How does this setup look?

DJQuikFingaz

DJQuikFingaz

Well-known member
I'm getting closer and closer to ditching my current system and starting fresh.

Here's what I've come up with so far:

DIMENSION XPS GEN 5
Pentium® 4 Processor 660 with HT Technology (3.60GHz, 800 FSB)

Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

Memory
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz- 4 DIMMs

Keyboard
Dell USB Keyboard

Monitor
17 inch E173FP Analog Flat Panel

Video Cards
256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) nVidia GeForce 6800

Hard Drive
500GB Performance RAID 0 (2 x 250GB SATA HDDs)

Floppy Drive and Media Reader
3.5 in Floppy Drive

Mouse
Dell® 2-button USB mouse

Modem
No Modem Requested

Adobe Software
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0

CD or DVD Drive
Dual Drives: 16x DVD + FREE UPGRADE! 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write

Sound Cards
Sound Blaster Audigy™ 2 ZS (D) Card w/Dolby 5.1, IEEE 1394 capability

Speakers
Dell 5650 5.1 100 Watt Surround Sound Speaker System with Subwoofer

Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No Microsoft Office

2nd Hard Drive
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/ Native Command Queuing

Security Software
No Security Subscription

Digitial Music
No Digital Music Software Requested

Digital Photography
No Digital Imaging Software Requested

Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options
2Yr Ltd Warranty, 2Yr At-Home Service, and 2Yr Technical Support

XPS Specialized Support
Dimension XPS, Specialized Support

Internet Access Service
No ISP requested

Miscellaneous
Award Winning Service and Support

Financial Software (Preinstalled)
No QuickBooks package selected- Includes limited use trial

Optional Ports
IEEE 1394 Adapter

$3,906.00
Dell Home Customers: Save 25% off the Dell Dimension XPS Gen 5!
- $976.50

TOTAL:$2,929.50
 
Oh btw, here are my current PC specs.:

Sony Vaio
PCV-RX470DS

Pentium 4 1.5ghz
400mhz front side bus
384mb PC800 RDRAM
Windows XP Home Ed.
60gb HD
4x AGP nVidia GeForce2 MX
 
Sounds Nice- but I bet you could build it for cheaper.
Couple comments though-
1. Is Dell installing your OS on the Raid Array? Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you'd be better off putting the OS and software on the 160 Gig and keep your media on the Raid 0.
2. Can they only do 2 dimms for the 2 gigs of RAM? That would allow for expansion once the new OS comes out.
3. I think that video card is really good, but you should double check to make sure it works with the new version of Magic Bullet Editors- because as I understand it the filters become realtime effects with the proper video card.
4. Keep your old monitor and use it as well. A CRT is gonna look real ugly next to your new LCD but dual monitor editing will rock anyones world.
-Chris
 
Phew! I was going to suggest getting Adobe Acrobat Reader, but I see the Dell setup comes with it. That's worth $3,000 on its own :) j/k

I agree with seejay about the OS installed on the raid and about the 4 dimms of RAM. 2 would be better. And you could build that setup for closer to $2,000 and some change.

You definitely need an upgrade. The setup you have now is minimal. Good luck!
 
Good advice seejay, kinda feedback I'm looking for. The only thing holding me back from building my own system is my lack of hands-on tech skills. The thought of no guarantees/warranties and me screwing something up is frightening.

Dell does offer:

2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 DIMMs

I guess I just overlooked that.

As for Dell installing the OS on the Raid, I don't know. Can't seem to find any info on the site about it. I'll give 'em a call.
 
Building a computer can seem daunting at first but is actually a bit easier and A LOT more rewarding than you might be imagining. Here is my advice. Go to newegg.com and just price out your absolute dream computer. Then after picking your jaw off the floor, do some research into building your own PC. Only you can decide if your up to the challenge and yes, risks involved. Building your own has gotten much easier in the last 2-3 years and you will know your computer inside and out. Plus, there are warranty's but they are on individual components. I've only built 2 now so I'm by no means an expert, and yes neither one worked on my very first attempt to startup, but they each did work by the end of the day. Building a computer is a lot like making a movie- 90% preproduction and 10% putting it all together. Anybody else have positive or negative experience with DIY?
 
