Upgrade - Need advice

[Zman]

PC Mechers…. I’m upgrading my computer after 2.5 years. So, its been two years since I last touched the inside of my PC. My current system is listed below in my signature. I currently have a great Lian Li Case equipped with a 430 Watt Thermaltake Power Supply and one DVD burner. I’ll be migrating two more hard drives on board for data (a 160gb Internal IDE and an External 500gb USB) etc…. I will only be replacing the Mobo, CPU, Ram and Hard Drive(s). I don’t have much cash so I’d like to go AMD 64x2 for the CPU for cost issues. I’m not a gamer. I do video editing, video capture; photoshop, etc. I have a High Definition Monitor and will watch videos on it. I’m looking to get the most bang for my buck.

1.) I would like to get an AM2 Mobo (under $100 with onboard video if possible): Does the MSI seem okay? http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813130067

2.) Processor: AMD 64x2 3800
www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103735

3.) 2gigs of Ram (need recommendation)

4.) 2 Sata Drives (160gb’s or more a piece) and run Raid for OS and applications.
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822144415

I’ve never run raid before but would really like to set it up. Is this something I should not consider? Should I stay with a single drive… or a 10,000RPM perhaps?

Thanks in advance.

--Zman

[flanzig1]

Looks like you will need a new power supply. That board needs a 24 pin ATX plug AND a 4 pin 12v plug. Your supply, I'm guessing is a 20 pin ATX.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Zman I’ve never run raid before but would really like to set it up. Is this something I should not consider? Should I stay with a single drive… or a 10,000RPM perhaps?

I can't help you with the other questions, but which RAID are you asking about? RAID 0? If so, my suggestion is to avoid RAID 0 and either just use the hard drives normally or use one of the other RAID configurations that offer mirroring or similar so your data is backed up automagically. RAID 0 isn't recommended because the performance increase is negligible and if something goes wrong with either hard drive you lose everything (all your data is gone).

Cricket

[Zman]

flanzig1 - thanks for the info as I had no idea the Power Supply connections have changed. Do all AM2 compatible boards have the 24 pin ATX/4 pin 12v plugs?

[Zman]

Originally Posted by Cricket which RAID are you asking about? RAID 0? If so, my suggestion is to avoid RAID 0 and either just use the hard drives normally or use one of the other RAID configurations that offer mirroring or similar so your data is backed up automagically. RAID 0 isn't recommended because the performance increase is negligible and if something goes wrong with either hard drive you lose everything (all your data is gone). Cricket

Well, I was thinking RAID 0. I had read somewhere that data was accessed twice as fast... I must have been misled. Does RAID 1 offer any performance/speed increase?. If the speed is negligible as you suggest I can see your point. I would, however, be backing up all of my data regularly. For my setup/use then, what would you recommend as far as a hard drive configuration/setup? Thanks cricket....

[flanzig1]

For the Am2 socket and most new Intel boards, the 24 pin and 4 pin power plugs is pretty much standard.
Raid 0 is faster but not twice as fast as one drive. In RAID 0, the data is split between 2 drives so if you lose 1 drive you lose all data. RAID 1 more or less makes a duplicate set of files on the second drive.

[freakitchen]

I'd recommend this for a motherboard, great features, on-board video, under $100 and the quality of ASUS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131014

You'll need DDR2-800 RAM:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

A quality 450w power supply is plenty enough for on-board video, and would suffice for a pretty decent video card should you choose to add one later.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

I personally wouldn't bother with RAID at all. RAID 0 certainly won't give you double the performance.

FK

[newbuilder14]

How about this low power consumption X2 3800+ for the same price? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103733