This would be my first home-built PC, although I built the last one from a barebones system and have replaced every part on a computer at one time or another. In general I'm looking for a desktop that will be used for most everything, but trending more into video editing of HD video. I currently have a 6 yr old computer that is fairly maxed out on the 500 Gb hard drive. I'm hoping for some general-specific recommendations for a 3-5 yr machine.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week or next week
BUDGET RANGE: This is a little tricky as I might be using Hurricane Ike damage money (from a laptop that was destroyed) for this. I'm waiting on an insurance ruling. If it comes back positive, then I should probably max out the $900. If not, then I simply want a good value/performance (maybe ~$600 after rebates for what I'm using it for...again I'm seeking forum advice). If the forum members feel there isn't much gain from $600 to $900, then I'll skip the whole insurance process.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Video/picture editing, watching movies, surfing the internet, general workhorse (wife is obsessive multi-tasker), may eventually get into gaming, but don't want to design around gaming.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, maybe 1 video card for dual monitor.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Seeking advice from forum, although I can pick up locally in Houston at Microcenter, Frys, etc. Also, if I go the insurance route, it might be advantageous to get everything on one invoice to make it seem like a single computer to insurance guys.
PARTS PREFERENCES: Full tower case, Windows 7 Home premium or pro (again seeking some recommendations...I like the idea of XP mode for the old programs and drivers for a while, but the price seems a little high).
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe - don't know much about this yet
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Dual monitors 1680x1050 now eventually 1920x1080 or higher (maybe even triple monitors).
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: A quiet PC would be nice. Also, it will be located inside a totally enclosed desk ("made" for this purpose), but there is no ventilation. In general I leave the front door open to give it ventilation from one direction of the cube, but it is still a heat concern. That said, the old computer has been in it for 6 years with only RAM failures a few times, so any special concerns or comments there would be nice.
Also, are barebones systems pretty much gone now? I looked around a little and they don't seem to be a great deal now. Along those lines, how much % is saved building it vs. just buying a full system (especially when considering I need an OS)?
Finally, I generally use up a lot of storage space and want to make sure I have good backups. I'm using about 0.75 terabytes in total right now (~400 Gb of videos). I'm manually backing up to 3 different USB external hard drives. One that has the most important docs is rotated out to a safe deposit box a few times a year. Everything is IDE. I really want to make this system more automatic and modern. I have been researching a little on RAID, SATA, Hot swapping, etc and still don't know what I want to do. RAID sounds the best, but it might be a little dated and there is the restriction on all hard drives being the same size and manufacturer. I like to take advanatage of price deals that come up and I can't take one out to the manufacturer. The hot swapping bays sound like a lot of PR and I'm not clear on how this all works with SATA. Now while designing the maching seems like the time to work this out.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week or next week
BUDGET RANGE: This is a little tricky as I might be using Hurricane Ike damage money (from a laptop that was destroyed) for this. I'm waiting on an insurance ruling. If it comes back positive, then I should probably max out the $900. If not, then I simply want a good value/performance (maybe ~$600 after rebates for what I'm using it for...again I'm seeking forum advice). If the forum members feel there isn't much gain from $600 to $900, then I'll skip the whole insurance process.
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Video/picture editing, watching movies, surfing the internet, general workhorse (wife is obsessive multi-tasker), may eventually get into gaming, but don't want to design around gaming.
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, maybe 1 video card for dual monitor.
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Seeking advice from forum, although I can pick up locally in Houston at Microcenter, Frys, etc. Also, if I go the insurance route, it might be advantageous to get everything on one invoice to make it seem like a single computer to insurance guys.
PARTS PREFERENCES: Full tower case, Windows 7 Home premium or pro (again seeking some recommendations...I like the idea of XP mode for the old programs and drivers for a while, but the price seems a little high).
OVERCLOCKING: Maybe - don't know much about this yet
MONITOR RESOLUTION: Dual monitors 1680x1050 now eventually 1920x1080 or higher (maybe even triple monitors).
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: A quiet PC would be nice. Also, it will be located inside a totally enclosed desk ("made" for this purpose), but there is no ventilation. In general I leave the front door open to give it ventilation from one direction of the cube, but it is still a heat concern. That said, the old computer has been in it for 6 years with only RAM failures a few times, so any special concerns or comments there would be nice.
Also, are barebones systems pretty much gone now? I looked around a little and they don't seem to be a great deal now. Along those lines, how much % is saved building it vs. just buying a full system (especially when considering I need an OS)?
Finally, I generally use up a lot of storage space and want to make sure I have good backups. I'm using about 0.75 terabytes in total right now (~400 Gb of videos). I'm manually backing up to 3 different USB external hard drives. One that has the most important docs is rotated out to a safe deposit box a few times a year. Everything is IDE. I really want to make this system more automatic and modern. I have been researching a little on RAID, SATA, Hot swapping, etc and still don't know what I want to do. RAID sounds the best, but it might be a little dated and there is the restriction on all hard drives being the same size and manufacturer. I like to take advanatage of price deals that come up and I can't take one out to the manufacturer. The hot swapping bays sound like a lot of PR and I'm not clear on how this all works with SATA. Now while designing the maching seems like the time to work this out.