Some questions before I make the plunge

[MoSuaveA]

Overview: I have not upgraded my comp in a few years and decided that I am going to do so soon.

Budget: My budget is ~$500 for CPU, Motherboard HDD and RAM and possibly a case, but might just upgrade the PS (mine is a 350W PS that came with my ANTEC case when I upgraded last).

Usage: I plan to use this to do some home video editing (move miniDV camecorder movies to DVD) and some light photoshop use for web deign from time to time. Rarely if ever game.

I am definitely purchasing:
200GB Barracuda 7200.7 SATA 7200RPM Hard Drive with 8MB Cache (Dell SB hot deal) $116 shipped
2X Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - Retail - $146 shipped

CPU Mobo combo:

I can either go route A:

AMD A64 3000+ (with stock HS/F) $169 shipped Zipzoomfly
CHAINTECH "VNF3-250" $77 shipped NE
TOTAL (w/above): $506

OR

AMP XP-M 2400+ 35W $93 NE
DFI NFII Ultra Infinity $92 shipped NE
Speeze "FalconRock" CPU Cooler $15 NE (Plan to overclock this setup)
TOTAL (w/above): $460

Leaning towards the A64 setup I think, but figured I would hear what anyone had to say before I took the plunge. Cheaper is always better if I can make do with the Mobile setup.

I do not play games really, as stated. I have a Geforce 2 card from my last upgrade that I plan to carry over, but will this be a huge bottleneck in the new system? I am open to suggestions on a HS/F for the Mobile setp and anything else anyone has to say. Thanks for the read, and thanks to jpeyton for the great guide I used to make some decisions!

 

[mjuarez]

The Athlon64 solution is only $46 more expensive. And it gets you 64-bits, NX-bit protection (against buffer-overrun virus and malware), Cool and Quiet (the Athlon64 chips run MUCH cooler than the AthlonXP, because of the new SOI technology). You can also overclock the Athlon64, if you want, at least an additional 200Mhz.

I'd hate to be left out of trying out new 64-bit programs, because I decided to save a few bucks some time ago. I'd heartily recommend the Athlon64. You'll be very happy with its performance.

Marcos

 

[MoSuaveA]

mjuarez,

Thanks for the reply, and I figured that the A64 combo would blow away the XP when I asked, but figured I would just check.

Since I last posted, I opened up my case to find I only have a 300W ANTEC PP-303X PS so it looks like I may have to upgrade that as well. Any recommendations? Might even be interested in upgrading the entire case now any thoughts?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: MoSuaveA
mjuarez,

Thanks for the reply, and I figured that the A64 combo would blow away the XP when I asked, but figured I would just check.

Since I last posted, I opened up my case to find I only have a 300W ANTEC PP-303X PS so it looks like I may have to upgrade that as well. Any recommendations? Might even be interested in upgrading the entire case now any thoughts?

I figured that the A64 combo would blow away the XP

misstatement there..

if you like your current case..upgrade the psu ..something like this

 

[MoSuaveA]

I figured that the A64 combo would blow away the XP

misstatement there..
[/L][/quote]


I meant in the poll not in performance, performance wise, I figured if I OC'd the XP, I would be on par with the speeds of the A64. I may just upgrade the PS. Thanks for the reccomendation

 

[joecool]

p4c .... my first intel cpu in years and i'm loving it! ~25% overclock!!!

 

[n7]

The Athlon Mobiles are great & all...but it's really no contest.

A64 for sure.