[SavageBasher]

Hey guys, I'm going to be building a new computer soon, and I need some help. As far as amd or intel, I have no idea. Water cooling will be a must, as with overclocking. The budget will be $1000-1200.

Cpu - Unknown: mobile xp, 64bit, p4

Mobo - Unknown, will be decided after cpu

Video card - I would like an ati, I will be gaming some, so I guess a 9600pro/xt or better

Sound card - Not needed. I don't have the speakers nor a pair of headphones that will benifit from a sepperate card

Memory - I would like a gig, but I suppose I can deal with 512 megs at first. 512 meg sticks only.

Hard drives - Need 2. I'm a fan of seagate. Big drives are good. Might be a 80 for apps, and a 160-200 for media storage.

DVD burner - A must. Probably will be the newest NEC.

Case - Need something big and with a window.

Power Supply - Fortron 400 or 530.

Water block - Danger den.

Pump - Unknown, need opinions.

Radiator - Unknown.


Well, theres my list guys. I might be doing a lot of video editing, but besides that, it will just be an everyday pc. Thanks in advanced.

[tom10167]

Video editing. Any gaming?
Gaming - AMD
Hard stuff - Intel. I don't think watercooling is a must for overclocking at all. You would get more performance from a better video card and air then you would from something like a 9800 pro and watercooling.

So what's more important, gaming or encoding? If you don't game at all then just get something like a TI4200.

[Npetune3000]

Originally Posted by tom10167

Video editing. Any gaming?
Gaming - AMD
Hard stuff - Intel. I don't think watercooling is a must for overclocking at all. You would get more performance from a better video card and air then you would from something like a 9800 pro and watercooling.

So what's more important, gaming or encoding? If you don't game at all then just get something like a TI4200.

WEll i dont see what gaming has to do do with video editing, but...


As far as i've HEARD Intel is the way to go if you're doing anything with video; either that or a MAC(cringe). So I would say start puting your focus on an intel system. Dont get caughtup in the whole "AMD fanboy nonsense".

I personally own a AMD athlon 64 with Vnf-250 Mobo that runs ok and overlocks really well. I have it doing 2.4ghz on stock cooling( although, I've put it on hold due to strange biological affects overclocking is having on me, ). There are bundles out there that you can get 2800+ and the VNF mobo for 200bucks, However,i paid 230 because at the time i knew not of these bundles.

In addition, if you're going to be doing alot of video editing I think RAID or a 10000rpm HD(western digital Makes these) will come in VERY handy, especially when you have to write huge files to disk. I Would also look into getting the proper DVI hardware as well as a FAST DVD-burner etc. Hope that helps..


PS. Dont skimp on RAM, I would go with a Full GIG. You dont want your computer freezing up on you while in the middle of a huge editing session.

[SavageBasher]

I want to WC just for the heck of it. This computer will be my graduation project, so why not go all out?

As I said before, I want an ati. The gaming that I will be doing will be the newer games though, doom3, bfv, etc. and I do want something that will last me for a good couple months.

For now I won't be doing any hard editing, just a few small clips, so the 7200 should hold me for a while, or heck, if I total everything up and I'm under, I'll get a raptor.

As for memory, I'll have to see if I can find a good deal on some. I won't be into gaming that much, atleast not as hardcore as some people here, so the memory timings won't have to be so tight. Now for a few questions.

If I do go Intel, what is the best mobo and current chip for OCing?

Whats some good ram? Will I need 3500 or better, since Intels have locked multi's?

[Npetune3000]

Intel

http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=2209&p=4
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=2185&p=3
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=2177&p=3

AMD
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=2209&p=3
http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=2177&p=2


Just keep these systems IN MIND, I would get a few more opinions before purchasing. I myself must've researched for about 3 weeks before deciding on anything, So in additon to my recommendations i say gather a few more so you feel as comfortable as possible with your decisions.

[DBZ]

Asus, Intel, all the same to me cause I own both system and both. As for DVD burner, get a pioneer 108/ao8 DL, is about 80bux or less nowaday.

[tom10167]

Originally Posted by SavageBasher

I want to WC just for the heck of it. This computer will be my graduation project, so why not go all out?

As I said before, I want an ati. The gaming that I will be doing will be the newer games though, doom3, bfv, etc. and I do want something that will last me for a good couple months.

For now I won't be doing any hard editing, just a few small clips, so the 7200 should hold me for a while, or heck, if I total everything up and I'm under, I'll get a raptor.

As for memory, I'll have to see if I can find a good deal on some. I won't be into gaming that much, atleast not as hardcore as some people here, so the memory timings won't have to be so tight. Now for a few questions.

If I do go Intel, what is the best mobo and current chip for OCing?

Whats some good ram? Will I need 3500 or better, since Intels have locked multi's?

I personally wouldn't get anything less than a 9800 pro. If you want to last a few months I would say get something from the new X series. Since you're doing more gaming than encoding, it's really a toss up. I would say Intel, just because it is my personal belief that Intel can handle games better than AMD can handle encoding etc. You probably won't regret either way, though.

I still advise against watercooling just because you can't go 'all out' with $1,200, especially when you're spending 15% of that just on cooling. Alas, your computer, your decision. Regardless-
Gig of ram
Raptor
Two things you can't go without no matter what the build.