RAMIREZ or anyone.. Please steer me in the right direction..

[jbenj01]

I'm now looking for a faster 2nd system than my current, which is an Asus A7V333/1.667G/AMD XP2000+/Radeon AIW 7500. I've done some research and have decided on #1 below. Could someone give me their 'educated' suggestions/thoughts on the following two systems and which is better-suited for video re-encoding and editing??

#1: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2734603639&category=38114

-- what is advantage of dual channel ddr??

#2: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2734606251&category=undefined

Which would you choose?? ;) Thanks..

P.S. Ramirez, hope all's well, my friend..

[Milkman Dan]

The only thing that I don't like about either system is the memory manufacturer isn't specified, nor is the heatsink.

IMHO, you won't need a GB of ram. I do fine with 512MB.

I have that case btw. It's nice. 'Cept mine's blue.

Another thing is that several cards are included in the box that are already present on the motherboard. You'll have 3 NICs, for example. That's an extra expense that you don't need to pay for.

[Ramirez]

Hey Jbenj01 :),what's up my friend!?

Anyway, I've checked these links, and hmm.. I didn't like it, both packages are greatly overloaded with unneeded components like NIC, that B.S ", Neon Light" thing, LOL!,(XP-home(140$) :rolleyes:, no name 3 speakers set, 5.1 Audio card. And why the hell they couldn’t ship it with AXP3200+? Anyway if you're really like to buy one of these desktops I'd suggest you to go for an Asus A7N8X Deluxe (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2734603639&category=38114) based machine.(Personally I'd go for this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2736727367&category=42163) killer machine, only one thing is stopping me, I'll have to sell my car to afford it :p)

BTW:
That would be great if you could to replace these Microns's memory modules right out of the box with a good pair of CAS-2 memory modules.

P.S
LOL! :D Just send me PM notification next time; I'll be glade to help you out.

[jbenj01]

After looking at that P4 3G machine in your link, um..let's just say i started counting my pennies in my piggy-bank.. oh, and that's after i sell my car.. :)

Good to hear from you, Ramirez! I will take your and Milkman Dan's 'advice' (thanks, Milkman!) and stay away due to the unnecessary components, gadgets and 'generic' stuff..

I want a separate system exclusively for video re-encoding and editing.. I already have a DVD burner and a monitor for my 2nd system. i don't need anything 'flashy'--i just want a barebone system that's going to get the job done.. and get it done FASTER than my current system..

P4 3.0G or AMD XP3200+ ?? and what else would i need? thanks..

[kaitsuburi]

Hi jbenj01!

You have another vote for the Asus A7N8X Deluxe from me. It's a great board!

Since you're upgrading, you might consider a dual cpu setup for mad multitasking and encoding fps... Have a look here (http://www.2cpu.com) if you haven't already :D

-kaitsuburi

[jbenj01]

thx, kaitsuburi! the learning curve is waaaay too much for me.. :confused:

There's the P4, Xeon, XP, Opteron, K64, MP, CIA, KGB... :angry: don't know what i'd do if it weren't for you guys on these boards--everyone's knowledge is MUCH APPRECIATED!

Now.. must i build another board?? i would LOVE to just buy a simple already built (is that what you call 'barebone'??) system/box that houses a mobo (Asus A7N8X :) ), a video and audio card and be done with it.. (i already have other components, i.e., burners, readers, OS, monitor, etc..) ??

[Ramirez]

A few more ideas for you new encoding machine, you've asked to keep it within US$1K range which is kinda tricky but here we go anyways..

AMD Athlon XP 3200+ System (http://www.amberpcusa.com/smoreinfo.asp?iid=1315)
USB-W20 Mid Tower 400W Silver,w/SeeThru Window
ASUS A7N8X-Dlx nForce2 MCP DDR400/Audio/Raid/8X/1394/SATA
AMD Athlon XP 3200 + 400 MHz FSB
AMD Recommended Aluminum Ball Bearing Fan
OCZ 2x 512Mb DDR 400 PC-3200 Rev 2 (1 GB Total)
1.44Mb FDD , Black
WD 60GB ATA 100 7200RPM
ECS AG315P-64 64MB TV-Out
Total: 1028$

Dual AMD MP 2000+ Barebone Server (http://www.grnetwork.com/hardware/upgrades/prod_detail.php?ProdID=V133-1136)
Processor Type: Dual (2) AMD MP
Processor Speed: Dual (2) 2000+ MP
RAM Type: DDR PC2100 ECC Registered
TYAN Dual MP DDR motherboard(probably Tyan TigerMP 24600)
RAM Standard: 512MB
Floppy Drive: 1.44MB (BLACK)
CD Rom Drive: Sony 52X (BLACK)
Ethernet: 3COM 10/100BT PCI Nic
Video Card: ASUS V7100 4X AGP 64MB GeForce2
PS/2 Devices: Keyboard & Mouse (Black)
Total: 999.99$ (on sale as it)

Intel P-4 2.4B 800FSF Canterwood System (http://www.alvio.com/smoreinfo.asp?iid=1523)
INTEL, Pentium 4 2.4B GHz, Socket 478, 512K, 800MHz, Retail
COOLER MASTER, Socket 478 Cooling Fan
ASUS, P4C800 Deluxe, Socket 478, 875i, 8X-AGP, DDR-400, 800MHz, 1394, Ret
SAMSUNG,256MB PC2700 DDR, 333MHz(replace it with 2x256 Crucial DDR-400 sticks)
WESTERN DIGITAL, 60.0GB Caviar Ultra DMA/100 7200rpm, 8MB Cache, oem
ATI, ATI Radeon 9700 PRO, 128MB, 8X AGP, DDR, DVI & TV-Out, BOX
GENERIC, 32BIT AW SRS Sound
SAMSUNG, 1.44 Mb 3.5 SAMSUNG Floppy Drive
HOUSE BRAND, MidTower, Deluxe, 400Watt, 10Bays, USB, Baige, ATX
Total: 945$)

Visit these pages and remove all unneeded/none correct items so they'll mach the above mentioned prices (also keep in mind that all these machines (besides Athlon Xp3200) are shipped with low quality Ram, you should replace it later on.