I built my current system, i don't know what raid is... It is like putting legos together, you know?
I would give you the specs but i forgot what i am running. I want to buy some compressed air and clean it out...

Really check out www.newegg.com !
 
Most of my system came from newegg.com and I think on Tues or Wed they usualy ahve some sort of great deal, but you have to check early to see what the product is because they go FAST!
 
I put my current system together and was able to migrate many parts from my old machine. seejay is absolutely right. Know what the parts are, where they go, what they do, etc. Buy from someone who is going to offer tech support. Make sure you have another computer with internet access at the ready in case you have questions. go to radio shack and get an anti-static wrist strap so you don't fry anything. clear everyone out of your room, clean off a big table and get to work! it really isn't too bad. the only tool you're going to need is a Phillips head screwdriver. The manual for the motherboard will have all the instructions you need.

That said, you should consider a dual Xeon or dual Opteron system. Or get an AMD Athlon 64 FX-57, which blows away any Pentium 4. Building it yourself opens many doors and options.

And hey, when you're ready to build, we're ready to help!
 
PK Gillock said:
Phew! I was going to suggest getting Adobe Acrobat Reader, but I see the Dell setup comes with it. That's worth $3,000 on its own :) j/k
Click to expand...



LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh man that was exactly what I thought when I saw that Adobe Reader part...

Seriously though, I've built all 12 of my computers (no I'm not a geek :shocked: ). why 12? I'm a network guy by trade and a test lab is worth its weight in gold. Anyway, it's really easy especially if you start asking questions without the fear of looking like an idiot. I saved a TON of money and being that I self taught myself the "how to build" I in turn learned how to support my systems when I need it.

Build your own. :thumbsup:
 
coffee said:
Seriously though, I've built all 12 of my computers (no I'm not a geek :shocked: ). I'm a network guy by trade and a test lab is worth its weight in gold.
Click to expand...

A'hem. coffee, that is the definition of geek! :)
 
I built my own and have been very happy with it.

Check out: J &N Computer Services

They sell bundles of a motherboard / processor / memory assembled in a case with fans, and tested. This is definitely the hardest part. If you get that done for you, the rest is just picking components and snapping them into the motherboard, and then doing all the software installation.

Incidentally, that is the best thing about doing it yourself -- installing your drivers and software from the ground up so that you know exactly what is on your system, instead of all the CRAP that Dell or whoever puts on there. If you end up buying from Dell, I would recommend at least reformatting your hard drive as soon as you get it and then putting everything back on yourself...
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I've used Newegg once for a DVD burner. Great site.

My only issue w/ picking parts off Newegg is I don't know what's really compatible with what. I mean, I know what a motherboard IS, as well as processors, etc. It's just knowing if certain parts will work w/ others. Like, "Will this motherboard fit in this case?" or "Will this fan fit?" ETC.

Also, I'm not really sure how the process of installing a RAID system works. I understand how it works and all. Just not the physical assembly of making it work.
 
Here's an example of what I picked out at Newegg.

Keep in mind, I'm not sure if all these parts are compatible w/ each other.

HDD Controllers / RAID Cards
1 - Koutech IO FLEX-PSA150 PCI SATA Controller Card - Retail
Model #: IO FLEX-PSA150
$17.50

Intel-compatible Motherboards
1 - ASUS P4P800SE Socket 478 Intel 865PE ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P4P800SE
$93.00

Internal Hard Drives
2 - Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500SD 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD2500SD
$132.00 each

1 - SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series SP1604N 160GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: SP1604N
$79.00

Processors
1 - intel Pentium 4 3.0E Prescott 800MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor Model BX80546PG3000E - Retail
Model #: BX80546PG3000E
$184.00

Video Cards & Related Devices
1 - eVGA 256-A8-N344-AX Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-A8-N344-AX
$309.00

Haven't got a chance to look at RAM, but I know I want at least 2 gigs. As for cooling fans, not really sure where to start. And cases...um yea, there's a lot to choose from.
 
some mobos have onboard raid controllers...i recommend ASUS. make the mobo, case, ram, and cpu are compatible. the rest should be no problem. get at least a 400w power supply.
 
Ok, it's time for an Extreme PC Makeover!

I'm really liking what I see on Newegg. I think I actually put a decent setup together (considering my current one).

