Yet Another "check my system before I order" thread :)

E

Elijah

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 4, 2004
Messages
175
I put this system together after almost a week of reading. I haven't built a computer since my current Abit KG7-Raid board a year or two ago and have just tried to catch up "again". It will be primarily for video editing and encoding and general office and surfing. We do not play much games. I fell like i may have forgot about a few things but I finally feel like this is becoming a real system. If there are any foreseable hurdles I may encounter with this I would appreciate any input.

I have no clue as to what graphics card to get, I don't play much games (well eve-online occasionally) so I dont think I need a super duper card and we are a bit over budget right now anyways so if anyone could recommend a affordable pci-express card to compliment this system that would be great.

I may ditch the 80 GB eide hard drive and wait on the future expansion. Since the LC03 doesn't have a ton of bays it will have (4) 3.5 bays If I ditch the floppy.

Anything that we could decrease and see the same performance?


SONY SDM-S94/S 19" TFT LCD Monitor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=24-006-079&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Antec 480 Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-914&depa=1

Silverstone LC03 Cube Case
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-163-017&depa=1

Asus P5GD2 Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-506&depa=1

Intel LGA 775 Pentium 4 520 2.8 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-185&depa=1]

(1) - Western Digital - 36 GB Raptor (for OS)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-200&depa=1

(1) - Western Digital - 80GB eide 8 MB cache
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-122&depa=1

Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth (keyboard and mouse)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=23-109-136&depa=1

Nec 3500A 16x dual layer dvd burner
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-033&depa=1

GRAPHICS Card Here - (possibly 2 monitors in future) DVI OUT???

Creative Blaster 56K V.92 PCI Modem, Model DI5652 (I hate creative but just want a fax voice modem, any suggestions)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=25-117-106&depa=1

EDIT: Ram Kingston ValueRAM 240-Pin 512MB DDR2 PC2-4200 (2 sticks = 1 gig)
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-144-165&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

I found a few things to be cheaper at Mwave so I may get a few there and a few at newegg.

Thanks for any suggestions - Elijah
 
that case is hideous, how dare you put those parts in it.

it would be cheaper not to go pci express, and change to an amd setup. you'll be able to get a decent agp card cheaper than a pci xpress. but do whatever you want, it's your money.
 
I agree with STR4K, you can get a good bang for the buck system by going with AMD. The Athlon 64 are sweet in my opinion. Also I am not liking the case at all either. But buy what you like not what we tell you. Its just are opinions.
 
Ewwww, I do not like your computer set up. That is all I have to say. Toodles.

-J.
 
The case is more for looks and not to clutter up the precious legspace. I know it sucks that there are not many slots but it is so pretty and has a mirror like top for the flat screen to sit on. What don't you guys like about that case?? Looks? or the fact that you can't put water cooling in it;))

Well AMD doesn't have hyperthreading, and all I have read that Hyperthreading really helps when multitasking and I dont play games and sometimes I have 10-15 windows open maybe more if I could (hopefully I can with this).

This isn't any worse than a AMD system right? I mean it is still a good system right? We may pay a bit more but I have heard nothing but stability about intels chips and processors. I don't need to overclock either.

I do not want cheaper, I want future expansion capability (futureproof). I am already realizing the advantage of PCI express, the new maxtor cards coming out take advantage of this technolgy and will help me out tremendously when I want to upgrade.

Thank the user Elios for digging this up.
http://www.matrox.com/mga/workstation/video/news/press_rel/2004/parhelia_apv_e.cfm

Do you guys just not like the fact that it is Intel or the case or what?? I need some feedback if I am to modify it and make changes. Ok besides the case how is everything else??

No Intel just AMD?? Will there be any significant advantage of using AMD or is it just price?? I want stability, I hate crashes.

