NOOB questions...

[senoritoako]

Hello Guys,

Might be a long-ish post. I need your advice

I'm currently thinking of whether or not I build my own PC box or just buy something ready made.

The most demanding thing I do for the past 2-3 years CPU processing-wise is to convert digital images (RAW) to Jpeg. Next is occasionally decompressing/compressing stuff. I don't play any games lately ( I used to starcraft before ) and If I do (again) it will probably be strategy based.

To summarize:
1. Convert RAW Images to JPEGs
2. Internet surfing
3. Watch videos
4. Watch streaming video's

(FUTUREPROOFING ?) I would wants to :
1. Record MP3's someday (I play guitar btw)
2. FULL HD/Blue Ray capable (the BD titles in the shops here are less than 5% of a video rental store)

My current PC is a 4 yr old Dell inspiron 6000 LAPTOP (1G memory) it's not even a core duo.

I've been reading this guide

System Buyers Guide: PCs under $825 (Entry Level and Budget)
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=3563&p=2

vs just buying one at

http://www1.ap.dell.com/nz/en/...o-mini&s=dhs&cs=nzdhs1

Some other shops would be selling pre-packaged PC's too... but they might just be bundling up those hard to sell items.

I'm in IT (Oracle dba), I know that I'm I/O bound rather than CPU... unfortunately here in New Zealand prices are much much much much (did I say much?) more expensive than the newegg prices in the US. I know that SSD+Platter based HD hybrid combo would (a trend in a yr or 2 and eventually all SSD) be best for my experience but SSD prices is quite prohibitive currently.

From what I read in the sticky thread that Raid-0 's speed gain is not linear hence 7000rpm +7000rpm wouldn't be 14000 rpm I'm sure the 7000rpm would be much faster than my laptop's 5400rpm

Since my computing needs is quite modest I'm thinking of giving ubuntu another try on this would be box (if I decide to build one). For my picture processing needs Rawthreapee is quite an acceptable *nix program.



Video Cards:

Apart from 3D rendering uses. Does the OS use it for non-game processing ?

I'm just wondering if I should go for an Integrated video board or an external one ? I plan to get a 24 (Full HD res) inch monitor as well. Do I need an external video card for this ?

As Anandtechs Buyers guide I actually want more processing power than the "entry level" but might not need an external video card so should I just get the mobo+video variant of the "Budget Level" board ?

CPU Thermal Paste:

Do you guys use them ? My friend says that they might cause more harm than good. Is this true ?

 

[TheStu]

I will answer these questions:

Video Cards:
Windows 7 + DirectX 11 will utilize the power of the GPU for additional processing oomph, and will (pre DirectX 11) utilize the GPU using Aero to not just draw everythign on screen, but to 'handle' it as well. Basically, all the window location and sizing and all data will be stored on the GPU, it helps to prevent redraw slowdowns that you would experience if the CPU were doing the job like in old.

Thermal Paste:
If you get a 'Retail' or boxed version of the CPU it will come with a heatsink that will have Thermal Paste already on it (usually a patch of grey stuff). You NEED thermal paste, it does not cause any harm (unless you crazy over apply, which you won't if you use the stock heatsink) and is nothing but good.

 

[oynaz]

Any modern system will do fine at the tasks you require.

Regarding recording your guitar, I would get an external audio interface. They are portable and last forever. You have a lot of choices, ranging from a simple one-input interface to a more or less full-fledged recording studio. I would visit a music store and talk to them about it. You might have to pay them a bit more than if you bought online, but their advice will be worth it - especially as the interface will last you for years.

Some video chips can handle HD playback. Making sure you get one of those is a good idea.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: oynaz
Any modern system will do fine at the tasks you require.

Regarding recording your guitar, I would get an external audio interface. They are portable and last forever. You have a lot of choices, ranging from a simple one-input interface to a more or less full-fledged recording studio. I would visit a music store and talk to them about it. You might have to pay them a bit more than if you bought online, but their advice will be worth it - especially as the interface will last you for years.

Some video chips can handle HD playback. Making sure you get one of those is a good idea.

To be fair, most all video cards that cost more than say... $50, will playback 1080p video just fine. Heck, for $100 you can get a 4850 and that will playback 1080p just fine and play quite a few games quite reasonably as well. ATi's new pricing lineup does make things easier.

 

[bloodugly]

I've recorded my guitar using a cheapo sound blaster (the kind you can find used for almost nothing these days), KX Drivers for the card, a budget preamp, some cable adapters, and Sonar with the Guitar Rig plugin before. Works fine if you don't mind being held to 16-bit audio just to put some ideas down. You might want to check out the Waves GTR Solo software also, its free to use for a year.

