Security System + Work PC

[AG206]

Hello,
I'm looking to replace a dead security camera computer and our office pc with one nice multi-core system to handle both.

I'm looking for advice on the level of hardware I need to get to handle both.
I've built my home pc so I'm confident in my skills.
I just need a little direction as I don't have any experience in DVR PC building.
The HDD are still good as well as the DVR card.
The HDD are 160gb and 500gb.
The DVR card has DVI out and 16 camera max capabilities. We run 7 on it now with the possibility of running up to 11 in the near future.
The Office PC needs to run basic office utilities(quick books, excel, word, maybe photoshop) and multi task those.

Should I follow one of the TR builds and just add in my DVR card? If so which level would work best for my needs.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/15941

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance
Adam

 

[AG206]

I'm gonna toss this out there... and you guys can tell me what will work and what needs to be tweaked.

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

SAPPHIRE 100255L Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V Power Supply

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400

 

[Proximon]

Do you have a link for this DVR card?

We can probably find you a better PSU also.

 

[AG206]

this took some digging... there is no info on the card itself.

http://www.vangold.cn/skins016/products/Show.asp?ProID=212&SearchMaxID=28

 

[Proximon]

Thank you, that does help.

I would categorize this as a mission critical build, so you had best have a PSU that won't let you down:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015

Were you going to run a second monitor then?

You might want to switch over to the more multi-tasking friendly Q6600 or Q9400:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131

Or, if you are just going to have one monitor, drop the Intel build entirely. Go with a quad core AMD and a 790GX board with good on board graphics.

 

[AG206]

Awesome

I will be running dual monitors.
I was thinking right along those CPU lines as well.


So pretty much nothing out of the norm as a regular build... just make sure the foundation if strong? (power supply, mobo, cpu)

 

[Proximon]

Yep, that's a great plan. I prefer Mushkin or G.Skill over Corsair, but those are my top 3 and the price is right on the Corsair RAM.

If you don't think hard drive speed will be a huge deal for you, get WD Caviar green:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136298
They run cooler and drink less power, and so SHOULD last longer.

 

[AG206]

I appreciate the help.

I'll be using the HDD from the old system, saves a lot of fussing with the OS

here's a final list.... everything look in order?
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/TemporaryWishList.aspx

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

SAPPHIRE 100255L Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ

 

[Proximon]

You missed the link on the wishlist somehow, it's blank.

You'll have issues if you try to reuse the OS without re-installing. The HAL is going to change significantly and re-using the current OS installation will be unstable or just flat out not work.

You can try doing an XP repair installation (Google it) but you'll need to back up everything and it might not work.

 

[Proximon]

Parts list looks great though!

 

[AG206]

HAL being the communication between the mobo,cpu and the OS?

 

[Proximon]

Yep Hardware Abstraction Layer. Think of it as the way the OS molds itself to a motherboard. It's a lower layer than the drivers. You can swap out anything on a Windows PC, and it won't be a big deal. Except the motherboard.

 

[AG206]

appreciate the help... next time you are seattle... stop by The Baltic Room
I GM there... I owe you a drink if you are of age haha

 

[Proximon]

Since I'm in Mount Vernon and OLD I'll take ya up on it sometime