Need general build recommendation

[rockhead21784]

My old NF-7 V2 fried the other week. I decided to start from scratch with a very limited budget set by my wife, since we already have a laptop. I had just bought a:

WD1600AAJB 160GB from Newegg and hadn't installed it yet.
I also some usable parts I suppose from the old system:
GIGABYTE GV-R92128DH Radeon 9200 128MB
Antec Solution SLK3700AMB ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 350Watt (SL350) Supports motherboards up to a standard ATX http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=93700

I need a basic motherboard. No gaming other than my daughters Disney games. I might in the future decide to use the computer to put my old VHS tapes onto DVDs. Not sure if this makes a difference. But I suppose it will. Other than that I just use it for bills and Internet browsing. Any recommendations? It can even have a built in video card. Remember....my wife is a penny pincher so nothing extravagant. Thanks

Also how about a good DVD drive that I can use to watch and burn DVDs?

I was very good a few years ago with keeping up with technology, but recently I have been out of the loop.

I forgot to include brands. No preference.
I do like to shop at Newegg.
I also use Windows XP.
Money....again..technology has passed me. I bought the NF-7 for $66.00 so i have no clue.
No overclocking.

My video card is probably outdated so an onboard is fine.

Not sure if my power supply is powerful enough.

 

[krnmastersgt]

What's your budget and what is it that you need to replace?

 

[rockhead21784]

Budget is $300-$400.00.

I had a Abit Nf-7, Athlon XP 2700+, 20GB HD(which I had just bought a 160GB, still in box),WINXP, 1GB Memory, and the gibabyte video I mentioned. Nothing special. Just a basic system.

Even a motherboard with an onboard video card is proabably the way to go for me i suppose.

Thanks

 

[krnmastersgt]

Are you going to need to buy a new OS or do you still have the XP cd+key? I know a nice cpu/mobo/vga set-up for about $300 and then rather cheap memory:
Graphics card
CPU
Mother Board
RAM

The graphics card is a little much for what you plan on using it for, but if you ever plan on playing a modern game that card is nice If not then I'm sure you can find a cheap/decent card on newegg for like $60 or less. Note that the CPU can very easily be overclocked to about 3 ghz. As for the PSU, I think it will be enough to power this set-up but I might be wrong.

Oh and for the dvd drive/burner, I've been shopping for one myself and I found this to be a rather nice deal.

 

[rockhead21784]

yes i still have the windows xp cd.

thanks for the advice.

 

[krnmastersgt]

If you really want to save money though, Newegg also has some cpu/mobo/integrated video combos from $50-$150, but thats up to you, the set-up above will probably last you a good while

 

[rockhead21784]

So explain the Dual core processor that you picked out to me. It says it is a:
Intel Pentium E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Is that halfway fast in today standards? I thought 1.8Ghz is slow. I don't know. Excuse my ignorance. Just for reference what would the next fastest cpu for this board be?

Thanks

 

[heyheybooboo]

GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI $80

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ 2.8GHz AM2 65W $100

$80 ($60): The ram and DVD burner above are good choices. The drive is a little loud when it spins up, however. And note that OEM burners will not include cables, screws or burning/DVD playback software-you will need a retail box for that.

If you can find a retail box with both Roxio Creator and PowerDVD (DVD player) for less than $60 jump on it (Roxio Creator includes a decent program called "DVD Builder" which is simple but stout. I prefer Nero burning software but their DVD builder is not quite up to Roxio.) I've never used "Win Movie Maker" for capture but it might be a start ...

If you go OEM burner search ebay for an 'OEM' copy of PowerDVD - the PDVD 'codecs' promote smooth system operation in DVD playback.

Video capture devies are pretty inexpensive these days. A USB 'breakout' box is all you really need - firewire would be a bit faster. Check out the software offered as that will make all the difference when you judge prices.

Pinacle Dazzle and ADS Video Xpress breakout boxes can be found for around $50.

Your existing PS will need a 4-pin 12v connector to work with any new mobo. The 690g IGP (on-board video) should work well for you.

