Gonna buy/build new machine, but??

It all started when I bought a HD video camera to tape my daughter's High School soccer games. (sophomore, starter, star) It took 20 minutes to upload 2 minutes of video. Yikes, that means an hour of video would take 10 hours to upload.

I thought it was the poor software that came with the camera so I bought Corel's Video Studio Pro. Something I didn't see on their website before they took my money, min sys req, according to the install CD is 3gb or dual core processor.

Much as I love my XP machine, if I don't want to spend the rest of my golden years waiting for video to load, edit, burn to DVD, it looks like it is time to put this beloved,old faithful machine it out to pasture.

Therin lies my problem. So much stuff on the market. I know I need gigs and gigs and more gigs of hard drive space, gig upon gig of processor speed and even more memory than is conceivable. That's the easy stuff. But, MOBO, Processor, video card??? Buy or build??

I am on a retiree budget, so I'd like a machine that is lightning fast but cost less than $10.00 to buy or build. (just funning ) I'd really like some input as to what's an economical way to achieve the goal. I can't afford one of those $2500. gamers, so something in between?

I'd really appreciate some help on this, so all replies will be appreciated.

Take care,

Martin

 

Hey Arie, good to hear from you again. Thanks for the response.

USB 2 and Firewire are about the same speed, the camera has USB which is rated at 480mbs. I don't think I'm getting anywhere near that speed. I was doing USB backup the other day and was getting about 12mbs. Haven't tried to solve that problem yet.

I'm also inclined to build, but not sure which would give the most bang for the buck. Also trying to figure what components would give a reasonable speed without breaking the bank but doing the job.

Also, I heard/read rumors about USB3. Any news on that?

Take care,

Martin

 

Which is USB 2

Which is USB 1

Are you connecting to a USB 2 port, you may be able to get that super fast computer for $10 afterall

It's not uncommon for older systems to have both USB 1 and USB 2 ports, if you're sure your connected to a USB 2 port try updating your motherboard (chipset) drivers.

If you post or include system specifications in your profile it would help.

If this is your main system it would be helpful if you add your system details to your profile. Please click on the link and follow those instructions it could save some time when resolving this or further issues.

A common error is to forget to show your system details in your profile

If you do add your system specifications be sure to do the above

EDIT: Just read your sig

If that's the motherboard that you're using then all USB's are 2, was the device you were backing up to also 2 or 1, if 2 I'd still look at installing the drivers, unfortunately SOYO is no longer available but if you don't have the original CD then you can try here

 

Hi Steve: Good to hear from you again.

Hey, I'm not making the videos for me, but for her to show her children in 20 years or so. Besides, I could watch her video over and over again, she is my kid you know. These games are 90 minutes long, 2-45min halves + 10min halftime. So, 1 game = 90 min video.

Yes, I could cut down the resolution, but, that High Def on a 50 inch LCD screen is just awsome. Which is why I bought the camera in the first place. It records in HD on a 60gb hard disk. Near as I can figure, the clip (2min) is around 300mb.

A killer CPU may not speed the uploads, but surely it would speed the editing and converting and burning??

And if I could get the rated 480mbs upload speed, it would help a lot.

 

Wildfire, thanks for the response. Geez, I thought the bottom of my posts showed my system details. They are not quite the same, but almost. MOBO, CPU video card same, now 2gbs of memory. Some other minor changes, more HDD space. I'll try your suggestion to put it in profile.

you take care,

Martin

 

Martin,

I thought you'd traded in that Black Dragon for the down payment on a new Delta Cabinent Saw. Small wonders never cease. Great to see you again although I've been somewhat "distracted" lately too.

Not a definitive recommendation here and I haven't built anything (latest and greatest) for myself so this may draw some criticism but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. With a budget in mind, the philosophy of staying a generation or two behind the curve is still a solid approach.

You may want to look at that AMD Black Box 550 which is labeled a dual core CPU that can be run with all four cores on the right MoBo with a little tweaking. Boards for consideration are GA-MA785GMT-UD24, GA-MA790XT-UD4P, M4A78T-E and M4N82 Deluxe. I tend to favor the two ASUS boards but the Gigabyte boards have pretty good reviews. I believe the M4N82 Deluxe will run DDR3 1666 and I'd stick with OCZ. As far as the rest of the stuff, its pretty much a fielder's choice but don't skimp in the PSU department. Case wise, I'm still very partial to the Thermaltake Tsunami even though there are newer things out there.

That ought to give you a little something to research when you're not making sawdust.

