New system configuration help

[Platyply]

The computer I built about two years ago just crashed and I figured this was a good time to build a new one. The issue is that I haven't been keeping up with what's new and I'm completely lost.

I'll use this PC for ripping CDs/DVDs, Internet, home office tasks, I play RTS games and do photo-editing/web pages every now and then. I have a budget around $1K - $1.2K, I remember AMD having the best processors (has this changed?), but don't have a preference either way.

I have an 80GB SATA drive, mouse, keyboard. My internal Plextor DVD writer has not worked properly in months, I've been using an external Iomega SuperDVD Drive, but I'm not sure if the problem is with my internal Plextor DVD drive or IRQ conflicts with the PC. Should I trash both or use in the new system?

I don't intend on overclocking, unfortunately I sleep near my PC and so I'd rather a quiet system. Here is what I've configured based searches to various sites this morning. It may seem like overkill, but when I install a game a year from now I'd like to it run decently:

RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP Black Mid Tower Computer Case w/500W PS (this is an ugly case IMO, but the drop down motherboard chasis is useful, any other suggestions?)
AMD Phenom 9500 Agena 2.2GHz (should I go with an Intel processor? which one?)
GIGABYTE GA-MA790FX-DS5 AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000
MSI RX3850-T2D256E OC Radeon HD 3850 256MB
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB (if I get a new HD)
LG Electronics Black LG 18x SATA DVD Burner (if I get a new DVD drive)
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium (really confused on this one, ideas?)

Also I remember that I had to have a floppy disk to install XP on my SATA drive, is that necessary with Vista?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Nurn]

THe processor crown now belongs to Intel. A dual core E2160 or 2180 would be the budget build at less than $100. If you can afford $270 or so, a Q6600 quad core would be my recommendation. Either processor, a brand name (Gigabyte, ASUS, or DFI) P35 motherboard will be an excellent choice (I think Anantech just did a review on an MSI board that costs less than $100)

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3169

You don't need a floppy for installing the SATA hard drives with Vista64, but if you have more than one brand spanking new hard drives installed (unpartitioned and "unitialized") when you load Vista, it will get confused. I actually worked around that little problem by first installing XP, which formated the drives for me, then I installed Vista. I believe there is a simpler method, by using the utility programs supplied by the hard drive vendors, that let you partition or "initialize" the drives before you install your OS. This won't be an issue for you if you have just one new hard drive in your system.

I recommend a new SATA hard drive. You can get a 500 GB Western Digital SATA Caviar drive for less than $100.

The 3850 is a fine card, good availability, and quiet. If you work and play in higher resolutions (greater than 1680 x 1050 or 1600 x 1200) consider more video card memory, either a 512 MB 3850, or the 3870.

Vista64 works fine for me, takes a little getting used to. Some old devices will not work with it (example - scanners). Check your peripherals via the manufacturers website, see if they have Vista64 drivers.

 

[DSF]

If you want a quiet computer, I'd recommend the Antec Solo for your case, especially if you can find a good deal. It's not the only quiet case out there though. Also, it doesn't come with a PSU, so you'd have to buy one separately. Go with Intel processor-wise. I doubt you'd see a whole lot of benefit from quad-core at the moment, so you might consider a nice dual core like the E6550 or E6750.

You won't need 4GB of RAM, but these days it's so cheap I suppose there's almost no reason not to spring for the extra memory while you can. However, DDR2-1000 is definitely unnecessary. Go with quality DDR2-800 or DDR2-667. As far as motherboards, go with a P35 chipset as Nurn said. ASUS, Gigabyte and ABIT all have good offerings in that arena.

I don't know how much of your ripped music and video you store on your 80GB hard drive, but I know my music just about fills mine up. I'm looking forward to the 500GB SATA that's going to be in my new build as soon as my motherboard replacement ships from Newegg. You might want to look at a new, larger drive. More storage, and most likely better performance.

 

[Denithor]

Innards:
MSI P35 Neo2-FR $100 at Mwave (after $20MIR)
e6750 (2.66GHz, 4MB cache) $190 at Newegg
mushkin 2x2GB DDR2-800 $100 at Newegg (after $25MIR)
WD Caviar SE16 500GB $105 at Newegg
Samsung Lightscribe DVD burner $28 at Newegg
Antec Earthwatts 430W power supply $30 at Newegg (after $30MIR)
GeCube HD3850 512MB OC $215 from Newegg (dual slot cooler for blessed silence)

Case:
Antec Solo $90 at ZZF
InWin Black Case $70 at Newegg (my favorite case, 120mm rear fan, 350W PS to keep as backup)

Hardware total: $850 (after $75MIR)

I do recommend Vista Home Premium 64-bit ($112) as your OS. It's nice and stable and you won't have any driver issues with this new gear. Will also allow you to take full advantage of the 4GB RAM listed above.