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Thread ID: 114582	2010-12-09 04:33:00	Help me choose a mb & cpu	Strommer (42)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1160106	2010-12-09 21:28:00	Thanks for all of the replies . I don't want to be sorry with a purchase made from misconceptions or ignorance, so your feedback is appreciated . With the motherboard it needs to have Onboard + a PCIE slot . That way you can add a card later if you want . Most ASUS onboard GPU ones do, but check first . CPU, you need to decide if you're having AMD or Intel . 3 drives? Why? I have one . You can get up to a 2TB drive now so space is not an issue really . . I guess the choice of AMD or Intel will come down to price (mb + cpu) . Since I am not after a top end gaming system, I would think it will not matter if I go with AMD or Intel . Multiple HDs - so that I can access my old HDs if needed . AFAIK pretty much all motherboards still support XP . The only problem you'll have with the 32-bit version is a memory limit of ~3 . 25GB . Are you editing HD video or standard-def? If HD, i'd really recommend going Win7 64bit & as much RAM as you can get :D As for brand of mobo, Gigabyte & Asus are usually at the top of the heap . Personally, I prefer Gigabyte over Asus . The last few i've had have been rock-solid . Question about 32 and 64 bit: The laptop I am using now is SWMBO's new Toshiba . When I set it up, I was given the option of either 32 or 64, so I wonder if this is standard with any Win7 set up? That is, if a mb is rated at 64 bit, will I be able to choose either 32 or 64? The reason I ask is that I would like to stay with XP to save $$, but in the future I may want to go with windows and 64bit . BTW, I am assuming that WinXP will not do 64 bit - correct? Is there a specific reason as to why you'd rather be using XP than 7? Also, if you get 7 pro, you can get XP mode and stick the XP programs you need in a virtual environment . Mainly I want to stick with XP to save $$ . Also, from what I have heard Win7's XP virtualization can be fiddly and does not work 100% . The laptop I am using now has Win7 and I like it, but XP is also OK . I dont think it matters WHAT videocard you get . The only reason you need one is so you see something on a screen . You may think twice, once you find out how long it can take editing / doing video work on 32 bit . Nvidia cards support CUDA . Which can speed things up when you deal with video (if the program supports it that is) . Unless you're superman, or something, a separate videocard wont make the video, sound, or photo editing any faster . I don't know if it will be possible, but ideally I would like to get a mobo that I can run XP on, and then opt for 64 bit (Win7) later if I want it . Unless XP can run 64 bit?? At the moment I would be happy with anything faster than the video editing speed of my old P4, but in the future I guess it would be good to have the option of going with 64 bit . AFAIK pretty much all motherboards still support XP . The only problem you'll have with the 32-bit version is a memory limit of ~3 . 25GB . Are you editing HD video or standard-def? If HD, i'd really recommend going Win7 64bit & as much RAM as you can get :D As for brand of mobo, Gigabyte & Asus are usually at the top of the heap . Personally, I prefer Gigabyte over Asus . The last few i've had have been rock-solid . Presently I am using standard def video, not high definition . But in the future surely I will go high def, along with most else . As I have said above, if it is possible I would like to get a mobo so as to run XP now and then have the option to go with Win7 / 64 bit in the future . I would start with 2G RAM with XP, and then up it to at least 4G with Win7 . I will have a look at Gigabyte mobos and compare the cost with ASUS, as well as comparing the price of Intel and AMD cpu's .	Strommer (42)
1160107	2010-12-09 21:41:00	Unless XP can run 64 bit?? XP Pro does have a 64 bit version, but it's known to be very buggy and isn't supported by a lot of hardware manufacturers, so it'll be difficult to find working drivers for pretty much any hardware. Edit: Booyah, Masterton! :P	Cellux (15145)
1160108	2010-12-09 21:43:00	Hmm. " if you get 7 pro, you can get XP mode and stick the XP programs you need in a virtual Default Re: Help me choose a mb & cpu and I dont think it matters WHAT videocard you get. The only reason you need one is so you see something on a screen. " XP Mode isn't as good as it's made out to be. I tried it and the things I wanted it for still don't work even with it. Waste of time. As for Graphics Crads, you don't get one to view things. That's what onboard GPUs are for/ Graphics cards are for Gaming. Or those other non-gaming ones for high-end graphics type things. Otherwise use onboard.	pctek (84)
