Please help me spec a system

[EwanG]

Amusingly, the setup at my workplace is that if you want to buy a computer you have certain models you can choose from and certain vendors you can use. However there's almost free reign in purchasing computer parts.

So I'm looking for some help in specing the appropriate parts to put together a decent system. Ideally I'd like something with minimal internal drive space (I'll be using firewire external drives), at least a 2GhZ processor, a 10/100 Ethernet, decent video, and firewire support (with multiple connections ideal). I'd also like to keep the price under $800 altogether, and if you can point me to a particular place to specify getting all this from, that would help too. I know of newegg.com, but am not sure if that's the best place to order from. Trying to go through their system to figure out which motherboards work with which processors in which cases left me with a bit of a headache.

Thanks for your help,
Ewan

[redwudz]

You will probably get a lot of varied responses to your request. Since the processor is the heart of a system, you should probably start there. Decide on a processor type, as you say 2Ghz or better, AMD or Intel. As for a motherboard, most of the higher end boards will have what you want. One source for motherboard information I find useful is:

http://www.motherboards.org/

Once you figure out those two items, you might have a better idea of the rest of the system and what companies will fill your needs.

[The village idiot]

What do you use the machine for?

Also how many internal devices does it need?

For most normal office tasks, you could get by with a much slower machine. If you do a bunch of compiling or large spread sheets, etc., I can see your need for more power. If it doesn't need more than a hard drive, and a CD of some kind, you could get a nice small machine like a Shuttle XPC. SOme of those have 2 or 3 firewire ports, and if you need more and don't want to loop devices, you could get a hub. I use one with a 2Ghz processor for my video and photo work, it seems to work just fine.

[EwanG]

What do you use the machine for?

Intend to use the machine almost exclusively for video capture and editing.

Also how many internal devices does it need?

CD drive (no burner) and minimal HD. Since I have some mondo HD space available externally, I'd prefer to keep the insides simple.

If it doesn't need more than a hard drive, and a CD of some kind, you could get a nice small machine like a Shuttle XPC. SOme of those have 2 or 3 firewire ports, and if you need more and don't want to loop devices, you could get a hub. I use one with a 2Ghz processor for my video and photo work, it seems to work just fine.

Particular case model and compatible MB you'd suggest?

Thanks,
Ewan

[Grant_H]

One place i like to use to find the lowest price of a computer component is:
www.cnet.com

[The village idiot]

If you are working with something like Dv then the XPC's would be fine, if it is of better quality, then you might need a better machine. You could look at the Shuttle SS51 with the fastest P4 you can afford and about 1GB of ram. There are many other machines that will be faster, but I haven't really looked at any of those for a while.

Here is one example:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=410197&Sku=S451-3036

or better:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=587828&Sku=...060&CatId=1210
with whatever type of IDE or SATA RAID to speed up the system, and 1 GB of the fastest memory it will support. Better check the Spacewalker/Shuttle web site for the real specs.

[Suntan]

my 2 cents,

I have bought everything in my current rig from http://www.allstarshop.com and never had a problem with them. Although I have never needed to return anything so I don't know how well they do with that. Usually ship the same day too.

Regards,

[pokito]

I put together a system a few weeks ago for about $800. I don't play game so I pick a cheap video card. Also, if you don't plan to overclock, you can save $ on memory. In fact, newer motherboards are loaded with features that I don't have any PCI card installed.

Antec Sonata (black) case $99.94 (amazon)
Asus A7N8X Deluxe - Retail $125 (newegg)
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ Barton - Retail $90 (newegg)
512MB Corsair XMS PC3200 $132 (newegg)
MSI Geforce FX 5200 128MB Model FX5200-TD128 - Retail $77 (newegg)
Seagate 120GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive Barracuda ST3120026A - Retail $69 (compUsa w/ $70 rebate)
Samsung 16x DVD-ROM (black Bezel) - OEM $33 (newegg)
Pioneer DVD-Recordable (Black Bezel) DVR-106D - OEM $135 (newegg)
Trendware KVM 2 Port Switch Kit Model TK-200K Retail $26 (newegg)

Asus A7N8X motherboard supports 2 ethernet ports, 2 firewire ports, 6 USB 2.0, 2 Serial ATA ports.

[gmatov]

I think you'd be better off with a full tower, a full size board with as many PCI slots as you can get.

Granted, many boards are coming with integrated everything, you will still have the option to install the card of your choice, as well as to put in an expanssion card to install more internal HDDs,as well as a second Vid card if you want to go dual monitor, whatever..

It would be about 50 bucks more to go to something like 2600 AMD, rather than a 2000, and the CPU is it for Video.

Boxes are anywhere from 25 to 75 bucks for good ones, get 400 watts minimum, just for the hell of it. So many people here are adamant about this, I wonder how HP, Compaq, Dell get away with 125-200 watt PS in their machines.

RAM, you can do what you wish with, just so it fits. It has been written here that RAM iss not sso important as CPU speed for converssion. Take them at their word.

I think I would install more drives internally than externally, I don't care what you ue, firewire or USB 2.0.

Hey, do as you wish.

Cheers,

George