Ordering New Computer - Need Expert Advice REAL QUICK

[VanceVP]

I am finally going to upgrade me old AMD Athlon 1.8/1GB RAM/128mb AGP system and need a bit of expert advice on what I am thinking of buying.

I need to upgrade in order to handle editing and processing to DVD videos. My software runs ok on current setup but am hoping new setup will run it much faster. In the process, I am hoping to get a little better performance from AH with the new setup.

The computer is HERE. I don't know if I like the idea of shared graphics so if it will work, fine. If not, I ws thinking of adding a PCIe card like THIS ONE, or maybe something like THIS or like THIS. I am trying to keep costs down.

Thanks

[Getback]

What's your budget?

Honestly I don't like it. Here's why. I'm not sure of the power supply and I don't know about the mother board. Also, both vc are not that good.

[VanceVP]

Budget is $300 - $400 and that's if I sell one of the kids.

[stran]

Budget is $300 - $400 and that's if I sell one of the kids.

better sell them both.

[BaldEagl]

If you're not afraid to build, which it seems you're not looking at a bare-bones system, here's a rig I was thinking about putting together for myself to replace my 10 year old Dell which is not my main rig.

You'd have to use your OS, keyboard, mouse, monitor and speakers/headset from your old machine.

As to savings:

You could drop the floppy drive (I just like to have one just in case) and the soundcard to save a few bucks. You could also skip the lightscribe DVD drive and save another couple of dollars.  Finally, there are some decent cases that could save you another $10-20.

As to performance improvements:

For only a few dollars more you could get a much larger hard drive (I didn't need it as I have others I was going to use for back-up and storage drives).  You could also really bump up the video card for another $10-20. 

All parts quoted from newegg:

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Update11-119-106   COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP Black Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #:RC-534-KKN2-GP
Item #:N82E16811119106
Save   Cancel   $54.99 -$5.00 Instant $49.99
.  .
Update13-128-357   GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:GA-G31M-ES2L
Item #:N82E16813128357
Save   Cancel   $52.99   $52.99
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Update14-130-394   EVGA 256-P2-N761-TR GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #:256-P2-N761-TR
Item #:N82E16814130394
Mail in Rebate
Save   Cancel   $54.99   $54.99
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Update17-182-075   Rosewill Stallion Series RD450-2-SB 450W ATX V2.2 Power Supply - Retail
Model #:RD450-2-SB
Item #:N82E16817182075
Save   Cancel   $49.99 -$10.00 Instant $39.99
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Update19-116-072   Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail
Model #:BX80571E5200
Item #:N82E16819116072
Save   Cancel   $69.99   $69.99
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Update20-134-046   Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR667D2N5K2/2G - Retail
Model #:KVR667D2N5K2/2G
Item #:N82E16820134046
Save   Cancel   $22.99   $22.99
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Update21-103-203   SAMSUNG Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM
Model #:SFD321B/LFBL1
Item #:N82E16821103203
Return Policy:30 Day Return Policy
Save   Cancel   $7.49   $7.49
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Update22-136-075   Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD1600AAJS
Item #:N82E16822136075
Save   Cancel   $41.99   $41.99
.  .
Update27-135-186   ASUS 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-22B1LT - Retail
Model #:DRW-22B1LT
Item #:N82E16827135186
Save   Cancel   $28.99   $28.99
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 Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail
Model #:70SB057000000
Item #:N82E16829102002
Save   Cancel   $29.99   $29.99

Subtotal: $399.40

[Getback]

I like Baldegles idea for the $400 range.

However, I don't like that video card. I'd look into an ATI 3850.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129129

This one is way way better.

[Fulmar]

Sorry in a hurry but...

#1 I wouldn't touch that tigerdirect PC with a 10 foot poll
#2 I wouldn't touch Bald's Rosewill PSU with a 10 foot poll.  The Rosewill stuff is rebranded stuff from Newegg (Rosewill being their House Brand name).  That being so, I have no idea who the 'real' manufacturer is.  In general, I've read several reviews on their PSU's and they don't hold up to snuff.

[BaldEagl]

This is the card that bmwgs just bought.  He's running full graphic setting with it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121267  $69

Adds $15 to the build.

[Getback]

This is the card that bmwgs just bought.  He's running full graphic setting with it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121267  $69

Adds $15 to the build.

I don't know anything about this card. I do know about the 8600.

I wasn't sure about the ps either. PC Power and Cooling is the way I would go. But-t-t-t-t there's the budget.

[BaldEagl]

Here's an 80+ Certified Corsair single rail 450W PSU.  $65 after mail in rebate:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

[bmwgs]

This is the card that bmwgs just bought.  He's running full graphic setting with it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121267  $69

Adds $15 to the build.

I'm running the highest resolution with the High Resolution Packet.  I did move it back to the 1200 range, I see a little better at that resolution.  My frame rate has stayed at a steady 60.  Once in a while I get a slight decrease in frame rate, but it only lasts about 1-2 seconds.  My core temps. are running 41 to 43 c, the second core is mid 30's.  I'm extremely happy with this card.  Now I just can't wait to see what the rig TilDeath will do.  For my system it was a good move.

Fred

[TilDeath]

If your thinking of the PSU's reccommended above, I can get you into a PC Power and Cooling PPCS500 for about 68.00 or an OCZ OCZ600SXS for about 64.00.

[TheZohan]

you can find 9600 GSO's for 50.00ish

[VanceVP]

This is what I get for not keeping up the technology.

While I'm not looking to build a super gaming system. I just want to be able to do my video processing thing at a reasonable speed and play AH with some descent frame rates (I always blame low FR's for my low score) and wife will only let me sell off ONE kid for this.

[VanceVP]

Okay, I've done some checking around and here's what I'm thinking about going with now:

Asus M3A78-CM MOBO (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4016440&sku=A455-2408)

AMD Athlon X2 7750 2.7GHz (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4327030)

4GB Corsair PC6400 800mhz (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4016440&sku=A455-2408)

WD Caviar SATA 320GB HDD (x2) http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3179250

PNY GeForce 8600GT http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4352332

Now my next questions are about PSU. Did some looking around and it looks like all the new PSU come with SATA and PCIe connectors. Are these necessary with the MOBO I've selected and will a 480W PSU run all of this without problems?

I'm going to strip out the two (2) DVD/CD writers in my old system and I've got about half a dozen cases lying around in the basement for this build.

Thanks