The e2160 is not a bad proc but you will need to OC it 50+% to catch the x2 5400+ (which you can OC on stock volts to around 3.2GHz)

Go with the AMD 690g

 

[KenAF]

To see how current processors compare in performance, see this link:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...alcore-shootout_3.html

I would suggest:

Intel E8400 3.0GHz = $189 @ Microcenter
Gigabyte GA-P35-D3SL = $89 @ Newegg
G.Skill 2GB DDR2 = $46.99 @ Newegg
Samsung SH-S203B SATA DVD burner = $29.99 @ Newegg

This will last you a good 3-5 years without overclocking. Some of the processors mentioned by other posters must be overclocked to remain viable.

You can use your existing video card for now, and upgrade to a different video card when you move to Windows Vista (or need to run newer games). Look at <$100 video cards based on the Geforce 8600GT and ATI Radeon 2600XT.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150229 (free Company of Heroes game)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130085 (lowest price)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814125075 (quiet / fanless 2600XT)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127310 (quiet / fanless 8600GT)

If you wanted to upgrade your case in the future, the Antec Solo ($49.99 after rebate) would be a good choice:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129018

 

[KenAF]

To see how current processors compare in performance, see this link:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...alcore-shootout_3.html

 

[GarfieldtheCat]

I'd go with 4Gig RAM instead of 2Gig, since RAM is so cheap now, and if you ever plan on moving to Vista. There are 4Gig kits for less then $80 now.

 

[krnmastersgt]

While the E2160 is rather slow at 1.8 stock, they can OC to about 3.2 very easily, a lot of people do that. As for the ram, it's not a bad idea but the uses of the system won't call for 4 gigs, and his version of XP might be a 32 bit in which case a 4 gig set is still not worth the extra cost. As for KenAFs posts, I agree with all of them except the ram, I find that corsair ram runs well and after the rebate is cheaper. Also my logic behind the 2600XT I linked is the 512 mb of memory, great for having lots of graphics on screen at once although the OP might not need it.

"The e2160 is not a bad proc but you will need to OC it 50+% to catch the x2 5400+ (which you can OC on stock volts to around 3.2GHz)"

Actually even though it might be about a 50% OC, people have been able to hit 3.0 on stock voltage, and just a mino increase can go up to 3.2 or 3.4

 

[rockhead21784]

So basically I can look on the Gigabyte website and see what processors the GA-P35-D3SL supports and see what I want to spend? Wow I looked, it takes about 150 processors. How do i choose? I think the E8400 at $189 might be a little pricey for me. I will have to look at some less expensive ones. I don't think I want to overclock at this point. What's wrong with the E4500 for $124.00? Is it to slow? What about the Pentium 4 or Celeron D processors, are they out of date? Thanks

 

[MikeSp]

Originally posted by: KenAF
To see how current processors compare in performance, see this link:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...alcore-shootout_3.html

I wonder how the Q6600 compares with the E8400?

MikeSp

 

[Heidfirst]

abit's equivalent of the Gigabyte P35-DS3L is $60 after rebate at newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/...7031&Tpk=abit%2bip35-e.
It's a highly regarded basic mobo.

 

[KenAF]

Originally posted by: MikeSp

Originally posted by: KenAF
To see how current processors compare in performance, see this link:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...alcore-shootout_3.html

I wonder how the Q6600 compares with the E8400?

Xbit Labs compared the quad core CPUs from AMD and Intel with the same set of components -- same memory, same hard drive, same graphics card, etc.

Xbit Labs Quad Core Shootout

Compare that to the:

Xbit Labs Dual Core Shootout

 

[KenAF]

Originally posted by: rockhead21784
So basically I can look on the Gigabyte website and see what processors the GA-P35-D3SL supports and see what I want to spend? Wow I looked, it takes about 150 processors. How do i choose? I think the E8400 at $189 might be a little pricey for me. I will have to look at some less expensive ones. I don't think I want to overclock at this point. What's wrong with the E4500 for $124.00? Is it to slow? What about the Pentium 4 or Celeron D processors, are they out of date? Thanks

Did you look at the Xbit Labs Dual Core Shootout?

As you can see, the faster version of the E4500 ($145 E4600) is about 50% slower than the E8400. That would make the E4400 60+% slower.

I'm sure the E4500 would do just fine for your purposes today. However, how long do you intend to keep your computer? The E8400 should remain viable a good deal longer.

The Pentium4 and Celeron D processors are too slow to make it on that chart.