Btw: read this really great article at THG> Benchmark Marathon: 65 CPUs from 100 MHz to 3066 MHz (http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20030217/index.html)

Hope this helps ;)

[jbenj01]

Thanks very much! I'm leaning towards the AMD XP3200+ with the Asus A7N8X b/c you and a few others (along with some reviews that i'm reading on that mobo) have spoken highly of it..

But i haven't ruled out a P4 yet.. ;) . Thanks again, my friend (for the private email, as well)! The best..

[Milkman Dan]

You're welcome for the advice.


I'm an ABit NF7-S fan, but I'm biased 'cause I own one.

Looking with interest at the PIV systems though. Wondering what it would do for my encoding speeds...

[Barker]

An off topic note, just wanted to ask while this board is hot...
Just a question, if anyone owns this and has an external audio card.

I install computers for an online company, and I nor any of my techs can figure out why when you install an external audio card (you shouldnt have to btw, it has sweet onboard audio) it doesnt allow for the extra game port? Every time, it shows that resources arent allowed for the game port. We've had to send systems out with an exclamation in device manager, and no solution other than to tell the cust that the onboard audio is too much. This is after disabling every onboard resource, and different audio cards.

Anyhow, sorry for the off topic reply, just anyone getting this board should reconsider an additional audio card, and if anyone has the answer to this enigma, please tell!

Regards,
Barker

[Ramirez]

This is well-known problem of the NVIDIA Nforce2 chipset,and there is no cure other then disabling the external card's game port.
Asus Manual Page-97
If installing a PCI card with a game port, the PCI game port cannot be used due to a limitation of the nVidia chipset. However, the game ports on the MB will always function.
I also work for a company that builds and sells various hardware solutions,and since ages we're disabling onboard recourses(regardless manufacturer)if the client wants it replaced by external cards, save us lots of troubles.(why would anyone need more then one game port anyway?)

[jbenj01]

Just saw this on eBay.. 3.46G?? And what is your opinion on this Asus mobo? thanks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2735584754&category=42163&rd=1

[Ramirez]

Yes its overcklocked, but you shouldn't be worry about it; in potential this could be cool,high performance machine if it wasn't based on a dreadful I845 mobo; (a real performance killer IMHO) my advice: look for the similar offer but this time based on a dual channel solution, like this one for example> DFI-LANPARTY PRO875 (http://www.dfi.com.tw/Product/xx_product_spec_details_r_us.jsp?PRODUCT_ID=1134&CATEGORY_TYPE=null) (amazing mobo.. end quite expensive ;))

[jbenj01]

It's a dual processor but outside of that, not sure of the other 'stuff' in the system..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2737956450

Critique, please..

[Ramirez]

Hmmm... Looks like a pretty nice package, I860 SuperMicro Mobo, x2-2000mhz Xeons, x2-SCSI-160 HDs, 1gig of PC-800 RDRAM,impressive! anyway I think that we should check first how this monster holds against single P-4 3000HT/800FSB CPU in terms of content creation,I'll try to find some benchmarks and we'll see.(you too jbenj01 BTW ;))

Maybe somebody can provide us with a link to that kinda benchmarks (I.E dual CPU Xeon system vs. P4-3000HT) if so, please post it here.

Thanks :)

[jbenj01]

but it's from a forum, so i do not know how reliable.. i think this getting to be an addiction.. :)

http://cctug.mayer.xodsl.com/cctug/specctra_email_bin/2003/msg00038.html

P4 or this AMD 3200+ w/A7N8X mobo??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2738460824

But i just read tom's hardware review of the XP 3200+ vs. the P4 and they weren't too crazy about the AMD.. ??

http://www17.tomshardware.com/cpu/20030513/athlon_xp-22.html

[XtremepH]

jbenj01 I personally think you should go ahead and build it yourself so that you can save money and get the best for your dollar. I have been building computers since 1996 and have always found it to be the best way to go. You can always catch great sales @ your local bestbuy, circuit city, or compusa. For example this week BB has a 52x24x52 cdrw for 19.99 after rebate. Also if you are interested in really saving some money you can opt to buy a lower end tbredb processor such as a 1700+TbredB which i have and overclock it which is fairly easy to do. I managed to get my 1.47ghz tbreb to a stable clock speed of 2.43ghz. so i believe if u are willing to build it yourself you would really save alot more money and gain the experience.

[jbenj01]

xtremeph,

Yes, your suggestion seems to be my best option.. But i did build my current system and what was to be a 2-3hr assembly process turned out to be a full-day with much frustration.. admittedly, it was kind of fun and good learning experience..

i'm positive i want a P4.. But i noticed some advertise the Hyper-Threading technology (HT) while other do not. All P4's support that technology, yes? As for the rest, looks like a lot more researching and asking you guys..

Anyway, respects mobo--think i'll go A7N8X at the recommendation of Ramirez and a few others here. And re: the that P4/Asus P4C800 system on eBay, the seller keeps deleting his auctions before they end.. ??? Why?? I'd like to see what those systems go for---but dude keeps pulling the auctions.. ??

[XtremepH]

To answer your question regarding the hyperthreading not all P4's have Hyper Threading available only processors that say so such as all new 800 FSB processors and I believe some 3.06ghz 533 p4's have hyperthreading.

[jbenj01]

Ahh.. thx! I saw a P4 3.06g/HT for $350.. That's the lowest i could find anywhere..