New build advice needed

[quartet-man]

Okay, my work Dell that had the bulging and leaking capacitors and failed to boot over a year ago (until a hard drive controller card solved the problem) seems to have finally bit the dust. I want to have one built. I might want to reuse a few parts from the Dell if possible, but will probably opt to use mostly new. I am a church music director and want to do the following mostly: Record music from a tape deck via a soundcard using Goldwave and a Y cable (stereo 1/8 inch to RCA left and right) as well as using the same connection and mixing rehearsal CD's from a mixer. Internet surfing, email, midi and Finale arrangements (I have a midi interface), watching DVD's, listening to CD's, word processing, Power Point etc, and other programs I currently use and have the software for, burning CD's and DVD's,and possibly recording DVD's from a video tape. I have a video capture card and software, but never got them to sync right. However, I might be able to use them on the new system. If not, I might try again in the future.

I want something that hits the sweet spot between price and performance, and will last several years. I have had this one for over 5 years, and would still use it if not for the problems. I will reuse the monitor (or another monitor) if possible, I have an all in one I will use, and I would hope I can use the Dell sub and speakers I have. I want XP or 7. I have an XP disc with the Dell that I am considering saving. I would also like to keep the Office 2003 from it. I will strip down the Dell and toss the rest.

Here are some things I am considering, but probably nothing is written in stone. I can't justify spending $2000, but will start off with staying within $1000. however, I want to do this right and the price is somewhat flexible. If the video card I have in the Dell is sufficient and reusable, I might consider reusing it. I might reuse the Dell Keyboard and mouse too. I have a cordless mouse and keyboard to use as well. I want an Intel build.



Case (I want mid tower or higher, durable, easy to work in with plenty of room for expansion, cool, nice-looking preferably black.)

Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3865134&SID=

or

Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3865134&SID=

Floppy

Rosewill RCR-FD400 74-in-1 3.5" Internal USB 2.0 Card Reader w/ Floppy Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-111-_-Product

or

Sony MRW620/U1/181 Internal 17 in 1 Memeory Card Reader/Writer
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MRW620-U1...3523540&sr=1-6


Hard drive

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-533-_-Product

Optical Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106335

O/S

XP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-583-_-Product

Keyboard

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-160-_-Product

Mouse

Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-185-_-Product



Soundcard

Creative 70SB073A00000 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102006
HP C7280

Second optical?






Here is what I found looking at some of the key parts in my Dell. Soundblaster Audigy 2 SB0350 , some sort of Radeon card (it was late and I never pulled any cards yet).
Below is what Dell has down for the parts in the Dell. The DVD drive was replaced and I added extra memory.
System Type: Dimension 8400
Ship Date: 9/23/2004
Dell IBU: Americas
Quantity Parts # Part Description
1 C3824 Processor, 80547, Pentium 4 Prescott DT, 3.0GHZ, 1 MEGB 800FSB, SKT-T
1 N6835 INSTRUCTION..., DEVIATE FOR CHAS L5.5/L6
1 2R400 Keyboard, 104, 6P, United States, Multi-Media, NMB...
1 D1161 Kit, Mosue, UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS..., 2 Button, Wheel Optical, PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD...
2 U2414 Dual In-Line Memory Module 512, 400M, 64X64, 8, 240, 1RX8
1 P1554 Card, Multi-media, Audio, 1394 SB0353
1 X2749 Modem, V.92, Data Fax, Internal Donny, Dell Americas Organization
1 J2427 DIGITAL VIDEO DISK DRIVE..., 17G, 16X, I, 5.25" FORM FACTOR..., Liteon Chassis 2001, V5
1 D6122 Assembly, Digital Video Disk Drive Read Write, 16X, Half Height, Philips, CHASSIS 2001...
1 N1818 Kit, Speaker, 120V, A425, Zylux Corporation, Dell Americas Organization
1 P0151 Display, Cathode-Ray Tube, 17, D, E773C, Midnight Gray, Dell Americas Organization
1 J3886 Card, Graphics, 128, X800, Server Enhanced, HMGA10
1 5U692 Floppy Drive, 1.44M, 3.5" FORM FACTOR..., 3MD, NBZ Samsung, CHASSIS 2001...
1 N4707 Hard Drive, 160GB, Serial ATA 7.2K, 8MB, Seagate-Alpine
1 P1860 Kit, Software, OFCPRO-2K3 Original Equipment Manufacturer, English
1 R2553 Kit, Software, Overpack, WXPHSP1ACompact Diskette/W Documentation, English
1 G4874 Kit, Documentation On Floppy Disk, Software, PowerDVD, 5.1
1 9N249 Guide, Read Me, Client Gold
0 83535 INFORMATION..., PART, ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY ATTACHMENT PACKET INTERFACE..., DEVICE
0 149DF INFORMATION..., PREPARATION MATERIAL..., DEVIATION..., PRECISION WORKSTATION..., INCREASE..., #2
1 H3182 Guide, OWNER, DIM8400 English, Rest Of World
1 K3103 PLACEMAT..., GETTING STARTED..., DIM8400, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION...
1 T4860 Guide, Product, Information Desktop, AMF/BCC
0 01323 INFORMATION..., NO ITEM
1 J4059 ASSEMBLY..., CHASSIS..., NON PFC..., TRANSFORMER SKY DIVE MINITOWER..., 350W, PWA INTEGRATED...
1 W4254 Assembly, Heat Sink, PerformanceTransformer Sky Dive Mini Tower, TRANSFORMER METROPLEX DESKTOP...
1 Y3798 ASSEMBLY..., BRACKET..., RETAINER/RETENTION..., PLASTIC..., PC INTERFACE EXPRESS...

