Advice on new system

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undesign

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Please have a look at my intended new system - I'm upgrading from a P4 3.0GHz. It will we used primarily for surfing and secondary for video editing/rendering/encoding. I play very little PC games. Also don't intend to OC.

Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz CPU
Intel G35 Mobo
Coolermaster 550W PSU
ASUS 9500GT 1Gb DDR3 graphics card
2 x 1Gb DDR800 memory
Case
(using existing HDD's)

Total cost R7000 from a reputable smaller retailer.

I'm debating whether to take a more expensive quad core, maybe something like the Q9450 for future proofing. :confused: About 1 grand more expensive. They quoted me on the Q8200, but I feel the clock speed of 2.33GHz is too little?

The 9500GT is apparently also not a thoroughbred, but should be sufficient for non-gaming purposes?

I know it is possible to buy various components cheaper online, but how difficult is it to assemble a PC from scratch? I've replaced memory, HDD's, a heatsink and a PSU before, but that's it - so not too much experience.

Any input is appreciated!
 
Sorry for the noob questions, but will you notice slower speeds when you use non-multi threaded applications with the 2.5GHz cpu vs. my current P4 3.0GHz? Or does the increased L2 cache, FSB, upgraded mobo etc. etc more than make up for it?

My reasoning behind the Q9450 was the increased clock speed (OK, not a big difference from the Q8300) and also the 12MB shared L2.
 
1 2.3Ghz core of the q8200 will rape your 3GHz P4 so don't worry about that.
 
Video editing rather go quad core. I would say rather get an asus or gigabyte motherboard, because you have the option of overclocking, which will make a significant difference to what you can get out of the rig.

Also if you do video encoding, you might want to look at a 4670 rather than a 9500, because you can use ATI's video tools - at the moment they aren't very sophisticated, but incredibly fast by comparison with CPU-based encoding.
 
cerebus said:
Video editing rather go quad core. I would say rather get an asus or gigabyte motherboard, because you have the option of overclocking, which will make a significant difference to what you can get out of the rig.

Also if you do video encoding, you might want to look at a 4670 rather than a 9500, because you can use ATI's video tools - at the moment they aren't very sophisticated, but incredibly fast by comparison with CPU-based encoding.
Click to expand...

yeah, I like what cerebus said, go quad simply because of future proofing... I would advise a Q9450 but the Q8300 will do just fine if you can't afford it... and go with a HD 4670 because, although ATI stream is crude, it will get better and it's lightening fast...
 
Thanks, I've decided on a quad, and trying to get the q9450. And also an ASUS P5QL-Pro mobo.

Like every other major purchase, the more you dig in the more expensive it becomes - already way over initial budget :eek:
 
Ive got an asus board and gosh. I <3 that thing!
Well, HAD an ASUS board, Tis now in the box in teh cupboard!
 
If you want to save some cash get the cooler master extreme 460W. More than enough for your system. Will even power a 4850 if you ever get it one day.

Oh and get the 4670.
 
Surely for video encoding nvidia's cuda is better than amd's offering?

Does the 9500 not offer cuda support?
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided on a quad core (Q9550) and a 9800GT card. Way more than original budget, but sh1te, such is life :p

PostmanPot was kind enough to help me out ;)
 
iris99 said:
Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided on a quad core (Q9550) and a 9800GT card. Way more than original budget, but sh1te, such is life :p

PostmanPot was kind enough to help me out ;)
Click to expand...

Rather get the 4830. Same performance in games, But you get DX10.1 plus you're using Stream instead of CUDA.

http://www.prophecy.co.za/radeon-4830-575mhz-clock-512mb-256bit-gddr3-p-33376.html

http://www.take2.co.za/electronics-his-ati-radeon-hd4830-512mb-pci-e-4250713.html

EtienneK said:
So a 460W will run a Quad Core and a 4850?
Click to expand...

Not any 460W. The coolermaster extreme power plus 460Watt yes.
 
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