First PC Build (under $3500)

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Culley
Actually, what I may end up doing is use my current PC as my home theater system (perhaps change the monitor over) and use my new PC as my work station.

My current PC crashes on me regularly when trying to encode large audio and image files, let alone doing video work.

The problem I run into now, is when my computer is "working" I can't use it to do anything... surf the net, watch a movie, etc. I know that's obvious, but I need a second PC for that reason. And I really would like to have 64bit machine ready to handle video editting and the new Windows OS due out next year.

Did I understand correctly that you would use your current monitor for a new 64-bit system for editing?
You can get a very fast 64-bit A64 based computer that will handle moderate gaming for under $1000.

If you want to spend the rest on a display and sound system to hook up to your current computer converted to HTPC use, you could get some great results.

To me, doing something like this makes a whole lot more sense than spending $3500 on a single system.

 

[shoRunner]

if you've got the to spend money, then spend it. if you don't have the money then don't. everyone(or most) here do not have anywhere near that much to spend. but if your getting everything including your sound system and nice LCD then it really isn't too outrageous.

are you planning to hook this up to a TV or just use your monitor to watch everything on?

and what games will you be playing?? only text based games?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Culley
Actually, what I may end up doing is use my current PC as my home theater system (perhaps change the monitor over) and use my new PC as my work station.

My current PC crashes on me regularly when trying to encode large audio and image files, let alone doing video work.

The problem I run into now, is when my computer is "working" I can't use it to do anything... surf the net, watch a movie, etc. I know that's obvious, but I need a second PC for that reason. And I really would like to have 64bit machine ready to handle video editting and the new Windows OS due out next year.

...AT ate my reply, but basically: If your computer is crashing, you probably have hardware issues (use memtest86/Prime95 to test it, check your temps, etc.) or horribly misconfigured/out-of-date drivers (and/or viruses/spyware). It should also not be unusably slow while running a background job -- I can still use my system with AutoGK running (it's a little slower, but not horrible, and that's a Barton 2500+ with 512MB of RAM). Upgrading the RAM in your current system would likely help a LOT with multitasking performance. I'd try a $100 RAM upgrade and some better cooling before I spent $2000+ on a whole new system.

 

[IeraseU]

Get a 6600GT (dual DVI) if you don't care about gaming, that has a working Purevideo processor unlike the 6800GT. Also I'd get an SLI board, even if you do not want to do SLI, just for the dual PCI-e slots (could be useful if you ever want to run more then 2 monitors). Get 2 HD's....one for your OS and a 2nd for your file storage/video editing, ect. Finally for the monitor I'd go with the Westinghouse 37" HDTV monitor. Processor, I'd take an 4200 X2. 2gb of RAM is good for video editing/encoding. I like the Klipsh 5.1 speaker set, Logitechs are good also. That would bring you close to that $3500 budget.

 

[bfonnes]

<insert system specs here for $2500 system>

<insert wise guy comment about sending the remaining $1000 to me that is required for a thread like this...>

BFonnes

 

[Culley]

To sort things out a bit, right now I have a Dell Dimension 8200 series computer:

a 19" Trinitron P992 CRT
Altec Lansing ADA995 5.1 surround sound
256MB Samsung RDRAM
Pentium 4 2.53GHz CPU
NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200
Santa Cruz Turtle Beach Sound Card
Canon Multipass F60 multifunction
Western Digital 7200 RPM 74GB hard drive
Western Digital 7200 RPM 34GB hard drive
Windows XP Professional
Philips DVD+RW Disc Drive

When I purchased this system in September of 2002, it set me back about $2800. So, I figured since I wanted to build a new system, but add a few things (larger tower, larger monitor, ergonomic keyboard, more storage) I should allow for a little more money. Judging by the response I've received, most people think this was foolish.

In all honesty, when I started looking to build a PC back in February, my budget was around $1500. So, if I can get away with building a system which is an improvement on the one I have now, for less, I'm all for it.

 

[xTYBALTx]

AMD X2 4200+ $500
MSI NEO4 Platinum $124
ATI X800XL $250
Seasonic 500W PS $129
Pick-a-case $100
SB Audigy 2ZS $71
2GB OCZ Value RAM $180
Seagate 7200.8 300GB SATA $200
Seagate 7200.8 300GB SATA $200
Hitachi 7200 250GB 250GB SATA $110 - For backups
Dell 2005FPW Widescreen LCD Monitor $429

Subtotal1: $2293
Money left for tax, shipping, speakers, router, mouse + keyboard: $1207

I can't help you with recommentations for speakers, router, etc. I would recommend Logitech's wireless keyboard / mouse combo, the one with the charger. Good luck!