Intel-compatible Motherboards
1 - ASUS P4P800SE Socket 478 Intel 865PE ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #: P4P800SE
$93.00

Internal Hard Drives
2 - Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500SD 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD2500SD
$264.00

1 - SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series SP1604N 160GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: SP1604N
$79.00

Processors
1 - intel Pentium 4 3.0E Prescott 800MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor Model BX80546PG3000E - Retail
Model #: BX80546PG3000E
$184.00

Video Card
1 - eVGA 256-A8-N344-AX Geforce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail
Model #: 256-A8-N344-AX
$309.00

ATX Computer Cases
1 - ASPIRE X-Navigator ATXA8NW-AL/500 Silver/Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: ATXA8NW-AL/500
$155.00

Floppy Drive
1 - SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM
Model #: MPF920 Black
$10.00

Monitors - LCD
1 - HYUNDAI L90D+ Silver 19" 8ms LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: L90D+
$335.00

Speakers
1 - Logitech X-530 70 Watts 5.1 Speaker - Retail
Model #: 970114-0403
$49.99

Memory
1 - pqi TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model PQI3200-2048DP - Retail
Model #: PQI3200-2048DP
$183.00

Operating Systems
1 - Microsoft Windows XP Professional With Service Pack 2 - OEM
Model #: E85-03013
$145.95

Fans/Heatsinks
1 - Thermaltake P4 SPARK7+ 70mm 2 Ball Cooling Fan - Retail
Model #: P4 SPARK7+
$27.99

Subtotal: $1,835.93
Tax: $133.10
Shipping: $59.99

Total: $2,029.02

This mobo is RAID ready, right? This is what the specs say:

Storage Devices
PATA 2 x ATA 100 up to 4 Devices
SATA 2 x SATA 150
SATA RAID RAID 0/1
 
My first reaction would be to get a newer motherboard, that chipset is already over 2 years old and is known to have heat issues with a prescott core. A newer board would give you a 775? pin CPU (so that would have to be different- but its the easiest CPU install ever) additional SATA connections (so all your HD's can be SATA- which gives a much neater system- I hate ribbons), PCI Express (which means you'll need a different Video Card, but would give your system much more upgradability for the future) and you could get DDR2 memory (faster). I also think that these newer chipsets have 64 bit support which you'll almost certainly want (in 2 -3 years)

All that said, yes that motherboard does already support Raid and that system would work, it's just how much do you want it to be ready for future upgrades.

I forgot to mention this link before (it was invaluable on my first build) http://www.videoguys.com/DIY.html
These are three systems built specifically with video editing in mind- I suggest looking at the DIY challenge 2 for the system your looking at. Also their bullentin board has tons of questions and answers on it. Read it all thoughly.
 
Also if you have the real estate- I vote for a full tower, that way you can slap even more storage in later.
 
seejay1031 said:
Go to newegg.com and just price out your absolute dream computer. Then after picking your jaw off the floor, do some research into building your own PC.
Click to expand...

I agree about the prices from newegg for individual component upgrades. However if you're inexperienced in building your own system and would rather not spend the weekend pulling your hair out in frustration... then plug in all your components into Monarch's configurator and compare the prices:

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/

That's what I did... and since I live in CA the price between a pieced out system that would require assembly from newegg (including CA Tax) and a custom built system from monarch (out of state/no sales tax) that was tested, burnt in, and ready to go was only $50 more. For me the $50 was worth the extra piece of mind. It took 6 business days to build. I received my rig, plugged it in, loaded my software and since then I've added over 800 gig of HDs... 2 years and counting an NO problems at all!

Monarch's Reseller Rating:
http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2079.html


For the tower I would recommend one that has side mount/tool-less (see lower right-hand corner) HD slots. It makes it a breeze when adding new drives!!!

100235_5.jpg

Thermaltake Shark Full Tower Aluminum Case Series w/Window No PS Silver


- VS -

The tower you've selected (even though with your model the whole HD cage pops out side ways... it might prove tricky once you have a few drives in there..)

100186_7.jpg





btw - I would also like to mention that Monarch did an awesome job running all the power and data cable inside the case! Everything was neatly done!





.
 
i can personally vouch for monarch. 10 out of 10. bought all my components there. very nice, easy to deal with, GREAT prices. and i like their website, too.
 
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