[glc]

I have an XP disc with the Dell that I am considering saving.

Not possible. It's locked to a Dell motherboard. The Office CD should work.

Look at the Antec Sonata 3 500 case, it comes with a quality power supply.
You can reuse the Soundblaster and speaker system. You can reuse the X800 video card if it's PCI-Express. You can reuse your DVD drive if it has a standard front bezel. I'd recommend you get a USB adapter and reuse the old hard drive as an external. With the hard drive you have chosen, you will need to use Windows 7 - it's one of the new large sector drives.

I'd recommend an Asus P7P55D-E LX motherboard, an i5-750 CPU, and a 2x2 kit of DDR3-1333 or DDR3-1600 ram (Kingston, Corsair, Crucial, G.skill, or A-Data). No more floppy controllers on new motherboards, if you need a floppy you have to use an external USB floppy.

[quartet-man]

Originally Posted by glc Not possible. It's locked to a Dell motherboard. The Office CD should work. Look at the Antec Sonata 3 500 case, it comes with a quality power supply. You can reuse the Soundblaster and speaker system. You can reuse the X800 video card if it's PCI-Express. You can reuse your DVD drive if it has a standard front bezel. I'd recommend you get a USB adapter and reuse the old hard drive as an external. With the hard drive you have chosen, you will need to use Windows 7 - it's one of the new large sector drives. I'd recommend an Asus P7P55D-E LX motherboard, an i5-750 CPU, and a 2x2 kit of DDR3-1333 or DDR3-1600 ram (Kingston, Corsair, Crucial, G.skill, or A-Data). No more floppy controllers on new motherboards, if you need a floppy you have to use an external USB floppy.

I must have picked a different drive than I thought. I just wanted a Western Digital Black 1TB serial ATA. So, we can sub that if needed. I bought one for the Dell, but am keeping it as a backup and getting a new one for the OS. I had considered a usb floppy. I have midi files on floppies that I use in a hardware sequencer that only uses floppies

As far as the XP, if I can get access to an XP disc, but use my key number, is that doable?

EDIT. I think this is the hard drive I got before:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-284-_-Product

As far as the case, I like the looks of the other two better, but that is secondary to function, what I need and price. Besides, I can't justify spending church money on looks. :-) I do like the lock on the one you recommended and it looks solid and easy to work in (two important features.) It also matches the Dell monitor and scheme better than what I found. Thanks. I will check out the parts later. I need to get to bed in a bit.

