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Thread ID: 54423	2005-02-12 01:10:00	Seeking advice re buy a new PC	Misty (368)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
324117	2005-02-12 01:10:00	Hi Mrs Misty and I looking for a new PC. We did look very carefully at a laptop and thanks to very helpful comments in an earlier thread decided at this stage to go with a PC instead. Main uses are * Some photography (medium level) * Capture streaming audio * Some surfing, lots emails etc * Probably get into some easy level video producing, editing etc in the next year or two. * Must have reliable backups We do have ADSL 256/128 (with, dare I say it ! – Xtra) We want reliability. As first step we have looked at the offer from a small company who can customise as they build their own. I fully expect you to pull our initial thoughts to bits and am fine with that ! The system is probably more than our needs but looking to the future a bit too. AMD Athlon Sempron 2400 & Fan 512MB DDR RAM 80gb 7200RPM ATA/100 1.44MB 3.5” Floppy Disk DVD Writer Integrated Graphic Integrated Sound 17” SVGA Colour CRT] M/S Windows Home Edition Openoffice Keyboard, Scroll Mouse & Pad, Speakers 12 months Return-to-Base from invoiced date with special freebees (Lexmark X1185 Print Scan Copy Digital CamCorder (brand not mentioned – says up to 6.0 MP worth $499) 128SD for phot & video) - I would probably negotiate for alternatives since our existing printer relatively new (ie HP Deskjet 5550) for a price of $1575 (GST included) Misty	Misty (368)
324118	2005-02-12 01:23:00	lower the price by removing the digital camcorder, these guys buy them from chine, theyhave no optical zoom and are clearly not worth $499, remove the lexmark, they are very substandard printer range and you alreayd have a relatively good printer, you cna do much better than the deal you have been given. do you live near any of the main centres?	Tux (606)
324119	2005-02-12 01:26:00	The cpu will struggle to do Video editing,Go for an Athlon 64 Cpu, You will be glad if you do. There are no freebies in that package, They are all worked into the price,thats a $1000 computer if you remove the camcorder,which if unidentified I wouldnt touch with a barge pole. A video card (even a basic one) will give your computer far better performance all around. So...uh....I would factor in a better cpu and a video card,the extra couple of hundred will be worth it., and I would tell em to remove the camcorder and give you the real price.	Metla (12)
324120	2005-02-12 01:34:00	The two previous posts are spot on. You mention reliability and future proofing. What brand and model is the motherboard? While future proofing in computer terms is not really possible, being stuck in the past with low grade gear before you start doesn't do much good, so a bit of insurance with an important part won't go amiss.	Murray P (44)
324121	2005-02-12 01:35:00	A year or two back we bought a new computer with the intention of a spot of video editing. The one big regret I have is the video card. I have a Video OUT so I can go to TV, but didn't get a Video IN so I could come from the TV. There was a video tape, a wedding, that I wanted to put on DVD. Only way to do it was from Video tape to camcorder tape then by firewire back to the PC. It worked but is painful if you want to get carried away and do it on a regular basis.	Mercury (1316)
324122	2005-02-12 01:51:00	although i realise you want support, i bought my pc, an athlon 64 3000+, gigabyte k8ns motherboard, 120gb ata133 hdd, radeon 9600xt 128mb graphics card, dvd writer, flash as case with 450w psu, and a 17"lcd monitor for $1350, as i was on a strict budget, it was the best i could buy	Tux (606)
324123	2005-02-12 01:52:00	If you want to do video editing, get a digital video cam preferably with firewire builtin. This will save u trying to connect a VCR to a video in input on your videocard. And you can add titles etc after u record whatever. Then u can record to a normal VCR after, if anyone else wants a copy of whatever. I use a digital videocam here, with firewire, on a P4 2.4 HT system, and 200 gb of space. The more space, you have, the better. Easy to setup, (altho depending on what cam you get, like the one here, it doesnt work / get detected in Win 2000, BUT does in XP). And u can take photos with it from within My Computer. I wouldnt worry about getting another printer, if you're happy with the one you have. And also, the more ram you can get the better.	Speedy Gonzales (78)
324124	2005-02-12 03:27:00	Hi An trying to take on board the suggestions which all sound very useful. How about instead a AMD Athlon XP3200 Processor 64bit 512MB DDR RAM PC 3200 80GB 7200RPM Harddisk Drive 1.44MB 3.5” Floppy Disk DVD RW Geforce FX5700LE AGP8X 256MB, DVI, TV-Out Integrated Sound 56k INTERNAL v.92 Modem 17” SVGA Colour CRT Keyboard, Scroll Mouse (both wireless) & Pad, Speakers Anti-Virus Software (Trial) - useless – will stick with AVG !! 24 months Return-to-Base from invoiced date M/S Windows Home Edition for a price of $1730 (GST included) I checked on the motherboard and it is a DFI KM400 ( could not quite understand what the young Chinese lady said in addition but it sounded like it will do 180P graphics - does that make sense ??) Re suggestions about a video card - what type please ? Misty :help:	Misty (368)
324125	2005-02-12 03:31:00	I would suggest an ATI 9550. Excellent value for money. A KM400 is a socket A chipset so wouldn't be used in the second system you listed.	Metla (12)
324126	2005-02-12 03:44:00	I would suggest an ATI 9550 . Excellent value for money . A KM400 is a socket A chipset so wouldn't be used in the second system you listed . Hi Metla Many thanks for your expert comments . I will check back re the motherboard . It is definitely what she said but then with my Scots accent she very likely misheard me over the phone . "Excellent value for money" - do your refer here to the ATI 9550 or the second system that is outlined - the XP3200 processor etc, etc ? :confused: Misty PS - Mrs Misty and I are off now to the Mission Bay Jazz and Blues Streetfest, which is getting crowded already, so if you respond I will not see what you say until I come back ! ;)	Misty (368)
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