Nerd Alert! Computer Upgrade Advice needed!

[Moogled]

Currently running a Pentium 4 3.2ghz with 1 gig of RAM. Using ATI Radeon X1650 Pro.

I'm looking into upgrading my system by the end of this year and I've been reading into Dual-Core systems, multi-threading, and processor/motherboard compatibilities. At this moment, multi-threading seems to be beneficial only when applications support it.

I use my desktop as a media device; playing games, listening to music, watching movies but I would also like to burn DVDs.

What are some suggestions/advice as to if I would be reaping the full benefits of a dual-core system rather than just upgrading to a much higher single cpu?

[andrewsk]

Originally Posted by Moogled

Currently running a Pentium 4 3.2ghz with 1 gig of RAM. Using ATI Radeon X1650 Pro.

I'm looking into upgrading my system by the end of this year and I've been reading into Dual-Core systems, multi-threading, and processor/motherboard compatibilities. At this moment, multi-threading seems to be beneficial only when applications support it.

I use my desktop as a media device; playing games, listening to music, watching movies but I would also like to burn DVDs.

What are some suggestions/advice as to if I would be reaping the full benefits of a dual-core system rather than just upgrading to a much higher single cpu?

So many options.

It really depends on your budget. Dual processorrs is nice for when you are running multiple apps.

Listening to music, watching movies and burning DVDs could be done with any New system. you could do all 3 at once with a Dual Processor

The real crunch (read $$$$$) will be the video card and how often you play games.

Oh and you should get 2 gig of RAM.

[Moogled]

I'll be pumping enough finance into this system to last me for the next several years.

My current system is decent for everything but I'm falling behind due to the gaming advances as well as ripping DVDs. If anything, an 8600GTS video card would be the least I would shoot for.

As for the dual/quad cores, I'm still trying to determine if it's necessary since the only time I really have multiple apps open is when I'm chatting on MSN and surfing the web. The most CPU consuming would be ripping/burning DVDs and playing games but I don't see anything beyond that.

[DanG]

While dual or quad cores are not necessary, there's rarely a time where there's less than 25 services or apps running on your computer, just because they're not all actual programs, doesn't mean they're not there. Antivirus, messenger, firewall software, web browsing, etc.
I recently upgraded from a dual core to a quad core, and there was a noticible difference when it comes to gaming and ripping dvd's.

If you're building your own box, I'd suggest the Intel Quad Core Q6600, 2GB of OCZ DDR2 800 ram, a 320+gb Seagate 7200.10(SATA II) hard drive, an Intel or Asus motherboard using the Intel P35 chipset, a good power supply from someone like OCZ, Corsair or PC Power and cooling, and whichever video card you deem necessary.
If you're going 8600GTS, then a powersupply somewhere around the 500w mark should be fine, if you step up to the 8800 series, then I'd bump it up to 600w. You can get a nice case from Antec, the P180 series are great, lots of airflow, good big quiet fans and lots of room to work inside.
At this point, I'd probably go with Windows Vista on a new system, and with a dual or quad core cpu, 2gb of ram and a good video card, it will be just as fast or faster than xp with older hardware.

I got all my stuff from www.ncix.com. Their service, speed and pricing have all been top notch.

[andrewsk]

I agree with most of what Dan said

If you really want to game and have the PC last a long time, the MOST important thing is the video card. I would go all the way and get the 8800GTX. It is a stunning card and you will be set for a LONG time.

After that, and the RAM etc get the best processor you can afford.

Where I have to disagree is with Vista. I dual boot XP and VISTA and I have so many games crash or run slowly on Vista that it is just crazy. If you frequent some of the gaming boards you will quickly discover that Vista as a gaming system is still not ready due to the horrible state of NVIDIA's drivers.

If you have to have Vista, at least install XP in Dual boot so you can play the games you buy

Originally Posted by DanG

While dual or quad cores are not necessary, there's rarely a time where there's less than 25 services or apps running on your computer, just because they're not all actual programs, doesn't mean they're not there. Antivirus, messenger, firewall software, web browsing, etc.
I recently upgraded from a dual core to a quad core, and there was a noticible difference when it comes to gaming and ripping dvd's.

If you're building your own box, I'd suggest the Intel Quad Core Q6600, 2GB of OCZ DDR2 800 ram, a 320+gb Seagate 7200.10(SATA II) hard drive, an Intel or Asus motherboard using the Intel P35 chipset, a good power supply from someone like OCZ, Corsair or PC Power and cooling, and whichever video card you deem necessary.
If you're going 8600GTS, then a powersupply somewhere around the 500w mark should be fine, if you step up to the 8800 series, then I'd bump it up to 600w. You can get a nice case from Antec, the P180 series are great, lots of airflow, good big quiet fans and lots of room to work inside.
At this point, I'd probably go with Windows Vista on a new system, and with a dual or quad core cpu, 2gb of ram and a good video card, it will be just as fast or faster than xp with older hardware.

I got all my stuff from www.ncix.com. Their service, speed and pricing have all been top notch.

[Moogled]

Awesome advice, guys.

In fact, I did read through a comparison article about Intel's Q6600 just last night too. It did superbly against the dual core E6600 but fell short under the two Extreme Processors by Intel, which is understandable.

I will certainly read into more Motherboards but an 8800 GTX might be out of my budget at this moment.

This whole system will probably set me back a cool $2000. I'll update you guys as I buy the pieces. I heard from someone that Memory Express charges 35 dollars to put together a PC; can someone confirm this? Labour hours are usually never cheap.

Thanks for all the help.

[mseepman]

I concur with most of what's been said above...I work in this field for a living and I can tell you that Vista is nothing but trouble still. If you can successfully build this PC and use XP pro, you will get much better results from your efforts.
To give you an indication of Vista's problems, Dell has gone back to offering it's customers XP. Nuff said...

[Moogled]

I've never worked with technical features of Vista, but I've heard both good and bad things with Vista. Some people are impressed with its new security features but I think I'll stick to XP for now since I'm more familiar with the interface.

That said, I can always upgrade to Vista after they've stabilized and worked out the kinks.