New/1st build questons galore....

[Tellmemore]

Hi. I am building a new computer due to all the readin' I did when I looked into upgrading my processor. Wound up learning how to build a computer. God, I love the internet. )

I was looking into a better processor for music production and recording software (Steinberg's Cubase SL). The effects are very taxing on the processor so I thought a dual processor would be great for that. I've decided on and AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600= 2.20GHz processor. I am going with an Asus M2N SLI Deluxe NVIDIA Socket AM2 ATX Motherboard. It's got all the new bells and whistles, PCI express, DDR2 dual channel memory, SATA.....blah, blah, blah. Is this Motherboard a good choice?

For the PSUs I was looking at:
1) Ultra X-Finity 600-Watt SLI Ready Power Supply and a Free NEC 16x DVD±RW Burner.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...446914&CatId=0

2) OCZ / GameXStream / 700-Watt / ATX / 120mm Fan / SATA Ready / SLI Ready / EPS / Active PFC / Power Supply.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...235424&CatId=0

3) Aspire 600W DarkSide Alum Black PSU - Blue Sleeves
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...899442&CatId=0

4) Xion / 600-Watt Ver. 2.0/ ATX / 140mm / SATA-Ready / SLI-Ready / 20/24-Pin / Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...566997&CatId=0

5) Ultra / X-Finity / 600-Watt / ATX / Dual 80mm Fan / SATA-Ready / SLI Ready / Blue / Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...342&CatId=1483

How are Ultra's products?

For the cases I was looking at these options (in order choice):
1) Diablo XKroma Glossy Blue ATX Mid-Tower Case with Front USB and Audio Ports
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...647299&CatId=0

2) Cooler Master Centurion 5 - Blue ATX Mid-Tower Case with Front USB, Firewire and Audio Ports
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...482411&CatId=0

3) Ultra Grid ATX Mid-Tower Case with Clear Side, Front USB and Audio Ports
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=2151752


So how am I doing so far?

The things I will be using my computer for are:
1) Music production and recording.

2) Video editing, DVD authoring.

3) CD burning/compilation/mixes, MP3 conversion for IPOD or whatever MP3 player I get.

4) Designing things with Photoshop CS2, ie. CD covers, t-shirt designs, DVD covers, etc.

5) Loading and storing digital pictures from camera and using some for various projects, uploading to website and sharing.

6) Learning and using EXCELL, Powerpoint, Word. Creating things with these as well.

7) VHS, cassette tape and LP record conversion to DVD or CD.

8) Internet, MySpace, message boards, learning, shopping, research, etc.

9) Recording cable tv shows, specials, etc. and putting on DVDs.

10) Listening to CDs or watching DVDs.

Basically multimedia stuff. I'm not a gamer but, who knows maybe down the line if I got some time to play a game I might want that option to check something out. But for now multimedia and music prodution are the most important.

So with that knowledge I'd like some suggestions on video cards, audio cards and tuner cards.

I want a really good video card ($150or less range for this and the tuner and audio card if needed) for my video editing but don't need to over do it since I'm not a gamer. The card needs VGA and DVI, since my LCD monitor is VGA. I might get another one down the line and have two screens going to make it easier for video editing and music production. So what're your suggestions?

The board I'm getting comes with 8 channel audio and probably is decent enough for watching DVD's or listening to my CD's so do I really need a separate audio card? I also have one in my music production interface that has an ASIO driver as well. If it is your suggestion to get a separate audio card then what do you suggest? Also what are some decent surround speakers to get (black only and I really like to hear the bass)?

Last, is the tuner card so I can watch and record tv. I some some that had tivo type features so you could ff , pause or rw while watching etc. I like that feature. Is this the where I would find the VHS to DVD conversion features too? I'd like to take my out of print VHS tapes and convert them so I can sell the bulky VHS tapes. Also have icon archives I'd like to put to DVD too. They don't make video cards that do all this tuner and conversion stuff too, do they?

I have a cheap Lexmark 2200 series printer and that's find with me for printing out receipts or something simple I need. I don't need to print photos or Photshop stuff. That's what a CD and kinko's, etc. are for.

