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Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... - Printable Version

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Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Mike on 02-06-2007 at 04:39 PM

My father is going to order a new computer today or tomorrow.
The computer will mostly be used for video editing/creating/recording. But that doesn't mean that I won't install any game on it (6)

Anyway, here are the specs:

  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 6400
  • Motherboard: Asus P5B Deluxe WiFi Edition
  • RAM: 2x1GB DDR2 667MHz Kingston
  • Floppy Drive
  • HDD: 320GB SATA2 Seagate
  • Graphics Card: Asus GeForce 7600GS 512MB PCI-Express
  • Mouse/Keyboard: Logitech MX3200
  • DVD Drives: DVD-RW LG 185 and another LG DVD ROM
  • Video Card: Pinnacle Studio 700
  • Monitor: Samsung 920N 19"
  • Case: A Heroichi one
  • Power Supply: Green Power 550Watt (Not sure about the brand)

Total Cost: €1640

What do you think about it?
The guy at the store that made the plan suggested of getting either one of these graphics card:
  • ATI X1600 Pro 256MB HDMI (My father would like to have a graphic card that has HDMI on it, because we recently bought a TV with HDMI and we would like to make full use of it instead of converting the signal to analog and then back to digital :P) (- €15 on the total price)
  • ATI Radeon X1950 XT 256MB (+ €80 on the total price)
  • ATI Radeon X1650 X 1650 Pro 512MB (+ €30 on the total price)

Any changes you would make to the computer?

Do you think it would be better to get another graphic card?
I believe that the above graphics cards (with the exception of the first one) are better than a 7600GS, but I had bad experience with an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro.
Another problem is that one of the above graphics card (if I'm not mistaken, the first one) was out of stock and the store would probably get one after 20/02, and of course, another problem is money :P

Also, can anyone tell me the difference(s) between a Video Card and a TV Card?
I know that TV Cards have a tuner and that Video Cards have a SCART receiver (wrong word?) or something similar to that (and they don't have a tuner)
Why are they special for Video recording while you can do the same thing with a TV Card?

Thanks :)
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by xJ + on 02-06-2007 at 04:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mike
can anyone tell me the difference(s) between a Video Card and a TV Card?
Video Card
TV tuner card
quote:
Originally posted by Mike
Do you think it would be better to get another graphic card?
If I were you, I wouldn't change the graphic card.
quote:
Originally posted by Mike
Any changes you would make to the computer?
I would get either a second internal harddisk for storage (I hate seperating the main harddisk into two or more partitions) or an external harddisk for storage and a Blu-ray drive.
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Mike on 02-06-2007 at 05:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by xJ +
Video Card
TV tuner card
Oh, no, sorry, I didn't mean graphics card.
Check these pics:
1: This has a built-in analog antenna signal receiver
2: (The card mentioned in my first post) As you can see, it does not have an input for an analog antenna. And now that I'm looking at it, that port is not a scart...

What is the difference between the above two?
quote:
Originally posted by xJ +
If I were you, I wouldn't change the graphic card.
Ok then :)
quote:
Originally posted by xJ +

I would get either a second internal harddisk for storage (I hate seperating the main harddisk into two or more partitions) or an external harddisk for storage and a Blu-ray drive.
I think that 320GB is enough for now...
I know that videos can get very large, but, let's hope that I won't need an extra harddrive.

Also, I don't think a Blu-Ray drive would be any use currently, because we don't have any other bluray drives/playback devices at the house currently, plus, the disks are too expensive... (and I don't know if you can easily find them here in Greece :P)
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by xJ + on 02-06-2007 at 05:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mike
Oh, no, sorry, I didn't mean graphics card.
Check these pics:
1: This has a built-in analog antenna signal receiver
2: (The card mentioned in my first post) As you can see, it does not have an input for an analog antenna. And now that I'm looking at it, that port is not a scart...

