Some questions and new build advice

[velillen]

ok this computer is for my parents but they sorta want something specific so bear with me. I also do have some question.

Just some back story...basically my parents computer just died. Won't turn on...they went and got a new power supply but that still didn't fix and seeing as the computer is 5 years old they don't want to spend money taking it and paying someone to fix it. Instead they want a new pc. I will be building it eventually when i go back home.

This computer will primarily be used for converting old vhs tapes to dvd as well as video editing. picture editing is also included in that. Also converting video's to ipod formats and other media related work. not for gaming all work pretty much.

The budget is around $1000 (willing to go over but not to much) and everything is being bought from newegg.com (the site my parents trust) and i try to avoid to many rebates since i am not sure when they will actually order parts.

They will be reusing a few parts HOWEVER i do have some questions about that. (to be addressed later) The primary reused parts are keyboard, mouse, monitor, and HOPEFULLY hard drive and dvd burner.

have looked over some topics and the key thing is this system will not be overclocked at all and will probably be their computer for another 3-5 years so something sort of high end would be the best.


Now for the parts...

1.) Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail $189.99

wanted to go quad-core but to expensive for everything they need

2.) GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $96.99

Seems to have pretty much everything they need.

3.) EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $269.99

i've heard this is a great card and is probably more than they need but it'll last them a long time.

4.) OCZ Gold 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2G8004GK - Retail $103.99

4 gigs...cheap and should be way better than their current stuff.

5.) Antec NeoPower 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail $99.99

this i'm sure can be something else. Trying to find something around 500-600W that isn't incredibly expensive (any recommendations on cheaper brands or something?)

6.) Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $104.99
had good luck with WD in the past so might as well stick to them.

total right now is $865.94 which leave about $150 for an OS and a case. and those two things are something they can decide on so pretty much that is the price i have in mind for those listed components.

Now for a question.

The motherboard i chose only has one slot for an IDE cable (2 device max) however my parents would like to be able to reuse their current hard drive (a IDE hard drvie) as well as reuse their dvd burner (also hooks up via IDE). as you can see that means it would have to be a hard drive and dvd burner on one ide cable....is that ok? or should i look for a motherboard with two ide connectors instead?


Thanks for the time and any help.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: velillen
Now for the parts...

1.) Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E6750 - Retail $189.99

wanted to go quad-core but to expensive for everything they need

Dual-core is fine. In fact, dual core @ 2.66 GHz might be faster for video encoding than the Q6600 @ 2.4 GHz.

2.) GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $96.99

Seems to have pretty much everything they need.

You could save a bit by going with the Gigabyte GA-945GCM-S2C. It's only $53+shipping from the Egg.

3.) EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $269.99

i've heard this is a great card and is probably more than they need but it'll last them a long time.

Whoa, why the gaming card? Integrated graphics on the GA-945GCM-S2C are more than adequate for DVD and video viewing. If they need to watch HDTV or use Aero, something like the GeForce 8500 series (~$60) would be just fine. For the kind of video editing you're talking about, CPU speed is of paramount importance, so saving $200 or more on the video card is a *big* deal, to be sure.

4.) OCZ Gold 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2G8004GK - Retail $103.99

4 gigs...cheap and should be way better than their current stuff.

Good choice. I think there's a $20 rebate going for that kit right now, too.

5.) Antec NeoPower 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply - Retail $99.99

this i'm sure can be something else. Trying to find something around 500-600W that isn't incredibly expensive (any recommendations on cheaper brands or something?)

Check out the 80+ certified PSUs on Newegg. You can get the SeaSonic SS-500ES for $70 shipped, for instance.

6.) Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $104.99
had good luck with WD in the past so might as well stick to them.

A decent choice. I suggest finding a drive with as few platters as possible, though.

total right now is $865.94 which leave about $150 for an OS and a case. and those two things are something they can decide on so pretty much that is the price i have in mind for those listed components.

I suggest the Cooler Master Centurion series. If you get the mATX board I recommended above, try the small mini-tower they have at the Egg.

Now for a question.

The motherboard i chose only has one slot for an IDE cable (2 device max) however my parents would like to be able to reuse their current hard drive (a IDE hard drvie) as well as reuse their dvd burner (also hooks up via IDE). as you can see that means it would have to be a hard drive and dvd burner on one ide cable....is that ok? or should i look for a motherboard with two ide connectors instead?

No, that's fine.

Thanks for the time and any help.

Good luck!

 

[DSF]

Even if you bought the 8800GT you wouldn't need anything near 600W for that computer. Follow hurt's recommendation to drop the 8800 in favor of something like an 8500/8600 and you could comfortably get something like the 380W Earthwatts or a 350/400W Fortron or Sparkle unit.

 

[velillen]

hmmm the only thing on the video card was well you guys are right and thats good for me to know. as for the power supply will a say 400W one give enough overhead to expand up to a bigger and better video card if they choose to at some point for some reason? thats more why i was looking at the bigger ones.