Last thing is...I want to take my 40 GB Hard Drive out of my current computer so got all my programs and stuff still (unless I can transfer everthing with out having to reload programs and suff. I don't know about that all that much. I know you can trasfer files.) and put it in the new computer. It's about halfway full, so I want to get another internal drive with something over 100 GBs. I will make the new drive the master so that the system boots up faster. Windows XP is my OS. I will be getting and external Hard Drive as well with 300 or 500 GB storage as well. This is where all my recorded music will be stored and it will be easily portable to other studios if i so choose. Any suggestions on that? I heard Seagate wasn't so reliable. I'm thinking maybe Western whatever it was.

I'd really appreciate anyones help in finishing up my selections. I want to get started on getting the items and building so I can start recording this month. Thanks so much in advance......

[Alaron]

Watch the language, this is a family forum.

Your CPU and motherboard choices are good. None of those PSUs are quality, don't buy any of them. I would avoid Ultra products. We have a list of power supplies: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

As for cases, get whichever one you like. The power supply is whats important, so as long as you have a good one of those, the case itself is a personal choice.

[newbuilder14]

In response to your question, Ultra products are low quality. I like to order Antec power supplies.

[flanzig1]

We have several sound pros here and they tend to prefer add on sound cards and generally not Sound Blaster. That said, always can start with on-board sound and upgrade later.
For video card, something like this should cover many of your needs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102661

[Tellmemore]

Sorry Alaron. I didn't realize I cussed.

Thanks for the advise on the PSU. I will check it out and get back to this forum with my choices. I have to go to bed now. I've been on this thing for hours and hours and hours.....

I did just check into tuner cards a bit while waiting for a response here and wondered what you guys thought of this:
Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Haupp...oductDetail.do

[newbuilder14]

That is a quality tuner card.

[Tellmemore]

Newbuilder 14, thanks for the advise.

Flanzig1, funny you put the link up for ATI's all-in-wonder. I was trying to find it early to check out after coming across a mention of it somewhere and couldn't find it on their confusing site and got sidetracked and never finished looking for it. Thanks for the link. Man, that thing is ugly LOL. I can't stand brass, gold and the such colors as well as tan, beige, cream, etc. I will look into it more. It is PCI express but I didn't see anything about SLI. Do I even need to exercise that option? Um...something with a front panel connection slot would be cool instead of all those wires to dangle around. Kind of along the lines of that Soundblaster audio card I saw with the front panel connections.

Newbuilder14...you were referring to the Hauppauge card?


I was thinking maybe something like this for my external hard drive:
Western Digital / MyBook Premium / 500GB / 7200 / 16MB / USB 2.0/Firewire / External Hard Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...8&Sku=W10-3008
Good brand? Dependable? Other suggestions?

[newbuilder14]

Yes the PVR-150 is a good card. I'd get it at Newegg if they have it. As for the external hard drive... I have no clue... Western Digital is a good brand, though - I have used Western Digital hard drives for all my builds because I have never had trouble with them.

[Tellmemore]

Cool. Thanks. I'll be back tomorrow with more. Really gotta go to bed now.

[flanzig1]

That motherboard can run regular PCI-express cards or being able to run 2 nVidea SLI cards in a SLi configuration.

[dogdude16]

seagate is a quality brand and their new 7200.10 series is very fast and can shorten boot times and such.

[blue60007]

Check out Newegg's prices...Tiger Direct doesn't have great service and like to overcharge for junk.

[whubbard]

...tigerdirect does beat neweggs prices sometimes...and they do have some products that newegg doesn't.
Just thought i would put that out there.

Personally...I'd go newegg anyday of the week over tiger.

[newbuilder14]

I don't mind buying from either vendor - I havn't had any bad experiences with either so I won't hold any grudges just because other people have. I don't think I'll order from ZipZoomFly again, though.

[Tellmemore]

Okay guys, I didn't get to do more research and come back here this weekend for more info/questions. Car repair stuff and still not resoloved.

Just as an FYI, the tigerdirect links don't mean I'm buying from them. I'm just familiar with that site since that's were I got my first "new" and current computer and typed it in to look around. I actually like there informative links too. Once I decide on everything I want I will be using shoppzilla to price compare and then haggle with my local dealers or order via online whichever works. So far with music equipment purhases and a camera purchase I've been getting a match or close to it for online prices deals, even for OMD sites. Got a $100 off my Sony Cybershot prosumer camera at Bestbuy that way and will be now be dealing with the same guy for my camcorder, IPOD and the such purchases. Guitar center worked the same way with me. Sticking with the same guy there too.

