New computer specs, whadda think?

[Dilbert135]

Here's what I was thinking. I put it down in Microsoft Word so I'll just make it a link here. If anyone has any input I'd be thankful.

http://www.ether-dreams.com/NewComputer.htm

[pyrate83]

Everything sounds perfect to me. Although if it were me, I wouldn't start off with 256 megs of RAM. I would start out with 512. But thats just me. I like crucial tech. though, thats what I put in mine.

[Dilbert135]

Yeah, I'm just trying to work out my budget. I intended to put in at least 512. I also wanted two of the hard drives, but I'll just have to see. Thanks.

[stiltman]

May want to think about a P4 2.8 instead. you'll save a $150 and you won't notice the difference. Plus, that would get you your second HD or another 256 of RAM

[pyrate83]

I also agree with stiltman, get the 2.8 and you won't notice any real difference in performance but will notice a difference in your wallet.

[stiltman]

Here's what I was thinking. I put it down in Microsoft Word so I'll just make it a link here. If anyone has any input I'd be thankful.

http://www.ether-dreams.com/NewComputer.htm

BTW, you didn't say what you're going to use this computer for.
Is it going to be for gaming? (increase the RAM)
Is it for eventual video editing and capturing? (capt. card? and second HD)
Is it for general use? (lower CPU and save money)
NIC?
Monitor?

JMO

[i_am_dave]

The 160 Gig hard drive sounds good, but for just a few $$$ more, you could put in two 120 Gig drives instead and maybe see some improvement in throughput.

Man, I want a new system! Wish I had the cash to plop down. My P4-1.8Ghz system is beginning to seem a little old to me and I have only had it for a little over a year.
Oh well, by the time I can buy a new one, maybe 6Ghz processors will be available.

Man I'm jealous!!!

[indolikaa]

The 160 Gig hard drive sounds good, but for just a few $$$ more, you could put in two 120 Gig drives instead and maybe see some improvement in throughput.

And then you're one step closer to S-ATA RAID...

[njfoses]

Very similiar to what i just built and am using right now.

motherboard= asus p4p800 deluxe
ram= 1gig samsung ddr 400
cpu= intel 3.0ghz 800mhz fsb
hard drive= seagate 160gb sata
video= ati radeon 9600 pro
dvd drive= samsung s352 16x dvd 52x24x52 cd
dvd burner= sony dru-510a
case= antec 1080 amg with 400w power supply
monitor= 17" lcd samsung 173v

All running perfectly. Big change from my old pIII syetem.

mike

[g_shocker182]

Just look at what I had a 1 and 1/2 years ago:

EMACHINES:
Intel Celeron
A whopping 366Mhz
32mbs ram
3 Gb harddrive
20x cd-rom

OH YEAH ! Was this pc built for gaming or what!

[Dilbert135]

I've made a few changes. I'm going to use 512MB of Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, Low Latency. I was planning on trying to get two of the 160 GB harddrives and put them in S ATA RAID, though I've never done anything li9ke that before. I've got a 200 Gig EIDE already for storage that I'll throw in there seperate. I'm trying to use newegg.com for most of the stuff, I'd heard bad things about Maxtor so I had steered clear, does anyone know of a low priced 120 gb or a cheaper 160 gb S ATA on there? (or even somewhere else I suppose)

The system is mostly for Video Editing and DVD Authoring but I want it to be able to play games pretty well too.

Could someone suggest a better video card that isn't too expensive (perhaps an AIW) or maybe a capture card? I need it to have the analog inputs and outputs.

[AND1]

I bought my computer about a year ago off gateway when they had that big special going on. I paid 2999 for everything but look what I got:

2.2 GHz Processor
1024 MB Memory*
120 Gig Hard Drive 8MB cache
Ati RADEON 8500
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 w/5 speaker system
CD-RW
DVD-R/RAM
18.1 LCD Monitor*

*Specials.

Now you may say who would pay 3 grand for a PC but if you look at it the LCD screen and 1 Gig of memory almost cost 2 grand. Besides this was my second PC overall. So I did save some money before buying. I didnt know that much of build comp on my own. Now I know much more and in a few years when faster computers come out I will build my own instead of buying one. By the way 3 years warranty and lifetime support was also in the package. It was kinda a good deal at the time.

[Hardcoreruss]

Get more Ram

[surefire]

I would go for 512 mb of ram as a minimum and I would also try to get a DX 9 compatable graphics card. The latest games will require a card like this to take full advantage of the effects.

[rallynavvie]

And then you're one step closer to S-ATA RAID...

For mirroring or striping with parity? After my trip into RAID I'll never use it for just plain striping ever again. All it takes is one little hiccup and you've lost everything on the RAID volume. Mirroring yes, I think it's awesome to have a backup of everything if you need that kind of security. I've never tried striping with parity but I'd certainly be open to it. Doesn't that require 3 HDDs to write to, 2 for the stripes and 1 for the parity string? Naw, if you want really fast drives like striping is supposed to get you just get an Adaptec 39160 and some Seagate Cheetah X15 U320 drives

I would opt for 2 hard drives just because it's nice to have a couple seperate physical volumes in case something goes wrong. Seagate makes wonderful drives for SATA and SCSI, but Maxtor and Western Digital are all good for ATA133. You may also want to splurge and get the ATI 9800 Pro (not the All-in-Wonder crap with the TV card built in). Graphics cards seem to be just as important as CPUs these days.