3.0 Ghz or better needed

C

c2rex

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 26, 2003
Messages
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I'm needing a system as a result of buying a new Samsung SMX-K40 flash video camcorder. The minimum computer specs according to the camera's booklet require a 3.0Ghz P4 or Athlon FX, Geforce 7600 GT or Radeon X1600.

The last system I bought had an AGP videocard and a single core CPU that was rated by its Ghz. I don't understand any of the naming systems of CPUs or videocards anymore. When I was configuring the last system a 9800 was a Radeon and a 4200 was a Geforce. Now it seems these are reversed!

Systems from Dell and others show dual cores with speeds of around 2.6 Ghz. I'm guessing that these should theoretically exceed the minimum spec for the video camera but the booklet does say 3.0 Ghz minimum.

I'm so far behind that I don't know where to start. Is there a site or some info available to catch me up to speed so I know what I'm looking at?
 
modern dual core processors are vastly more powerful than the p4/athlon fx processors. you will be fine purchasing a 2.6ghz dual core from Dell as it will be more than sufficient and far more powerful than any p4/athlon fx.
 
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Some of each. Mostly needing the upgrade for transferring video from flash to harddrive and making movies.
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$300-$500 (if possible)
3) Where do you live?
Oh
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Case, powersupply, ram, mobo, CPU, videocard, harddrive. Onboard sound and nic are fine.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers.
6) Will you be overclocking?
No
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
17" Sony
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Soon. Next few weeks.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Have XP, but prefer to get Win 7




Ok. How low can I go? I was throwing out Dell as an example, but don't really care who makes it.

Can somone make a budget box recommendation? I'd really like to go $300-$500) w/ XP-Win7 if possible. I don't really need anything but the tower (I'm ok with using my current monitor, keyb, mouse, and speakers).
 
Last edited:
$500 bucks man

AMD Athlon II X2 245 2.9ghz + G. Skill Ripjaws 4GB DDR3 1600 both for $142.98 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.286545

MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit + ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO AM3 both for $174.98 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.292762

Seagate Barracuda 500GB Sata Drive for $54.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

Sony Optiarc 24X Sata DVD Burner for $25.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030

Antec New Solution NSK3480 Black w/380Watt PSU for $89.99 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129035

Total: $488.93 w/free shipping
 
Just making an assumption, but I think he is looking for a prefab system. Not saying he can't do it, but building a computer may be out of his comfort zone. As far as prebuilt, I would think HP or Dell may be your best bet for your budget.
 
I can put it together. Didn't know for sure what was compatible or if I could get parts as cheap as prebuilt anymore.
 
prebuilt is always the cheapest route especially for budget builds. just go configure something over at dell and let us know and we can make suggestions. if you want more bang for your money, go dive into www.delloutlet.com and see if you can find something that is better for cheaper.
 
hofan41 said:
prebuilt is always the cheapest route especially for budget builds. just go configure something over at dell and let us know and we can make suggestions. if you want more bang for your money, go dive into www.delloutlet.com and see if you can find something that is better for cheaper.
Click to expand...

Not always. There's a crossover where at some point (usually about $800-1,000) it becomes cheaper to build your own. But today's budget systems will beat anything that was upper end five years ago (Intel graphics being the glaring exception).
 
If I follow HardwareGuru's shopping list, (I know, it'll be over the original budget I allowed for) but decide to add a videocard, at what point am I buying too much card for this system? Also are there any concerns with the 380w powersupply not providing enough for adding the video.
 
c2rex said:
If I follow HardwareGuru's shopping list, (I know, it'll be over the original budget I allowed for) but decide to add a videocard, at what point am I buying too much card for this system? Also are there any concerns with the 380w powersupply not providing enough for adding the video.
Click to expand...

Basically when you get into the performance and power range of the HD 4870 and similar cards is when the card would be bottlenecked by the CPU. That Earthwatts 380W PSU is good enough for the system that HG provided and a HD 4850 or power usage equivalent.
 
A 4870 should run fine on that cpu, but it all depends on budget.

I know you said you don't plan on overclocking, but even a mild overclock would be easy to do with todays hardware even on stock cooling - that said if you don't need it or understand how to do it don't worry about it.
 
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