 

[Martimus]

Just an FYI. I usually try to avoid talking about PSU's on this forum, because some people tend to be Nazi's about it, but I have had a MB fry because of a similar PSU to the one that you had. You may want to replace it with a different brand. (I think mine was a TruPower 380W though, but it may have been a SmartPower - I honestly don't remember.) I originally thought that the fault was entirely in the MB, but after a few other parts failing I realized that the PSU was infact the culprit.

 

[krnmastersgt]

The reason P4s are too slow is because dual core is basically 2 P4s in 1 chip, when its a dual core chip rated at 1.8ghz, that has at least the same computing power as a 3.6ghz P4, but you can easily overclock the E21x0 chips to about 3 ghz in most cases, giving you about the actual freq of a P4 but with 2 cores to do more work at once. In my opinion you should pick up the E2160 from Newegg and just overclock it to 2.8 or something, doesn't void the warranty and the chip should last a good solid 5-6 years at least assuming other components of the board don't die. And KenAF while I agree the E8400 is an awesome chip that would last anyone a while, its more cpu power than what he needs in an HTPC so the extra money spent would really go down the drain imo.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
In my opinion you should pick up the E2160 from Newegg and just overclock it to 2.8 or something, doesn't void the warranty and the chip should last a good solid 5-6 years at least assuming other components of the board don't die.

OCing an Intel chip most certainly DOES void the warranty.

 

[krnmastersgt]

Really? Guess I got my info wrong on that :x, but in any case as long as the psu isn't bad and the temps are reasonable theres no reason for the chip to crap out under a few years.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Unlike some of the other people who responded, I'm not going to give you an "enthusiast" system build. I'm going to go as cheap as reasonably possible, while still remaining viable for a couple of years.
I suggest this Foxconn Matx 939 mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813186115
You can re-use your 1GB of DDR memory in this. Get the combo deal shown at the bottom of the page with the X2 3600+ dual-core CPU, total cost $112 + ship
If you need a new PSU, go with the Antec Earthwatts EA380.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...E16817371005&Tpk=EA380
That's $35 with free shipping.

You'll need a Socket939 CPU cooler too, to go with that OEM CPU. That will cost you another $10 for a basic one, or $20 for one that will allow you to overclock. That mobo does have OC features. It also has integrated video, that is probably on par with your 9200 card. It's barely enough to run World of Warcraft, I get about 18FPS on mine. (I own that mobo too.)

So you're looking at less than $175 for a system that will get you back up and running, with a nice dual-core CPU.

A DVD drive will cost you another $30 at NewEgg. They are mostly the same, IMHO. You can choose which brand you prefer. I own both Sony NEC Optiarc, Samsung, and LG dvd drives, and I haven't had much problem with any of them. I'd suggest probably going with the Samsung, they seem to be quiet.

 

[krnmastersgt]

I already pointed out the cheap combo boards on newegg

 

[rockhead21784]

I decided to go with the GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 board. About $75.00. Use the onboard video for awhile and then do a nice AMD processor(4000). Had crucial ballistix 2x1GB on sale at newegg, so i went with that. I am going to get the Antec Earthwatts EA430 as well. Still deciding on the DVD drive. Got a WD 160 GB HD.

How about transferring my videos to DVD's. Anyone have any ideas what equipment I would need or where to look?

Thanks

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: rockhead21784
I decided to go with the GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 board. About $75.00. Use the onboard video for awhile and then do a nice AMD processor(4000). Had crucial ballistix 2x1GB on sale at newegg, so i went with that. I am going to get the Antec Earthwatts EA430 as well. Still deciding on the DVD drive. Got a WD 160 GB HD.

How about transferring my videos to DVD's. Anyone have any ideas what equipment I would need or where to look?

Thanks

Tell us about your camcorder. Can it function as a capture device?

If not, simple capture devices for around $50 would be needed. The act as a 'bridge' between your video device (either your camcorder or vcr) and your PC. The ADS Tech Video Xpress USB 2.0 is a good place to start and comes with low-budget editing software.

More advanced capture devices can utilize the firewire connection on your mobo. Here is the ADS Pyro A/V Link for $150 (probably half that cost is attributable to the editing software: Premiere Elements 4.0