Can someone enlighten me about processors and motherboards?

[bluedeviltron]

OK, as many of you probably know already, I'm thinking about building a PC. But I'm still really confused about all of these numbers, chipsets, sockets, etc... when looking at motherboards and processors. Can someone explain to me what it all means? And can someone recommend a really good motherboard? If I'm going to build a computer, I want to get all the best parts.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Err. There are best parts for every segment. Something that's called the "best" for the consumer will not be the best for the prosumer.

 

[bluedeviltron]

Well I guess you could call me a prosumer. I'm going to be running a business video editing, web designing, photo scanning, and all that other media stuff. But I also want to play games on it.

 

[knothead34]

ok important question what is your budget? we can help spend your money around here lol.

 

[bluedeviltron]

Originally posted by: knothead34
ok important question what is your budget? we can help spend your money around here lol.

My budget for the whole system is around $1000. I don't really know how much processors or motherboards cost, so I really couldn't tell you what my budget is for each of those things.

But please, help me spend my money!

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

Is the 1000 bucks for a complete system? Monitor, mouse, keyboard, software etc? If you custom build do you have Windows XP already or will you haved to purchase it (OEM preferred). Are you going to run Linux?

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

base emachines 939 for upgrade PCI-ex
Corsair value 1 gig upgrade from 512 base
great price for X800XL kick butt graphics card

579 for emachines after rebate
79 for memory upgrade
269 for graphics card

950 bucks for everything but monitor. I don't know if you have a monitor
79 for monitor refurbished but gives you idea

1050 or so total

Sell the memory (2 256 modules that come with system to a buddy etc.
This just gives you an example of a 939 system (that can upgrade to dualcore AMD way down the road for video editing in the future with a superfast graphics card and licensed Windows and gig of ram etc.

 

[Dr X]

I wouldn't really call you a prosumer with that budget, or with your (lack of) technical knowledge. I also dont think you're going to get 'the best' with that budget, especially if you want the rest of your system to be half decent.

 

[bob4432]

what type of video and what quality - dvd or vhs, 720x480 or 1920x1080? what software are you going to use for each area of your business? what games?

i think you are going to need to spend more than $1000, probably alteast $2000 for the box alone and since it is business you will not want to skimp on parts.

 

[imported_Kensai]

A prosumer would need a budget of at least 4000-5000$ for video editing and large bandwidth systems.
Add in the fact that prosumers CPUs cost up to 5000$ each. (Dual core Opteron 875s) and ya spend alot of money.

As michael said, that's probably one of the easiest ways to go.

 

[bob4432]

i would consider ribbon13's rig a serious prosumer rig,