Computer Motherboard & CPU suggestion

[Ric]

I am about to take my first foray into building a computer and I figured that my DBS board would be my best starting place :D

I haven't looked at computers in a few years but have general knowledge and good 'building' skills. I will use the computer for the following reasons:

1) Just to learn how to put one together and didn't want to spend $1000 off the bat
2) Internet Sharing (don't have router and modem is USB so this is best bet)
3) Kids learning games (toddler - 1st grade level (but no real major gaming - will be years before kids get into that and I just got an xBox)
4) still Picture editing
5) motion picture editing (not sure as I haven't tried this before but may get into it)
6) general apps (Quicken, Office, not graphic intensive applications)
7) file server/maybe application server


What I really want to know is:

What chip - Pentium or AMD? I assume AMD but not sure since I haven't checked into things lately other than general reading.

What motherboard? I figured my first purchase should be a case and then a motherboard so I started with an assumption of a P4 chip. The options are overwhelming, just with Asus models alone. I want to go with DDR memory but just started to get so involved in options with various motherboards as I looked, I got bogged down.

Any general suggestions or 'best of' sites? Any suggestions on best places to buy online? Figured I will purchase a few parts a month

[gcutler]

Ric, I have done much of what you listed and any currently available Intel Celeron or P4 Processor will do fine (assuming anything below 2GHz is old box on shelf, I don't know AMDs).

Just make sure you get at least 256MB (maybe even 512MB ram as these current OSes can easily take 100MB just to boot and with all those addins can take alot more). I have just XP-Home, Norton Anti-Virus and some resident mouse drivers and such (only 5 icons in my system tray) and I'm using 130MB. Video Editing may take up alot of CPU and RAM but my 2GHz with 512MB ram does fine.

[cnsf]

Originally posted by Ric
2) Internet Sharing (don't have router and modem is USB so this is best bet)

BAD idea. If you care at all about your data, Internet sharing is very insecure. Spring for the extra $40 to get a hardware router.


4) still Picture editing


Crank up your memory to 512MB and get a good video card w/32MB+ (64-128 preferable).


5) motion picture editing (not sure as I haven't tried this before but may get into it)

This is a big requirement. To do decent video editing, you need a ton of memory, a strong video card, firewire and a ton of HD space. Figure 4GB for every 20 minutes of video you plan to produce.


6) general apps (Quicken, Office, not graphic intensive applications)


Any PC available today can handle these.


7) file server/maybe application server


Another big requirement. Need HD space for file server and lots of memory for an app server. I would ask why you really want to do the app server thing? Use Windows XP security for sharing files. That should be good enough for you as long as your perimeter is protected. Also, use a personal firewall app on each machine (Black Ice, Norton Internet Security)


What I really want to know is:

What chip - Pentium or AMD? I assume AMD but not sure since I haven't checked into things lately other than general reading.


Depends on your needs. AMDs are cheaper, you just need to compare apples to apples as the lower Ghz AMD are faster than the equivalent Pentiums. AMD Athlon XP 2000+ seems to be the bang for the buck chip right now. Check http://www.tomshardware.com or http://www.sharkyextreme.com for current prices.


What motherboard? I figured my first purchase should be a case and then a motherboard so I started with an assumption of a P4 chip. The options are overwhelming, just with Asus models alone. I want to go with DDR memory but just started to get so involved in options with various motherboards as I looked, I got bogged down.


Start with the MB first. First, decide on your CPU, then find compatible boards and chipsets. Onboard features are nice and save you having to buy more cards. Onboard LAN is nice, onboard audio is nice if you're NOT an audiophile (in 90% of the boards). Onboard video usually stinks and is not upgradeable. Onboard modem is nice if you need dialup.

DDR is a good choice, so you'll probably want to go with AMD as they've used DDR longer than the Pentium boards have. Keep in mind, the performance difference between PC2100 and PC3200 is almost imperceptable by the normal user. Go with the cheaper memory.

I did the same thing two months ago and got an Asus GA-7VAX KT400 (the AXP has RAID if you want it - and a few more onboard features), 512MB of PC2100. Got a case from Newegg.com and the MB and CPU from AccessMicro.com. I've got 110GB of HD space a decent video card w/capture and hardware DVD decoding, CD burner, DVD ROM and a 400W power supply.

USB 2.0 and firewire are important.

Check the reference sites above daily for CPU prices and memory prices. They also have good hardware reviews and starter guides.

Hope this helps.

[Ric]

exactly the type of info I was looking for - thanks cnsf. I know there was a previous link about this topic but couldn't find it in the archives.

[cnsf]

Anytime.

Don't forget a good cooling fan for the CPU......and extra case fans.

Try two more things.... AccessMicro.com is having a memory sale. Pretty cheap. Also, check http://www.techbargains.com, http://www.ragingminds.com and http://www.dealhunting.com for prices and deals.

[firephoto]

I've been buying most of my parts from newegg lately.

http://www.newegg.com

They have some user built system guides there too.

I have an AMD XP 1800+ 80gb drive, 512mb ram on an Abit KR7A-RAID board. I do some video editing and it works fine. I haven't overclocked anything (yet) but there's a lot I can do with this setup to speed it up when I get the urge. Abit boards are very stable too.

http://www.pricewatch.com gives you a quick look at current system part prices. Here's some processor prices from pricewatch.

$324 Athlon XP 2700 333
$280 Athlon XP 2600
$262 Athlon XP 2600 333
$173 Athlon XP 2400
$103 Athlon XP 2200
$85 Athlon XP 2100

$629 - Pentium 4 3.06GHz
$368 - Pentium 4 2.8GHz
$267 - Pentium 4 2.6GHz
$220 - Pentium 4 2.53GHz
$181 - Pentium 4 2.4GHz 533MHz
$190 - Pentium 4 2.4GHz 400MHz
$165 - Pentium 4 2.2GHz 400MHz
$175 - Pentium 4 2.26GHz 533MHz
$175 - Pentium 4 2.26GHz
$144 - Pentium 4 2.0GHz Sock 478
$171 - Pentium 4 2.0GHz
$132 - Pentium 4 1.9GHz Sock 478
$189 Pentium 4 1.9GHz
$103 - Pentium 4 1.8GHz Sock 478
$150 - Pentium 4 1.8GHz
$114 - Pentium 4 1.7GHz Sock 478
$132 - Pentium 4 1.7GHz
$106 Pentium 4 1.6GHz Sock 478
$132 - Pentium 4 1.6GHz
$111 Pentium 4 1.5GHz Sock 478
$117 - Pentium 4 1.5GHz
$117 Pentium 4 1.4GHz Sock 478
$109 - Pentium 4 1.4GHz

Pentiums are spendy. ;)

Tom

[gcutler]

Is there any comparison chart so we can say a AMD XP XYZ = Pentium 4 X.YZGHz. So there is an apples to apples comparison?

[firephoto]

Well a quick Google search resulted in these pages.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20001206/

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_756_759%5E1040,00.html

http://www.infohq.com/Computer/desktop-cpu-speed.shtml


Thats just what came up with a quick search and looked relevant.

[cnsf]

Originally posted by gcutler
Is there any comparison chart so we can say a AMD XP XYZ = Pentium 4 X.YZGHz. So there is an apples to apples comparison?

An AMD Athlon XP 2000=Pentium 4 2 Ghz
XP 2100=P4 2.1 Ghz
and so on.....

Look out for the new P4 hyperthreading though. Seems like neat stuff if you need serious power.