What is the difference between the above two?
1: receive TV signals from local TV stations, and plays TV shows 'live' on your PC with programs like Windows Media Center, known as a TV tuner Card.
2: it's basically use for video purposes, like having exportingimporting captured videos from video camera or exporting edited videos to the video camera via either one of the Firewire ports. There's one plug-in for monitor also.
Buy a graphic card instead of a video card unless you want to import captured videos from video camera.

*Edited
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Mike on 02-06-2007 at 06:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by xJ +
2: it's basically use for video purposes, like having exporting captured videos from video camera via either one of the Firewire ports. There's one plug-in for monitor also.
Aha, thanks.
Most Motherboards (including the P5B Deluxe) have build-in firewire ports, so, there is no need for that...
Also, I don't think that this is a VGA port, but I think it is a port to connect this to it.
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Jhrono on 02-06-2007 at 11:10 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mike
  • Power Supply: Green Power 550Watt (Not sure about the brand)
That would be an LC Power :p..

... But you can do so much better!

Here I go making another computer configuration


There :
[Image: pcmikeuw2.th.jpg]

I'm a bit past your budget (I guess) but it is worth it..

  • Great motherboad (Sli support included!)
  • RAM with great timings
  • Better graphics card (I'd preffer ATI in this range of cards, a X1950 Pro for example, but since this is a motherboard with nvidia chipset and nvidia is going to be ahead in the future...)
  • Case from Lian-Li (Best case maker around)
  • Awesome monitor!
  • SATA Optical Drive
  • Good SATA II Hard Drive from Seagate

And all that, only +- 100 Euros above your own budget :p
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Mike on 02-07-2007 at 03:36 PM

Thanks for taking the time and making a new system for me.
Couldn't reply earlier, because when you sent me the message on WLM I was sleeping and after that, I had to go at school...

Now, comment time! :P
I think you overdid it with the graphics card and the case...
Like I said, I won't be playing many games, and the games that I would play run fine on a 7600GS.
Also, €247 is too much for a case imo...
The case we chose costed around €40-80 and, it's a nice one.
I must say that the case you suggested looks nice, but I think that it's overpriced... (and I don't really know why? :P)

Now, about the motherboard...
I have never heard before of "DFI" MBs, but according to wikipedia, it seems to be a major MB making company. But I suck when coming to hardware stuff, so I'll just trust wikipedia... :P
Also, why did you choose an 700W power supply?
Does the 7900GS need that much, or to be sure that I won't be needing to change power supply if I get any other hardware in the future...?
Also, I didn't know that Lightscribe DVDRW drives are so cheap! :O

quote:
Originally posted by Jhrono
Great motherboad (Sli support included!)
I don't know...
The box looks a bit unprofessional (but then again, it's supposed to be used at lan parties, so they would need something "gamish" to attract more people :P)
Also, it's the inside that counts, not the box :P

Anyway, it looks like a great computer that it would be nice to have (Y)



Also, does any of you know any good TV tuner cards that preferably have support S-Video input (so that I can use S-Video with our digital satellite receiver to record what it would saw on TV)


Thanks! :)
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Jhrono on 02-07-2007 at 06:44 PM

You're welcome ;)

quote:
Originally posted by Mike

Like I said, I won't be playing many games, and the games that I would play run fine on a 7600GS.
Ok :p
quote:
Originally posted by Mike
Also, Euros 247 is too much for a case imo...
The case we chose cosed around Euros 40-80 and, it's a nice one.
I must say that the case you suggested looks nice, but I think that it's overpriced... (and I don't really know why? )
Yeah, it really is a lot for a case, but it's a great case :p

Anyhow, there are Lian-Li cases for 90 Euros, and they still kick ass ;), make sure you check Lian-Li first :) Their quality is extreme..
quote:
Originally posted by Mike
Now, about the motherboard...
I have never heard before of "DFI" MBs, but according to wikipedia, it seems to be a major MB making company. But I suck when coming to hardware stuff, so I'll just trust wikipedia...
Trust me, it IS a good motherboard :p Just check some reviews :

