at the PSUs they have for sale. Pick up a 400+.. If it weighs a pound, you're lucky. Cheap, cheap, cheap.

Weight is not the criteria, but if you put a load on it, as we do, you'll find the output is not 400 watts, sustained. Hell,the good makers show you their output graphs, and a 450 might show a sustained load of just 350 watts. Can't dissipate the heat well enough to keep up.

So what can you expect of a 20 buck 400 watt PSU?

You're better off with a"good" 300 than a"bad" 400. But, again, 20 bucks more. It is not the place to scrimp.

Cheers,

George

BTW, why do you hve to order one. They're readily available at CompUSA and the like, here. Mebbe not there?

[Craig Tucker]

Ordered it online from dabs.co.uk. Cheaper than going into a store and buying one here. And to be honest I would be surprised if any of the PC stores here would carry that supply in stock. Seems if you want anything out of the ordinary that the general PC consumer would not want, you cannot get it in the likes of PC world.

I know exactly what you are saying about the quoted output from power supplys. Here is a list of power supplys and cases from a supplier I use pretty regularly. On acverage the actual output is only around 60% of the quoted output.