Computer building types...some questions.

[Prages]

So, I find myself with some gig money and some Christmas money, and a new video editing software that will do exactly what I want, but an antiquated computer that won't allow me to do it very well.

I was trying to run the software on my laptop, which is a newer machine, and faster, more powerful than my desktop, but it still goes very slowly and makes working with the video a bitch.

So, I was thinking about upgrading my desktop.

Right now it's a 2.6 ghz Pentium 4 with 1.5gb of RAM. I was thinking about upgrading the motherboard and CPU to something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813121458

Getting this RAM package:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145315

I already have the power supply, hard disc, DVD writer, etc. I also think I have a seperate firewire card, though I may have to buy one of those too. The ones on my current PC are the multi-card things...I don't know if I'll be able to use those or not.

So, I've never done anything this in-depth with rebuilding a PC before. I mean, I've added PCI cards, swapped hard drives, and changed/added memory.

Anything I really need to be aware of before I spend $400+ on my computer?

[FenderPusher]

Look at www.tigerdirect.com for parts too, as long as you're sure you'd rather keep your existing machine than build a new one. RAM and processor are definitely the most important pieces to the equation in terms of home recording, then it's the bus speed on your motherboard and the other components such as sound card/firewire/interface that you already have.

[Aahzz]

Did you build the machine you're currently using, or is it a brand name? If it's brand name, the case might not be compatible, a lot of them use proprietary from factors. Mounting motherboards can be less than fun, but isn't difficult, as long as the case is a standard form factor.

[mattburnside]

Just be aware that you will have to reinstall the operating system. There isn't a single version of Windows that likes having its motherboard changed.

[jelloman]

OK...here's what you need to do...

determine the following on your present system...

power supply wattage and version...should be ATX12V...if it's not at least 550 watts and ATX12V it probably won't be powerful enough or compatible with the mobo...

is your case ATX form factor...if not the mobo won't fit...

do you have a video card and is it less than 2-3 years old...if yes OK, if no then you'll either need one OR you need a mobo with onboard video...the one you have selected does not...

check the intel website for the mobo of your choice and find the list of compatible memeory...and then select one of the listed units...DDR3 has many diffeerent timing factors and using a non-compatible memory stick MAY cause some issues...
http://www.cmtlabs.com/mbSearchResul...Pg=2&sDetails=

then get back to me...

[Prages]

Did you build the machine you're currently using, or is it a brand name? If it's brand name, the case might not be compatible, a lot of them use proprietary from factors. Mounting motherboards can be less than fun, but isn't difficult, as long as the case is a standard form factor.

Just be aware that you will have to reinstall the operating system. There isn't a single version of Windows that likes having its motherboard changed.

Both good things to know.

My current system is an old Compaq. And, since I don't have my OS disc, it looks like upgrading to Windows 7 might have to happen too.

Maybe I'll just spend a little more and get a whole new computer instead.

[Aahzz]

Also, what operating system? 8 Gigs if RAM is only useable if you're going to the 64-bit version of Windows 7. If you are, you probably want to check compatibility with your Audio and Video packages before going there - 64-bit sometimes has some quirks....

[Prages]

You've all talked me out of it.

[Aahzz]

And, my second question was posted while other people were posting things

I'd go with a whole new box.

[jelloman]

Both good things to know.

My current system is an old Compaq. And, since I don't have my OS disc, it looks like upgrading to Windows 7 might have to happen too.

Maybe I'll just spend a little more and get a whole new computer instead.

...um...yeah, good idea...

[Aahzz]

For less than you were going to spend on parts....

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Compaq+-...&skuId=1254175

For about what you were going to spend on parts.....

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-...858&st=1151646, 1151646, 9932711, 1257858, 1243773, 1244502_&cp=1&lp=3

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-...&skuId=1287433

For a bit more.....

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pav...&skuId=1600453

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-...&skuId=1339343

[Prages]

I might brave the crowd and go to Best Buy today to see what they've got.

[Aahzz]

I might brave the crowd and go to Best Buy today to see what they've got.

I think that's a plan

[dodgechargerfan]

Missed this until now. All good advice above... carry on..

I used to upgrade the guts in my computers all the time and then it just got to a point where it made more sense to get all new.
Every piece of technology would advance and drop in price faster than I could track - and it used be my job to keep track of this stuff.

Even going with new, pay attention that your software is compatible with whatever OS you're going with.
There are ways to tweak Win7 to work in compatible mode, but some apps just don't like that or even recognize those settings because they want to go right to the hardware.
These days, those apps are just not a good thing, but they still exist and are still required.

For stuff like that, I try to repurpose an old PC for just that app. and lately I've been playing with virtualized machines and installing the old OS' as virtual PCs. That way I can use a fairly beefy machine and run several things at once - each in their own little cocoon of an OS.

[Mrs.P]

THANKS GUYS!

He just went and bought an all new computer! You butt-heads are going to be the death of me!

