Help me build a computer

skylineGTR_guy

skylineGTR_guy

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Up untill now, I've only bought pre-built brand name PC's from stores like best buy. I think it's time I break the habit and build my own. So basically I'm looking to build the best pc I can for around $1,300 the main purpose being gaming and video encoding. I usually go with an intel but I hear that the AMD 64's are better for encoding. I'm big on HDD space, I'm looking at some high RPM SATA's (10,000 RPM) about 2 gig of ram, high speed DVD-RW +/- I have no idea about motherboards so any suggestions there would help. High end graphics card of course (I'm leaning towards a 256 MB Radeon) A nice sound system and a great monitor (flat panel but I heard they are not good for gaming?) And of course a great looking case to top it all off. So any suggestions?
 
You might not even need 2GB of RAM. I don't know how RAM intensive Video Enconding is, but you caould probably get away with 1GB.

Also, I don't think you can get a system with everything you requested for $1300. Maybe if you did not include the price of the monitor or sound system... I can look up some parts for you and list them...

Also, do you plan on Overclocking?
 
I just made a kick ass computer for $1238.87 +S/H. no monirot, keyboard, mouse, speakers or sound card (mobo has built in sound, though.) If you want the periphreals to be included in the price, you will have to skimp on RAM quality, Video Card :(, the 2 DVD-RW drives, Case (you can get any case you'd like, I like this one. It's new and cool, especially if you are a Viper Freak...) and HDD space or speed. If you decide to have an LCD monitor included in the prce, say bye-bye to your Athlon 64 and 256MB video card....

Athlon 64 3000+ http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-486&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe nForce3 http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-498&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE
Western Digital 74GB 10,000MB Raptor HDD http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-160&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE
ATi Powercolor Radeon 9800XT 256MB :drool: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-251&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE
2 Sony DVD/RW drives http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-131-233&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE
2x512MB OCZ Enhanced Latency Platinum Edition PC3200 (this can be changed to a cheaper alternative if you don't plan on overclocking) http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-896&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE
Viper Case (there is also a BMW case, if you want that. Cases are user preferenece... Lian Li is the best brand of cases, if you want to look into them. Oh, get a new power supply, too. With any case, unless the case is Enlight or Thermaltake. The Enlight of Thermaltake 420W PSU would suit your needs) http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-171-053&depa=0&manufactory=BROWSE
 
Thanks for the great list! Keyboard/mouse I have Speakers I want to upgrade and sound card goes hand in hand. I can bump the DVD-RW down to 1 unit then just use a cheaper Highspeed CD-RW drive, Monitor I can use my current one untill I can get another one, but If I'm going to spend 1,300 I might as well spluge a little and buy top of the line stuff. I'll see how much of this stuff I can unload off of relatives for christmas :)
 
Argh, I didn't realize that all of the links were shortened. Sorry about that. newegg had all the stats, and everything....
 
Some of the stuff, like the 9800XT, are sorta old news.

As soon as NewEgg starts freaking working again I'll see if I can post a few suggestions.
 
[]CiBoYs[]
Wouldn't an AIW(All in Wonder) be better for video
encoding?
Click to expand...

No, the encoding I do is ripping from dvd, then encoding to divx, the video card doesn't matter in this case.

Do any of the high end video cards also support video in? If not can I have a second card that supports input and use it for only input? (either Svideo in or RCA input, I already have a TV tuner card with a coaxial input but I need something with RCA or Svideo)

I know the all in wonder does this but Their not as good as the 9800XT
 
skylineGTR_guy
No, the encoding I do is ripping from dvd, then encoding to divx, the video card doesn't matter in this case.

Do any of the high end video cards also support video in? If not can I have a second card that supports input and use it for only input? (either Svideo in or RCA input, I already have a TV tuner card with a coaxial input but I need something with RCA or Svideo)

I know the all in wonder does this but Their not as good as the 9800XT
Click to expand...
9800XT = Suck. :)

X800XT, X800 Pro, 6800nu, 6800GT, 6800Ultra. Those are the new high-end cards. Even the new midrange cards are faster than the 9800XT, such as the 6600GT and X700XT.

May I recommend the 6800 GT. Here is a nice one.
 
that case looks good! 👍 2 120mm might be kinda loud, though....
 
Hey, if you really wanted to spend the big bucks, just get an LCD and a CRT like me. :sly:

I use my 19" Samsung syncmaster 191t for my graphics work. It has only 60hz refresh rate, which I really hate. The res limit is set to 1280x1024. It is a really clear picture, but horrible for gaming. When I game, it looks like it has motion blur, which screws with your eyes. On top of that, the game runs slow, because of the slow refreshrate.

For my gaming, I use my 19" Samsung Syncmaster 900SL. I run this at 800x600 with 120hz refreshrate. The graphics are really smooth, but the picture quality isn't the best. The games are fast and has no major problems. I'm able to use 8x antialiasing with my geforce fx, so it runs pretty smooth.

Computers are a pain. You need one thing, to help another thing run more smooth. You need a good cpu to run with the good ram, to go with the good videocard, and a good hard drive with a good operating system to control all of that. You need a good monitor to run the good cables to. You need a good case to cool all this stuff down, and a good powerbox to run all the stuff. Then you need a good soundcard to run good speakers. You need good drivers to help control all the goodies.

For a monitor, I suggest you find one with a clear picture, preferably a flatscreen CRT. It should have a high res. Make sure it can run 85hz+ at 1280x1024. The faster the hz, the smoother the graphics will be.

AMD is best for graphics, P4 is the best for gaming. The amd has a high cpu rate, but the fsb and memory runs slower. P4 has a pretty good cpu, it has more fsb and fast ram. the problem with pentiums are they are more likely to get errors than AMD's.

I suggest looking at nVidia before you look at radeon. They have a solid processor, and the quality is amazing. The 6800ultra is expensive, and not for the amature. If your not hard core on the graphics, just tone down with a lot lesser of a videocard. 6600 won't kill you. Most 256mb cards work really well.
 

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