• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Custom built computer help...

B

bluedeviltron

Senior member
OK, I'm currently shopping for a new PC to fit my video editing and gaming needs. I was told to go with a 3.0 ghz or faster Pentium 4 processor, 1 GB of memory, and a good video card. I'm not sure though if I should buy a proprietary computer (HP, Compaq, Gateway, etc...) or a custom built computer from Fry's Electronics. I hear it's impossible to upgrade your computer without voiding the warranty of proprietary computers...

Anyway, I also heard about these new Athlon 64 bit processors. Can someone explain to me what these are and why they are better than anything else? Also, can you tell me how the speed translates (3200+, 3500+, etc...). If anyone has any suggestions, any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
The athlon 64s are better than the pentium 4's in most things (although I belive video editing is one of the few where p4's are better). A64's are much better than P4's for gaming. This article here shows that pretty well. If your not going to be doing a whole ton of video editing, I would recommend geting an a64, probably a 3500 or 3200. The ratings for the amd's are supposed to give you an idea of what their intel counterparts would be (i.e. 3200+ would be a 3.2ghz). The a64's are also 64 bit, which will give better performance with a 64 bit operating system and applications. Some P4's are also 64 bit now (the 6 series) but they are rather expensive.
 
no...amd uses a completely different processor design. 9 IPC (instructions per clockcycle) vs 6 IPC IIRC. also AMD has an integrated memory controller which also helps out. for gaming AMD can't be beat
 
So what would you guys recommend I do? I'm going to be using it mainly for video editing and DVD burning, photos, web design, and all that other media stuff.

Should I go custom built, build one myself, or buy a brand name computer (do any of you know if they are easily upgradeable?)? Also, can someone link me to a good build your own PC guide?
 
Case-Antec or Lian-li
Motherboard- Msi,DFI,Asus-------nForce4
Power Supply-Antec,Seasonic,OCZ--------380w or higher (also, check for good amps)
Processor-AMD------------------------------------3200+or3500+and up (90nm)
Graphics Card-MSI,eVga,Asus,BFG,xfx---------nVidia 6600 or 6800 series,or ATi (x800 series)
Hard drive-Western Digital,Seagate,IBM----------7200rpm or more(80gb or more)
Optical Drive-Plextor,Samsung,Lite-On-------------DVD+/-RW
Ram-OCZ,Corsair,Crucial,Mushkin-----------pc-3200 or higher(512mb-1gb or higher)

Welcome to AT forums! Enjoy the Computer:thumbsup:
 
An Athlon 64 2.6 Ghz would be equivalent to about a 3.6 Ghz Pentium 4 in terms of normal computer usage (web browsing, lighter video editing, gaming, etc). Plus, you can overclock Athlon 64's really well. The architecutre is much more efficient than the Pentium 4's. You can overclock an Athlon 64 3200+ Venice core from 2.0 Ghz to about 2.6 Ghz really easily and stably with ample air cooling. Unless you're doing really heavy video editing/encoding and running a TON of programs at once (which is what most people won't be doing), then you should go ahead and get an Athlon 64. I recommend the 3200+ Venice (2.0 Ghz, $200). Building a computer yourself will be fun, you'll learn stuff, you can save money, and it's much more upgradable. Plus, you don't have to use one of those gay crappy plastic Dell/Gateway/HP cases and instead get a good-looking alluminum one 😀
 
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1371717&enterthread=y
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1520618&enterthread=y

http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfadden/guides/build/index.html

Not too hard. The advantage towards getting it pre-built from HP or whatever is that you get their tech support, and you won't have to worry about compatbiilty problems. However the advantage of building it yourself is far better, provided you know what you're doing. Cheaper, more upgradable, and funner. The disadvantage towards building a custom is ... well, when you build it and it doesn't work... heh. Don't worry though, do plenty of research and pick a reputable vendor (such as NewEgg)

-TPG
 
Whoops. Sorry about the repeated information. I left this page open and thought I already hit reply. And then I hit reply after 20 minutes 😛
 
Originally posted by: Chode Messiah
Case-Antec or Lian-li
Motherboard- Msi,DFI,Asus-------nForce4
Power Supply-Antec,Seasonic,OCZ--------380w or higher (also, check for good amps)
Processor-AMD------------------------------------3200+or3500+and up (90nm)
Graphics Card-MSI,eVga,Asus,BFG,xfx---------nVidia 6600 or 6800 series,or ATi (x800 series)
Hard drive-Western Digital,Seagate,IBM----------7200rpm or more(80gb or more)
Optical Drive-Plextor,Samsung,Lite-On-------------DVD+/-RW
Ram-OCZ,Corsair,Crucial,Mushkin-----------pc-3200 or higher(512mb-1gb or higher)

Welcome to AT forums! Enjoy the Computer:thumbsup:
Click to expand...


