buying a computer - need pros advices

S

sizk

New Member
hi,
this is it, i want to change of comp but i don't even know yet what to choose for cpu: intel or amd.
the comp would be used mainly for music- and 2d graphics-making and probably a bit of gaming, so basicly it doesn't have to be a killer machine but it must be able to handle heavy vstis or music programs (800€/950$ MAX).
i don't know nothing about sockets, chipsets and all that so what would be really cool would be some suggestions using the following tool:
http://www.selexium.fr/configuration/f_config.php?categorie=3&conf=7
(you'll have the global config to copy and paste here once you click 'ajouter au panier').
thx for your help
 
right, praetor's 101s truly deserve a close look although they don't point out what's better for music or 2d graphics.
anyway, can anyone tell me if this looks like what i'm seeking:
CPU: AMD ATHLON 64 3700+ 2.2 Ghz 1 Mo FSB 400 0.09µ Socket 939
MB: ASUS A8N-E nForce 4 ULTRA Socket 939 (Athlon 64)
HD: 160 Go HITACHI DESKSTAR T7K250 8 Mo 7200 T/M SATA 2
VC: SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON X600 PRO 256 Mo PCI-Express DDR2-DVI+TV
RAM: 2x CORSAIR VALUE SELECT 1 Go DDR PC 3200 400 Mhz
SC: CREATIVE Sound Blaster AUDIGY 4 OEM
DVD/CD Burner: SAMSUNG 16x SH-W162C/SH-S 162.A IDE OEM

(not sure about the sound card but i'd rather ask @ the appropriate section)
 
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it looks like everything there should work together, should work well for what you want, if you wanna lok at dual cores, it'll help out considerably if you want to multitask and wouldn't be too much more
 
Also consider that you will need to have a operating system on hand if you do not plan on buying one
 
don't know yet about dual core, i've read you must have a need for extrem use, as encoding video and playing ut2k, otherwise the components being not as good as a simple core, it might not be worth it.
other few details:
VC: will a card such as ati radeon 9550 or x600 be satisfying enough for games? (i mean, i just want sthg decent but it has to be decent enough:)
RAM: i've seen many people here are using corsair xms which seems to be 2x more expensive than the corsair value: what's the point? is really 512Mo xms as good as 1Go infineon or corsair value? how about the corsair twinx?
 
sizk said:
don't know yet about dual core, i've read you must have a need for extrem use, as encoding video and playing ut2k, otherwise the components being not as good as a simple core, it might not be worth it.
Click to expand...
Only if you're using one, single threaded application at a time.
VC: will a card such as ati radeon 9550 or x600 be satisfying enough for games? (i mean, i just want sthg decent but it has to be decent enough:)
Click to expand...
On modern games, you're looking at low settings only.
RAM: i've seen many people here are using corsair xms which seems to be 2x more expensive than the corsair value: what's the point?
Click to expand...
Lower timings = better performance (but the percentage difference is in the low single figures). More importantly, better overclocking potential
is really 512Mo xms as good as 1Go infineon or corsair value? how about the corsair twinx?
Click to expand...
No
CPU: AMD ATHLON 64 3700+ 2.2 Ghz 1 Mo FSB 400 0.09µ Socket 939
MB: ASUS A8N-E nForce 4 ULTRA Socket 939 (Athlon 64)
HD: 160 Go HITACHI DESKSTAR T7K250 8 Mo 7200 T/M SATA 2
VC: SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON X600 PRO 256 Mo PCI-Express DDR2-DVI+TV
RAM: 2x CORSAIR VALUE SELECT 1 Go DDR PC 3200 400 Mhz
SC: CREATIVE Sound Blaster AUDIGY 4 OEM
DVD/CD Burner: SAMSUNG 16x SH-W162C/SH-S 162.A IDE OEM
Click to expand...
How much is this costing? Praetor's $700 Play Machine will offer significantly better performance all-around, and still leaves room for the sound card in your budget.
(not sure about the sound card but i'd rather ask @ the appropriate section)
Click to expand...
If it's just for listenting to music, the on-board sound is almost always sufficient.
 
yet, thx everybody for answering!!
here's my last choice, just want some last feedback about it:
COOLERMASTER EXTREME POWER 430 W RS-430-P (read best things about)
AMD ATHLON 64 3700+ 2.2 Ghz 1 Mo FSB 400 0.09µ Socket 939 (no need of a dual core yet)
ASUS A8N5X nForce 4 Socket 939 (should let me upgrade to dual core in case)
160 Go SEAGATE BARRACUDA 7200.9 T/M 8 Mo ATA 100 ST3160812A (would consider the sata 2 version if someone could confirm the mobo can handle it)
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON X600 PRO 256 Mo PCI-Express DDR2-DVI+TV (any better suggestion for the same price?)
2x CORSAIR VALUE SELECT 1 Go DDR PC 3200 400 Mhz (does people overseas know about infineon? read bad things about corsair's reliability)
CREATIVE Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinium (that's for music-making)
 
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you could get a 250gb drive for like $12 more, something to consider, and it looks like the mobo doesn't support sata2, I didn't see anything saying it did, but it doesn't make much of a difference either way, sata is backwards compatible
 
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