Time to assemble a new pc!

[katzdvd]

Ok, looking to build a new system here. I have been "out of the loop" for quite awhile on the latest & greatest components, esp. since Leo & Patrick aren't on TechTV anymore!

This pc will mainly be used for audio/video editing.

So, I need some advice on a good processer/mainboard/RAM setup. I lean towards AMD, that is pretty much what I have always used, except for an overclocked celeron once. Some of the "Barebones" kits are interesting. Not looking to break the bank here...$400.00 processers & $300.00 mainboards are not my thing

I will need:

SATA 3.0
PCI Express? - I should have capture capabilities (composite/s-video)
(4) 5.25 drive bays
Other?


Thanks, katz

[Chewy]

why sata 3?
most video work is bottlenecked by the cpu/mem system, not the hard drives

is the majority of your vid work multithreaded or you need multitasking?

[ed klein]

Four 5.25 bays, Alienware has a huge case for four optical drives and your can get your hands in the case to connect the power supplies, IDE cables, and SATA cables. So much easier to work on with a huge case.

[katzdvd]

why sata 3?

My seagate is sata 3, although it has a jumper on it to set at 1.5, which is where it is at now. If 3.0 setting would not see much of a performance boost, then I guess that wouldn't be necessary.

Multi-tasking would be more my thing; At this point, I really only use Nero/DVDD/IMGBurn/Shrink/Ripit4me for the video work, I guess multi -threading doesn't apply to those programs?

@Ed - Yes, I looked at some of the alienware cases before, they are nice! I have a hugh "generic" case right now with tons of room, (4) 5" bays, (4) 3" bays. It does make working on things a breeze!

[mill]

Large cases, plenty of room for air flow.

[Gary D]

Now for your internal HDs, you need a minimum of 2. This will stop any I/O bottleneck on the same drive. (Just trying shrinking to a drive that you are reading from...very slow)

Get a big power supply so you can add more stuff later.

Look at USB ports, firewires etc. As storage comes down in $$, it is costing less per GB than ever before. You can also download your cameras etc


And make sure you get 2 DSL connections. One to connect to your old computer and one for the internet.

@ Chewy: Is not SATA 3 theory not practical yet???

[Chewy]

go for a case and buy the power supply seperately

shrink is 6 threads and dual core friendly, but you pay a premium for dual core
the sweet spot of single core and more overclockable on stock hsf is the best buy

my son built a good gaming rig for about 650$, his 120$ vid card ate a big chunk out of that and his 85$ cpu runs his single threaded games well

you can buy last year's technology for a substantial savings

[katzdvd]

I am not really up on the multi-threading concept. I have read a bit about it on webopedia, others. How will I know if a program, game does multi-threading?

the sweet spot of single core and more overclockable on stock hsf is the best buy

you can buy last year's technology for a substantial savings

Well, I know enough to pick out a good case & power supply

But, from your experiences, would you recommend specific hardware? I already know you like Asus

[Chewy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Category=20&N=2010200022+50001315+1071020466&Submit=ENE&Manufactory=1315&SubCategory=22

go down thru this list, mid range price is best
I would go pci express and pay a few extra bucks for a vid card that your son could use for games that won't play on your old computer, plan ahead

whatever you do don't make the mistake of cheap memory with high cas value

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103037

a steal if you want a challenge

[katzdvd]

Thanks for the insight, Chewy. I will go thru the list & try to get the most bang for my bucks. I will post back here with the selection to see if they line up with your recommendations!

a steal if you want a challenge

what do you mean? Difficult processer to work with? The reviews on it looked good.

[doctorhardware]

Also try Tigerdirect. They have some good motherboard combo's.

[Chewy]

Thanks for the insight, Chewy. I will go thru the list & try to get the most bang for my bucks. I will post back here with the selection to see if they line up with your recommendations!
what do you mean? Difficult processer to work with? The reviews on it looked good.

the challenge is it's got an unlocked multiplier and is an overclocker's dream with the right mobo

[katzdvd]

Chewy, I have been doing a bit of looking at the mobos/cpu's; I like the idea of the AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego 2.4GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 that you listed, with its' overclocking capabilities.

Went to AMD's site to check out the mobos that they recommend to use with it.
Looking at Asus, they have;
A8N - E (Nvidia)
A8N - SLI Deluxe (Nvidia)
A8V - E Deluxe (VIA)
A8V - E-SE (VIA)

Do you have any knowledge/experience with any of those boards, as far as overclocking/other goes; & would you prefer one chipset over another? The $$$ for any of them is within my budget, so that is not an issue here. I kind of like the idea of the SLI, looking ahead for my son's future gaming needs...

[Chewy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131569

these 939 mobos are running out, my son got this one?

driver load is tricky tho

no firewire

[katzdvd]

Hmmm...$72.00, that is tempting! However,

driver load is tricky tho

that bothers me.

no firewire

I may need that it the future, I don't know. The reason I listed the boards above is those are ones that passes AMDs' recommendation on their site.

Thought I would try to do it right this time, instead of just matching components on my own, like I usually do! Thought I might have a better chance of a good stable setup if I went with what AMD states will work.

Pertaining to the other (sound) thread; when I get this setup, do you recommend not installing any of the mobo drivers from the cd?