Do I need a new computer?

[Squisher]

My biggest gripe about my circa 2002 computer usually comes when I'm doing multiple things at once. Like watching something with my TV tuner card and then clicking on a Youtube video. Everthing gets super choppy. Even clicking on a link to a webpage with a busy interface will cause my tuner card to fall flat on its face. I don't do any gaming on my PC.

Present rig:
XP pro
Pentium 4 2.4GHz@2.8GHz on a ABIT IT7-MAX2ver2
2 GB OCZ PC4200 running syncronous with bus
Leadtek Geforce 4 4200 (running fanless with a Zalman HS)
2@Seagate 60 GB SATA (Raid 0)
DVICO Fusion Lite HDTV tuner card
Cheap 5 channel sound card (I think it was a Pine)
Thermaltake 350w fanless PS (20+4 and no pci-E connector)


Seeing how I'm not one to need a lot of storage I'd like to try out an SSD setup (btw-I have a 250 GB network drive set up if I really needed it) As you can tell, I really like QUIET too. Any fans on MB or Vid card I'll be looking to convert to fanless. I even have 120mm 17 db fan on my CPU.

I'm not married to the thought of getting the latest and greatest either.

 

[lxskllr]

If you're trying to do it on the cheap, I'd go for a low-mid end C2D system.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Just go to your local reatialer and pick up an OEM system in your price range.

You don't need SSD and IMO its not worth the price right now. No since in paying $500-$900 on a good syste, then spend another $140 on a 60GB SSD or $320 on a 128GB SSD.

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Su...ubCategory=636&Tpk=SSD

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
Just go to your local reatialer and pick up an OEM system in your price range.

You don't need SSD and IMO its not worth the price right now. No since in paying $500-$900 on a good syste, then spend another $140 on a 60GB SSD or $320 on a 128GB SSD.

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Su...ubCategory=636&Tpk=SSD

I would prefer to build it myself even though that might not be the most cost effective solution. There are too many mods that I'll want to do to make it dead silent. The SSD is unnecessary luxury that I desire and can get away with a 64GB, easily.

My main concerns were what cpu, what vid card (I've seen fanless 8600GT's) and do I need to upgrade my power supply (do they sell pci-E adapters? will today's mobo accept the 20+4 connector?).

 

[elconejito]

If you're not gaming, you can probably get away with onboard video. I recently built a fileserver using an AMD CPU (one of their 45W versions) and an Asus mobo based on the Nvidia 8200 chipset. I put a Xigmatek 1283 without the fan on the CPU. It has one fan for rear exhaust, plus the PSU fan which barely runs. It is near silent from right next to it, and silent from a few feet away. Even with 5 drives in it, it only pulls a max of about 85W from the wall.

You could also go with one of the Intel based boards. You'll get a little better performance from the CPU, but I don't like their onboard video at all.

If you aren't doing any gaming, you could go as low as an 8400GT from Nvidia which still offers full video acceleration.

 

[magreen]

Yep, there's tons of solutions for you. You have to decide your price range and what your needs are.

At the low end, for just running the apps smoothly that you mentioned in the OP, you could get away with any low end to midrange dual core from intel or amd. You could replace the innards of your pc for $150 and you'd be all set.

But the sky's the limit. Depends on what you want, and how much you want to future-proof your system.