computer decisions

ok, i have a few questions. i have several comps right now (3 desktops, 1 laptop). i'd like to make a nice gaming comp (i don't game alot), but i would probably use it more for video/photo editing, and/or making slideshows, etc. i currently installed roxio s/w on one of my spare comps as a test (play with s/w, etc), however it is sloooooowwwwwwww, when it's encoding etc. 1.25 ghz, 480 mbyte ram, win xp home. i really put this on there as the better comp right now is in the study, and the kids use it. i have this spare comp hooked up with a kvm switch by my main comp (1 ghz amd athlon, 640 mbyte ram, xp home).

now, i don't have all the money (well i do - but, want to wait a bit) to build a nice gaming rig. i'm wondering if i should put a better video card in my "study comp", and build a semi-decent comp to replace that one, or build a semi-decent comp to do my video editing, or move my spare comp to the study? what would you do, and why?

study comp specs are:
hp pavilion a1214n
630 intel
pentium 4 processor w/ht tech.
3.0 ghz, 3.24 gbyte ram
pci e slot
spare pci slots
win xp "mce"
250 gbyte h/d

if you would go with this comp (above) for the editing, what video card would you recommend (i don't know crud about video cards).

also, the spare comp by my main comp is being used to do "data recovery", i have the side panel off, and have easy access to everything. that's why i'm leaning towards building another comp. i don't really like vista (i'm sure i could buy something cheaper??), and i have 2 more xp disks (home, and pro) coming to me as i speak. i also, have a kvm switch in the study, and have a spare pci adapter, as well as a usb adapter, so they will have internet access.

if you could also provide some links for cases, barebone kits, etc, i'd appreciate it. thx, sos

edit - before you ask, why i don't use this spare case, or upgrade the one by my study comp. i pretty much got it for free (except the p/s, and os once i register it). it was a friends, that died on here (the p/s connector welded itself to the m/b, which was bad anyways), and i sold her a different comp. another friend gave me a m/b, and i installed it into that case, and finally got it running.

 

All computers can do video editing in 2D. If you're talking about 3D special effects, a 3D gpu may help, but the most important factors are the cpu, ram & harddisk.

If you buy a new pc or parts for a pc, you can get OEM Windows which is cheaper than retail.

What's your budget? What games do you play? Ok with overclocking?

 

i realize this, however i just redid my video slideshow, and it took about 1 hr 20 min to create/export a 1.2 gbyte .iso file on my spare pc (not the one in the study).

that's what i have coming in the mail (xp home, and xp pro oem).

i haven't really set a budget. if i build one, then i'd like to limit it to about $500-600 or so, not including the os, and dvd player/burner (as i already have spares). i'm not really playing any games now, but my cousin has a few that i'm thinking about trying. i've never oc'd, so i would not be comfortable with that right now. - sos

 

Q6600 (good for video/audio encoding/decoding) $200~
GA-EP45-DS3L (or a cheaper board with a P31, P35, P43 chipset) $108~
2X2GB DDR2-800MHZ RAM (plenty for XP and Vista) $50~ after rebate
GeForce 9600GT/8800GT (high def capable; good for gaming) $100~ after rebate

That will set you back $450-500 if you look for rebates/deals. If you downgrade the mobo to P31/43, it's $60-80. It's fine for a stock pc. No overclocking.

The ram can be 2 gigs at the minimum. $30-ish

If you don't game on this pc, you can swap the video out with a $10-50 card like 8500/8600GT which is HD capable.

 

akhilles hit it dead on- the only changes i would make would be either 2x1 or 4x1 ram instead of 2x2. maybe throw in an 8600gt for $60, and I'd downgrade the mobo as well.

