D4\/!d Posted September 1, 2005 Report Share Posted September 1, 2005 I am about to embark on upgrading my PC.The present one is: AMD Athlon XP 2000+ CPU, 512 Meg DDR memory, 2 x 80 Gig 7200 rpm Maxtor HDDs (I like to have two hard drives), Floppy drive, USB four port card, 16 Meg SIS Graphics card, LG CD-RW GCE 8523B and LG DVD-ROM GDR8160B CD-ROM drives, and an old Audigy 1 Platinum eX Soundcard (not Audigy 2), running XP Pro SP2.I should be grateful if you would let me have your views, ideas, and comments as to what parts I should consider so that the new machine will be up-to-date, without being excessively expensive. Don’t ask me what my budget is, coz I tend to go and spend more anyway.I am prepared to spend a bit now on a PC that will be fit for the future. I know - as soon as you get the machine home it is out of date and worth half what you paid for it, but you know what I mean. I am used to upgrading an odd part each year, but I shall not be in a position to do that in future, so I’m doing the big upgrade now.I use the PC mainly for playing my music collection through my HiFi. (I have a 300 Gig ext HDD to store backups of music files). I shall be getting a better sound card. I’m looking at the E-MU maybe the 0404 or 1212M. Do I need a DAC. They seem to have been flavour of the month for several months now. I am not a Gamer, nor do I watch many films on the PC. It’s for Music. Oh yes, so I want a quiet fan. The PC is on all day and I don’t want to be listening to the hum of the fan.Otherwise it’s used for the Internet (TeleWest 1 Meg Broadband) and the usual apps such as word and excel. Plus a little bit of photo tweaking.My LG 19 inch screen, mouse, and keyboard will remain.And No. I am not doing it myself (yet). I have a friend of a friend who has looked after my hardware needs for many years now. He will be building it for me.Please tell me what you think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 Unless I've missed it, I didn't see mention of a motherboard in your listing of your current machine. People do have their favourite brands and you may consider it important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 In all honesty, if your friend is an expert I would put myself in his hands. Let him know exactly what you want the machine for and discuss it with him. It is because I don't trust any of the big boys that I went to a small local business for my new computer three years ago. The big boys will include hardware and software that you have no need for, and claim that it is free. You are lucky to have such a friend, make use of his advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D4\/!d Posted September 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 Motherboard is VIA KT-266A VT8233AMy hardware guy will certainly have is own opinion of what works well. For example he builds PCs for the local school. He talks to the kids about PCs and in his demo he makes a working computer in under 3 mins. He's amazing and so passionate about hardware. I know I am so lucky to know him. I look after him well.I just thought I would discuss the upgrade with you folk who seem to understand this subject in such depth. The wealth of practical experience here is fantastic, and so freely given. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 I like the NForce chipset. I find VIA to be a bit slower than they advertise. I also like ASUS boards, but they are expensive. Stick with ATI graphics (yes I am Canadian :P ) and make sure to get a gigabit ethernet, even if you aren't going to use it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D4\/!d Posted September 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 ...and make sure to get a gigabit ethernet, even if you aren't going to use it yet. :unsure: umm, why? wassit for :blush: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 Well, you asked for "A computer for for the future" and gigabit is just that. http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/techno...ch/gigbt_tc.htmIn a nutshell:Most network cards are 10/100. Gigabit is 10/100/1000 giving you the option of upgrading to a 1000mbps network.Gigabit Ethernet is a viable technology that allows Ethernet to scale from 10/100 Mbps at the desktop to 100 Mbps up the riser to 1000 Mbps in the data center. By leveraging the current Ethernet standard as well as the installed base of Ethernet and Fast Ethernet switches and routers, network managers do not need to retrain and relearn a new technology in order to provide support for Gigabit Ethernet. Cisco is leading the industry by driving the standards for Gigabit Ethernet while investing in product supporting Gigabit Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet migration paths, and ATM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D4\/!d Posted September 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 There is only me here - I am not setting up a network :rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarecrow Man Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 Most new motherboards come with Onboard Gigabit Ethernet now anyways :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D4\/!d Posted September 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 Thanks Scarecrow Man, I'll make sure mine does too :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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