Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > Buying a new computer

Buying a new computer

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - Buying a new computer

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
Chris_inTO   06-11-2004 at 06:23:38 PM

Hi there... I've been researching for the past little while on what componets to buy for my new rig and would really appreaciate your input/recommendations. First off, I'm not a huge gamer and will mostly use the system for editing DV video, encoding MPEG-2, etc. Secondly, I'd like to have some overclocking potential (I think?) although I've not yet ventured into this world. That being said, I've narrowed down some various componets and here's what I'm left with:

CPU
Choice 1: P4 3.2C
Choice 2: P4 3.4C Northwood (512k L2 Cache)
* Even though my last couple systems have been AMD, I understand Intel is more suited to video editing/rendering/encoding, etc. *

Motherboard
Choice 1: DFI LANPARTY PRO875B i875P, w/audio/LAN/IDE RAID/SATA
Choice 2: ASUS P4C800E-DLX Intel 875P, 800MHz FSB, Dual DDR400
Choice 3: ABIT IC7-MAX3 Intel 875P, 800MHz FSB, Dual DDR400

Memory (I guess this probably depends on which CPU/Motherboard I get)
Choice 1: 1GB (2x512) Corsair PC4000 DDR500 (XMS4000PRO)
Choice 2: 1GB (2x512) Kingston 466MHz PC3700
Choice 3: 1GB (2x512) Corsair 400MHz PC3200

HD/Video
-I plan to purchase a 160GB 7200RPM SATA HD but also install my existing 160GB 7200RPM IDE HD
-I plan to use my existing RADEON 9600 256MB (PowerColor) -- Yeah, I know its not the best

Lastly, I'm really unfamiliar with Cases & Cooling. I'd like something fairly quiet as my current setup is almost as loud as my old Commodore-64! What kind of power supply do I need (overclocking vs. non-overclocking). What about cooling. Should I use supplied heatsink or get another.

Thanks in advance-- Chris

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
ChipDeath   06-11-2004 at 06:37:43 PM
- 0 +

If you want Overclocking potential, I'd suggest getting a P4C 2.8 (northwood) over the other two. Not only will it be cheaper, but it won't be that much slower at stock speeds, and will probably have the same overclocking 'Ceiling' as the others anyway, but will be running a faster FSB and faster RAM (assuming you're running 1:1 RAM:FSB ratio, which is what you want) so will actually be slightly faster than the others at a given clock speed.

The Stock P4 HSF is okay for moderate overclocks. Get at least PC3700 RAM. That'll give you enough headroom for >3.2Ghz without pushing the RAM out of spec.

For a motherboard, I'd suggest an Abit IS7. Comes highly recommended by everyone here, has virtually the same performance as the IC7, costs less, and is slightly less picky with memory (IIRC).

Get a good brand PSU (Fortron Source, Antec, Enermax) with 450W or more, and a Large 92mm or 120mm Fan. Same for Case fans - bigger fans make less noise.

---
Epox 8RDA+ V1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
Summer's here! so ease off the overclock...
XP1700+ @166x12 (~2Ghz), 1.475 Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL 2-2-2-4
Sapphire 9800Pro 400/730<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by ChipDeath on 06/11/04 05:41 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

Reply to ChipDeath
HardWareBoss   06-11-2004 at 06:39:36 PM
- 0 +

Have you looked at OCZ Ram? Case I have an Antec 1080AMG comes with a 430 watt Psu. Quiet enogh for me.

Reply to HardWareBoss
HardWareBoss   06-11-2004 at 06:42:46 PM
- 0 +

I'll second the Abit IS7. Since I own one.

Reply to HardWareBoss
addiarmadar   06-11-2004 at 06:42:56 PM
- 0 +

Ok Ill keep this simple:

CPU: 3.2 northwood
MOBO: ABIT IC7-MAX3 Intel 875P, 800MHz FSB, Dual DDR400
RAM: 1GB (2x512) Corsair PC4000 DDR500 (XMS4000PRO)
PSU: Antec TruPower 550
Case: Chieftec and mod it yourself



Mobile Barton 2500+ @ 2420mhz 11x220 1.7v
Asus A7N8X Dlx 440 FSB
1gb Geil GD pc3500 Dual Channel (2-3-3-6)
Segata 80gb SATA 8.5ms seek
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro to XT(420/730)

Reply to addiarmadar
Chuck232   06-11-2004 at 09:05:46 PM
- 0 +

I'm gonna say outta your choices there:

3.2C
ASUS P4C800E-D
1GB Corsair

As for cases, take a look at the Lian Li PC6070 for quite and the Coolermaster Wave Master looks nice as well. (If you've got the budget for those) Get something like an Antec TruePower or Enermax. They're high quality power supplies. Around 400W or a bit more should be fine. (Antec 430W is nice)

For a bit of o/cing, the stock cooler is actually pretty good. The 3.0C+ have actually got a pretty large copper based heatsink. Otherwise, upgrade to a SLK-947U or SP-94 for top end aircooling.

...And all the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put my computer back together again...

<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k1=6482578" target="_new">3D Mark2K1 Compare</A>

Reply to Chuck232
scottchen   06-11-2004 at 10:32:15 PM
- 0 +

Asus has unstable voltages.

Top end aircooling isn't the SP series now, it's the new age of Coolermaster Hyper6, and the upcoming Thermalright AX-120.

<A HREF="http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/myrig.php?do=view&id=17301" target="_new">My PC</A>

Reply to scottchen
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > Buying a new computer
Go to:

There are 697 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.363 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?