APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 0-2 weeks
BUDGET RANGE: 500-700 After Rebates
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Audio/Video Capture, Video Editing and encoding, Video Jukebox (storage server), light 3D solid-modeling (SolidWorks), light gaming, play hi-def movies (mostly MPEG-2).
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, Antec Sonata case with 380W TruePower P/S (if re-useable)
PREFERRED WEBSITE FOR PARTS: newegg.com, zipzoomfly.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, ASUS mobo
OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x1200
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I've never bought a pre-built PC in 25 yrs of using them, but the last two I built were way back in late 2004/early 2005. DW is going thru chemo for Lymphoma and family has 3 PC's that need upgrading, so funds are tight. In fact, I just caved and ordered a Lenovo K203 from newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883108234) for her because she only uses MS Office software, Quicken, Outlook e-mail, and internet and it seemed like the least expensive, least hassle upgrade for her.
My PC has to be next, though, as it's getting really long in the tooth and I use it for just about everything imaginable (Audio/Video Capture, editing, encoding, jukebox (in conjunction with our TiVoHDs), and light 3D solid-modeling (SolidWorks)) and I've done nothing but add bigger hard drives for 5 years. My current PC is as follows, and I'd like to continue using whatever makes sense.
Antec Sonata case
Antec 380W TruePower Power Supply
ASUS P4P800-E mobo
Intel P4 3.0GHz Northwood CPU
3 GB GeIL PC3200
ATi Radeon x1650 (one DVI to 20" monitor (Dell 2007FP), one DVI to Mitsubishi 46" 1080p LCD TV)
NEC ND-3520A DVD burner
Hauppauge HVR-1600 TV Tuner
120 GB IDE Hard Drive w/ WinXP SP3 O/S
250 GB IDE Data Drive
1 TB SATA Drive (A/V Jukebox)
1 TB SATA Drive (A/V work in progress)
I'd like to at least re-use my case and power supply (fantastic combo) unless it doesn't make sense. I don't think I need to go crazy on the CPU or video, but I want them to be capable and have a little longevity. I need at least two firewire ports on the mainboard (3 or 4 would be even better) and need to support at least 4 SATA HDDs. Onboard audio is sufficient.
Thank you for any/all suggestions!
BUDGET RANGE: 500-700 After Rebates
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Audio/Video Capture, Video Editing and encoding, Video Jukebox (storage server), light 3D solid-modeling (SolidWorks), light gaming, play hi-def movies (mostly MPEG-2).
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, Antec Sonata case with 380W TruePower P/S (if re-useable)
PREFERRED WEBSITE FOR PARTS: newegg.com, zipzoomfly.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
PARTS PREFERENCES: Intel CPU, ASUS mobo
OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1600x1200
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I've never bought a pre-built PC in 25 yrs of using them, but the last two I built were way back in late 2004/early 2005. DW is going thru chemo for Lymphoma and family has 3 PC's that need upgrading, so funds are tight. In fact, I just caved and ordered a Lenovo K203 from newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883108234) for her because she only uses MS Office software, Quicken, Outlook e-mail, and internet and it seemed like the least expensive, least hassle upgrade for her.
My PC has to be next, though, as it's getting really long in the tooth and I use it for just about everything imaginable (Audio/Video Capture, editing, encoding, jukebox (in conjunction with our TiVoHDs), and light 3D solid-modeling (SolidWorks)) and I've done nothing but add bigger hard drives for 5 years. My current PC is as follows, and I'd like to continue using whatever makes sense.
Antec Sonata case
Antec 380W TruePower Power Supply
ASUS P4P800-E mobo
Intel P4 3.0GHz Northwood CPU
3 GB GeIL PC3200
ATi Radeon x1650 (one DVI to 20" monitor (Dell 2007FP), one DVI to Mitsubishi 46" 1080p LCD TV)
NEC ND-3520A DVD burner
Hauppauge HVR-1600 TV Tuner
120 GB IDE Hard Drive w/ WinXP SP3 O/S
250 GB IDE Data Drive
1 TB SATA Drive (A/V Jukebox)
1 TB SATA Drive (A/V work in progress)
I'd like to at least re-use my case and power supply (fantastic combo) unless it doesn't make sense. I don't think I need to go crazy on the CPU or video, but I want them to be capable and have a little longevity. I need at least two firewire ports on the mainboard (3 or 4 would be even better) and need to support at least 4 SATA HDDs. Onboard audio is sufficient.
Thank you for any/all suggestions!