 

thx, i'm still trying to figure out what i want to do exactly. i'm thinking of just using my study comp for my major work. would either of these video cards be good (or a good value)?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...C&cm_mmc=Email-_-Main-_-WEM1654-_-100under100 <-- XFX GeForce 8600 GT XXX Video Card - 256MB DDR3, PCI Express, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...PC&cm_mmc=Email-_-Main-_-WEM1655-_-Components <-- PNY GeForce 8500 GT / 512MB DDR2 / SLI Ready / PCI Express / Dual Link DVI / VGA / HDTV / Video Card

what about these semi-combos?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...C&cm_mmc=Email-_-Main-_-WEM1654-_-100under100 <-- AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ CPU Memory Bundle - Black Edition, OCZ Platinum Revision-2 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 x 1024MB) <-- is this decently priced, and what m/b would you recommend?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...PC&cm_mmc=Email-_-Main-_-WEM1655-_-Components <-- EVGA nForce 680i SLI Motherboard Memory Bundle - OCZ Platinum Revision-2 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 x 1024MB) <-- or this and what processor?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...PC&cm_mmc=Email-_-Main-_-WEM1655-_-Components <-- XFX GeForce 8200 Socket AM2/AM2+ Barebone Kit - AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ 2.60GHz Black Edition Retail, 512MB PCIe Video Card, 3GB DDR2 PC5400, ATX Mid-Tower Case, 600 Watt Power Supply <-- or even this barebones kit?

thx, sos

 

i'd go with the 8600 over the 8500- huge step up.

That CPU/memory bundle is a great bargain- in fact my friend just ordered it. You won't be dissapointed with that processor. It Overclocks very well also.

The barebones kit looks intruiguing- but the video card is wimpy- and the ram is only 667- but you may be able to step up the timings on it.

 

what about this one? i can get it locally for $159.99.

amd athlon 64 x2 dual-core
processor 5200+ & abit a-n78hd


http://www.uabit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=126&Itemid=2

 

I would stay on the Intel side of the fence. The Q6600 is a great CPU. The E6600 is a killer deal on a great dual core. For around $150 or so you can get a Nvidia 8800 video card. Outstanding product for the price.

I looked on the 'Egg, and did not see any E6600 CPU's. The Q6600 is still there for around $200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Video card: $150 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500006

E

 

thx, i'm trying to keep costs down a bit (other stuff came up). this is what i have so far, tell me if this is decent, or if i should change anything (i'm shooting for middle of the road decent). as of right now i haven't opened anything, and i have about 1 more week to return the items if need be.

abit a-n78hd m/b (link on my prior post below)
amd athlon 64 x2 dual-core processor 5200+ - $159.99
crucial ballistix ram (2 gbyte, 1066 mhz) - $49.99
western digital 500 gbyte sata drive - $89.99
cool master (cm sphere cooler) - $34.99

my total was $416.70, and i have 2 rebates totalling $45, to mail in. = $371.70

plus i also purchased the 3 year extended warranty for like $35. if i have any problems, i can have it taken care of in store, insted of having to mail off the m/b, etc.

now, i'm just looking for a tower/case, with or without a p/s. i already have a dvd drive (unopened), and a spare copy of xp.

i've been looking at the thermaltake cases, can anyone recommend any other cases. thx, sos

 

i ran out of time to edit my post. also, they do have zalman coolers, but i forget how much they were. the cooler master is one of my rebates ($20). - thx, sos

http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/hardware/1727_1.html <-- cooler master link

below, are the specs for the m/b

Socket AM2 - A-N78HD
* Socket AM2+ / AM2
* nVIDIA GeForce 8200(MCP78S) Single Chipset
* HT3.0 5200MT/s
* Dual Channel DDR2 1066 / 800
* DDR2 1066 is supported by AM2+ CPU only
* Supports HDMI, DVI, VGA
* 1 x PCI-E X16 (PCI Express 2.0)
* SATA 3Gb RAID 0/1/0+1/5
* On-board Gigabit Ethernet LAN
* On-board 7.1CH HD Audio
* On-board IEEE 1394
* abitSoftMenu Technology
* 4-phase OC-PWM for CPU
* Solid State Capacitors for CPU Power
* 100% lead-free process and RoHS compliant