1160109	2010-12-09 21:46:00	XP Mode isn't as good as it's made out to be. I tried it and the things I wanted it for still don't work even with it. Waste of time. It's worked with a Casio Calculater software I was working with where it had to recognize and work with the plugged in calculater. It would be a good idea to research about the specific program if Strommer was thinking of going 7. As for Graphics Crads, you don't get one to view things. That's what onboard GPUs are for/ Graphics cards are for Gaming. Or those other non-gaming ones for high-end graphics type things. Otherwise use onboard. I agree with this.	Cellux (15145)
1160110	2010-12-09 21:49:00	:thumbs: Hey - thanks everyone for the replies - fantastic to get all this info . :thumbs: Yeah, have to say Im a bit confused with the XP O/S statement, MS is dropping support anon and Windows 7 on a modern board and CPU runs rings around XP . . . . If you arent gaming, I would go for an AMD X4 or X6 with 4-8GB and x64 W7 and a dedicated sound card if editing sound files . Here's a nice AMD combo with ASUS mainboard (USB3) 4GB RAM and the X6!! $600 . computerlounge . co . nz/components/componentview . asp?partid=13137" target="_blank">www . computerlounge . co . nz Thanks for the mobo-cpu suggestion . Looks good . I assume that I can run XP on it now, then sometime in the future switch over to Win7 . Everyone here is suggesting that I go for Win7 . . . OK, I just had a look at PriceSpy and see that Win7 is only about $150, not as expensive as I had thought . If Win7 on a modern mobo really does run rings around XP (I assume you mean processing speed and not the bells and whistles), then maybe I will go Win7 . I will first see if a few of my old programs will work on SWMBO's new Win7 laptop that I am using now - I know that Win7 has XP virtualization but I am not sure how fiddly and time consuming it would be to start the virtualization process every time I want to use a program . Given a budget of only $500, I would personally go with AMD Athlon II X4 640 ~$160 Asus M4A87TD EVO ~ $180 Corsair XMS3 2x2GB DDR3-1333 ~ $120 ~~ $460 I honestly do not believe you can get an equivalent-performing Intel package in the same price range . You'd have to go with something like an i3-540 and, honestly, for true multithreaded applications (as most good media editing applications are) - it will get TROUNCED by the genuine quad-core . You'd have to look at the i5-661 for comparable multi-threaded performance, and thats about $280 . And if you are happy to splooge up the extra $120-odd, go with a Phenom II x6 . But don't use WinXP . If you're gonna stick with WinXP, don't even bother upgrading your PC, honestly . I can go higher than $500 . I don't mind spending more $$ if the experts here on PF1 convince me that it is logical to do so . The thing is, I am not going to use the new system for games, and even the video and sound editing that I do is not done every day, so I don't need the highest spec blazing fast system . But I don't want a cheapie under spec system either . Thanks for the suggestion of AMD, ASUS, and RAM . It gives me something to start with . If I could do it for around $500, the extra cost of Win7 will be easier to accept . They need to upgrade because their mobo died . How long can you wait? In early January, Intel will release their second generation i7,5,3 processors . This means either a price drop for anything you get now, or you can get the newer processors for the same price as now . I agree with speedy - use integrated graphics for now, since GPU can only accelerate encoding in specific circumstances . The new integrated graphics are about the same speed as a low end discrete graphics card (radeon 5450) - except its 'free' I guess that I can wait, but if it means picking up a bargain for 1st generation processors, then it may make sense to buy now . For my needs it seems to me that I do not need the highest spec cpu . In fact, I don't know if I need anything better than an i3 - would there be an advantage to get an i5 or i7 (or AMD equivalent) since I am not using the system for games? I am not knowledgeable about cpu's, other than I know to avoid cheapies like Celeron . Graphics - I will stick with integrated, with the option of adding a card later if necessary (who knows, I may someday turn into a gamer . . . ) .	Strommer (42)
1160111	2010-12-09 22:05:00	XP Mode isn't as good as it's made out to be. ... ... It would be a good idea to research about the specific program if Strommer was thinking of going 7. I will see if (my ;) version of) Photoshop CS3 works OK on this Win7 laptop I am using now. Otherwise I will have to use GIMP which I suppose I could get used to ... There may be another program or two to test. Yesterday I was set on sticking to WinXP but now reading all the comments, I am warming to Win7. :) To clarify: Win7 Home Premium does NOT have XP virtualization? So it is an extra $50 or so to get Win7 Pro if I want XP virtualization? Booyah, Masterton! :P Beaut day today. :banana I gotta get off the laptop and outside!!! Hey, are you any good at putting in new mobos? Just asking ... :lol: I have done one mobo job previously so I should be OK, but just in case ...	Strommer (42)
