Time for a new computer, what should I be looking for?

[melarky]

My wife has given the go ahead to start looking for a new computer (we've had our current one for quite a while now, at least 5 years).  I haven't followed the "chip wars" with Intel and AMD, so I have no idea what to be looking for anymore.  Is one better than the other?  I hear a whole lot about dual core blah blah blah, but don't know what I should really be looking for (seems like the processor speeds haven't improved that much over my old Pentium 4 2.0 GHz).

Can anyone suggest some things to look for in a new computer that will really matter.  Also, which chip (Intel or AMD) and what speed etc...  Any input on this would be appreciated.

[leapinlew]

Well...


What do you do? You play games? Use photoshop? Just check email?

I'm assuming since you haven't upgraded in 5 years you probably don't game much. Almost anything would be a good improvement for you. I got an email for a Dell with a 19" LCD for under $600. Maybe worth looking at.

[FrizzleFried]

Right now Intels latest Core 2 Duo processors are "the shizz".   Go with them,  whatever memory is good with that chipset (I ain't got a clue as I ain't got the dough for a Core2Duo system),  and make sure you get an Nvidia 8800 video card (its DX10 compliant).

[USSEnterprise]

You should probably get something that is dual core, has at least a gig of DDR2 RAM, and at least one PCIe Slot for video upgrade. Personally, If I were to buy I computer right now, I'd go with something with a Core 2 Duo processor, mainly because of the huge amount of L2 cache. However, I am currently running an Athlon X2 3800 + with 1GB RAM and I am pleased with its performance in gaming and 3DMark 06. Check http://www.dealnews.com for good deals. Its how I found mine. As far as Video, I currently have a 7900GS, and am extremely happy with it. As for the nVidia 8800, I would wait until the 8600 series cards come out before upgrading video.

[melarky]

Yeah, I don't game too much (just MAME, and I won't be using that this computer, I leave that to the one going in the cab).

I do use photoshop and illustrator fairly often, and my wife would like to get a program to edit our movies on (like pinnacle studio 10 or something, just something to grab our camcorder video and make a quick menu and burn a dvd etc...).  That is probably the most "cpu intensive" stuff I do though.

We currently have a laptop (Pentium 4 2.0GHz), and we're always running out of "Virtual Memory" because the video card is crap (I think that is what is causing that error), and we weren't able to install a video editing suite on it either (just don't think it was up to the task, needs a better video card again).

[USSEnterprise]

I would think that running out of VM means your hard drive is  full, or that your page file maximum size is set too low.

[melarky]

I just assumed it was the video card, because when it starts popping up that error, every time I minimize or close a window, it slowly "scales" down the screen as it closes (instead of just instantly going away).  Figured that was a problem with the video card (which is nothing special).

[Buddabing]

IMO for a casual/MAME gamer the 8800 is waaaay overkill. I think a nice 7600GT-based video card will be just fine.

Add that to the Core 2 Duo processor and 2 gig of DDR2 memory. There are motherboards which use DDR1 memory with the C2D processors if you already have the RAM, notably the AsRock Dual VSTA board. The VSTA board is not an overclocker, however.

I would say get the E6300 processor for the price/performance.

[USSEnterprise]

I don't really think 2GB of RAM is necessary unless he plans on using Vista

[boykster]

I don't really think 2GB of RAM is necessary unless he plans on using Vista

If he starts using Pinnacle to do video stuff, 2gb is where I'd start.  Go 4gb if you plan on being serious about video stuff.

[leapinlew]

I don't really think 2GB of RAM is necessary unless he plans on using Vista

If he starts using Pinnacle to do video stuff, 2gb is where I'd start.  Go 4gb if you plan on being serious about video stuff.

  Especially using Pinnacle...

If you want quick easy stuff - I like using Sonic's software.

[USSEnterprise]

I use Pinnacle 10.5xx with 1GB of RAM and it runs extremely smooth. Hell, my father runs it on 512 and a 2.6 Celeron and its still usable.