[glc]

Nope, if you want XP, you are going to have to cough up the 100 bucks for a new copy. Both the Dell CD and the Dell key are only licensed for use on a Dell computer. It's the motherboard that makes it a Dell. Sorry.

If you don't get that SATA 6.0 drive, you can save a few bucks and get a P7P55 LX (or, if you need 1394 Firewire, a P7P55D). The drive you just linked would be a better choice for XP and is a SATA 3.0.

[Khalil]

Download this http://www.ubuntu.com/ and you will probably never think of windows again! You can actually try it before you install right from the ISO. This new version of Ubuntu (10.04) puts Microsoft to shame in every aspect and it is completely self installing, self updating even better and easier to use than windows 7, I have yet to see hardware not work with it.

It will do all that music stuff you want to do with, it comes with a ton of software and you can go to the download section which is completely been tested and certified by the Ubuntu crew and download some great sound editing and mixing software for FREE!
But if you insist on XP you will need to pay the $100 like glc suggested.

[quartet-man]

I am considering going ahead and getting a video card, optical drive(s) and sound card. I am not 100% sure after thinking about it again, that I don't have a video card problem. I doubt it, but unlike last time where I could see error messages. this time I see nothing when I try to boot the Dell. I traded monitors and it didn't help, but the monitor with the Dell worked fine with another computer. I would have to see if there is a computer at church I could try the card in or another card I could temporarily try in the Dell. As far as the sound card and optical drives, I could place them in other computers at church and upgrade them and start out with all new in my new computer.

With that in mind, would the DVD burner and sound card I chose be good? What kind of video card would I want. I realize that it will take the budget over, but that is okay. I really want to get it going and to get all new might be good since I have lost so much time and had such hassles with this both times it was down. Knowing the prices of the other things would help decide, and I really need to get this going soon as far as ordering parts. I am planning on having it built in a shop. I can do quite a bit of things, but don't have the time to learn the others right now and will be better served to use the time in other fashion on the job. However, I suspect that most things that come up on it after it is built are things I can do or get help from here in the future.

EDIT: On the motherboard, I am wondering about the future and hard drives. Since I plan on keeping this system for 5 + years minimum and possibly upgrade to 7 or a future OS in the future (or maybe instead of XP, but maybe not), would I be better served to get the original suggestion and be done with it?

[quartet-man]

Khalil, that sounds interesting and perhaps sometime in the future I might try it on a system. However, now I think it might be best to stick with XP. It will be easier to jump in quickly and I am sure that it will work with my programs and be compatible with other machines I use on the job. The screenshots looked cool and I hope to try it out sometime later.

[quartet-man]

As far as the XP license, I guess I need to find someone with a Dell to get some use of it. :-) However, is it a licensing / legal issue (as in not allowed) or is it impossible? I plan on staying legal either way, but am curious. If it is a licensing thing, would it be legal to use on another Dell, or was it just that system?

[shadowpr]

pm sent.

[quartet-man]

I pulled the video card, but the computer I thought I could test it in doesn't have the right port. Nonetheless, the computer motherboard is bad, so I need a new one. I just can't depend on this card necessarily and since I am having it built, would at least like a recommendation for one in case as well as the sound card and drive listed above (or alternatives.) It is hard to do my job on other people's computers when I can get them. I might have to bring my netbook tomorrow, but that isn't the same.

[glc]

The Dell XP CD will physically install on a non-Dell motherboard but it will not accept a key or activate. As long as it sees a Dell bios, it will install and activate without the need to enter a key.

You don't need a second optical, but if you want one, just get 2 of the same DVD burners.
Onboard sound may do everything you need, if not you can always add one later.
Video: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102876

[quartet-man]

Thanks. It has been my experience that onboard sound isn't sufficient for my needs. Is the card I chose a good one and compatible? I need a line in to convert analog to digital and I have a sub and two small speakers (from the Dell.) The software my previous soundblasters came with was useful as well. I just really want to get it all new (except for speakers and monitor now), configured and ready to go. The company that will build it takes a few days and it will take at least that long to get the parts. So, it looks like I will be without one for a week (although I can use other ones for word processing at least. Even to get online I have to interrupt the secretary unless I move a computer from elsewhere to my office and plug in the switch.) I use the computer a lot on my job and the time and trouble it is costing me without one is great. In my line of work, I don't have the time to spare.

