Search
Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in

Please Critique this Photo-Video Editing Build before I Buy 7-4-09

Last response: in Systems
Share

Seeking fast, quiet and low heat system that will go together with minimum issues as this is my first build. Purpose- General use and photo / video editing using PhotoShop and Pinnacle software. (Will potentially be using the system with a 47" HDTV if the noise level and size can be kept to a minimum.) Budget- $600 or less.

Note- Considered GA-MA790X-UD4P paired with a Radeon 4870 graphics card instead of the GA-MA790GP, but increased the cost. Not sure there is enough gain given my application. Look forward to your comments / advise.

BUILD:
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HDZ940XCGIBOX - Retail
211638GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail COMBO PRICE with discounts $254.98

GSkill 4GB 2X2GB 240 Pin DDR2 1066
Antec 300 Black Steel Mid Tower Case COMBO PRICE $89.94

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC $59.99 (after rebate)

208025Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
Microsoft Gift - Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 x64 64-Bit - OEM Free with purchase! $109.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM $60.00

Existing wireless keyboard and mouse
Existing LCD TV/Monitor
Existing Lightscribe DVD Burner / CDRW

More about : critique photo video editing build buy

Register or log in to remove

This will work.
But I think since you are buying all new mobo/cpu/ram that you should go all AM3 and DDR3.

PH II 945 (or other AM3 quad or triple core)
DDR3 (GSKILL or other) (OCZ or Corsair)
similar Giga mobo w 790GX chipset - except get the AM3 socket = "Ultra Durable"

not much cost difference - and sys would be current generation with full upgrade options

I see you are leaving out the discrete vidcard, using onboard video. It's a good solution for your intended use, and you have the option of adding a discrete vidcard if needed (with either the AM2+ or the AM3 socket solution).

I just think better value in the newer AM3 socket solution.

You could also use a PH II 720BE triple core or the PH II 810 quad core. The 810 only has 4 megs L3. But either of these cpu's would be cheaper, as well as the locked 945 cpu. The 940 you mention is an AM2+ part /similar to it (locked) is the 920, also AM2+ - they were the first Ph II's released (pre socket AM3). The future is all AM3, and that's my main point!

But if it's simple quick deal price right now in a hurry - what you listed is quite good. And what's amazing! is that the AM3 cpu's will drop into that AM2+ mobo! with only a bios upgrade! SO you are covered; but committed to DDR2 RAM.

I hope this helps more than confuses.
Related ressources
Ask the community

Thanks SighQ2 for the input. Would the AMD 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1 16 MB L3 Cache AM3 be another good option for my application? I am reading that this is actually a Q4 if paired with the right board and changes applied. If a good approach, your thoughts regarding pairing it with the Gigabyte 790X or 790GX?
Register or log in to remove
 
Ask the community
Read discussions in other Systems categories
!