[Prages]

Just got back from Best Buy. Merry Christmas to me.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+I...244487&st=dell i580&cp=1&lp=3

Got that and a Firewire PCI card to run my Firepods. Now comes the agonizing months of trying to get my audio stuff working properly. If it doesn't, I'll still have my old PC for that. I really just needed more juice for video editing, and this one matches or beats the recommended specs of the software.

[Prages]

THANKS GUYS!

He just went and bought an all new computer! You butt-heads are going to be the death of me!

But...but...I called and cleared it with the boss before I bought it.

And I bought you A-Team while I was there.

[Chihlidog]

That's a pretty nice machine actually. Youre still at a bit of a disadvantage if you want to upgrade depending on the motherboard they used, but the specs on that one are plenty for what you want to do .

EDIT: 2 pciexpress slots, you should be good to go.

[Prages]

That's a pretty nice machine actually. Youre still at a bit of a disadvantage if you want to upgrade depending on the motherboard they used, but the specs on that one are plenty for what you want to do .

EDIT: 2 pciexpress slots, you should be good to go.

It should beat the shit out of my 8 year old Compaq Presario with a 2.6 Ghz Pentium 4 processor. At least, I hope it does.

[Mrs.P]

But...but...I called and cleared it with the boss before I bought it.

And I bought you A-Team while I was there.

[Aahzz]

Nice one! I was actually going to put that one in my post too, but didn't want to overload it

[Prages]

Nice one! I was actually going to put that one in my post too, but didn't want to overload it

I probably would have gone with the last one you listed, but they didn't have it in stock. I think this one will work nicely though.

[parrotheada1a]

Nice computer for the $$! Seems a bit more powerfull than mine, and I spent double that when buying all the parts. That was a few years ago however, and an upgrade here and there has worked wonders for keeping it updated.

[Aahzz]

I was looking at upgrading mine again recently, and it's getting to the point that it's just cheaper to buy a whole system.

[jelloman]

by the specs listed I couldn't build it for you for 600 so good work...

...I WOULD suggest, however, adding a video card of some sort to it, especially if you're gonna do editing...the integrated graphics shares system memory, and adding a vid card would free all the system memory for the processor...

...sorry paula...

[parrotheada1a]

I was looking at upgrading mine again recently, and it's getting to the point that it's just cheaper to buy a whole system.

Mebbe.... but I am of the school of spending a wee little more cash on 'more bang for the buck' components. Case in point is my current video card. Last year I bought an EVGA GTX 260, with a GB of DDR3 memory...overclocked from the factory. Cost me just over 200 bones. Same card with 750MB of memory, no overclocking was 25 bucks less. I thought spending another 25 bucks was a no-brainer.

[Mrs.P]

...sorry paula...

[Aahzz]

by the specs listed I couldn't build it for you for 600 so good work...

...I WOULD suggest, however, adding a video card of some sort to it, especially if you're gonna do editing...the integrated graphics shares system memory, and adding a vid card would free all the system memory for the processor...

...sorry paula...

But he's already got 6 gigs of system memory....I wouldn't mess with a new vid card myself.

[jelloman]

But he's already got 6 gigs of system memory....I wouldn't mess with a new vid card myself.

just sayin'...I beleive in maxing out a system's capabilities...

[Chihlidog]

P doesnt need a card for what he wants to do really. And the biggest drawback to buying pre-builts is adding on, a lot of times the mobo, case and/or power supply just wont allow it. If he added a soundcard and a half-way powerful video card, chances are the PSU it came with will be pushed to its limit. At some point he may want to put in a soundcard so I am going to have to say IMO theres no reason to add a video card.

[Prages]

Well, last night I got the thing up and running. Took me a while to get the wi-fi working, but I updated the firmware on our router and modem and it seems to have solved that problem.

Installed the firewire PCI card. Firepods are fully functional. Did a really quick test of Cubase SX and it also seems to be working. I'll have to go through and install a bunch of my most used plugins now. Then I need to find my T-Racks24 disc and reinstall that for mastering.

Installed my video software, and it's working much better, though it still gets a little slow on the highest quality hi-def settings. Not a huge problem, as I'm not planning on burning blue-ray discs (since I don't have a blue-ray burner) and the stuff I upload should look great on the highest standard definition setting. I'm gonna fool around with some test video editing before our gig on NYE and see what all I can do with it. Hopefully we'll get a decent recording with the Zoom H2 and a couple of video cameras.

Windows 7 seems pretty good so far, though I've only really spent a couple of hours on it at this point.

[Dexter Inferno]

[Aahzz]

[Prages]

Oh, and last night I was bitching and moaning to myself that all the usb ports were on the back of the machine.

This morning I found a door on the front that opens to a multi-card reader, mic input, headphone output, and 2 additional usb ports.

[Aahzz]

Always seek the secret doors...

[telecaster911]

I think you are going to really like the zoom

[Peeker]

awesome!

you must have failed your "find secret door" roll at first.[/D&D geek]

[Mrs.P]

awesome!

you must have failed your "find secret door" roll at first.[/D&D geek]

I can actually feel the wind sweeping over his head on this one, and I am 1 hundred miles away, give or take.

[Peeker]

that could actually be the wind whistling thru my ears, too...

