Help buying a new PC

I am thinking of buying a new system since I have had my old one over six years and see that new hardware and software may not be compatible. So I would appreciate some guidance.
I use the PC for surfing, email, word processing and in the future may (?) do some digital picture editing. No gaming or CAD, and do not expect to download music or video files. Cost is not a top issue, though of course I do not want to spend money needlessly.
Here are two systems that local PC stores have recommended (though I did goose up processor speed over the original recommendations as well as size of RAM and hard drive to be ready for the future--if that makes sense.)
(You will see very quickly that my knowledge of hardware is low. And I do not have model numbers in all cases.)

System #1 AMD
Processor AMD XP2800+ (believe this is 333FSB)
Hard drive 160GB ATA 7200rpm (Western Digital)
Mainboard Gigabyte 7N400L (though I'm thinking 7N400L Pro 2)
RAM 1 GB (2x512MB) DDR400
Video card nVidia FX5200 128 AGP
DVDRW+/- 8X (believe it is a Sony)

System #2 Intel
Processor Pentium P4 3.0 S478 (?) (800FSB)
Hard Drive 160GB SATA 7200rpm (Western Digital)
Mainboard Gigabyte GA-8IK1100 875P (should I get Pro version?)
RAM Valueram 1 GB (2x512MB) DDR400 CL3
Video Card Gigabyte ATI 9600XT 128MB (not sure VGA or SVGA)
DVDRW+/- Liteon 8x8

Questions about System #1:
Should I be concerned that that #1 has an ATA HD? (The Gigabyte 7N400L Pro2 M/B would add SATA to the M/B. How does that affect the HD?)
Should I be concerned (especially for the future) that the processor only has a 333 FSB?
I have assumed I should not be considering the Athlon 64. Would you agree? (Much more expensive, and perhaps some incompatibility problems with older hardware and software?)
The case in System #1 is an Aspire Mid* with 350 watts PS. I have no idea how quiet it is. It is the best looking tower case out of a really ugly bunch. I do not like it, but would not make that the deciding factor. (Store does not carry Antec.)

Questions about System #2:
The store suggested a Sound Blaster Live! sound card, but is this included in the Mainboard? (I believe the audio is on the M/B on System #1)
The tower case is an Antec Sonata (380watts PS). Said to be very quiet. Looks nice.

Questions about both Systems:
I am confused about the DVDRW. In Dell's ads, they usually offer two drives--some combination of DVD and/or CD, ROM and RW. Will the one DVDRW+/- do it all? Do I need any burner software other than what comes with the hardware?
I am not sure if the Video card in either system supports VGA or SVGA. Is that important?
Should I get a memory card reader? (or is it included somewhere already?
Is it possible to comment on need for more than one fan or a cooler?
Any other comments that I have overlooked?
System #1 is about $200 cheaper than System #2, but as mentioned, that is not a paramount concern.

Remember, I am not a gamer but want something that will accomodate likely demands in the forseeable future.
Thanks very much for comments and advice!!

 

I'll bite my tongue on the P4 endorsement and restrict comments to system #1. Not enough - OK, marginal Power supply. NVidia 5200 these days is a budget card - still a very good card but understand, 128 5200 can be had for high $50, low $60 range. MB is good quality but Abit would be a better choice in a dual channel NForce MoBo. Careful on the memory - not all memory is created equal (same in system #2 - nothing wrong with Kingston Value Ram, but you can do much better for the same $), HDD's - Insist on the JB version of WD ATA's - 3yr vs 1 yr warranty and 8MB cache vs 2MB. CD drives - I'd recommend two - one a straight DVD and the other a DVD/RW. Bottom line - care to mention a price point? Have you thought about building your own? Really not that difficult and a heck of a learning experience - when you are done, the self satisfaction and sense of accomplishment is un-believable.

Ouch ...... thats tough biting one's tongue. I'd match a well built Athlon against the best that Intel has to offer any day. Extra $200 to toss around? Can't argue with a 1GB P4 cache, but the 64's offer that and more .......much more.

Six of one, half dozen of the other? Waht ever way you go, you'll find a big improvement over your older machine if its got 6 years of experience on it. Enjoy shopping. Stick with quality as you obviously are. Everything you mention is good stuff, I'd just push for the most bang for your buck and appeal to the system builder's pride - he'll/she'll work with you as long as you aren't in a hurry. You may even want to buy components and negotiate a building/installation fee. Check out NewEgg to get a good Ball Park on what kind of value you are getting for your money.

Finally - Enjoy ..........

 

Agree with Steve, the Intel for an extra 200 is probably the way to go. (sorry Rockster2U )
Both systems will be fine for what you want. My P4 2.8 uses a gigabyte
GA-8IPE1000 Pro 2. The main difference seems to be the chipset. I guess the one you are looking at is a little newer? I see that version 2.0 of the GA-8IK1100 has GIGABYTE C.I.A. (CPU Intelligent Accelerator) Technology. I have this enabled. Not sure if it does much though?
I can certainly recommend Gigabyte Motherboards, whether you go AMD or Intel.
Which ever you decide, and especially if you get an SATA drive, make sure you have adequate case cooling as the SATA drives run hotter than IDE ATA drives. I have an 80mm fan in front on my drive (on the inside of the front of the case) blowing air across the drive towards the back of the case. This is needed to keep the drive cool, even though I already have a side fan and top blower fan.
The real world speed difference (as noted by Steve) between SATA and ATA is not much at all.

I see it has dual BIOS I recommend this for piece of mind BIOS updates.

