Killer Retro SAVING BUCKS by adopting old tech

[Lee Hester]

Hi all,
As the topic suggests, I am looking to make a killer system that is a little old... to save money.

I hope others will feel free to post their similar requests for sage advice here as well.

OK Smart guys. I am an old tech geek (used to herd IBM 3081 mainframes 20+ years ago) that doesn't want to take months educating myself.

I've got a p4 3.4ghz 1mb L2 on an IC7G with 2gig of double banked DDR-400 for an FSB of 800mhz. I built it about 5 years ago (but upgraded to the 3.4 from 2.8 CPU fairly recently). GEForce 7600GS, M-Audio Delta AP192, Philips SAA713X tuner card, etc.

I use Videoredo, DVDFAB, DVDShrink and Roxio a lot, as well as Adobe Audition for sound editing. I use my rig as a TIVO and as a multimedia server using Twonky and a DSM520.

Given that my rig was great 5 years ago, it seems like it could be even better 2 years (or 1 year ago).

Is there anything that would give me noticeable improvement, particularly on the Video editing/shrinking... but be truly cheap??? For example, I've noticed the AMD X2 5600+ with 2mb total L2 for about $86.

What can you put together for less than $90 per part (CPU, MOBO, possibly memory) that will blow me away??? Alternately, what would you recommend even cheaper (or perhaps) slightly more expensive.

Thanks.

 

[Concillian]

e5200 ($85)
P43 based mobo (~$90)
4GB DDR2-800 ram ($50ish)

For video editing you will likely see a benefit going to quad either Q6600 on the same platform (~$185)
or AMD platform ~$150. AMD 780g mobos are also maybe ~$10 cheaper than Intel P43 boards.

Moving to dual core or quad core will be a huge benefit for you. Moving up to 4 gigs from 2 gigs should also give significant benefit for your applications.

IMO it's a good time to get in on "the trailing edge" of technology. As the i7 (new intel processor) and deneb (new AMD processor) launches happen, the baseline resets again to higher mobo and RAM prices for the new platforms (which use DDR3, which is not in enough volume yet to be cheap.)

 

[mealsonwheels]

You will be amazed with any dual or quard core processor if your coming from a pen4. I used a pen4 the other day and man, i forgot how slow those things are.

 

[gdextreme]

Hello there
I have just upgraded my CPU and Motherboard. I would definitely suggest the same parts that I have now.
Intel Pentium Dualcore E5200 2.5ghz
Gigabyte GA G31-S2L

Newegg says the motherboard is for $55 approx. It may cost less but it overclocks superbly plus it supports all of Intel's latest processors (except the extreme quad core series). I have just overclocked my cpu to 2.87 ghz and will try for about 3.2ghz (this is my first overclock).

I came from a Pentium D 820 2.8ghz and this CPU blew me away even at stock settings. My vista cpu score went from 4.3 to 5.4 (when not overclocked).

 

[heyheybooboo]

Egg Combo Deal: $170
X2 6000+ & Biostar 790gx w/sb750

It's up to you on the RAMs. 2x2Gb DDR2 800 for $50 (or DDR2 1066 if you want max potential with a future Phenom). Verify model #'s wif da vendor.