[leapinlew]

I use Pinnacle 10.5xx with 1GB of RAM and it runs extremely smooth. Hell, my father runs it on 512 and a 2.6 Celeron and its still usable.

Yes, you can use it. But lets imagine he might want to do a other things on his computer at the same time.

The other thing to remember about Pinnacle is that you'll want a good video card. Something in the area of 128mb (even more if you start getting crazy)

Since your dealing with videos - you'll want to make sure your storage needs are met.

[USSEnterprise]

Yeah, if video work is something you'll be doing, you probably need at least a 250GB Drive.

[AtomSmasher]

We currently have a laptop (Pentium 4 2.0GHz), and we're always running out of "Virtual Memory" because the video card is crap (I think that is what is causing that error), and we weren't able to install a video editing suite on it either (just don't think it was up to the task, needs a better video card again).

Virtual memory has nothing to do with your video card, it has to do with your ram and your harddrive.  Basically, windows simulates ram on your harddrive so when your actual ram fills up, it loads the memory onto your harddrive which is extremely slow compared to real ram.

Theres a few things you should do.  First off, install more ram into your computer, you obviously don't have enough.  Since your running al lot of programs off of virtual memory, this should help a ton in speeding up your computer.  Second, assuming you have plenty of harddrive space, increase the amount of virtual memory windows can use. 

To do that, right click on "my computer" go to properties, click on the "advanced" tab, then inside the "performance" area click on the "settings" button.  Click on the "advanced" tab, then in the virtual memory section, click on "change."  Its probably set to "system managed size" but if you click on "custom size" you can set it larger then windows is setting it.  I would make the maximum at least 1024 and personally I always set the initial size to the same size as the maximum size because I don't want the virtual memory file to get fragmented and therefore even slower then it already is.

[divemaster127]

Tomshardware.com right now is stating the best video card for the money is the PCI 7900GS, I purchased mined for $140.00 from newegg.com when I build my 6600 intel dual core, its a fast compter not much money, the 6600 cpu I picked up oem off of pricewatch for $240.00
dm

[USSEnterprise]

I agree. IMO, the 7900GS is the best bang for your buck. I think I got mine for $110 at Buy.com and I haven't had a single problem with graphics since.

[Howard_Casto]

I use Pinnacle 10.5xx with 1GB of RAM and it runs extremely smooth. Hell, my father runs it on 512 and a 2.6 Celeron and its still usable.

Yes, you can use it. But lets imagine he might want to do a other things on his computer at the same time.

Even with the current stability of vista/xp you should never multitask when you are rendering/editing video.  You open wmp, one of the 13 other things running in the background doesn't like it, and boom, hours of work down the drain.

[divemaster127]

hes dead on with that one, if you rendering/editing video do not try other tasks at all these eat up the power
dm

[Samstag]

I render/edit video while doing 10 other things on a single core on a daily basis.  I've never once lost or mangled a video.

Sure, everything will slow down.  There's only so much CPU available.  But unless you're recording incoming video using software encoding, there's no harm in it at all.

[melarky]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I finally ordered the computer a few days ago, ended up with the following:

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6600 (2.4GHz,1066FSB) with 4MB cache
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz
20 in (20 in viewable) E207FP Widescreen Flat Panel Display
NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE
250GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Edition, English
48X Combo Single
Integrated Audio
IEEE 1394a Adapter

I have an external DVD/CD burner that I will use with it, and another external hard drive as well.  Should be here today in fact, so that will be nice to set up over the weekend.

[Angry_Radish]

You're going to want to grab another gig of ram, 1 gig is about enough to run vista, the other will make a HUGE performance difference

[melarky]

Yeah, I figure I will see how it goes.  If it becomes a problem, I'll grab another gig and throw it in (it was an extra $130 to add it from dell, and I've seen much better deals elsewhere).

[USSEnterprise]

With everything I've read on vista, you'll be smashing it with a hammer after a few days of use. Video card is also not too great. IIRC, dell also offers the ATI X1300, which, I think would have been a better choice (or to not order any expanded video and throw in an nVidia or ATI card later on)