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need advice on a new PC rebuild..

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by rivrbyte

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Hi,

I am using what I consider an archaic Compaq AMD 1.2 CPU, with 256 Ram,WinXP.
I use Photoshop and recently been working with huge image files that take extremely long amounts of time to work with because the lack of memory or CPU. I don't have the MULA to spend $2,000 and upwards rebuilding a "super computer",but I realize I have to spend some MULA on a faster, more dependent, updated system.
As far as the graphic software I use now,and wanting to purchase a solid video editing program in my next puter, I am a little perplexed on what to get.

Onboard Video? ,Onboard Audio?....AMD or Intel CPU, what Chipset to get, MOBO - ABIT, or ASUS ( I had so many problems with my last ECS Elite Mobo, I'm am NEVER going to repeat that mistake again...crashed only after two years.
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*What my goal is to get a big HD and maybe partition it for one, my Photoshop,Video work and then secondly, for the regular programs,documents. 500 - 750 Hard Drive. SATA or PATA, whatever is recommended.

Faster CPU and more memory DDR2, at least 2 giggys.

Either a good AGP or onboard grafix card, and 7.1 onboard Audio or a better PCI sound card.

A new case with USB inputs on front to fit this Mobo. ATX mid or full tower?????

A new PSU (Power supply unit) to handle the new CPU and Mobo. I have a 300W presently...not big enough.

A good,dependable Motherboard (mobo)... PCI express or not.

Heatsink Fan for both the hard drive and the CPU, as well as a case fan?
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As you can see, I am totally at your mercy with any ideas or experience for a new rebuild from your likes and dislikes on what to get and what NOT to get. Thank you!

2 replies

by mjd420nova

Banish the onboard audio and video. Front panel USB ports can be retrofitted. Choose a mother board that can accomodate 800 MHZ memory and a SATA 500 hard drive and the rendering and loading/saving will speed up considerably. Compromise with just a 256 MB video card. If you choose Intel duocore CPU, then Nvidia will match nicely. If AMD is your flavor, ATI is the best match there. Most any sound card will work with any and run $60 to $70 for a good card. Stick with what the mfgr recommends for fans you'll need a good power supply of 600 watts and you'll be set. Such a system would run $600. to put together with some wise shopping. Becareful of rebates, few get them or are stonewalled and rejected. Depending on your choices, and matches, PCI-E will allow for future expansion on the MOBO plus dictate other choices for sound and video. Videocapture are best when internal but there are some good USB types and your choices might be limited. Coo;ing is important but a properly sized power supply will elimnate most heat problems. Keeping cables segregated to data and power groups will cure instability and dressed properly will increase air flow for a cooler unit. If you're like me, a couple fans and a couple power supplies might be called for to find a quiet pair. I hate noise from fans.

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