New System Component Help Needed

[RonAKA]

I am gearing up to build another computer, which I do on about a 5 year frequency. Unfortunately, going that long between builds, and the obvious technology changes, it is like starting from scratch each time. I have done some research, and I think I am getting up to speed again, but I'm afraid of making some really basic mistakes (overlooking obviously better choices, or buying components that won't work together), and would appreciated any help or suggestions you can find the time to make.

My objective is basically a business and photo editing computer, and no gaming. My kids are happy with their Wii. Heaviest processing is Photoshop and Qimage (photo printing). Qimage puts the processor to 100% of my current AMD Athlon XP1800+ for several minutes just to print one picture. So main purpose is to get a significant boost in processing speed, and time to bootup or load each application. I would also like to keep total cost to $1000-1300.

So here is what I have come up with so far and all comments welcome to reduce cost or improve performance on a cost effective basis. Note costs are from a store a few blocks away which is convenient and are in Canadian $$'s.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Processor- $224
http://www.bcom.ab.ca/store/product.php?productid=206439&cat=501&page=1
I would consider an E6300 at only $15 more, but I've concluded that I likely can overclock the E4300 to get about the same performance and use lower cost RAM, and produce less heat load?

Asus P5B DX Motherboard- $226
http://www.bcom.ab.ca/store/product.php?productid=205380&cat=332&page=1
I like the passive cooling setup as I would like to keep overall noise down, and this unit seems to get good reviews for overclocking capability. Capacitors seem to be of the better quality type. My last MB was an ASUS and has worked flawlessly, so perhaps I'm a bit bias towards that brand, but have used Abit as well before that. I think the photo in the link above is incorrect as it does not show the passive cooling.

KINGSTON DDR2 NON-ECC, 667MHz, 1G or 2G in kit of 2 $101 or $186
http://www.bcom.ab.ca/store/product.php?productid=205153&cat=380&page=1
http://www.bcom.ab.ca/store/product.php?productid=205154&cat=380&page=2
So here is where I'm guessing a bit. I'm thinking I can get 3GHz out of the E4300 without going over the 667MHz for the memory. Or, can I push it a bit more than that? Limiting to 3GHz would also seem to limit the heat load on the stock Intel cooler. Going to 800Mhz DDR2 results in a fair step up in cost, and I have not seen many claiming 3.6GHz with it? I'm thinking I need 1G if I go with XP, and 2G if I use Vista? So 800MHz would run me $160 and $305 for 1G and 2G respectively. Also, am I correct in assuming I need a kit of two no matter which was I go to put one one each memory channel?

ASUS AS-EN6200LE NVIDIA GeForce 6200LE DVI-D 256MB PCI-E - $58
http://www.bcom.ab.ca/store/product.php?productid=206879&cat=438&page=1
Basically I'm thinking low cost here as no gaming will be done. Does this make sense? One alternate I've looked at is this Asus card which has no fan and just passive cooling.
ASUS AS-EN6600/TD/128 SILENCER NVIDIA EN6600 PCX-6600 PCI-E 16 W/128MB DDR
http://www.bcom.ab.ca/store/product.php?productid=206872&cat=438&page=1
I think the photo is wrong as it still shows a fan. It is $83.

LG Monitor, 19" 5ms 2000:1 1440 x 900 - $245
http://www.bcom.ab.ca/store/product.php?productid=205282&cat=383&page=1
No idea here and just guessing this may be a decent monitor. Any disadvantages to a widescreen? I can also get a Acer 19" widescreen 700:1, 5ms, 1440x900 for $220 at Costco. Does the contract ratio really make that much difference?

All comments and suggestions appreciated,

 

[RonAKA]

I guess not based on the lack of responses.....

 

[larry20082]

ok will try to help Cpu not sure what difference in performance you would see in either choices as both oc well but 6300 does have more cache.I have same MB and works well for me seems to be good but most likely need to update bios.Memory would go with 800 as can oc to 3.2 without oc memory and good prices on memeory right now NCIX has OCZ PLat R2 on sale for a lttle over 200 which oc as well .Video card is fine if not gamin.Monitor LG has good reviews i got 19" widescreen on sale at FUTURE shop for 250 but thats up to you.LOOKs like a good system either way you go.