1160112	2010-12-09 22:40:00	Dont worry about XP Mode...there are heaps of Virtualisation programs out there that will run XP in a virtual bubble for you on your Windows 7 pc....Personally, I use free VMWare Player! So just get the cheap Premium version.... If you put XP and Windows 7 (x86 version) on the same modern PC with 4gb ram, the W7 machine would be quicker....If you go x64, You can rise the RAM to 8-12GB, which is where 7 really takes off. With such a big memory cache, 7 will fill it with super-fetch files and it really does feel quicker...RAM is cheap!	SolMiester (139)
1160113	2010-12-10 01:50:00	I have Photoshop CS3 & CS5 both working fine in a Win7 Home Premium x64 machine . As for which CPUs to go for - an Athlon II or above will be fine . I'd go with a genuine quad-core, as the video/sound editing apps usually take good advantage of this . The X4 640 will give you very similar performance in most such applications as the i5-660 which is about $120 more . If you were gaming, or looking at high-end (i . e . i7s) it may be a different story, but for multi-threaded applications in the low- and mid-range I believe that the AMD options offer the best bang for buck .	inphinity (7274)
1160114	2010-12-10 19:02:00	The AMD option appeals to me (as outlined by inphinity below). Some questions: CPU - The Phenom II x6 cost around $100 - $200 more than the Athlon II x4. I can spend the extra $$ if it would be really worth it. If I was gaming I guess that the hex core would be an advantage, but is the Phenom really that much faster than the quad (for video encoding, etc)? Would there be any disadvantages with the Phenom, such as running hot and requiring extra cooling? Which Phenom - Black Edition? Mobo - [ M4A87TD specs here (pricespy.co.nz) ] What are the onboard graphic specs? There is no graphics card slot, but as has already be discussed, a graphics card would not be an advantage for my uses. Would an AGP slot be useful (or is this outdated technology)? It does not have eSATA - I thought eSATA was for faster HD data transfer rate.? It does not have Firewire - is Firewire for faster data transfer using an external HD? There is no 'video out'. If I wanted to send video to our (LCD HD) TV, would Video Out be useful? There is no "Support for integrated graphics in CPU" - is this even available on mb's? Manufacturer warranty = 3 year :thumbs: USB 3 :thumbs: I could spend more on a mobo, if necessary ... but have not looked at what more expensive boards would offer. RAM - I take it that 4Gb is minimum running 64 bit. If 6 or 8 Gb would make a noticeable difference, I will go with that. >>:thanks Given a budget of only $500, I would personally go with AMD Athlon II X4 640 ~$160 Asus M4A87TD EVO ~ $180 Corsair XMS3 2x2GB DDR3-1333 ~ $120 ~~ $460 I honestly do not believe you can get an equivalent-performing Intel package in the same price range. You'd have to go with something like an i3-540 and, honestly, for true multithreaded applications (as most good media editing applications are) - it will get TROUNCED by the genuine quad-core. You'd have to look at the i5-661 for comparable multi-threaded performance, and thats about $280. And if you are happy to splooge up the extra $120-odd, go with a Phenom II x6. But don't use WinXP. If you're gonna stick with WinXP, don't even bother upgrading your PC, honestly. ... ... If you were gaming, or looking at high-end (i.e. i7s) it may be a different story, but for multi-threaded applications in the low- and mid-range I believe that the AMD options offer the best bang for buck.	Strommer (42)
1160115	2010-12-10 19:19:00	AGP is outdated, and I doubt you'll see an AGP port on more recent mobos . Only advantage of Esata (or one of them), you can plug a hdd in from the outside) . If you want Esata just buy a case with it on, or get a bracket, so you can connect it from the back . The case, I've got here has Esata . on the front . I havent used it yet tho . I have to get a Esata SATA cable (which looks like its keyed differently to a normal SATA cable) . ie: A normal SATA cable wont fit . Cant say I've used FW for external hdd's . I usually use the FW on this (not onboard tho, its a PCI card), to transfer video from a DV camera . I had a mobo (AMD) with onboard firewire, but it refused to work If you want to use it on a HD TV, if its got HDMI, get a videocard (or get a mobo with HDMI on it) If you mean HD Integrated graphics (when you say Support for integrated graphics in CPU) . The CPU / and the mobo support this . But, (I think), this applies to Intel mobo's / CPU's not AMD . And you have to make sure you get the right CPU . Since, not all Intel CPU's support it	Speedy Gonzales (78)
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