Build me a system

[John7]

Hi

I need some advice and opinions on building a computer.

It will be used for editing big photos, quality mp3 compression, heavy 2D CAD, surfing and the usual stuff that doesn't require much power.

It will not be used for games or serious DVD watching. I have a home theatre system for that.

Must have:
1) Stability.
2) The fastest SATA currently available (I intend to have one drive, no raid etc)
2) Quality audio but not necessarily 5.1 (My current system uses an external Yamaha amp and Paradigm speakers).
4) At least 4 USB 2 ports (and more that can be jumpered to the front of the case)
5) low power consumption, minimal fans.


My preferences are:
Asus motherboards
micro ATX if possible
AMD (cooler running)
On board network, audio, video.

Thanks

John

 

[elmarcorulz]

budget?

My preferences are:
Asus motherboards
micro ATX if possible
AMD (cooler running)
On board network, audio, video.

Thanks

John

for you requirements, i would suggest intel over AMD. and dpending on what processor you get, intel can run just as cool

 

[34erd]

You may want to go for a pentium M, they run cool even without cpu fans because they are designed for laptops, and they have low power consumption. Unless processing power is more important to you than low power consumption, in that case you may want to go for a dual core processor.

Also why do you need an asus board I've heard that aside form their premium SLI boards they usauly are pretty bad quality...

 

[Geoff]

are you sure that PM's are available for desktops? however, for your need i would either go with a Pentium 4 w/HT or a Pentium D (dual-core), depending on your budget. And i would go with at least 250GB SATA II hard drive (currently the fastest, the raptors are fast but dont hold much data).

 

[34erd]

Ther are motherboards for the PM's and converters.

 

[CmoAMD]

Seeing as the Hard Drive is the most important asset to the computer... and you need a really really good ONE(not RAID) How much room does it need? I see your using CAD, the plans drafting program? we use that at work...

Anyway, as for the "fastest SATA" this is probably the best thing out for the money in speed and quality
Seagate 147GB/15.4K RPM's $1,200 or so... thats uber fast and will peform literally "perfect" for your images, compression, and CAD.

As for your audio, Creative Labs Audigy.... a little research on there products youll easily find the one right for you.

I dont know much about P4's, but im sure a AMD isnt required here... unless you get the X2 series for the sure performance..

 

[skidude]

It will be used for editing big photos, quality mp3 compression, heavy 2D CAD, surfing and the usual stuff that doesn't require much power.

You might want to look into a Mac for your purposes.

 

[redrider773]

Also why do you need an asus board I've heard that aside form their premium SLI boards they usauly are pretty bad quality...

Not true. Quite the oppsosite. I have a P4 AGP Asus board, and would argue it is the best P4 AGP board out there, lol. It is so nice, excellent BIOS and software, + stability + tons of hardware compatability. If you're gonna go Intel, still get an ASUS.

 

[alanuofm]

are you sure that PM's are available for desktops? however, for your need i would either go with a Pentium 4 w/HT or a Pentium D (dual-core), depending on your budget. And i would go with at least 250GB SATA II hard drive (currently the fastest, the raptors are fast but dont hold much data).

yes asus and i believe aopen makes mobos for pentium M and there are converters as well. of course the processor is going to burn a hole in your wallet.

 

[Praetor]

@John7: what's your budget?

You may want to go for a pentium M, they run cool even without cpu fans because they are designed for laptops

Ever run a PentiumM without a fan? They run cool but not that cool

are you sure that PM's are available for desktops?

No but that's not gonna stop people from making PentiumM desktop boxes

Not true. Quite the oppsosite. I have a P4 AGP Asus board, and would argue it is the best P4 AGP board out there, lol. It is so nice, excellent BIOS and software, + stability + tons of hardware compatability. If you're gonna go Intel, still get an ASUS.

Yes but you're not using a K8 board Comparatively, ASUS K8 boards are nowhere near the magnificant glory their K7/P4 boards are