I want to build a system that will be able to handle today's games, but not be a total beast. I will also be using this computer for DVD burning, DV mastering etc. so I need a fairly fast system with a large HD. I can only spend about 1000.00 total, and I have no idea what a good case/mobo/chipset would be right now. It seems like my tech knowledge has died. Please help me?
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Help me build my new rig
- Thread starter undeadsac
- Start date
Stoopid Guy
Limp Gawd
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2004
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- 240
You'll have to decide whether games, or multitasking/encoding/decoding will be more important to you. If games, then an Athlon 64 would be best, else, a Pentium 4.
I'd take a 3.0GHz P4 $180, 1GB of Value DDR $110, 6600GT AGP $210, and spend $120-$150 (Abit IC7 with GbE is $135) on the motherboard. I may get flamed for picking the P4, but the hyperthreading multitask boost will offset the admittedly lower game performance. He will probably still be GPU limited with any 8 pipe video card available in his games, and Hyperthreading will be a huge boon to his media work. That's $650, leaving $350:
2x 160GB Hitachi SATA - $190
DVD Burner - $60
Case and PSU - $115
Makes $1000 even, assuming the $135 Abit mobo. I don't know how important future proofing is to you - a PCI Express ready platform may be what you want. I would hold out as long as you can on that for the 945/955 Intel chipsets that will be dual core ready. I know that's cutting it close, and you will probably want to spend more on case and PSU, but that will work, for right at your budget. Hope this helps.
2x 160GB Hitachi SATA - $190
DVD Burner - $60
Case and PSU - $115
Makes $1000 even, assuming the $135 Abit mobo. I don't know how important future proofing is to you - a PCI Express ready platform may be what you want. I would hold out as long as you can on that for the 945/955 Intel chipsets that will be dual core ready. I know that's cutting it close, and you will probably want to spend more on case and PSU, but that will work, for right at your budget. Hope this helps.
p4 based video encoding machine for $1030 including tax and shipping
http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=1391734
take a look at the case to see if you dont mind the door for the dvd burner. ive built a similar machine with a athlon xp and its really quiet.
if you can spare $50 more you could upgrade the processor to a 3.2E
http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=1391734
take a look at the case to see if you dont mind the door for the dvd burner. ive built a similar machine with a athlon xp and its really quiet.
if you can spare $50 more you could upgrade the processor to a 3.2E
opps you might want to pick up one of these if you have a mini dv camera that needs firewire
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=15-124-003&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=15-124-003&depa=0
i would use the antec slk3000 as its my preferred case for silent pcs but some people dont like the door so its up to you.
chaintech nforce4 ultra mobo $100
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-152-049&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
dfi nforce4 ultra mobo $140
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-136-152&depa=0
the dfi is desirable but if money is a problem the chaintech will still be good.
also nforce4 boards require a 24 pin power plug so make sure whatever psu you get supports it.
heres a s939 athlon 64 with a pci-express video card setup for $1050 including tax and shipping without firewire card. is as quiet as the p4 configured before. for $30-50 more you could upgrade the processor to the 3200+
http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=1391808
since i have too much free time heres one for $800 including tax and shipping. no firewire card.
http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=1391896
wont be as quiet as the other 2 but will be just as fast. with the extra $200 you could add more hard drives if needed.
http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=1391896
wont be as quiet as the other 2 but will be just as fast. with the extra $200 you could add more hard drives if needed.
heero you are my hero. haha
I really appreciate the help.
I actually found a 6600GT board that had a 1x VGA 1x S-Video and 1x DVI output so I picked it up, I think it was 186.00 shipped. I also went with that Mobo and Case, looking for a PSU now, went with that Ram you had selected and an AMD 3000+ socket 939. This is shaping up to be a decent system, or at least I think it is.
I really appreciate the help.
I actually found a 6600GT board that had a 1x VGA 1x S-Video and 1x DVI output so I picked it up, I think it was 186.00 shipped. I also went with that Mobo and Case, looking for a PSU now, went with that Ram you had selected and an AMD 3000+ socket 939. This is shaping up to be a decent system, or at least I think it is.
When installing the Mobo, it just says to use the Phillips head screws to bolt it down, but there are like 6 different kinds of screws and all but one kind fit into the brass stadoffs. What to do, what to do???
Man I love putting this together, but maybe I wasnt ready afterall.
Man I love putting this together, but maybe I wasnt ready afterall.
heero884 said:
nope got the hardware together but keep getting bsod system reboots into bsod like a never ending circle. I think it may be the display drivers but I'm working on the problem right now. I'm going to start on the case mod as soon as I can get the system stable. I purchased everything I think I'll need except for my ccfl, leds, and some spray paint. I'm going to try to reinstall XP Pro maybe that will help to start off with a fresh installation followed by the latest drivers.