System Config Suggestions?

[Phil]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

I have built PCs, but did so long ago, which makes the new technology
bewildering. Would appreciate thoughts on the following configuration. I
generally opt for higher end, quality components, even if it is more than I
need at the time. Prices are from www.newegg.com, where available.

Case: Lian Li PC-V1000 (looking for something to keep a long time). $198
Power Supply: Cooler Master Real Power RS-450-ACLY (if it fits in case)
$90
MotherBoard: ASUS A8V Deluxe (Socket 939) $129
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (Socket 939) $169
Hard Drive: Western Digital 250GB SATA drive Model WD2500JD $155
DVD Burner: Plextor SATA PX-712A. $69 (with $30 rebate).
Memory: Need 1 gig, but confused on dual channel, and other
nomenclature. Saw special at newegg.com for Corsair 1 gig (2 x 512) Value
Select PC3200DDR400 memory. $157. Good or...?
Video Card: No idea! Mostly business use, but will run some games, such
as combat, flight, and racing games. Also, video editing from camcorder.
Some variant of ATI 9800?

I have rest of components like keyboard, monitor, etc..

PC for business applications, some games, some video and photo editing,
Internet and some insulation against being completely obsolete a few years
down the road. Opted for higher end case and power supply, as I plan to keep
these pieces when I revamp the PC some years down the road. If other
components complete overkill, please let me know.

- Phil

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt (More info?)

"Phil" <p.mentz@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:FCXid.575013$8_6.412663@attbi_s04...
>I have built PCs, but did so long ago, which makes the new technology
>bewildering. Would appreciate thoughts on the following configuration. I
>generally opt for higher end, quality components, even if it is more than I
>need at the time. Prices are from www.newegg.com, where available.
>
> Case: Lian Li PC-V1000 (looking for something to keep a long time).
> $198
> Power Supply: Cooler Master Real Power RS-450-ACLY (if it fits in case)
> $90
> MotherBoard: ASUS A8V Deluxe (Socket 939) $129
> CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (Socket 939) $169
> Hard Drive: Western Digital 250GB SATA drive Model WD2500JD $155
> DVD Burner: Plextor SATA PX-712A. $69 (with $30 rebate).
> Memory: Need 1 gig, but confused on dual channel, and other
> nomenclature. Saw special at newegg.com for Corsair 1 gig (2 x 512) Value
> Select PC3200DDR400 memory. $157. Good or...?
> Video Card: No idea! Mostly business use, but will run some games,
> such as combat, flight, and racing games. Also, video editing from
> camcorder. Some variant of ATI 9800?
>
> I have rest of components like keyboard, monitor, etc..
>
> PC for business applications, some games, some video and photo editing,
> Internet and some insulation against being completely obsolete a few years
> down the road. Opted for higher end case and power supply, as I plan to
> keep these pieces when I revamp the PC some years down the road. If other
> components complete overkill, please let me know.
>
> - Phil
>

Wow. Ummm . . . the power supply is the one component that probably SHOULD
be changed every time you build a new computer. Regardless of quality, the
power supply is the single component most prone to failure. It is also the
only component that is somewhat likely to kill other components when it does
fail. It's not worth the risk to recycle a power supply when good ones are
so cheap. Example immediately follows . . .

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-006&depa=0
(high quality, stable, plenty of power for just about anything you would
build, and cheap!)

I generally like the components you chose. But then I was surprised to see
you list video and photo editing as some uses for the system. Depending on
how much video editing you want to do, you really should be thinking about
an Intel system. AMD processors are great, and have the potential for best
performance, depending on what you are doing with them. (Gaming in
particular) But video editing is one area where AMD processors really
REALLY lag behind Intel. But then again, if you aren't going to do that
much video editing, you could probably get away with using a (relatively)
low-end Athlon64 processor.

SO . . . looking at the system you spec'd out . . . I'd go with something
nforce3 ultra based for a motherboard, such as this:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-123-222&depa=0

I like Plextor brand burners, but couldn't confirm that the PX-712A is dual
layer, so I suspect it probably isn't. I'd suggest the following (comes in
silver and black also)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-034&depa=0

The RAM you chose looks good. How do you intend to get video into the
computer to edit it? Is your video camera digital and firewire capable? If
not, you'll probably need a separate video capture card. I would suggest
you NOT use your primary video card for video capture. Generally, the extra
cost of a video card with video capture capability is not justified, when
dedicated video capture cards do a better job. I would suggest the
following for a video card. I own a similar card. A 9800 Pro would be a
tad faster for a little more money, but for your stated use, a 5900XT would
be more than powerful enough.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-127-119&depa=0

-Dave