I downloaded that generic new build list. What's an FDD?

Umm...I'll be back when I get the chance. Gonna be a very long week at work.

Random question, please forgive me....How come I can't log in via AOL? I had to use my Firefox browser.

The first time I came here I created an account but, forgot the user ID as soon as changed screens. Can I recover it somehow?

By the chance, anyone no where to get some wiring schematics for an '89 Camaro RS for free?

[Alaron]

FDD = Floppy Disk Drive.

Best to start a thread in the Internet forum about your AOL issue.

[Tellmemore]

Floppy Disc Drives! What's that?! Who uses those?!. J/K. Thanks Aaloron. Must have seemed like a stupid question but, I've still learning. I'm like a torrent that's slowlying filling in bits and pieces at a time each day.

Well I think I'm between the Hauppage PVR-350 and some video card or the ATI ALL-IN-WONDER X1900 (dangling cords and all). Whats everybody's opinion on my two choices?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=A177-3098

http://www.markonecomputers.com/Defa...0-88fe64164fac

[Tellmemore]

And this for a possible power supply. Just did a quick look. I'm burnt out on research for the day.
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=23650

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by Tellmemore Floppy Disc Drives! What's that?! Who uses those?!. J/K. Thanks Aaloron. Must have seemed like a stupid question but, I've still learning. I'm like a torrent that's slowlying filling in bits and pieces at a time each day. Well I think I'm between the Hauppage PVR-350 and some video card or the ATI ALL-IN-WONDER X1900 (dangling cords and all). Whats everybody's opinion on my two choices? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=A177-3098 http://www.markonecomputers.com/Defa...0-88fe64164fac

For your purposes, you're better served by a stand-alone TV Tuner like the Hauppage tuner you have listed. The only merit of your purchasing the All-In-Wonder would be for gaming. Keep in mind that you do not need to spend a lot on graphics card to have decent image quality for editing. You can easily find something around 60 USD that'll do the job.

Keep in mind that you do not need a very expensive power supply unit to run your machine. There's a difference between quality and quantity - all you need is a QUALITY (ie. Antec, Sparkle, Enermax, etc.) PSU that doesn't necessarily have to be nVidia SLI certified.

kram

[Tellmemore]

At the rate I'm going with my hands in all these different pots, I figured that maybe I'd leave the gaming option open if I decide to get into it later. Sims stuff intrigues me and you only have to start with one thing for a snowball effect. So while I have the money now, I want to give myself a little head room.

Maybe an EVGA video card with the Hauppage then?

Can I even use ATI with my mobo? There seems to be two different technologies going on.
I really don't know much about video cards.

RE: the power supply. I've got a printer on usb, my mouse and keyboard on usb, and external interface with ASIO sound card (for music recording) connected via USB, a keyboard MIDI controller connected VIA USB and wanted to make sure I was covered even if I got into gaming and got two matching SLI cards. Don't need a $500 card but am willing to spend about $150 on it or the close to $300 for the ATI all in one that has both cards I need in it. But, the ATI wouldn't take advantage of my mobo SLI and chipset stuff if I went there would it?

Also need some interal hard drive brand suggestions. Is there a list like there is for the PSU's?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Tellmemore Maybe an EVGA video card with the Hauppage then?

Sure, eVGA video cards are good.

Originally Posted by Tellmemore Can I even use ATI with my mobo? There seems to be two different technologies going on.

You can use ATi video cards on a NVidia based motherboard, you just can't do SLi.

Originally Posted by Tellmemore RE: the power supply. I've got a printer on usb, my mouse and keyboard on usb, and external interface with ASIO sound card (for music recording) connected via USB, a keyboard MIDI controller connected VIA USB and wanted to make sure I was covered even if I got into gaming and got two matching SLI cards.

A good quality 650 watt PSU will pretty much handle anything out there right now as long as you're not doing extreme overclocking.

Originally Posted by Tellmemore But, the ATI wouldn't take advantage of my mobo SLI and chipset stuff if I went there would it?

