[JStergis]

For some somewhat light web/graphics/audio work (Photoshop CS, Dreamweaver 8, Flash 8 Pro, Audacity, XP Pro) how does this config. sound? Any glaring issues? It'll only cost me about 295$ in the end, as I already have the two hard disks and DVD-RW Drive:

Board
Case
RAM

Graphics
CPU

Hard disks will be Western Digital Caviar SE 120 GB & 160 GB Drives

DVD-RW will be a Pioneer DVR-710

What do you all think of that plan? Also, I have a copy of Win XP Pro, but since this is (I believe) a 64 bit processor, would I need a 64 bit edition of XP or would my 32 bit work?

Thanks,

Joe

[gotrootdude]

As I see it, you're paying $191.75 (after-shipping) for a low end board, low end cpu, and low end graphics.

It looks like you'd be much better off looking at the combo deals. Just click the link along the menu on the lower left side of Newegg's homepage.

One of the dual core AMD boards with integrated 6100 or 6150 nvidia graphics would save you a bundle in money, and give better performance. Neither of those graphics solutions are going to run games well, but the 6150 runs Vista's Aero interface with ease, and both will outrun the 5500, abeit barely. Preferred specs: X2 core, Socket AM2 (better performing than 939 and 754, upgradability) , PCIe 16x (for upgrading video later), DDR2 (Cheaper than DDR now, and overall performs better).


The 32bit XP will work fine.

I wouldn't trust the power supply that comes with that case.. I'd suggest one of these cases.: http://www.svc.com/rc-631-kkn1.html I own five of them, and I'm thrilled with the quality.

[JStergis]

Originally Posted by gotrootdude

As I see it, you're paying $191.75 (after-shipping) for a low end board, low end cpu, and low end graphics.

It looks like you'd be much better off looking at the combo deals. Just click the link along the menu on the lower left side of Newegg's homepage.

One of the dual core AMD boards with integrated 6100 or 6150 nvidia graphics would save you a bundle in money, and give better performance. Neither of those graphics solutions are going to run games well, but the 6150 runs Vista's Aero interface with ease, and both will outrun the 5500, abeit barely. Preferred specs: X2 core, Socket AM2 (better performing than 939 and 754, upgradability) , PCIe 16x (for upgrading video later), DDR2 (Cheaper than DDR now, and overall performs better).


The 32bit XP will work fine.

I wouldn't trust the power supply that comes with that case.. I'd suggest one of these cases.: http://www.svc.com/rc-631-kkn1.html I own five of them, and I'm thrilled with the quality.

Okay...makes sense. I don't do really graphics intensive stuff (no games or anything), just extremely memory and CPU intensive (especially those Photoshop filters) Dual Core would be really nice because of all the multi-tasking I do...

I do want to pay as little as possible though...

I have the following parts that will go into it-

-Western Digital Caviar SE IDE 120 GB
-Western Digital Caviar SE IDE 160 GB
-Pioneer DVR-710 16X DVD-RW Drive
-Win XP Pro 32 Bit & all the other software
-a 5 port USB 2.0 card

Basically then I need a CPU, mobo, RAM, and case (as at this point it looks as if onboard graphics may be my best bet).

Pretty much my only requirement is a gig of RAM minimum.

Could you possibly come up with a decent config as cheap as possible if you get a chance? I've always had Intel but I'm more than willing to give AMD a shot. This is my first build for myself. People have given me a bushel of parts and told me to build them one before and I've done that though, just never dealt with finding a good compatable config. Know if AMDs come w/ decent stock paste or heatsinks/fans? Intel heatsinks are generally decent (although they could be a lot better), but the paste is junk. I usually use arctic silver on any build I do, I think I ran out of it though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007

[gotrootdude]

The OEM heatsink with the retail AMD dual cores is very good, and very quiet. You want be able to do much better with an aftermarket unless you're planning to use watercooling. The sinks come pre-pasted with just enough paste, and you might shave off a degree using artic silver, but there's really no need. Just make sure you load the cpu driver, and enable cool and quiet. http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/128

It should stay well below 40C , much cooler than that prescott you first looked at.

I'd probably grab this ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227059

You want two sticks so you can run in dual channel. Remember that the ob video is going to eat up 128mb of it, so don't be surprised when it shows only 700 and so mb in the control panel.

In the past, I would'ave tooted artic silver more. But today's cpu's come inside of a shield over the core (I believe because so many people were crushing or chipping the cores), with paste inside the shield. So unless you're willing to go through prying the heat-shield off, and putting the sink right on the core, there's not much to be gained over the paste that comes on the heatsink with the retail versions of the cpu.

Removing the Integrated Heat Shield off a athlon64: http://www.overclockersclub.com/guid...hs-removal.php
I wouldn't recommend doing this, but it'll knock off around three-ten degrees, beware, some are soldered onto the cores. Go ahead if you can afford to lose a cpu. Personally, I wouldn't do it... Then again, that peltier enhanced water cooler I have sitting on a shelf might get some use... Then again, I'm waiting on the 6000+ dual cores to drop a bit in price. Maybe I'll try it out on my 4600X2 if I don't end up selling it by the end of the year.