 

[yh125d]

The HD playback can be handled easily by modern IGP's like the 780g and geforce 9300 chipsets, or as lowly a discrete GPU as a 4350 or 9400gt

 

[senoritoako]

Originally posted by: TheStu
I will answer these questions:

Video Cards:
Windows 7 + DirectX 11 will utilize the power of the GPU for additional processing oomph, and will (pre DirectX 11) utilize the GPU using Aero to not just draw everythign on screen, but to 'handle' it as well. Basically, all the window location and sizing and all data will be stored on the GPU, it helps to prevent redraw slowdowns that you would experience if the CPU were doing the job like in old.

Thermal Paste:
If you get a 'Retail' or boxed version of the CPU it will come with a heatsink that will have Thermal Paste already on it (usually a patch of grey stuff). You NEED thermal paste, it does not cause any harm (unless you crazy over apply, which you won't if you use the stock heatsink) and is nothing but good.

Just the answer that I was looking for. I'm reading about DirectX11 and it seems that those API's are strictly microsoft.

More questions :

1. Are the API's functions hardcoded into the video card's chip ?
2. From wikipedia: The date released of Directx 11 is july 22 2009. Too new a standard to be implemented by October I reckon.

 

[oynaz]

Considering your stated needs, I do not understand your fixation on DirectX 11. DirectX 11 will apply to gaming, but you will see very little, if any, difference in the applications you are mentioning.

 

[senoritoako]

Originally posted by: oynaz
Considering your stated needs, I do not understand your fixation on DirectX 11. DirectX 11 will apply to gaming, but you will see very little, if any, difference in the applications you are mentioning.

I'm not fixated on Directx 11. I'm just reading up whether or not any cards (within my budget) is capable of it. Since this is a new standard and only the newest card would support it heck windows se7ven isn't out in NZ yet.

TheStu just mentioned that directx11 card plus OS capable of directx11 would benefit. E.g. screen re-draws and stuff (if your cpu bound).

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: senoritoako

Originally posted by: oynaz
Considering your stated needs, I do not understand your fixation on DirectX 11. DirectX 11 will apply to gaming, but you will see very little, if any, difference in the applications you are mentioning.

I'm not fixated on Directx 11. I'm just reading up whether or not any cards (within my budget) is capable of it. Since this is a new standard and only the newest card would support it heck windows se7ven isn't out in NZ yet.

TheStu just mentioned that directx11 card plus OS capable of directx11 would benefit. E.g. screen re-draws and stuff (if your cpu bound).

DirectX 11 does the rendering sure... but so did Dx9 and Dx10. What Dx11 does is leverage the power of your GPU when you aren't using it for gaming and applies it towards tasks that are inherently parallel.

 

[senoritoako]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: senoritoako

Originally posted by: oynaz
Considering your stated needs, I do not understand your fixation on DirectX 11. DirectX 11 will apply to gaming, but you will see very little, if any, difference in the applications you are mentioning.

I'm not fixated on Directx 11. I'm just reading up whether or not any cards (within my budget) is capable of it. Since this is a new standard and only the newest card would support it heck windows se7ven isn't out in NZ yet.

TheStu just mentioned that directx11 card plus OS capable of directx11 would benefit. E.g. screen re-draws and stuff (if your cpu bound).

DirectX 11 does the rendering sure... but so did Dx9 and Dx10. What Dx11 does is leverage the power of your GPU when you aren't using it for gaming and applies it towards tasks that are inherently parallel.

DX9 and 10 does that ? I thought it's new on DX11. So it is irrelevant for my needs and good for me that when I play games it's usually strategy based (Civilization, Warcraft and Starcraft types). The Non-GPU hungry type.

Further questions: Power supplies

I've read from the sticky thread that there is a 80% efficiency certified PSU's do I need to bother reading up or be concerned at all ?

After PSU's I'll be reading up on overclocking as anand's recommendation setup is overclock friendly. My first time to OC.

I think I'll end up building a PC as it's quite fun and informative. Last time I built one was 7 yrs ago with the athlon 1.9 ghz box.

TheStu and the guys -> Thanks for the replies! It HAS been very helpful.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: senoritoako

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: senoritoako

Originally posted by: oynaz
Considering your stated needs, I do not understand your fixation on DirectX 11. DirectX 11 will apply to gaming, but you will see very little, if any, difference in the applications you are mentioning.

I'm not fixated on Directx 11. I'm just reading up whether or not any cards (within my budget) is capable of it. Since this is a new standard and only the newest card would support it heck windows se7ven isn't out in NZ yet.

TheStu just mentioned that directx11 card plus OS capable of directx11 would benefit. E.g. screen re-draws and stuff (if your cpu bound).

DirectX 11 does the rendering sure... but so did Dx9 and Dx10. What Dx11 does is leverage the power of your GPU when you aren't using it for gaming and applies it towards tasks that are inherently parallel.

