Help pick out computer parts

[mongoo13]

I want to get a new computer, probably build it or have it built. It's cheaper this way yes?

Anyways, can you recamend make and models of various stuff? I'm looking at spending up to $1,500 on the main tower.

I plan on using it for Editing audio & video, making dvd's & cd's, playing games, and other stuff I can't think of right now. Oh, I will probably hook it up to my old computer too, thats a 700mhz compaq.

In addition to this, I will be buying a pro audio sound card. Do you know if I need to or can buy a regular sound card too?

So for the money what the best I can get? What will last me the longest in the future?

Thanks a bunch.

Mongoo

[Treebeard]

P4 3.4ghz
1gig dual channel ram (2 x 512mb)
2 X 250gb hard drives
good motherboard w/ 875 chipset
ati 9800 pro video card or better.
19" flat CRT monitor.

that would be a good start

[mongoo13]

Is there a limit to how many harddrives I can have and CD Burners?

I was thinking about geting a, DVD-Dual Layer Burner, DVD-Rom/CD-RW burner, and 2+ hardrives. Can I have an internal swapable/removable hardrive?

Is this all too much or would it work?

When Picking out a Flat screen CRT monitor what should I look for? I ask because I already have one (trinotron), but Its fricken huge, have they gotten any smaller now? Mines like 3 years old.

Which graphics card is better: Ati 9800 or GeForce 6800?

Thanks

[makntraks]

Can I have an internal swapable/removable hardrive?
Thanks

I use external USB HD enclosures to get over the IDE M/S limitations. I've found add in PCI cards to add additional drives, etc are not worth the trouble.....
Also using a USB/Firewire enclosure I can easily move from one machine to another (if they are not networked together)

makntraks

[redwudz]

I run 4 HD's, DVD burner, DVD ROM, CD-RW, ZIP drive with a 300W PS with no problems, though I would recommend 350-400 quality power supply. A medium server case is also nice for extra room and fans.

The limit on HD's is how many IDE connections you have. Most motherboards can support 4 drives, 2 to each bus, but an add-on PCI card is easy to plug in. I use a Promise TX2 PCI card that will work with CD and DVD drives. (Not all cards will, make sure you check)

Flat screens are nice, but be aware they have a native resolution that they work best at, while a CRT monitor can easily change resolutions.

Graphics cards, lots of options. Do you game? Plan to use it to capture?
Want a DVI output for a LCD digital monitor? Want TV output? All these and a few more determine what card will suit you best. There is also the factor of cost. I like Nvida GeForce cards, but that's just me.

I also like AMD processors, mostly for the cost savings.

[xxgriff]

your initial decision will be AMD socket 939/940 or Intel socket 775 (915/925 chipsets). both perform, and are fast. it looks like PCI-E will be replacing AGP (slow phasing out of AGP, and benefits of PCI-E), and so you may want to consider this. it does not make any real difference presently, but will be important laster. currently the AMD-64 939/940 chipsets (nVidia/Via/SiS) do not have PCI-E support, and this will probably not show up until near the end of the year.

DDR-2 is pretty expensive, and the performance increase over some quality dual channel DDR1 is still negligible so if you opt for the new intel socket, you choose which RAM you want, another consideration when looking to intel Socket 775 (915/925 chipsets). the I875 was and is a good chipset with all the big names having great selection, but Intel will not be offering many more CPU's in the socket 478, and your ability to upgrade will run into a brick wall as socket 478 production stops, and 3.6+gHz cpu's are reserved for the newer Socket 775.

it is all so subjective. it will be easier to pick the rest based on your choice of platform.

and buy a quality Case and PSU! one of the most over looked components is the power supply. 400w or better, so it will scale with upgrades and such.

[mongoo13]

redwudz, I do game from time to time and think it would be nice to get a good graphics card since I will already be getting everything else needed for a good gaming setup with the editng setup.

I won't be capturing anolog, I've got access to an optibase card at work so no need for that. I do want duel monitor support. I have a 19" compaq Triniron monitor (HUGE and not just the screen) that only has vga in, I might want to get a flat panel for the second monitor for room sake. Are CRT better then LCD though? Better picture and everyting?

TV out would be nice, but its not nessisary if it costs a bundle just for that feature.

