I decided its time to buy a new computer system. I have become overwhelmed by all the different choices available in terms of hardware.
I used to be in the know about all this stuff but it seems like anymore I have no idea what I need for what I want to do. I have tried to get help from several websites that sell computers but it has proven difficult and somehow more confusing.
I AM NOT LOOKING FOR SOME ONE TO TELL ME "BUY THIS COMPUTER" I JUST NEED SOME PROS/CONS OF DIFFERENT HARDWARE FOR DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS.
What I want is a desktop computer that has a DVI out so I can use my HDTV as a display. I will be using the computer for HD video, HD-DVD, and Blu-ray playback and some editing of video(mostly SD but some HD). I will be doing A LOT of tanscoding different video files mostly between DVD, WMV, and xVid. I will also be using the computer for gaming, I do not need the worlds best 3D gaming machine but I want something half way decent.
|Processor Problems|
I started out looking at AMD but I think I have finally settled on an Intel system.
The problem I have run into is for my budget I have figured I can go with either a 3 GHz Core 2 Duo(E6850) or a Quad Core 2.4 GHz(Q6600), possibly the 2.66 GHz(Q6700) if I stretch a bit.
They are all 64-bit processors right?
I just want what ever is best for fast transcoding and smooth gameplay. I cannont afford any of the "extreme edition" processors but if there are others you may know of that would work nicley for me please feel free.
I am not entirley set on Intel either, when comparing differnt motherboards I decided on Intel because it seemd you could only get the 600 series nForce chipsets on Intell motherboards or the AMD FX motherboards. I believe, but could be wrong that the AMD FX processors are out of my price range. I did find several of the 500 series nForce motherboards for AMD X2 processors. However, from extenslively reading Nvidia's website and looking at several differnt motherboards I have settled on the 600 series. Any, ummm, thoughts?
|Video Cards|
This has been a central focus of my problem. The differnt choics are very annoying and once I decide on a particular series of card i discover there are severl opitons on what one to get. I will post links to expamples below.
I have decided to go with Nvidia. On their web site they show the 8800 series as the "Extream Gamer" and the 8600 series as a good gamer card but with better HD playback. It seems the 8600 GTS is perfect for what I want because its good for games and better for playback, also much cheaper.
Now, the 8600 GTS comes in a ton of differnt configurations from differnt manufactures. The web site I think I am going to order from caries a few different choices. They are grouped into 256 MB and 512MB. I cant decide if I sould go with the 256MB EVGA Superclocked Powered by NVIDIA or the 512MB EVGA Powered by NVIDIA, they are about the same price.(the 512MB superclocked is back ordered and unavailable through the site I am ordering from)
Basically my question is can some one balance Power vs. Memory from me? and How would SLI play into it all?
Or should I just not get any cards in the pc and order them from ASUS or another company?(I am going with the Asus Striker Extreme nForce 680i motherboard,i think, if that matters at all *sigh*)
I have also been advised to get 2 cards and use an SLI setup, this is within my budget but I am not sure if I really need that. PLEASE SOMEONE tell me what the heck to do!
|Moving on|
There are several other concerns I have(see "Random Thoughts") but I realize this is a lot of stuff to respond to. Please, fell free to only address certain issues, this has taken over my life for the past two weeks, i just need some answers from some one who really know what they are talking about.
|Random Thoughts|
CyberPowerPC.com
-Scam or rip-off?
Vista
-32 or 64 bit?
Memory Matters
I have read that choosing the brand or type of memory is important because cirtin memory works better with certain motherboards or processors. could someone clarify this for me?
Any suggestions on how much i need?
Video Cards
-SLI?
-Video RAM
-Processor Power
Cooling
-Liquid?
-Better than Liquid?
-Overclock or not?
-Processor considerations for overclock?
Processor
-AMD vs. Intel
-Quad vs. Duo
-Motherboards
Memory Matters
I have read that choosing the brand or type of memory is important because certain memory works better with certain motherboards or processors. could someone clarify this for me?
I have many other questions but I think I will wait to see what sort of response I get before going on any further, Thank you all in advance for any help you can give!!!