[Dexter Inferno]

I think you are going to really like the zoom

+1

I use my Q3 A LOT.

I usuallly set it up on gigs during soundcheck - really practical for bands that do their own FOH sound
And it's great for recording little riff ideas and similar.

[Cheese Grits]

Don't know if Prages has made up his mind yet, but I would definitely wait around for a deal like this on Woot if I were thinking of a new desktop computer: http://sellout.woot.com/?ts=12936129...3248bd28aa68a0


Here's the specs:

* reat performance from the 3GHz AMD Phenom II 945 quad-core processor
* Multitask with the 8GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM
* Store all of your files on the high-capacity 1TB SATA hard drive
* Enhanced multimedia with the 512MB ATI Radeon HD 5450 graphics card
* Watch Blu-ray videos and burn DVDs
* Go wireless with the WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n
* Share and download files with an iPAQ or camera via the integrated front-panel 15-in-1 digital media card reader
* Label discs with the silkscreen-quality text, photos, and designs using the cool LightScribe feature
* Enjoy the genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system

Additional Photos:

* USB ports, Media Card Reader and SuperMulti/Blu-Ray Drive
* Computer with Side Removed
* USB, Headphone port, and Microphone port (front)
* Back of Computer
* Keyboard
* Mouse
* Packaging

Specifications:

* Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* Processor: AMD Phenom II 945 Quad-Core Processor
* Processor Speed: 3.00GHz
* Bus Speed: 4000MHz System Bus
* Chipset: AMG 785G Chipset
* Memory: 8GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM Memory (4x2048 MB for ultimate performance) (expandable up to 16GB)
* Total Memory Slots: 4 DIMM (240-pin, DDR3) (occupied
* Hard Drive: 1 Terabyte Serial ATA Hard Drive
* Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 5450 Series Graphics with 512MB DDR3 dedicated graphics memory, DVI and HDMI capabilities and support for Blu-ray and Microsoft DirectX 11
* Primary CD/DVD Drive: Blu-ray player & SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe Technology
* Write Speeds: 16x DVD±R, 4x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW
* Networking: 10/100/1000Base-T network interface Wireless LAN 802.11 a/b/g/n
* Sound Card: High Definition Audio with up to 7.1 surround sound capabilities
* Weight: Unpackaged: 11.90 lbs, Packaged: 13.70 lbs.
* Dimensions: Unpackaged: 7.05” (W) x 16.30” (L/D) x 15.79” (H), Packaged: 11.42” (W) x 19.49” (L/D) x 20.32” (H)

Expansion Slots:

* 3 PCI Express x1 (two available)
* 1 PCI Express x16 (occupied)

I/O Ports:

* Front panel 15-in-1 memory card reader: SmartMedia, xD, MMC, SD, Mini SD, CF I & II, IBM Microdrive, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro/DUO/Pro Duo, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+
* Headphone; Microphone (Front)
* 4 USB 2.0 ports (back); 3 USB 2.0 ports (front)
* 1 FireWire (IEEE 1394) port (back)
* Microphone/Line-in/Line-out; Rear speaker-out; Side speaker out; Center (subwoofer)
* DVI and HDMI available on graphics card

Software:

* HP MediaSmart Software Suite: one-stop multimedia & entertainment center
* Cyberlink DVD Suite Premium: automatically fix and edit videos
* Microsoft Works 9.0

In the box:

* (1) HP Pavilion Elite HPE-210F Quad Core Desktop with 1TB and Blu-ray
* (1) Keyboard
* (1) Mouse
* (1) DVI to VGA Adapter
* (1) Power Cable

[Prages]

Too late, Mr. Grits.

I bought one already.

[Cheese Grits]

Too late, Mr. Grits.

I bought one already.

Cool! I hope you enjoy it.

[Prages]

I'm seriously considering returning the computer and just saving some more money and getting something better. It still doesn't do as well with the video editing as I had hoped.

[Kerouac]

I'm seriously considering returning the computer and just saving some more money and getting something better. It still doesn't do as well with the video editing as I had hoped.

[Prages]

I'm just seeing a red X, but I'm assuming you posted a Mac of some sort.

[Kerouac]

I'm just seeing a red X, but I'm assuming you posted a Mac of some sort.

Yup.

Think about it this way... how much use did you get out of your old computer for how many years? The Mac is totally worth it.

[Prages]

Yup.

Think about it this way... how much use did you get out of your old computer for how many years? The Mac is totally worth it.

Any Mac with the specs I'd want are about double my budget.

Of course, any PC with the specs I want are close to double my budget too.

I think I'll just hook my old Compaq back up and call it a learning experience.

[Kerouac]

Any Mac with the specs I'd want are about double my budget.

Of course, any PC with the specs I want are close to double my budget too.

I think I'll just hook my old Compaq back up and call it a learning experience.

Can't Mrs. P get you an education discount on a Mac?

[Prages]

Can't Mrs. P get you an education discount on a Mac?

Yeah, but it's only 'up to $200 on a new Mac'. Not really enough to put one in my budget.