 

here is a good system P4 3.2ghz with 2gb of ram and a 10k rpm drive with a 128mb card.. all that will cost u about 500 pounds or about 1k$


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need a website?
http://www.indexcore.com

 

Jim,
I would personally go for number 1, since you're not a gamer. I've had and built both intel and amd and even tho benchmarks may differ, I, and I think you, wouldn't notice any difference.

The Video card is adaquate for what you do.

A memory card reader should be separate, so it's portable.

It'll do it all, and if Nero or Roxio comes with it, fine; otherwise you'll be buying it extra.

I second Rockster's suggestion that you go for custom built; you'll get the case and power supply you want/need, a better mobo and graphics card, and I'd go for the sound on the mobo 'cause a pc isn't a hifi (buy the hifi separately).

Now-a-days it's pretty simple to put a pc together. I'm sure you can do it.

 

Many thanks for the comments. You have settled the matter of SATA v. ATA.
Paul--The GA-8IPE1000 Pro 2 M/B uses the 865 chipset v. 875, but seems to have features perhaps more suited for gaming?? The 875 also has Dual BIOS, which I gather is a nice redundancy. Difficult for me (with almost no knowledge of hardware) to differentiate.
brill's system seems to offer more power, but I wonder if I need that for my use of the PC.
Rockster2U--What video card would you recommend? Remember my use of video will be at the low end.
I will have to study the rest, and probably will have more questions. Two that I still have are
1) Importance of the speed of the FSB in the two systems. (I gather AMD uses this a little differently, so perhaps the lower speed is not as big as the numbers suggest.)
2) SVGA v. VGA? I would just think that SVGA is better, and it is possible I have misunderstood what System #2 offered.

PLEASE KEEP IDEAS COMING!

Most kind of you to think so, but maybe the time after this. If it is possible to mess something mechanical up, I'm the guy.

 

Jim,

We have had bad experience with ATI: when my wife's card quit under waranty, we found they didn't answer emails in a timely fashion and they had no toll-free phone. After 6 mos, she finally got a replacement after writing to the ceo of the company and enclosing their required report with all our previous correspondence.

 

Jim,
The MB you are looking at is about $30 more (here in OZ) than the one I have. I guess it is a little newer. For you (and me ) can't see much difference between the two. May as well get one that is newer. Not sure of what the differences between the 865 and 875 chips are. For your use, who cares.
I use an NVIDIA based video card. I have a 12 month old (obsolete now ) Leadtek Ti4200 128Mb RAM. An entry level NVIDIA card with 128MB of RAM will be more than enough for your needs, including video editing. Even a 64MB card would be sufficient, but for a few extra dollars may as well get 128, and the system will make a small amount of use with the extra 64. I like the NVIDIA based cards because you can use the unified reference drivers from NVIDIA or the tweaked ones from the board manufacturer. In most cases the reference drivers are fine. I prefer them. They are called unified because the same driver install is used across a LARGE range on old and new NVIDIA based cards. I like that.

All cards are SVGA. Not an issue to worry about these days.

800MHz is fairly standard these days. Don't get to bogged down with all the numbers though. Unless you an oxygen free speaker cable fanatic for your HIFI kinda guy then some of these mumbers contain a fair bit of BS.

Build it yourself Jim. Have a friend who has put together recent PC's give you a hand. You'll enjoy the experience. You have the software and troubleshooting experience that we can vouch for. The hardware is fairly much plug and play with software installation. Just need to plug it together correctly.

 

WelshJim:
re: the Bus speed - I'll get some arguements, but a fast Athlon running on a 400MHZ BUS will do anything an Intel will do on the so-called 800MHZ BUS until you throw RDDRAM into the equation. The big plus with P4's is that huge 1MB cache and it is most evident in high end intense graphics applications.

Video card wise - nothing wrong with a 5200. The ATI 9600 is a better card and you may also want to look at NVidia 5600's or 5700's - all of these are a couple of generations removed from the "latest and greatest" so they represent very good value.

Back to the Intel vs Athlon - worst kept secret right now is the Athlon 2600+ mobile - $95 at NewEgg. Rated to run 2GHZ on 266MHZ Bus - actually runs 2.4GHZ or better on 400MHZ BUS right out of the box on dual channel boards with good PC3200 dual channel memory (matched pairs - specially designated). And, because its a 45W chip, it runs very "cool ". That will give you 3400+ performance for a fraction of anything that's even close.

Take your time on this puppy - you've waited 6 years, a couple more weeks of study/information will benefit you immensely.

 

One by one, you are answering my questions (without raising new ones). Much appreciated.
I think I am leaning toward System #1--perhaps with a little better video card. (Forgive me, Steve and Paul.)
The main thing is that you have confirmed the two systems do not seem to have any internal problems or conflicts and will permit expansion in the future.
Paul--Good time of year for you to get a little warm sun. Why don't you visit and help me put this thing together?

 

One of these days I will visit the U.S. Just waiting for the AUS dollar to improve a little. Got up to 80 US cents a while back... For about a day!

Problem is, how do you see a country the size of the U.S. in a few weeks.
Then again the Japanese see Australia in 5 days. So maybe I only need 5 days as well! LOL

 

Welshjim:
Read your question in that other thread - would definately recommend one regular DVD drive and one DVD/RW as opposed to a single DVD/RW. No ifs ands or buts. You'll need it for copying stuff and even if you think you'll have no need ........... trust me, you will.

 

Rockster2U--Thanks. Understood. Think I will do that.