--------------

xxgriff,

I don't know what socots mean or do or chipsets for that matter. Help me understand how to judge and pick one of those out.


I was looking at AMD speeds and like the 3200 only runs at 2.2 ghz, isn't that like really bad compared to a p4 3.4ghz? How does it compete? I know it does I just don't get how.

I was thinking (just thinking) about getting a 64bit AMD and a better cooling fan for it. Anyone know what the differences in price and speed are with AMD 64bit?

-----------------

makntraks

I need something that holds removable harddrives with IDE. This is to make it easy to swap files with a Digitlal multi track recorder I'm going to get. It will have a removable hard drive slot. Whats out there on the market like this?


Thanks to all

Mongoo

[makntraks]

makntraks

I need something that holds removable harddrives with IDE. This is to make it easy to swap files with a Digitlal multi track recorder I'm going to get. It will have a removable hard drive slot. Whats out there on the market like this?


Thanks to all

Mongoo

Check out the 3.5 enclosures as they have enclosures for 3.5 to 5.25 drives in which you can house HD, DVD drives, etc.
They accept IDE drives but use USB as the interface. I run several USB 2.0 enclosures and they are fast enough for video processing as well as viewing..

makntraks

[mongoo13]

What is RAID, how expensive is it?

[bazooka]

What is RAID, how expensive is it?

Raid= Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks.

It's not expensive.

[mongoo13]

Whats the point to using raid then?

[bazooka]

Backups.

It is an array of inexpensive hard drives that allows for redundancy of data.

[makntraks]

Whats the point to using raid then?

If you have to ask... don't bother.
There is a thread about it somewhere here...

makntraks

p.s. In the world of 'puters my motto is KISS....

[mongoo13]

How do these things affect the processor?

I'm looking a an AMD 64bit right now,

what is: FX3, L2 Catch (512kb vs. 1 or 2MB), Socket 939 compared to 949?

When do you think FX3 Chips will lower in price?

[xxgriff]

with AMD you have several choice, but i feel the real choice is between nForce 3 250 Ultra or Via K8T800/pro.

the socket is a counting of the number of pins that connect the CPU to the motherboard (thus 939=939 pins/775=775 pins)

the FX designation is AMD's way of denoting their high(er) end CPU's (Intel uses E or EE). the FX 53 is targeted at "enthusiasts", and usually carry a price to match. the model numbers are confusing at best. the FX models are unlocked, but they have a max, so you can adjust the multiplier up to the max set by AMD.

the price generally comes down when new model(s) are announced/released or when the market indicates it is needed to seel more chips. like when Intel cuts their prices.

Intel is now producing the P4 in a new package for their new P4 915 and 925 chipsets which use a 775 pin socket (also know as Socket-T). this means that intel plans on halting production of the P4 socket 478 that use the 865/875 chipset. so there may be some faster P4's for the socket 478, intel will be using the newest socket 775 or T for scaling above 4gHz.

while i prefer the AMD socket 939, the AMD socket 754 is priced nicely for many.

as far as cache, i would opt for 1m of level 2 cache over 512k.

a AMD 64 3200 is a good performer. of course there will always be faster. even if money was no object, you could purchase the fastests FX or EE, only to see a faster cpu released soon after. ain't computers great

you can take a look at reviews and benchmarks. there are many sites who are objective, and have some good reviews compairing AMD and Intel, as well as the models/speeds of each.

a recent review i read:
http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20040601/index.html

[redwudz]

mongoo13: If you are into gaming, you need to go to some websites that specialize in that to get the best info.

I prefer CRT for the reason of resolution switching, but the LCDs are very good now.

Dual monitor support is pretty common with newer video boards. Look for a DVI connector for digital LCDs in addition to the standard VGA connector. With a (usually included) adapter you can use it for CRT monitors also. As far as TV out or capture, you can do that with a PCI card independant of your regular video card if you really want it in the future.

I know there's a lot to learn. My advice: Spend lots of time researching before you buy. You really need to know what you want to use your system for.

[xxgriff]

you will get some good advice here but ultimately redwudz is right. you're going to have to do your research. the best decisions are informed ones, and the information is out there waiting for you to apply it to your needs

kinda makes me wanna build another system....