Thanks for your input
 
Dude, did you hear stability problems from AMD? :/ There isn't any. None. They're equivalent on stability. But, if opening several windows and having nothing to do with gaming, I'd suggest HT of course. A very simple computer that you can *GET BY* with. You don't need anything like the next-gen LGA 2.8 GHz, jeez. You could almost be set with a P4 2.4C system with onboard stuff. You only need a good amount of RAM. Now where the heck is your RAM in that list? :/ You need a good editing card as well (that I can't help you with).

Got IEEE?

-J.
 
Go AMD64, this round of P4's suck.
Don't go P4 unless they get somewhere in the ballpark of AMD64 performance.
Not only that, you would probably save some money by getting a FASTER AMD64 setup
 
The board has IEEE built in, I want to do video editing and encoding and general multi tasking. So you are saying a amd would do all encoding and video editing etc faster?

I edited it my original post to include ram.

But I have removed the 36GB raptor and replaced with a 74GB raptor and 200GB sata drive (WD of course).

Keep it coming I hate to hear it but it is valuable advice :)
 
Ok try again, I left the case out.

Antec 480W Power Supply with Blue LED Fan, Model "TRUE480BLUE"
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-914&depa=1

ASUS "P5GD2 Deluxe" 915P Chipset Motherboard For Intel LGA 775 CPU
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-506&depa=1
Supported CPU: LGA775 Pentium 4(HT)
Chipset: i915P + ICH6R
FSB: 800/533MHz
RAM: 4x DIMM Dual Channel DDR2 400/533 Max 4GB
Slots: 1x PCI-Ex16, 3x PCI-Ex1, 3x PCI
Ports: 2x PS/2,1x LPT,8x USB2.0(Rear 4),1x 1394,1x RJ45,1x IEEE1394a,1x WLAN,SPDIF Out,Audio Ports
IDE: 1x ATA 100 up to 2 Devices, 2x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices by ITE 8212F with RAID 0/1/0+1
SATA: 4x SATA with RAID 0/1, 4x SATA by Silicon 3114R with RAID 0/1/0+1/5
Onboard Audio: C-Media 8-CH
Onboard LAN: Marvell 88E8053 GbE, 54 Mbps 802.11g
Onboard 1394: 2x 1394
Form Factor: ATX

Intel LGA 775 Pentium 4 520 2.8 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology (I want a socket T so I can upgrade in the future)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-185&depa=1]

SAMSUNG 193P-Silver 19" LCD Monitor or a Dell 2001FP
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=24-001-156&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

2 Sticks - Kingston ValueRAM 240-Pin 512MB DDR2 PC2-4200
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-144-165&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Western Digital Raptor 74GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD740GD (for the OS)
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-160&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Western Digital 200GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD2000JD
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-153&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth (keyboard and mouse)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=23-109-136&depa=1

Nec 3500A 16x dual layer dvd burner
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-033&depa=1

LINKSYS Bluetooth Adapter, Model USBBT100 (for pocket pc HP2215)
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=33-124-143&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Graphics card is still undecided but I think I will get a Maxtor Parhelia when they come out and use a cheapy for now.
http://www.matrox.com/mga/workstation/video/news/press_rel/2004/parhelia_apv_e.cfm

PCI Express is here to stay and I want to be able to upgrade.
Now lets say I just want to go the intel route, is this a good starting system.


If I were to go with intel and a socket T LAG775 is that motherboard a good choice? It has wi-fi G built in for our home network. Now if it is what is a good case to go with? Are there any other good desktop "cube/shuttle) cases you would recommend.
 
Why upgrade, if the editing speed is very good now (saying as if you already got the PC together and it was already doing well)? That's what I don't get about *upgrades*. You can do well with that PC alone for 4 years straight even, that is until you're handling newer formats and lots of memory to work with that seems to chug your productivity down.

Go AMD64, this round of P4's suck.
Don't go P4 unless they get somewhere in the ballpark of AMD64 performance.
Not only that, you would probably save some money by getting a FASTER AMD64 setup
Click to expand...