Wow, thanks Chode. Is that all I need though? Aren't there a ton of little parts I'll need to get to make it all work? What about all of the cables (power cables, connectors, etc...)? I'm telling you, I'm a complete noob when it comes to building computers.
 
Heh. Yeah don't start building until you know what you're doing 🙂.

Here's my take (our opinions are pretty similar):
Case: Get whatever you want. Least important part, but be sure it fits your needs (quietness and cooling). I'd recommend Antec.
Power supply: You should be good with Antec. If you're building a performance PC, check out OCZ. And if you're into quietness, check out Seasonic.
Procsesor: AMD Athlon64: Socket 939 Venice core. If you're really into video editing/encoding, get intel pentium 4 6XX series (630 maybe), LGA 775
Motherboard: For AMD 939: Try the ASUS A8N-E (unless you're into quietness). Judjing form what you said in your first post you don't look like you're an overclocker... try the Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-939 (wireless card included and all)
Graphics card: For high end: ATi X800. Medium end: 6600GT. Low end: X300 or 6200
HardDrive: I'd recommend Seagate for quietness. Maxtor generally has a habit of dying on you. Western Digial isn't bad either. Avoid the IBM Deskstars ("Deathstars")
CD/DVD: NEC is fine. BenQ is good for their included Accessories. I'm running a Lite-On right now. Works for me.
RAM: OCZ, Kingston, Crucial, Corsair. I'd recommend the Corsair Value Select.

-The Pentium Guy

 
Originally posted by: The Pentium Guy
Heh. Yeah don't start building until you know what you're doing 🙂.

Here's my take (our opinions are pretty similar):
Case: Get whatever you want. Least important part, but be sure it fits your needs (quietness and cooling). I'd recommend Antec.
Power supply: You should be good with Antec. If you're building a performance PC, check out OCZ. And if you're into quietness, check out Seasonic.
Procsesor: AMD Athlon64: Socket 939 Venice core. If you're really into video editing/encoding, get intel pentium 4 6XX series (630 maybe), LGA 775
Motherboard: For AMD 939: Try the ASUS A8N-E (unless you're into quietness). Judjing form what you said in your first post you don't look like you're an overclocker... try the Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-939 (wireless card included and all)
Graphics card: For high end: ATi X800. Medium end: 6600GT. Low end: X300 or 6200
HardDrive: I'd recommend Seagate for quietness. Maxtor generally has a habit of dying on you. Western Digial isn't bad either. Avoid the IBM Deskstars ("Deathstars")
CD/DVD: NEC is fine. BenQ is good for their included Accessories. I'm running a Lite-On right now. Works for me.
RAM: OCZ, Kingston, Crucial, Corsair. I'd recommend the Corsair Value Select.

-The Pentium Guy
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. And by the way, what exactly is overclocking?
 
OK, so how would this setup work? Are there any conflicts? Would you recommend it? What else would I need? ( i know, lots of questions)
______________________________________________________________________

Case:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4150963?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
ANTEC PLUSVIEW1000AMG


Motherboard:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4319515?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 Motherboard

CPU:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4227464?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ ADA3200BIBOX-939 Boxed Processor

Power Supply:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3633755?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Antec True Control 550, 550W Power Supply

Video Card:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4368435?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Gigabyte ATI Radeon X800 256MB PCI-Express Video Card

Hard Drive:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3966608?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Western Digital 200GB WD2000JD Serial ATA 150 (SATA/150) 8MB Buffer - Bare Hard Drive

DVD Drive:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3600676
HP 16x DVD+/- Double-Layer LightScribe Drive, DVD640vi

Memory:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/3956148?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Kingston 1GB PC3200 400 MHz 2x512MB Dual Channel Model #KVR400X64C3AK2/1G
 
That was pretty fast 😛.
Lots of flaws in that setup.

You're going for an ATi card, so why do you need to spend the extra money on SLi (SLI is a technology used exclusively by nVidia cards, it makes nvidia motherboards support 2 graphics cards). But hey, if you've got the money: go for it.

Nice case.

You need an ATX 2.0 power supply. I recommend this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103927
Plenty of power. You don't need to spend that much on a power supply.
Be sure you go to www.kingston.com and check if that memory module is compatible with your board.

Here's what i actually for your board and graphics card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128282
DualCore 6600GT, and a nice board that comes with wireless and TONS of extra accessories.

Oh. Here's the thing though. I'd recommend Newegg, becuase on outpost if you run into problems, they probably won't take your item back.

You need a floppy drive. Comes in handy when installing drivers...etc
-The Pentium Guy
 
See, this comes out to roughly $1300 without tax. That's with no monitor, keyboard, mouse, and no tech support or warranties.

If I buy a Fry's custom built computer for $1300 (which is about the same speed but with only a Radeon x300 video card included), and a warranty plan for $250, and a monitor for $250, it's going to come out to rougly $1800 without tax. I don't know what's better to do, build one myself or buy custom built.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top