NEED ADVICE...building a Multimedia Workstation

[Sm0kes]

Ok .. I'm not up to date on the latest hardware, and need advice on building a particular machine. I've always built gaming systems .... never something with this much emphasis on graphics / daily business use. I also tried searching around, but people tend to focus mostly on gaming/overclocking .... the opposite of what I'm looking for. Sorry if this has been asked a million times.... but here goes.

This computer will mainly be used for video conferencing, digital video editing, and image scanning/manipulation in addition to everyday functions (email, VPN, writing up Word documents, etc.) Some of the software that will be used, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, HP scanning software, video conferencing software.

Constraints:

1. Budget of about ~$800 (Already have a nice monitor and all necessary software licenses)
2. Stability is priority #1 (No overclocking necessary).
3. Want to go the Intel path (want to stay away from AMD)
4. Want to maintain upgradability (want to shy away from integrated solutions).
5. Need 4 USB 2.0 ports
6. And of course, the standard modem/ethernet/floppy/etc/sound card is necessary.
7. Need at least 60GB of space (80GB would work better ... if possible).


Anyone have any suggestions? Which are stablest boards? Video card good for graphics? I'd be willing to get a really great core (cpu/mobo/vid card/ram) and skimp on the rest if necessary.


Thanks!!

sm0kes

 

[InlineFive]

AMD is stable, as long as you shy away from VIA. VIA's latest chipsets are better but nothing like the nForces based off what I hear. Sorry I can't give anymore help but I haven't built any workstation computers.

-Por

 

[beatle]

Pour all of your money into CPU/MB/RAM. A good video card will excel at 3d, but they are on fairly level ground as far as 2d goes. If you really won't be gaming and you want the best absolute 2d, get a Matrox.

I like AMD (see sig ) but Intel has multimedia apps down hard, especially if you can't afford the Athlon 64/FX line. I say go with an Abit IS7, a gig of PC3200, and a P4 2.8C. If you can wait another month, 72 gig Raptors will be released. You'll definitely want a 10krpm drive (scsi would likely put you out of your budget) for multimedia apps.

 

[Sm0kes]

Thanks for the suggestions guys ....

1GB of PC3200 sounds about right ..... but does the quality matter?

Buffalo 512MB PC3200 - CL 3 32X8 (Infineon Module) is $86 at newegg for instance.....but the crucial/corsair is like $115 for much higher quality. Is this an issue if i'm not overclocking? What manufacturer would be suffice, without going overboard (remember no overclocking).

I think I'm going go with the IS7 ...

Keep the suggestions coming ....