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new system build comments for a web surfing, picture/video editing PC

Davegod75

Diamond Member
1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
1. general use, web surfing
2. light photoshop work (own a canon XTI SLR)
3. video editing from a canon HD camcorder
4. video encoding

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
~$500

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
U.S.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.
whatever is the best for compatibility and price/performance ratio

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
dell 20.1" LCD, seagate 500gb HD,

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I frequent the forums

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
starting in 30 days

Case: Antec 300 - $60.00
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W - $44.00
Mobo: ASUS P5Q SE PLUS - $82.00
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0 GHz - $135.00
Ram: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB ( 2 X 2GB ) PC2-6400 800MHz - $25.00
DVDRW: LITE-ON iHAS120-04 - $22.00
Video: SPARKLE GeForce 9400 GT 1GB - $55.00

Total - $401.00 shipped
 
Motherboard: This board is much cheaper since you're on a budget, and the video quality should be at the very least, on par with your choice.

Case: Antec 300 + OCZ 500w totals around $72, and the case is more aesthetically pleasing in my opinion.

Good choices on the other components but if you order your Ram from newegg, it should all come together and it's free shipping.
 
Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
Motherboard: This board is much cheaper since you're on a budget, and the video quality should be at the very least, on par with your choice.

Case: Antec 300 + OCZ 500w totals around $72, and the case is more aesthetically pleasing in my opinion.

Good choices on the other components but if you order your Ram from newegg, it should all come together and it's free shipping.

If the board is going to come with onboard video it needs to have DVI. Or am I crazy for wanting that?
 
I like the case, but I was looking for something on the smaller side.

edit: it appears the 300 isn't much bigger than the NSK case at all
 
Zotac GF9300-A-E $95AR + FS

Seriously improved graphics versus integrated Intel graphics. Plus you can overclock with these boards, which you cannot with Intel boards (may not be an issue for you now but eventually you may regret not having the option).

And if you want a smaller case, go for this: Apevia Qpack ($55AR).
 
Originally posted by: Davegod75
Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
Motherboard: This board is much cheaper since you're on a budget, and the video quality should be at the very least, on par with your choice.

Case: Antec 300 + OCZ 500w totals around $72, and the case is more aesthetically pleasing in my opinion.

Good choices on the other components but if you order your Ram from newegg, it should all come together and it's free shipping.

If the board is going to come with onboard video it needs to have DVI. Or am I crazy for wanting that?

Not at all, would you prefer HDMI or DVI? There's this as an option, $60 up front + shipping, rebate for $10. It has DVI though so I guess that's a plus, or you could opt for Denithor's suggestion since it is a more powerful gpu, just trying to keep the price low as possible here.
 
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
video encoding? you definitely will suffer with an 8400, you need a quad

Well the 8400 is certainly better than the pentium M 1.86ghz chip I have now.

Wouldn't the quad only benefit me over the C2D 8400 if the programs I use support multithreading?
 
Originally posted by: Davegod75
Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
video encoding? you definitely will suffer with an 8400, you need a quad

Well the 8400 is certainly better than the pentium M 1.86ghz chip I have now.

Wouldn't the quad only benefit me over the C2D 8400 if the programs I use support multithreading?

Yep.
 
Updated, I switched to an full Asus ATX mobo w/o video, a corsair PSU, and a 9400GT vid card. Not much more and better components I think

 
So here is what I finally went with:

LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Aluminum Mid Tower Case
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W PSU
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
CORSAIR 4GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz
Samsung SH-S223F SATA DVD Burner


With rebates and a $75.00 gift cert. The total came to $400.00.

 
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