Upgrading my computer for Multimedia use

[badboyeee]

I am wanting to upgrade my computer for mainly handling video editing, encoding, and possibly to hook up to a TV to watch high quality video(windows media center HDTV capabilities).

Here is what I currently have:

XP 1700+
forgot what mothorboard (FIC AN-11??)
768megs of PC2100 ram
nVidia geforce4 Ti4200

Main programs I will be using (that are cpu extensive):
VideoStudio
Photoshop
DVD Shrink
watching HDTV videos

I just need help on where to start, as there are so many new cpu's & mobo's out there these days. I don't want expensive top of the line stuff, neither do I want entry-level. I guess mid-level with good value is the main thing. My current set up takes so long at encoding that I need to encode while I sleep at nite. I dont need help with what hard drive, those are straight foward still. As for memory, I need a little help with that as well. Not sure if I need to upgrade my video card, probably do. I am wanting to upgrade my cpu/mobo first.

Thanks in advance

addon:
Budget about $600 (for cpu/mobo/memory/video card) willing to spend a little more, dont mind spending less as well

 

[InlineFour]

budget?

 

[Azndude51]

For a quick suggestion, I would say that you go for a dual core processor like the AMD X2 3800+ That way you can encode stuff while working on photoshop or other programs quickly.

 

[badboyeee]

Okay I just checked the Fry's ad today, this is how i got my cpu/mobo last time.

What do you guys think about these:

Intel P4 640
ECS 945P-A motherboard
$239.99

or

AMD Athlon 64 Processir 3500+
ECS KN1 LITE motheboard
states NVIDIA nForce4 ultra (does that mean comes with video card embedded?)
$219.99

Should I look else where and opt for the AMD X2 azndude51 is recommending..

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: badboyeee
Okay I just checked the Fry's ad today, this is how i got my cpu/mobo last time.

What do you guys think about these:

Intel P4 640
ECS 945P-A motherboard
$239.99

or

AMD Athlon 64 Processir 3500+
ECS KN1 LITE motheboard
states NVIDIA nForce4 ultra (does that mean comes with video card embedded?)
$219.99

Should I look else where and opt for the AMD X2 azndude51 is recommending..

Yeah, you definitely want a dual core cpu. If you are not gaming, a budget PCI Express card will be fine (unless you want dual DVI). I would look at an Athlon X2 3800+, as recommended above.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

If you can afford an X2, you'll definitely appreciate it. However, it will eat into your budget significantly (it's still over $300), so it may not be the best idea.

Here's what I suggest:
Opteron 146
2GB PC3200 (2x1GB)
Epox EP-9NPAJ
ATI All-In-Wonder 9600XT
Fortron Source 450W PSU (if necessary)
NEC ND-3550A (if necessary)

 

[badboyeee]

Okay I finally got the chance to do a little resaerch online.

If I get a Athlon X2 3800+, what motherboards should I look into getting? This processor does semm to be pretty good in the encoding and multitasking dept

And how is overclocking these days? Last time I overclocked was back in the day when I had a Celeron 300A. The Opteron's seems to be the choice for overclocking??? Do I need a lot of cooling and how is stability?? I didn't like the idea of my computer sounding like a vacuum cleaner, but if it turns my $150 cpu to a $500 one, then I can possibly be looking into it.

The Opteron is labeled as a server/workstation processor. Anyone know of a website the shows comparison results with it and the rest of the AMD lineup?

 

[badboyeee]

Those dual cores are would eat my budget, but I am so tempted to spend $120 more on them. I am still currently debating on getting the Opty 144/146 or 165. Then probably get one of those DFI LP NF4 Ultra D motherboard. And one of those AIW PCI-E video cards.

I plan to overclock safely, what wattage of PSU do I need (considering all those components above)? The case im looking at here has an Antec SmartPower 400w:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129157

Ahhh so much to read and learn...

 

[badboyeee]

anybody?? help pleasee

 

[badboyeee]

bump

 

[alimoalem]

the 400w should be fine. i would go with:

Opteron 165 (look around and you can get it for $300)
DFI motherboard (Ultra maybe?)
2gb or Corsair, OCZ, other name brand VALUE ram (whichever is cheapest)
VGA: 9600XT is AGP only from my knowledge. find the cheapest PCI-e card (maybe x300) for now

that should come to around $600

 

[badboyeee]

thanks for the reply!

I am wanting to get the cpu/mobo deal at Monarch and get the Opt 165 with DFI LP Ultra D. Now Im worried about what HSF I should get, there are only a few options. Would the stock HSF be efficient for OC? Since they must stick the HSF to the CPU, I heard once its on, it will be very difficult to change...

And dont I need to OC my memory to? Since its linked to OC'ing the cpu in some way? What brand/model is best for that?

 

[badboyeee]

Would a budget pci-e like the x300 run games better than my ti4200??