1. Converting, editing, rendering 35 years of movies, VHS, video (some 16x9 HD) slides, photos, and creating DVDs for my grandkids.
2. Media center stuff including using a large 1080p TV, streaming video and music.
3. Gaming. I don't do much but would spend a little more to have a more capable system.
4. Surfing, and general purpose work (word processing, spreadsheets, scanning) while doing 1 and 2 above.
I'm not limited by a budget but not interested in wasting $. If spending a little more will provide a noticeable improvement I'll do it
I have
Antec 900 case and 650w True Power Trio PS mod TP3-650
2 - WD Caviar SE16 sata300 500gb HDs
Plan to buy a Q9450 CPU (I think it's worth the $100 premium over Q9300)
Need help with MB, memory, video card, and what ever else I need.
I understand some of the issues with DDR3 vs DDR2. I'm leaning toward 4mb ddr3 and expanding when pricing becomes normal. DDR3 is the future and I want the system to last.
I'm thinking about the Asus P5E3 Deluxe MB and a Radeon HD 3870 video card. No clue as to memory speed or brand
I'll run Vista but which version and 32 or 64 bit?
Would a third HD ( Raptor ) for the OS make a noticeable difference?
I'm not sensitive so let me know what you really think. I'm really not very confident in the direction I'm going or do I understand the problems I'll have with the newer stuff but I don't want to wait to build. TIA jmk
Edited by jkohm, 05 April 2008 - 06:52 AM.