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Build suggestions please

Nitro_APBT

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
139
OK, here goes...

I'm building my first new rig in several years and have been out of the loop for a while.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Daily web browsing, with occasional photoshop/illustrator work, DVD/CD ripping and now HD video editing.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$600 is pushing it.

3) Where do you live?
Illinois. Fry's somewhat nearby

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
CPU, MB, RAM, Video Card, PSU?

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Might reuse PSU (ultra x-connect 500w) it's a few years old, but has served me well. Will probably reuse optical drives for now. Will probably reuse one of my cases.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Probably not, but once I start with a new system anything can happen.

7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
Currently a 21" sony CRT. May move up to a 22-24" lcd this year.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Soon.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
I don't even know anymore. The only RAID setup I could see myself running is RAID1, but that's not likely. Running more than 1 video card almost surely not going to happen.


Now I do have some ideas, but they might all be crap.

First off, I've bought AMD for the past 10 years. I'm not locked in, but when I browse I tend to only browse AMD.

For the CPU I want to buy something that will last me a while. was thinking fast dual core (athlon 64 x2 6400), or a mid range quad core (phenom 9850). I realize that one is under $100 and one is $150, but if I can work out the rest of the build I'd go with the phenom.. I think.

I think 4 gigs of ram is about right, and it seems like decent ram has really come down in price since I last bought.

For a video card I'm lost. I would like something that I can connect to a HDTV, just in case I decide to reuse in an HTPC, or something. Again, probably never happen.


I'm upgrading from:

Athlon 64 3000+ mild overclock
Asus A8V Deluxe
2 Gigs pc3200 ram
ATI AIW-9700 pro



Thanks In Advance for Any help, and let me know if there is any other info I can provide.
 
Since you're not gaming, you can drop the HD4830. At the very most, all you need is the ~$60 HD4550 since you're planning on watching/editing HD content.

You also don't need a 650W PSU. A quality 550W PSU is all that you really need for that system:
BFG Tech LS-550 550W PSU - $67
 
Danny Bui,

Thanks For the reply. I looked at both items you mentioned. I don't mind buying a slightly beefier video card, so I think I'll stick with the 4830, and the PSU you mentioned isn't in stock at the egg. I'm trying to buy from one source for once.

The total difference is about $60 after shipping to keep what I have, and there's $50 in MIR's.

Does everything else sound OK? I'm pulling the trigger tonight unless someone has some other suggestions for me.

Thanks Again
 
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