 

[larry20082]

One more thing might consider a better Cpu cooler Artic freezer pro 7 works well and is only around $25 at most online stores

 

[nyker96]

I personally like your parts except mb I would get Gigabyte DS3/S3 because it's cheaper and will do what you want nicely. OC well also. on that note I would also second larry20082 suggestion of a nice aftermarket HSF like Arctic freezer 7. For 3Ghz+ OC you need it. I will make a small correction on larry, E4300 has same cache as E6300.

If you do office work and will eventually use VT then E6300 will be better for your future needs.

 

[crimson117]

It sounds like the most demanding thing you'll be doing is digital photo work, and I'll assume it's not just trivial red-eye removal stuff. So that means you'll primarily want a lot of ram. Even 4GB if you can afford it. If not, 2GB will be fine for XP, or 2GB/3GB for Vista.

Secondarily, you'll want a fast processor, and either an OC'd E4300 or OC'd E6300 will do very well - there's no really significant difference as far as I'm concerned, and they'll both be a huge upgrade over the 1800+ you have now. Even without an overclock, it'll be a ton faster.

Lastly, and I stress that I don't know the answer to this, but try to find out whether more RAM on the video card itself is helpful to your photo programs. Does Photoshop use video ram, or just system ram? I don't really know, but if it uses video ram, you might want to get a card with more than 128MB - go for 256 or 512 if you can afford it. Also, you could get a 7300 with a passive heatsink for about $10 more. And make sure the listed RAM is all on-board RAM - you don't want to be borrowing from system ram.

If you're watching your budget, though, then I'd put money towards system ram before towards a better video card.

 

[crimson117]

Originally posted by: RonAKA
My objective is basically a business and photo editing computer, and no gaming.
Heaviest processing is Photoshop and Qimage (photo printing).
...
LG Monitor, 19" 5ms 2000:1 1440 x 900 - $245
http://www.bcom.ab.ca/store/product.php?productid=205282&cat=383&page=1
No idea here and just guessing this may be a decent monitor. Any disadvantages to a widescreen? I can also get a Acer 19" widescreen 700:1, 5ms, 1440x900 for $220 at Costco. Does the contract ratio really make that much difference?

My aging Dell 20.1" LCD's resolution is 1600x1200, and I do some casual photo work myself. I would feel very limited by just 900 vertical pixels. I don't know how much high detail photo work you do. If it's just editing your vacation photos, that 19" one at 1440x900 will be fine. But if you're doing more, you might appreciate a higher resolution to work with.

For example, you could get this BenQ 20" at 1680x1050 for about $25 more. (be sure to check reviews; they also had a Viewsonic 20" one for $299, which may or may not be better)

 

[RonAKA]

Picked up parts today. Only took 5 stores to get it all. Amazing what they say they have and what they really have. Ended up with an Asus EN7600GS Silent 256MB video card. Out of stock of the one I really wanted. Also went for the regular format 19" LG with a bit higher resolution 1280x1024. Booted up first time and software is installing now. Little early to say how well it works, or even if all the hardware is working. Video card does seem to run a little warm, well hot. Can you normally monitor the video chip temp? Overall seems very quiet though.

On the 4300 vs 6300, I think both posters are correct. The 6300 has 4 MB cache, but half of it is disabled, to make them both the same functionally.

Thanks for all the suggestions,

Ron

 

[crimson117]

Yeah, passively cooled video cards will be hot at times. Helps to have good airflow in your case.

 

[RonAKA]

I found that the video card does have a temp monitor. Runs at 65 Deg. C. so far. The screen suggests that slowdown will occur at 125 C. Wow, that seems hot. Considering that my E4300 and motherboard are running at 34 C without overclocking this seems very hot in comparision.

Ron

 

[oczman]

forget the 6200le, that card is junk. dont spend 60+ on it. use an old PCI card you have until you can save up for a new one. spend the 60 on a zalman, ac freezer pro or such.

 

[SickBeast]

Ok you need a motherboard with integrated graphics.

If it were me, I'd go w/ the cheap Asus M-Atx board w/ integrated graphics. I think they're around $100, and that in an of itself would save you close to $200 on your rig.

I don't like your choice in monitors. You can get a 22" Dell screen for around the same price and it will probably be better quality.

The CPU looks good.