This guy has no idea what he's talking about. :rolleyes:

Pentium 4's do not suck. They do better in multimedia than AMD can (though that's arguable). Since you're going to do multi-tasking, I'd suggest you to take the P4's platform. There's nothing like switching to many programs at once smoothly while the other does the work.

However, I sort of see very little reasons to have hyperthreading considering if you're going to edit, you're going to EDIT. Not edit, browse the internet and watch videos. Hyperthreading only comes into play say... 10-30% of the time you use the computer, switching between programs but that takes only a few seconds of "chug" (if there's *ANY* at all on the AMD platform which I doubt-- read: "I DOUBT"). If you're going to compile/encode/decode a video expecting to do something else on the PC without any sign of 'slowdown', then the P4 class would do it for you, then again, that counts as 10 to 30% of the time. I *believe* the AMD can do just as well, if not faster, at a cheaper price point. Exploring the internet and such takes up little CPU cycles that is basically is nothing, so the point of hyperthreading is well... moot.

However, it is your choice. You would have a more "satisfying experience" using the P4 with HT enabled because the transition between programs are *smooth*. AMD may or may not be the same, but it is sure faster.

By the way, why do you keep misspelling "maxtor"? It's Matrox. Shrug.

Edit: I realized I may be biased towards HT, but I know the fact that HT *can* help even if you're using ONE program at a time. So, it can give a slight boost. However, due to benchmarks provided, it is proven that "boost" is only helpful if you want that smooth experience, but the A64 can do it much quicker but not as "smoothly".

-J.
 
My editing speed sucks on this machine and Premiere says "recommended" processor is around 3 Ghz for real time editing.

This computer is actually for my girlfriend... Hold ON .... I get to use it :) I know she will never use the power of it but I will encoding a divx movie takes forever and I sure dont want to waste my money on a AMD if a INTEL can do it faster. I also would like to do other stuff while it is encoding and not have the system crawl to a halt.

A raptor HD with a gig of ram and a nice pentium has got to be faster than what I have now.

I just want to know if it will be a good solid system, she is paying for it and said specifically that she wants it to be upgradable in 10 years, well I told her NO WAY but we can do what we can and make it somewhat upgradable. Hence the PCI express and socket T. I can upgrade the processor in 2 years and possibly add on 2 more gig sticks of memory and 2 500 gb raptors when they come around etc.. It is very upgradeable all the old stuff is not.

It isn't a point of money entirely it is a point of a good solid stable system with some level of robustness to it.

So regardless of amd or whatever, is this a good system or will I have problems with it, nevermind what is cheaper.

I think I am just goint to build it since I have not gotten any constructive criticism on it. If all I am going to get is comments on the case being ugly then it must be a good system.
 
I was thinking that your 2.8 GHz may not be "good enough" for your *everyday* hardcore editing. Maybe the actual 3 GHz mark or 3.2/4/6 may be good (depending on your budget) since Premiere says so. I believe you will be set with a P4. But your case definitely needs a change. That 2.8 GHz is hot; that case will not even help you one bit. The choice of 74 GB Raptor and 200 GB is good. However, why not 250 GB? I've seen a deal on it for cheap. Since editing will surely take up a great bunch of gigabytes, wouldn't you rather get some extra space (just a suggestion, though not necessary). I'd say just about every one of your choices is adequate. But hold on to that Parhelia. Wait for the reviews. I wonder, is the ATI Fire GL or nVidia Quadro FX any good? Aren't they the same type? Faster? Who knows, research on those if you wish.

Otherwise, you're good to go.

P.S. I still don't see the value of upgrading it-- you may want to go ALL OUT top notch and just get a completely new PC 4 years later.

-J.
 
Thanks Geforce, Well maybe we will get the 3.0 Ghz then and you are right about the 250 GB drive instead of 200, was just trying to save a few bucks because when I finally use all that space the prices will have dropped a bit even more.

