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| Thread ID: 98178 | 2009-03-14 10:40:00 | PC Set up question... | minster (9180) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 756319 | 2009-03-14 10:40:00 | Hi, My partner has decided that before I build a new pc for myself, I should practise by building a new one for her:) ATM she is using an old Acer P4 3.0 Ghz and it's slowly dying. She does a lot of surfing as well as creating graphics with Photo Impact X3which is very resource hungry so will need 2/3 GB ram and a dedicated graphics card. I am thinking AMD but want to stay with 32 Bit .. not inadvertably buy 64 bit hardware that may have issues She will be using XP Home or Media centre. Can anyone suggest any Mobo, CPU, Ram and Graphics card combinations please? As cheap as possible but still a better set up than the P4 and of course new and reliable. I've searched PriceSpy but find it too confusing without the proper knowledge. I know we could buy a new system but I am looking forward to the experience of building it myself and would appreciate your help. Thanks Guys:) |
minster (9180) | ||
| 756320 | 2009-03-14 10:46:00 | Intel would probably be dearer than AMD How cheap is cheap? The latest AMD's and Intel's support 32 and 64 bit. If the OS is 32 bit, it will still work with 32 bit software. But if you use 64 bit software (operating system), the hardware / and drivers may or may not work / be compatible with it. Software should work tho |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 756321 | 2009-03-14 11:04:00 | How cheap is cheap? The latest AMD's and Intel's are 64 bit. If the OS is 32 bit, it will still work with 32 bit software. But if you use 64 bit software (operating system), the hardware, and software may or may not work / be compatible with it Thats why I'm asking for advice here. Software she is using now has to work on new pc. (That's my orders:) She only needs something better than what she is using now. (Acer SA80 P4 3.0 ghz, 1gb ram which is getting old. I have seen a lot of AMD systems on Trademe that would do the job okay and they are in the 550/650 dollar bracket for full desktop. Can I guess that cheap for mobo,cpu,ram + graphics would be 350/400 dollars? I already have a WD 500GB sata2 HDD but need to buy everything else. |
minster (9180) | ||
| 756322 | 2009-03-14 11:13:00 | A 3.0mhz PC shouldn't be that slow!? Depending on your motherboard but I'd suggest just getting more ram (as 1gb really isn't much these days) and upgrading the graphic card. 500/600 bucks for a whole new system isn't much, given that a decent graphic card will be 200/300 on its own. So I recommend you get yourself a decent graphic card, put in 2GB more ram, maybe re-install windows and it'll be as good as new with half the cost :) ... and effort heh Gregor |
WarNox (8772) | ||
| 756323 | 2009-03-14 11:15:00 | Software should work fine, if the OS software she installs on the new system is 32 bit. It'll be more compatible. However, if the version of XP she's using now, (or whatever the version is), came with the Acer (or on a restore CD), she'll have to buy another version of Windows You could buy an AMD for $400-$500, (maybe a bit more), if you dont want to use onboard video. Heres a few AMD's (www.xpcomputers.co.nz) If you youre going to build an AMD system You maybe able to use the PSU you have now (if its got the right plugs on it) BUT, you'll probably have to change the ram (and buy a videocard as above), if you dont want to use onboard video. And a CPU. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 756324 | 2009-03-14 11:24:00 | And just to point you in the right direction with the graphic card. As they said in the PC world last month a graphic card like the Gigabyte 4650 (for about $150) will most likely do everything that she needs without breaking the bank, given that your motherboard has a PCI-e slot :) | WarNox (8772) | ||
| 756325 | 2009-03-14 11:29:00 | No. I want to build a completely new system, not update hers. I already have xp home and media centre original discs with valid (unused)serials. I just thought there may be options to save a few dollars in building myself? Thanks for the links Speedy:) |
minster (9180) | ||
| 756326 | 2009-03-14 11:35:00 | Well, if she's / you're not going to use the P4 later, would you sell the CPU?? If you are, I'll buy it or whatever. Since, the other PC here is a P4 (running @ 2.4). Updating the CPU shouldnt hurt it Just remember to copy whatever docs off hers first (to something), before you format it (If youre using the hdd on that) Or slave it (once you buy the new system / parts), if its IDE |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 756327 | 2009-03-14 11:41:00 | Will let you know if we decide to scrap it Speedy. May be a while though. | minster (9180) | ||
| 756328 | 2009-03-14 11:48:00 | And just to point you in the right direction with the graphic card. As they said in the PC world last month a graphic card like the Gigabyte 4650 (for about $150) will most likely do everything that she needs without breaking the bank, given that your motherboard has a PCI-e slot :) Gregor, Her pc at the moment has got a 9250 128 mb AGP graphics card (off memory) Not PCI-e Motherboard is 8S661FXMP-RZ SiS 661FX chipset |
minster (9180) | ||
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