[glc]

When was the last time you worked with onboard sound? The onboard sound on the recommended motherboard is better than a lot of cards out there.

I hardly see the need for a soundcard that has "gamer" in the name. For what you want to do, if you get a card at ALL, I'd recommend a card oriented toward audio professionals, not gamers or audiophiles. Think M-Audio.......

[quartet-man]

Thanks. As far as onboard sound, it has been some time ago. I have had the Dell for 6 years. I saw some M Audio stuff. In fact my midi interface is made by them.

[quartet-man]

Okay, here is the updated list. Is everything good? IF I decide to sub in Windows 7, will this still be good? The soundcard may or may not be gotten as well. I am putting it here to see if it would work, but I might use onboard or add my current one from the Dell in. Is there anything else I'll need besides what is here?

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106335

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284

SAPPHIRE 100292L Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 1GB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102876

Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664BN1608
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148325

ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Xtreme Design w/ True USB 3.0 + SATA 6Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131620

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 English 1 Pack for System Builders DSP OEI CD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116583


M-AUDIO Delta 1010LT 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface 10-In-10-Out PCI Virtual Studio
Free headset with purchase, limited offer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-011-_-Product

[glc]

I'd recommend you choose some different ram - Ballistix has never been terribly reliable or stable. If you go to the Asus website and pull up the page for that motherboard, you can download the "QVL". This lists all tested compatible ram. Don't sweat the speed too much - DDR3-1333 is all you NEED but 1600 is acceptable.

[quartet-man]

I didn't find that exact board description. Here are the search results:

http://www.asus.com/Search.aspx?SearchKey=P7P55D

And here:

http://support.asus.com/download/dow...Language=en-us

Basically, I am open to ram that will work and good, quality, stable and lasting.

[glc]

On the support site, enter the model number like you were looking for drivers. Qualified Vendor List is a category. I can't direct link you because the download uses Javascript.

[quartet-man]

Accidentally overwriiten.

[glc]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231189 looks like an exact match to me. Don't worry about the (XMP).

[quartet-man]

I think I saw that and wondered. I just found the Corsair from the Box ID and edited my post prior to seeing yours. What are your thoughts?

[quartet-man]

Okay, here is the updated list. Is everything good? I haven't totally decided on OS?, but will likely get XP to insure comparability with my programs and peripherals I will reuse (new all in one etc.) Still thinking on soundcard. (Reuse soundblaster, integrated or card below)Is there anything else I'll need besides what is here? Cables? NIC (I presume it is built in on the board.)
I've always bought preassembled, but have done upgrading on some things.) To expedite this so I can get the order in soon, I am going with Corsair, but will change to what you linked below if it is equal or better or I chose the wrong one. Thanks.

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106335

Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129024


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136284

SAPPHIRE 100292L Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 1GB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102876

Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664BN1608
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820148325

ASUS P7P55D-E LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Xtreme Design w/ True USB 3.0 + SATA 6Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131620

Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP3 English 1 Pack for System Builders DSP OEI CD - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116583


M-AUDIO Delta 1010LT 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface 10-In-10-Out PCI Virtual Studio
Free headset with purchase, limited offer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-011-_-Product[/QUOTE]

CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1333C9DHX

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...w3x4g1333c9dhx

[glc]

The G.skill is about 10 bucks cheaper. Take that Crucial out of your list. If you can't decide on the soundcard, order it without and try the onboard. Like I said, you can always add a card at any time.

You say you are having this built - why don't you do it yourself?

[quartet-man]

For a few reasons, GLC I think building the entire thing is a bit beyond my limits right now. (Especially the motherboard / CPU. I could add the peripherals and such probably. Also. I need to get it quickly and ready to go. I don't think I would have the time to read all the manuals, go through the trial and error and problems I would run into and the delays in getting things figured out and the possibility of problems cropping up later that might arise from my doing something wrong.