DX9 and 10 does that ? I thought it's new on DX11. So it is irrelevant for my needs and good for me that when I play games it's usually strategy based (Civilization, Warcraft and Starcraft types). The Non-GPU hungry type.

Further questions: Power supplies

I've read from the sticky thread that there is a 80% efficiency certified PSU's do I need to bother reading up or be concerned at all ?

After PSU's I'll be reading up on overclocking as anand's recommendation setup is overclock friendly. My first time to OC.

I think I'll end up building a PC as it's quite fun and informative. Last time I built one was 7 yrs ago with the athlon 1.9 ghz box.

TheStu and the guys -> Thanks for the replies! It HAS been very helpful.

It was new with Windows Vista that would have the GPU handle all that. That is what Aero is for on Vista and then 7, to use the GPU for GPU things, like live previews, Flip3D (not crazy about that one actually) and the window transparencies. If you disable Aero you lose all those benefits and all windows will be drawn and handled by the CPU, which is unfortunate for those that don't like the the look of Aero Glass.

As for PSUs, once you have a handle on what you will be putting in the system then you can get an idea of what kind of PSU to get. You almost certainly do not need a 1KW PSU, and generally I would imagine that a 500W, maybe a 600W PSU would satisfy most people.

 

[senoritoako]

Originally posted by: TheStu

It was new with Windows Vista that would have the GPU handle all that. That is what Aero is for on Vista and then 7, to use the GPU for GPU things, like live previews, Flip3D (not crazy about that one actually) and the window transparencies. If you disable Aero you lose all those benefits and all windows will be drawn and handled by the CPU, which is unfortunate for those that don't like the the look of Aero Glass.

As for PSUs, once you have a handle on what you will be putting in the system then you can get an idea of what kind of PSU to get. You almost certainly do not need a 1KW PSU, and generally I would imagine that a 500W, maybe a 600W PSU would satisfy most people.

I never had any experience with anything newer than XP. I just finished reading up on Aero... apparently Vista and Se7en would benefit from a GPU. Cool !

I think i'm getting consumed by all this reading that I'm doing, I wonder if this is normal.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: senoritoako

Originally posted by: TheStu

It was new with Windows Vista that would have the GPU handle all that. That is what Aero is for on Vista and then 7, to use the GPU for GPU things, like live previews, Flip3D (not crazy about that one actually) and the window transparencies. If you disable Aero you lose all those benefits and all windows will be drawn and handled by the CPU, which is unfortunate for those that don't like the the look of Aero Glass.

As for PSUs, once you have a handle on what you will be putting in the system then you can get an idea of what kind of PSU to get. You almost certainly do not need a 1KW PSU, and generally I would imagine that a 500W, maybe a 600W PSU would satisfy most people.

I never had any experience with anything newer than XP. I just finished reading up on Aero... apparently Vista and Se7en would benefit from a GPU. Cool !

I think i'm getting consumed by all this reading that I'm doing, I wonder if this is normal.

The same thing happened to me before I built my first system. I read review after review, article after article before I finally pulled the trigger.

 

[senoritoako]

When I assemble the PC togehter do I have to manually encode all the settings in the BIOS ? or would they all be set to the default value ?

I'm guessing the later.. I had to ask sorry

 

[fffblackmage]

Originally posted by: TheStu

As for PSUs, once you have a handle on what you will be putting in the system then you can get an idea of what kind of PSU to get. You almost certainly do not need a 1KW PSU, and generally I would imagine that a 500W, maybe a 600W PSU would satisfy most people.

I imagine even a 300W psu would do (I'd get 400W to be safe) if he's just building a 'normal' computer.

Originally posted by: senoritoako
When I assemble the PC togehter do I have to manually encode all the settings in the BIOS ? or would they all be set to the default value ?

Default settings should do.


Looking at the AMD entry level PC... I'd probably try and get an Athlon X4 instead (and OC it of course...).

 

[senoritoako]

Originally posted by: fffblackmage

Originally posted by: TheStu

As for PSUs, once you have a handle on what you will be putting in the system then you can get an idea of what kind of PSU to get. You almost certainly do not need a 1KW PSU, and generally I would imagine that a 500W, maybe a 600W PSU would satisfy most people.

I imagine even a 300W psu would do (I'd get 400W to be safe) if he's just building a 'normal' computer.

Originally posted by: senoritoako
When I assemble the PC togehter do I have to manually encode all the settings in the BIOS ? or would they all be set to the default value ?

Default settings should do.


Looking at the AMD entry level PC... I'd probably try and get an Athlon X4 instead (and OC it of course...).

You are right. Thanks for your suggestion Athlon x4 it is. I'm sure you've read

http://www.tomshardware.com/re...lon-l3-cache,2416.html

Apparently the shared L3 cache difference is not night and day.