I am looking for help on what to get for a new computer. I am looking for something that is in the $900-1100 Range. I plan on going Dual monitors. I need something that can multi-task heavy. I have been running laptops for the last few years and am way behind on todays new gear. Can anyone help me out? Thanks
What specifically do you need to run? Any games? Any 3D modelling, image or video editing? If so, which programs? Do you need to include monitors or any other peripherals in the budget?
I am looking for more of an all around computer. Something that can do everything well, maybe not the best. It will mostly be used with CS5. There wont be any 3d modelling. I will mostly be using it for image/web editing and maybe some video editing. Being able to top games is a plus but not a necessity. I would prefer something that is capable of HD playback on my TV if possible.
As long as your TV has the right inputs, any old PC can do HD video playback, that's the easiest base to cover. You haven't answered my query about the peripherals.
Core i7 860: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115214 Gigabyte P55A-UD3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128412 4GB Corsair XMS3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145260 XFX Radeon HD5850: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477 NZXT Tempest Evo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146062 WD1001FALS 1TB HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284 LG GH22NS50 ODD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136167 Corsair 650W PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 Comes to around $1150 shipped.
I'm in a situation where I need to build a new pc as my last build was six years ago and can't handle HD. I need a pc for the use of HD editing only. I'm not a gamer. Before I read this thread I had already decided on The Gigabyte board you've mention (GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 )and the 4GB Corsair XMS3 Memory. My question is about the processor and video board. Do I need to use an Intel i7 processor rather than the i5? Duel core or quad core? Newegg has many to choose from: http://www.newegg.com/Store/BrandSu...1157&SubCategory=343&name=Processors-Desktops As far as video cards are concerned I'd rather not go overboard in cost but since I'm not gaming with this pc what do you recommend? Motherboard, Processor, Graphics card, memory I'd lime to keep below $700.00. I already have the case, Power supply, Hard drives ect... Your feedback would be appreciated.
If you don't need a gaming video card, the most basic of cards like the HD5450 will be ample. That can play HD video fine with DXVA (but so can the CPU). An i5 750 is fine if you won't be using hyperthreading with your program. If you are, go for an i7 860. Avoid the dual cores, all decent programs are multi-threaded these days. Look up the benchmarks for the 860 vs the 930 in the programs you use. If the different architecture of LGA1366 works well for the software you use, go for an X58A-UD3R and i7 930. If there's minimal difference, an 860 or i5 750 will be better value.
Thanks for the advise. I'll then cut back on the graphics card and go for the i7. What do you think about this combo? XFX PVT95GZAFG GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Video Card $64.99 Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I7860 $289.99 GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD6 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard w/ USB 3.0 & SATA 6 Gb/s SATA 3.0, USB 3.0, 3x USB power $249.99 Most of the emphasis is now placed on the Mobo and the processor. I already have plenty of WD Black series 1TB Hard drives and 4 gigs of ram won't cost much. How's this sound? Thanks
9500GT is still more than you need to spend. HD4350s and HD5450s can be had for half that much and still do the same job. No need to go for a crazy UD6 board, UD3 board does the same job for much, much less.
I see your point. Still plenty of room to expand plus it does have USB3 and eSATA 3 access. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128417&Tpk=GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3P Rear Panel Ports PS/2 1 USB 1.1/2.0 8 x USB 2.0 USB 3.0 2 x USB 3.0 eSATA 2 x eSATA 3Gb/s S/PDIF Out 1 x Optical, 1 x Coaxial Audio Ports 6 Ports The GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD4P isn't much mor than the UD3 board. Any advantages to buying this board over the UD3? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128409&Tpk=Gigabyte GA-P55A-UD4P Here's a perhaps dumb question. I don't have the Windows 7 operating disc but I do have the Windows XP SP3 disc. Until I can afford the Win7 disc do you see a problem operating this pc using WinXP sp3? I appreciate your helpful information. I remember going through the same thing six years back when I made my first win2000sp4 machine. Thanks
The only real advantage the UD4P has over the UD3 is better voltage regulation but unless you're going to go for a crazy overclock, that's not going to make any difference to how the system runs. The UD4P has slightly more rear ports, and that's about it really, I think you need the UD5 to get dual LAN (if you need it), and even then, PCI gigabit cards will do fine.
Thanks. Ok its the UD3 board. Curious about the OS. I can fit my part list in the budget if it doesn't include a fresh copy of Win7. I'm not sure of WinXP limitations as far as what I want it to do. I for sure know that Win7 is the way to go but at this time I'll have to use WinXPsp3 if it will work. What's your opinion? Thanks.
XP 64-bit is pretty dire, so you will probably have 32-bit. The only real limitations with XP, other than the lack of DirectX10, are that it can only support 4GB of total RAM between the PC and the graphics card, usually meaning you get 3.5 or 3.25GB of total RAM available. If that's enough, and all the programs you will be using work with XP, then no problems.
