I'de like some advice please before I pull the trigger

S

StickY

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 4, 2000
Messages
466
What I need:

I need a workstation I can edit photos on (yes, Photoshop) and some video. I would also like to be able to do some light gaming. I don't need to set any "godlike" 3DMark scores, but I would like to be able to play at a good resolution with a smooth frame rate. I also need this system to be as quite as possible without any crazy water cooling needs (my ears still hum from my older server case with 4 92mm fans in the front and 2 120mm fans in the back)

Specs I have gathered so far.
GIGABYTE GA-M61P-S3 AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 ATX
EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI
Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Windsor 2.4GHz Socket AM2 65W Processor
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner

Total = <$500 shipped

I'd like to stay as close to $500 as possible but I also don't want something thats outdated. I'm not to worried about the display because I have a few monitors lying around I could use until my budget allows for a nice 19"+ LCD. Also, I have adecent case that will do for now, but as with the display, will get upgraded at a later time. HD space is fine for my needs as I have a WD 120GB traveldrive for my photo needs. Plus I'de rather setup a raid later on with a couple 160GB then have one huge 320gb single HDD.

So, hows does this look? Any recommendations? Is this system so dated that I might as well spend a few more $$ and get something newer?

I haven't posted here in a while and have read through the sticky and hope I have followed the guidelines for posting.

Thanks
 
Well at least you read the sticky. Not too many people do for some reason.

Anyway, looks good to me. I do recommend getting a better PSU though like this one:
XCLIO Goodpower 500W PSU - $50
 
StickY said:
I haven't posted here in a while and have read through the sticky and hope I have followed the guidelines for posting.
Click to expand...

You read yourself? :eek: just messin...

First off, ditch that PSU. Thermaltake PSUs that aren't of the Toughpower line are pure junk. Go for the XClio 500W Goodpower instead. Its a solid CWT built PSU that will serve you much better than the Thermaltake, as long as you don't live in the desert.

Since you don't need the onboard graphics of the GeForce 6100, switch to the Biostar TForce 560+ board instead. It will give you a better upgrade path since its socket AM2+.

What did you plan on using for a case? Your old loud one? If you're getting a new case, get one with 120mm fans, since they're much quieter than 80mm fans, while pushing more air. Some case suggestions would be the Centurion 532 or 534, RC-690, Antec Sonata II, or Antec P180 or P150.
 
thanks guys.

What do you guys think about the video card? Is it a little outdated and would I be better off spending a bit more for a better card?
 
StickY said:
thanks guys.

What do you guys think about the video card? Is it a little outdated and would I be better off spending a bit more for a better card?
Click to expand...

It depends on the performance you're looking (what games you play) for and at what resolution (and what settings). It sounds like you're needs aren't too demanding, so I'd say the 7600GT is fine. What size monitor do you have?
 
I will be getting at least a 19" widescreen LCD. For now I will use my 19" CRT (older viewsonic)

At times I want to be able to hook up the PC to my 50" DLP 720P TV and show off pictures and what not.

This is the other card I was looking at
XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT 256MB

I know to hook up that card to my tv would require and S-video -> Component cable or an DVI -> HDMI cable. Would I be able to run @ 720P?
 
StickY said:
I will be getting at least a 19" widescreen LCD. For now I will use my 19" CRT (older viewsonic)

At times I want to be able to hook up the PC to my 50" DLP 720P TV and show off pictures and what not.

This is the other card I was looking at
XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT 256MB

I know to hook up that card to my tv would require and S-video -> Component cable or an DVI -> HDMI cable. Would I be able to run @ 720P?
Click to expand...
That card, or a 7900GS (which may be preferable) will have component output, so no "conversion" necessary. Using component output seems to be less problematic in terms of setup for me than using DVI on my plasma.
 
Yup, you'd be able to do that with the 7600GT, too... it just wont take any load off of the CPU when decoding HD content.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top