Regards,


edit - just saw your system details. Sorry for the Black Dragon - my memory is slipping. I thought it was Black with a 2600+ and that funcky memory that the board would only run at 2700. Guess age is catching up with me too.

 

It does (see my edit), unfortunately I tend to look to the left rather than below for specifications.

 

Hey Wilfire, I did the edit thing and updated system specs in profile, just posting to see if they show up.

 

Well, I did and they don't

 

A common error is to forget to show your system details in your profile

Quote:
To have your system specifications displayed in your profile, you have to click the link Edit Options, and under Thread Display Options > System Specifications select Yes from the drop-down menu.
If you do add your system specifications be sure to do the above.

No need to test post, if done correctly all your previous posts will show your system specifications.

 

Hey Wildfire, I'd like to update the chipset drivers, I'm trying to remember where the info is on the bios version on this machine. There are so many on that site you gave me hard to figure, at least for me. I'm gonna reboot and see if I can find the bios version either in the bios or at POST.

 

I would try chipset/motherboard drivers first. Updating the BIOS nowadays is relatively safe but I still wouldn't advise it (particularly from a third party site).

 

Hey Rockster, your input is appreciated, you old dog you. Yeah, I been making some sawdust, but can't spring for that Delta cabinet saw just yet. Or maybe never. Anyhow I replaced that piece of junk Craftsman table saw with one from Rigid that I sure like a lot better and not so much money.

Wildfire: I got that Soyo CD somewhere, going to try and find it. Not much luck online trying to find chipset drivers,, keep getting Nvidia site when trying to find drivers for chipset which is VIA82C3189 Rev 0, BIOS: K7VX4-2AA7

 

Just a suggestion ... I'm not a fan of refurb systems and the seller is not of Newegg status, but the following links can lead you to a interesting, very capable computer for $424 delivered.
Discussion thread.

Link to seller.

Be aware you must click through a "Bing" link before purchase/seller link to capture 15% Bing Cash Back (BCB) on purchase.

 

Hi Dennis: I checked out that machine at TD and read the discussion from your link. Thanks.

My 2cents: No ps2 ports. On my machine, with USB keyboard I can't get into the BIOS or "boot from CD" with USB keyboard. I have to plug in a ps2 keyboard to do that. My machine quirky or is that universal?? I figured that Windows XP hasn't loaded USB drivers before POST.

The machine has no eSATA ports to enable 300mbs throughput from an external SATA drive. I'm just waiting for the cable to arrive from Newegg to hook one up to this machine through a PCI controller card. I hope it works. Can you do that with a PCIE slot?? If not you're stuck with USB externals.

There was also some discussion whether you can upgrade the power supply, an unanswered question.

I think I'll poke around some more before making a decision. I appreciate your input.

You take care,

Martin

 

Hi martini
Not sure if all of your above responses is per "Refurb" and/or current computer. I will address just the "Refurb" shortcomings ...

You would need a usb keyboard for this refurb. Rare to find a current BIOS / MOBO that can not manage USB activity prior to windows load. This includes booting from a USB/Flash Drive/Card. Since refurb does not have a ps/2 port, it's a given USB is active after BIOS load.

Yes, this is a bummer. I place high value on eSata connections / BIOS supported as this will then assure "Hot Swapping" of drives. But it is not a death sentence. If their is a spare "Sata" connection on MOBO, you can get an inexpensive wire adapter that bridges out to case back panel to mount a eSata connection. Unless BIOS supports eSata, you would not have Hot swap. You would need to reboot computer for BIOS/windows to pickup eSata drive. Another solution, mount a 2nd HDD in case for additional storage / backup protection.

This was a problem with OEM's years back. It would be a rare problem today, as most OEM's use off the shelf components.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a strong advocate of building your own. Main advantage is choosing a good brand MOBO with all the features you want and a high quality PSU. Using $424 as a budget, I would have no problem getting mobo, PSU, CPU, HDD, DVD .. but adding 8GB of DDR3 memory plus cost of W7 Home Premium OS is going to take some additional cash. ... that is what makes the refurb an attractive consideration.

 

Dennis: Don't confuse me with your bartender, see your greeting in your last post.

You cleared up a lot of issues, not only for the refurb machine, but in general. It sure helps to have the kind of input I get on bbs. I've been thinking and shopping long and hard and have decided to build my new machine. You said:

What you left out was a new aluminum case and PCIe video card. So the cost of those items along with the 8GB DDR3 and W7 runs up over double the refurb.

But what the heck, you only live once and this is probably the last machine I will ever build.

So, thanks to you and everybody else for the input and advice. I really appreciate it.

You take care,

Martin

 

Have fun and enjoy your build.