Need an expert opinion on a potential build

[BigRob]

Hey all you guys, I thought I put this out to get some expert opinions on my potential build. I am building my system to do Vegas 4.0/5.0 video editing. My current system gets absolutely hammered when I do my editing and rendering.

Current system is Gigabyte GA-7S748, AthlonXP 2800+ (Barton Core), 512MB, 120 GB EIDE Maxtor, NVIDIA 64MB MX-4000 4X AGP video card

I have run the above system to the ground when rendering so I need something with more beef. I need stability and speed (No OC) on a budget.

This is what I have in mind. Let me know what you think.

Note: I have a $600 budget.

RAIDMAX Mustang ATX-889WBP Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 420W Power Supply - Retail ($46)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156164

GIGABYTE GA-K8NSC-939 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail ($82)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128286

CHAINTECH VGA128-SHMX4000D Video Card - Retail ($39)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145119

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Integrated into Chip FSB Socket 939 Processor - OEM ($149)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103536

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - Retail ($80)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 4X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE DVD Burner - OEM ($48.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152035

Total $444.99

I already have a 160GB drive ready to go, so I do not need a HD.

Any and all opinions welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

[Rike]

How are you importing video to your rig? USB 2.0? I only ask because the mobo does not have Firewire (1394a).

I would bump up to a 3200+ on your proc, especially since you won't OC. It's only about $50 more. Make sure you stay with the Venice core. You might think about a PIB since it will come with a heatsink and you get a three year warranty.

And, since stability is a key feature of your system, a better PSU might be an idea. I have no idea how good or bad the PSU that comes with that case is, but you might want to find out.

Edit: Disclaimer: I'm not an expert, but I know one or two things. 😉

 

[cubby1223]

Well, I'd rather pick up the MSI s939 board that has the ATi chipset & integrated graphics. If not, then I'd much rather have a Radeon 9200SE than a GeForce4 MX. Prefer retail version of the cpu, comes with good HSF. And you really won't see much difference at all between the 3000+ & 3200+ cpus.

 

[kb3edk]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
Well, I'd rather pick up the MSI s939 board that has the ATi chipset & integrated graphics. If not, then I'd much rather have a Radeon 9200SE than a GeForce4 MX. Prefer retail version of the cpu, comes with good HSF. And you really won't see much difference at all between the 3000+ & 3200+ cpus.

I agree with cubby that there's not too much of a difference between 3000+ and 3200+, however if you spring another $100 and get a 3500+ you probably *would* notice it. However it might also be good to save that $100 for now and wait till dual core gets cheaper a few months from now since it's clear you're going with Socket 939.

As far as the case, I currently have a Raidmax similar to the one you're looking at and it's pretty mediocre. Instead of a faster proc you could instead put it toward a nicer case (I like Chenming and Lian Li) and a big fat 500+W power supply from Enermax, Fortron, or Antec. My gaming PC uses a 535W Enermax ($120 on Newegg) and a Chenming 601 case with side cutout ($71 on Newegg) and both of those components just oozed quality from the second I took them out of the packaging... they should last me through a couple more builds until the end of the ATX form factor later this decade. If you ditch the Raidmax and get these instead you should still be close to your $600 budget.

-Adam in Philly

 

[Rike]

Since everything you do is processor intensive, you should get the fastest proc you can.

3000+ 1.8 Ghz 512KB L2 Cache ~ $150
3200+ 2.0 Ghz 512KB L2 Cache~ $200
3500+ 2.2 Ghz 512KB L2 Cache~ $280
3700+ 2.4 Ghz 1 MB L2 Cache~ $340

I think the 3200+ is the sweet spot in price, but that's just me.

Another thought, 2 gigs of RAM. With heavy video editing, it could be a big help. It might be outside your budget for now though.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Don't get a crappy PSU that comes with a case if you want stability. However, you don't need to be spending like $190 on case/PSU. The XClio 450W with dual +12V rails at Newegg.com for ~$50 is a great buy, and it's made by a reputable manufacturer. If you're on a budget, I would steer clear of Lian Li, since their cases are pretty expensive. The Antec Solution is a pretty good case, and it's not very expensive. I would consider upgrading from a 3000+ to a 3200+, since you have the money and it's only a bit more expensive.

 

[BigRob]

Thanks for the great replies!!!

So go for the 3200+ Venice Core seems to be the general consensus. Good idea, I think I'll go for that!!!

Also, it seems like I get the impression that PSU's that come with a case suck. Please forgive my ignorance but what are "dual +12V rails"??? And how does that relate to the connections on the mobo????

Keep the opinions and advice comin'!!!!

Mooseman

 

[cubby1223]

PSUs with dual +12v rails are geared for the SLI setups or for the mass overclockers. In your situation, pretty much any PSU that comes with a given case will work out just fine. I've got a $30 Raidmax 400W PSU running an XP3000+ & a 6600GT, and 2 years running there have been no stability issues ever.

I've also got here a 300W Inwin PSU running a A64 3000+ system that's very similar to yours, also used primarily for Vegas Video, never a problem. I've put together 15 or 20 computers in the past year & a half for various people with the stock Inwin PSUs, and again no problems have arisen in any of them.

I've also put together two super-cheap socket A systems for people using a $25 case/PSU combo. Both systems are still running great.

So again, if you're not overclocking and not running a mid to high end video card, the PSU is not much of a factor. The Raidmax PSU in the case you selected above will run your specified system without fault.