So what case would you suggest then, I like the desktop version's alot. A tower is a possibility and would save some cash but I am open to suggestions on the case and I also forgot to mention that I would like for it to be fairly quiet, not super expensive quiet but just not noisy as %$#@.

I am going to get this for right now, no need to spend anything more if I plan on upgrading later but yes I will definately check out the review before I buy on the Maxtor.
Albatron nVIDIA GeForce PCX 5300 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 64-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, PCI-Express
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-170-067&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

Thanks Geforce
 
Okay-- not very sure if you'd like it but I did have experience with building it-- The Antec Performance Case which comes with a TruPower 430 Watts PSU (which is more than enough, believe me). I was actually amazed that it was silent as well, not louder than my other Chieftec case which is getting annoying right now because the fans whir constantly. The case is sturdy, strong, good quality. The only downside is that price-- but that case SHOULD last you LONG enough through SEVERAL upgrades. That's my only positive suggestion.

There are others such as Lian Li, of course, or the Tsunami case, Cool Master Wave-type cases? They have good intake/outtake which is the utmost importance in any case. Silent? They're not that bad I would assume. They have 120 MM blowholes though, which is a positive thing-- silent it would be. Just a suggestion. Go to the case forums (IS THERE EVEN ONE?...) and simply look around. =)

Edit: Link to Antec Performance Case: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-115&depa=0

-J.
 
That looks great, we had just decided on the Thermaltake VA3000 Dream Tower Tsunami VA3000SWA ATX Case with Transparent X type side panel window
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-133-133&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE

She did not particularly care for the side window but loved the leds on it, but this case you show here will save a $100 and not have a side window and also no leds but we will see.

What would you do regardless of price? Thermal take with antec 480 trueblue or the antec with antec 430?? I will show her tomorrow and I think she will like the Antec combo more. I may overclock it a tiny bit but I think the 430 watt should handle most of what we put on it.

Also we just attempted to order the Dell 2005FPW for $555.00. (have to call back tomorrow, codes got messed up)
 
You know what... Thermaltake's a better solution. It does have 120 MM compared to Antec's 80's. So, yes, Tsunami all the way. =) (And compare the price... :eek:!!!) Wait, you're adding in a 480 Watt PSU? If so, then that jacks up the price, a $50 dollars investment is good enough. 480 or 430 watts is more than enough either way.

-J.
 
Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth <-- Come with USB Bluetooth adapter.
 
GeForceX said:
This guy has no idea what he's talking about. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Except for the fact that I own several Intel setups and a few AMD systems... oh, did I mention I build, test, and repair them for a living? How's that for not knowing what I'm talking about.
GeForceX said:
Pentium 4's do not suck. They do better in multimedia than AMD can (though that's arguable). Since you're going to do multi-tasking, I'd suggest you to take the P4's platform. There's nothing like switching to many programs at once smoothly while the other does the work.
Click to expand...
The only way a p4 would be better is if he's doing the entire system on a constrained budget, in any other case he would need over 4ghz to match stock speeds of many amd64's
GeForceX said:
However, it is your choice. You would have a more "satisfying experience" using the P4 with HT enabled because the transition between programs are *smooth*. AMD may or may not be the same, but it is sure faster.
Click to expand...
A bit misleading... if you are using a couple resource-intensive tasks the multiple logical cores of a p4ht will show a tad smoother task switching... compared to a single-core amd. In all other cases, a dual-core amd blows any intel chip out of the water.
GeForceX said:
Edit: I realized I may be biased towards HT, but I know the fact that HT *can* help even if you're using ONE program at a time. So, it can give a slight boost. However, due to benchmarks provided, it is proven that "boost" is only helpful if you want that smooth experience, but the A64 can do it much quicker but not as "smoothly".

-J.
Click to expand...

Quite evident about the bias, but nevertheless an argument brought up time and time again... if you want a cheap multimedia pc, go p4 with HT, if you want a real system, go dual-core amd.
 
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