Nope, you'd need to look at CrossFire if you want to do two ATi video cards. But personally I think SLi and CrossFire are overrated and really not necessary at all. Just another way for the companies to get your money.

Originally Posted by Tellmemore Also need some interal hard drive brand suggestions. Is there a list like there is for the PSU's?

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA HDDs.

Cricket

[Tellmemore]

I love that you saw each question and answered it. You rock. Thanks

That drive you mentioned I was just reading about. Heard it was noisy. Two of you have now recommened Seagate. Hmmm.

I have a friend that said he has had two or three Seagate hard drives crap out on him within months and I became wary of that brand but am still considering them. Heard anything about that?

I'm looking at Seagate or Western Digital right now. Two internal (SATA), one for mirroring (don't know how to do it yet. Can it mirror all programs too) and back up of the other drive and one external (USB/FIREWIRE) for portablity of music recordings if I want to take to a pro studio for further mixing, etc. Sound like a good idea? Haven't decided on GBs yet.

DVD burner I want SATA too. Don't see much right now.

Just to add more info...My monitor is a Samsung 19" SyncMaster 930B. I think it's anolog/digital. So maybe I can just get a video card with twi DVI connections instead of both. I thought I only had analog. Must have only came with an AGP cable connetor.

Using Compaq Wireless Multimedia Keboard and Mouse. Happy with it.

Speakers are Altec Lansing. Small woolfer and left and right speakers. Want something much better for my new 8.1 capability system for watching tv/movies and listening to my CDs. Later for that. Still gotta pick out video card, PSU, HDDs, DVD burner and Memory sticks.

[flanzig1]

Mirroring(doing a RAID 1) is really not needed on a home computer. Use one drive for programs and apps and the other for data(audio/video/office)

[Tellmemore]

Ah...Okay. Well. let's see....the current computer I have has a dinky 40 GB hard drive on it and I've already got over half used. I really don't want to put it in the new computer because it's so small. What I do want is to transfer all of my files AND applications to the new hard drive. Then I'll have a much bigger drive with all my stuff and penty of room to keep adding programs. Some of the programs I have I can't reinstall because I don't have the discs so that's why I was thinking I'd mirror it and have the mirriored drive as back up instead of having to save things on a CD or DVD for every little thing. In case it failed. So can I transferall my stuff without reinstalling all programs on the new HD? Then I can keep it in the old computer and have a second working computer for another room/backup etc.

I really need to work this out. This as been occuping my mind for awhile.

[Tellmemore]

Another question....do they make some kind of y connector so that you can have one monitor plugged into two different computers and then have a switching device to work with one computer or the other?

[Tellmemore]

ummm....if a video card has HDTV out can I still plug into a non HDTV tv or do I need to get a card with TV out?

[Tellmemore]

Is this good enough for me. Compatible with my board...yadda, yadda...?
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...&Sku=E145-7872

[newbuilder14]

Get that for cheaper at Newegg.com

[Alaron]

Originally Posted by Tellmemore Another question....do they make some kind of y connector so that you can have one monitor plugged into two different computers and then have a switching device to work with one computer or the other?

Yup, its called a KVM switch. You can share 1 monitor, keyboard and mouse between as many computers as you like. And you can just do the monitor, no need for all three.

And I agree with newbuilder, avoid TigerDirect, poor prices and customer service. Stick with Newegg.

On a side note, please use the EDIT button when you have more questions to add, instead of posting multiple times in a few minutes.

[TEREX]

I'm using two computers right now, and I do mean NOW as in "as I type this", and they have a Belkin KVM linking them. They are self power thru your computers, no "wall wart" to feed them, input is from from the cables that are attached to your mouse/keyboard/monitor, output to the computers is through cables permanently attached to the KVM switch.

To change between computers, press SCROLL LOCK + SCROLL LOCK + UP ARROW within 2 seconds, and they switch. All withing about a second.

I've got company email, MS Word, MS Excel, parts data base, and internet on one. The
other one runs Win XP Pro X64 and has my 3D CAD 64-bit program.

Buy one thing, comes with all cables permanently attached, no external power required, and around $45. No moving parts, no installation disk, literally "plug and play"

TEREX