new comp config?

D

Dagatech

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jun 15, 2001
Messages
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Okay, I'm finally upgrading my old computer. Saving the monitor, cdrw, kb/mouse, and one hard drive. So I basically need the guts of a new computer. Does this sound good?

EPoX EP-9NPAJ Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4-4X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail - $88.99
CHAINTECH SE6600 Geforce 6600 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail - $99.00
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3000BPBOX - Retail - $146.00
Crucial 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model CT12864Z40B.16T - OEM - $103.50
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA NCQ ST3160827AS 160GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM - $89.00
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - OEM - $39.98
Logitech X-230 32 Watts RMS 2.1 Speaker - OEM - $29.99
Subtotal: $596.46

I'm going for stability over o/cing ability, and I don't plan on playing games frequently if at all. Mostly will be used for photo editing and video watching. I can't go up in price, and down would be better.

Any thoughts one way or other?
 
If you want to save some more money, head over to the FS forum and pick up some of your parts there, if you are comfortable trading :)
 
Dagatech said:
Okay, I'm finally upgrading my old computer. Saving the monitor, cdrw, kb/mouse, and one hard drive. So I basically need the guts of a new computer. Does this sound good?

EPoX EP-9NPAJ Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4-4X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail - $88.99
CHAINTECH SE6600 Geforce 6600 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail - $99.00
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3000BPBOX - Retail - $146.00
Crucial 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model CT12864Z40B.16T - OEM - $103.50
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA NCQ ST3160827AS 160GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM - $89.00
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - OEM - $39.98
Logitech X-230 32 Watts RMS 2.1 Speaker - OEM - $29.99
Subtotal: $596.46

I'm going for stability over o/cing ability, and I don't plan on playing games frequently if at all. Mostly will be used for photo editing and video watching. I can't go up in price, and down would be better.

Any thoughts one way or other?
Click to expand...
My suggestions:
1.) Get the 6600GT instead for only $25 more after rebate. $125
2.) Samsung 160GB SATA-3.0Gb/s. $80

Even though you said you don't frequently play games, the little extra cash needed for the 6600GT over the standard 6600 is well well worth the money.

;)
 
DejaWiz said:
My suggestions:
1.) Get the 6600GT instead for only $25 more after rebate. $125
2.) Samsung 160GB SATA-3.0Gb/s. $80

Even though you said you don't frequently play games, the little extra cash needed for the 6600GT over the standard 6600 is well well worth the money.

;)
Click to expand...
1) yea...I mean it though when I say that I REALLY play games rarely (like once a month if that), and I'd rather spend the money on my camera equipment. Thats what the computer is mostly gonna be for anyway, photo editing, so I figure having 256mb on the vidcard is better. Am I wrong about that?
2) Can I use a SATA-3.0g/s with that mobo? I thought it only had SATA-150? I know the pricier version of that motherboard has the better SATA, but....hmm. something to look into. Thanks!
 
Dagatech said:
1) yea...I mean it though when I say that I REALLY play games rarely (like once a month if that), and I'd rather spend the money on my camera equipment. Thats what the computer is mostly gonna be for anyway, photo editing, so I figure having 256mb on the vidcard is better. Am I wrong about that?
2) Can I use a SATA-3.0g/s with that mobo? I thought it only had SATA-150? I know the pricier version of that motherboard has the better SATA, but....hmm. something to look into. Thanks!
Click to expand...
1.) Well, yes and no. If you're doing professional 3D rendering, then more vram will help if you have a gpu to compliment the software being used for rendering (eg: Quadro). With photography and video editing, go for system ram quantity. For your needs, the standard 6600 sounds like it'll work great. Also check out the Radeon X700 256MB if you don't care about NV vs. ATI. About the same price range.

2.) Yes, the SATA-3.0 drives are backwards compatible with the SATA-1.5 plugs. Obviously, this won't make a difference unless you plan to upgrade the mobo down the road that has SATA-3.0 plugs.
 
You could check out the ATI X550/500 line. They are around $50 and will work fine for what you are wanting to do. They are equivalent to a 9600XT in performance.

I also noticed that you are going with cheap speakers. If you need a 2.1 system and want your music to sound good. I suggest the newest 2.1 set from Klipsh...I think they are called GMX or somthing like that. I just built a system with those speakers and the client loves them. They were around 133 + shipping when I bought them from newegg.

I hope this helps you.

Lyquist
 
If you aren't gaming, and doing lots of multimedia stuff instead, dump the athlon for a Pentium4 630. It is a bit pricier (@ $176 on newegg) but will kick the crap out of the athlon in encoding/editing/multimedia type apps. Plus, with HT support, it will give you much better speed while multitasking.
 
NulloModo said:
If you aren't gaming, and doing lots of multimedia stuff instead, dump the athlon for a Pentium4 630. It is a bit pricier (@ $176 on newegg) but will kick the crap out of the athlon in encoding/editing/multimedia type apps. Plus, with HT support, it will give you much better speed while multitasking.
Click to expand...
This might be a fathomable option, albeit a more expensive one.

OP: Could you list the programs you use for encoding/editing/multimedia?
 
Okay, responding in order:
- The ATI 5xx line looks interesting, I will consider that. I don't care about nvidia vs. ati, so whatever
- I am getting the cheap 2.1 speakers because I have my Logitech z-560's at home on the East coast and will be bringing them out here over thanksgiving. I just want to have something to use temporarily.
- the programs I use are Photoshop CS2, Camera RAW, and watching (not editing) video. While the Pentium might be better for Photoshop, considering I'm not a pro and just do this for fun, would it really make such a big difference? If not, i'd rather save the $30 and put it towards camera stuf.

also, what motherboard would you suggest for a pentium chip? I don't care about overclocking, I just want stability and upgradeability(I don't want to run out of SATA or IDE slots, etc)

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

So my updated config is below, some stuff is cheaper at ZZF + free shipping so I'm splitting the order. I'll check about the different vid card.

Newegg (3-Day)
CHAINTECH SE6600 Geforce 6600 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - REFURB - $85.00
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - OEM - $38.98
Logitech X-230 32 Watts RMS 2.1 Speaker - OEM - $29.99
XClio 450BL ATX 450W Power Supply - Retail - $52.50

ZipZoomFly (free 2nd day shipping)
Hitachi Deskstar T7K250 160GB Serial ATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer - $81
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Model ADA3000BPBOX - Retail - $146.00
EPOX EP-9NPA+ULTRA nForce4 Ultra Skt939 DDR w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, RAID/SATA II Retail - $98
Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 CAS2.5 Value Select Retail - $89
 
okay, played around with it some and came up with i think the best I can get for the money.

Newegg (3-Day)
SAPPHIRE 100118L Radeon X550 128MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - REFURB- $59
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - OEM - $39
Logitech X-230 32 Watts RMS 2.1 Speaker - OEM - $30
FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply - Retail - $50
Tax - $13
Shipping - $19
Total - $209

ZipZoomFly (free 2nd day shipping)
Hitachi Deskstar 7K80 80GB Serial ATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer - $59
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Model ADA3000BPBOX - Retail - $146.00
EPOX EP-9NPA+ULTRA nForce4 Ultra Skt939 DDR w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, RAID/SATA II Retail - $98
Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 CAS2.5 Value Select Retail - $89
Tax - ~~$34
Total - $426

Overall Total - $635
I was hoping to get it below $600, but somehow I just don't think it's gonna happen. Oh well, I'll just skip a couple meals and it will end up the same :)
 
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