I might perhaps tackle an entire build for myself in the future (with a lot of help from here), but not for my much needed work machine. I really do appreciate all the suggestions and this is a good step towards building one myself someday as I have learned a few things about required parts, a few things to look for etc through this experience as I have learned first in tech support over the phone on my old 98SE Gateway (they walked me through things instead of sending someone for certain problems) and from help here. Hopefully I will get the rest of the way there eventually. :-)

[Dave in Houston]

Originally Posted by quartet-man For a few reasons, GLC I think building the entire thing is a bit beyond my limits right now.

I'd like to encourage you to build it yourself.

A month or two ago, I was a rank novice, and now I feel very comfortable putting a system together. The first one I did was rebuilding an old, dead system using an eBay motherboard GLC recommended. Then I built my new system and helped my son build his. After that, I re-did two more old, dead systems.

I admit, at first I was intimidated by the idea of taking the mother board out of the case. Making changes in the BIOS was also a bit of a mystery to me. But now that it's done, I'm glad to know the intimate details of how all the parts go together. I'm pretty sure that you can do it.

Building new is actually a bit easier than resurrecting an old system. You'll get a disk with all the right drivers, rather than having to figure out which ones you need and download them. And you won't have to worry about how much thermal paste to use, because when you buy a new CPU, they put just the right amount on for you.

I'd go for it... you'll be glad you did.

By the way, why do you call yourself quartet-man? (I sing in a quartet myself.)

Best regards,

Dave

[Tin]

Originally Posted by glc I hardly see the need for a soundcard that has "gamer" in the name. For what you want to do, if you get a card at ALL, I'd recommend a card oriented toward audio professionals, not gamers or audiophiles. Think M-Audio.......

Quite a bit of audiophile cards are well suited to studio work. Generally, cards by M-Audio, E-MU, Audiotrak, ESI, and RME (very expensive), work great for both purposes.

[quartet-man]

Dave, it is nice to read about your results. I didn't realize just the amount of paste was included, but of course that makes sense. That is helpful. I still think at least with this work one that I might hold off, but I do feel a bit better about building my own sometime.

Dave, I have sung in me's' quartets (first tenor, lead or baritone) for over twenty years and bass or tenor in mixed ones. I haven't done as much the past several years, but want to start again. I have been a church music director for 7 years and filled in for my predecessor for two spurts of several months when he was dealing with lymphoma. I am a baritone with a decent range although I have sung all the parts. I need to get my voice back some, but had around a low E to a Bb over middle C in the day. In the mornings I could hit around a low Db, but it generally didn't last the whole day. :-) How about you? What part do you sing and where?

Tin, in case you didn't realize it, GLC was referring in that quote to the first card I looked at. He recommended the audio card better suited to my needs. I haven't gotten into multitrack recording through the computer yet so much, although I have done midi tracks and Finale charts / arrangements, and recording two sources on different channels and mixed together (fake stereo) or left as split tracks for choir member rehearsal purposes. I never saw his setup, but a friend I believe had a card to use for multitracking.

[Dave in Houston]

I'm singing baritone in an a cappella quartet that sings a varied repertoire including gospel, jazz, and barbershop. I'm an engineer during the day, so I really enjoy having a way to indulge my creative side. In terms of range, that means I generally sing from about C below middle C up to an Ab or so up in the ledger lines.

Even though I should be a tenor, in church I'm singing in the bass section because it's where I'm needed most.

And, just so that this post won't be totally off topic, I encourage you once again to build your own box. You would have fun!

[quartet-man]

I'd really like to stretch my range another half octave and be able to sing from low C (two ledger lines down on bass clef) to high C (octave above middle c) anytime. I've hit both notes, but not consistently or at the same time of day. :-))

[quartet-man]

Due to no floppy controller, I want to get a good external and think I still would like a card reader (I'll put it in when I get it back). I wish the combo in my initial post had usb connector that somehow worked for the floppy too. Anyhow, I either want one that will work for pretty much any card or if a quality one is not available and will fit well (preferably in one of the 3.5 slots in my case above) or possibly this one if it is good and might give enough flexibility.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MRW620-U1...0&sr=1-2-fkmr1

I might also consider an external floppy / media card reader if one exists. Thanks.