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1030/dfi_icfx320...arrives/index.html

By the way, my mistake, it's not using the new Nvidia 680i chipset but, instead, AMD's RD600, which is prolly better for Ati cards ;)

quote:
Originally posted by Mike

Also, why did you choose an 700W power supply?
Does the 7900GS need that much, or to be sure that I won't be needing to change power supply if I get any other hardware in the future...?
quote:
Originally posted by Mike

or to be sure that I won't be needing to change power supply if I get any other hardware in the future...?
:)
quote:
Originally posted by Mike
Also, I didn't know that Lightscribe DVDRW drives are so cheap!
Received one of those Asus today :D Plain good
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by callmegarfield on 02-08-2007 at 08:32 AM

Get an alienware box!

and i'd get a ATI Radeon X1800 graphics card, it's what i have and it's never ever ever let me down. May i recommend some sort of cooling system too...

RE: RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Jhrono on 02-08-2007 at 01:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by callmegarfield
Get an alienware box!
lol ok just no.. Lian Li cases > Whatever Alienware case..

I do agree with the cooling though, you need a good heatsink for the processor (And if the stock cooler on the graphics card isn't good either, get one too).. Make sure you get a wide case so it can fit big ass coolers like Tuniq Tower 120 :D
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Mike on 02-08-2007 at 02:52 PM

Thanks everybody for your suggestions :)

We finally ordered the setup I said on my first post, with the difference the graphics card (we ordered an X1950 Pro instead of an 7600GS. Is it better than 7600GS?)
If we are lucky, then the PC would be ready by tomorrow :D

Too bad we didn't get a TV tuner card (but got that thing ^o)) or that Asus lightscribe dvdrw drive... :(

Final Cost: 1700 Euros.

RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Jhrono on 02-08-2007 at 08:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Mike
we ordered an X1950 Pro

lol that's the one I recommended.. It's better than 7900GS and can compete with 7900 GT (with default clocks :p).. So yeah, it completely knocks out 7600

I think you overpaid for that config.. :$
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Mike on 02-08-2007 at 08:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Jhrono
I think you overpaid for that config.. (Smilie)
Well, it would have costed €1500 (-€200) if we didn't buy that Pinnacle Studio 700 card.
I didn't want that card, I wanted a TV card... :(


Meh :P
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by jamieostrich on 02-10-2007 at 09:39 AM

Xerox Xa719i Monitor is the best. it is glass fronted and you cant muck up the LCD and very easy to clean. Fast 5-8ms responce time

RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Ptoye on 02-10-2007 at 11:18 AM

can i ask what OS you gonna get?

Nice setup by the way :P

RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Mike on 02-11-2007 at 08:35 AM

quote:
Originally posted by jamieostrich
Xerox Xa719i Monitor is the best. it is glass fronted and you cant muck up the LCD and very easy to clean. Fast 5-8ms responce time

Should consider it next time then :)

quote:
Originally posted by Ptoye
can i ask what OS you gonna get?
XP Professional and Vista Ultimate.
Will mostly use Vista. I only installed XP so that we can use a program that we really need that doesn't work in Vista.
quote:
Originally posted by Ptoye
Nice setup by the way (Smilie)
Thanks :)



1900th post! :banana:
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Mike on 02-11-2007 at 08:47 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Phillip

Edit: 1,700 Euros = 2,841.55644 Australian dollars.. (Smilie)

    quote:Originally posted by Jhrono
    I think you overpaid for that config.. (Smilie)

Like i said, it was that pinnacle card that increased the cost by 200 Euros... :dodgy:
RE: Going to get a new computer - Need opinions and suggestions... by Mike on 03-23-2007 at 05:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Knowem-meetem
Remember to ask about an upgrade to windows vista, windows vista is really good;)
I already have Vista installed on it :P

One of the first things I did when I got it.