On Dec 1, 9:19*pm, Don <no-not.av...@com.com> wrote:
> Can you specialists giveme some advice please. I'm in the UK.
>
> Is the advice I've been given any good? *Suggested I go from my old
> slow system to a new system based on Intel. *Proposed system seems
> overkill. *Opinions please.
>
> REQUIREMENT: *
> I use my system for home use with a lot of personal office-like
> activity (I'm retired).
>
> I want to have reasonably good audio editing for good quality voice
> recording of meetings. *Want low system noise where possible.
>
> Would like FEATURES (like lots of USB and on-board functions to save
> buying plugins) but I don't need tons of outright POWER.
>
> PRICE:
> I can't fund expensive equipment so I try and buy for value rather
> than leading edge technology. *My current system was bought as middle
> to trailing edge technology and has got more out of date since then!
>
> CURRENT SYSTEM:
> (a) AMD Duron cpu at 1800 MHz. Real 1800 MHz (approx sub-Athlon 2100+)
> (b) Syntax mobo based on Via 266a chipset with 768 MB SD-RAM.
> (c) 17 inch CRT which I will keep and re-use.
> (d) four to seven hard drives (mix of SATA/PATA) using PCI adapters
>
> PROPOSED SYSTEM (PC shop suggestion: total £450 inc VAT)
> (1) *Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 processor (£77)
> (2) very recent Asus mobo *(£89)
> * * 3 PCI, 6 SATA, 10 USB, 2 Fwire, 8ch sound, 4D chII-1066 memory
> (3) 4 GB memory Crucial/Kingston * (£60)
> (4) graphics card *(£30)
> (5) sound blaster X-Fi Xtreme PCI 8ch (£33)
> (6) hard drive for booting only *(£30)
> (7) DVD-RW *£22
> (8) decent case/PSU = Antec Sonata (£92)
> (9) usual ancillary things: fan, webcam, KVM switch, mouse/keybd
>
> ------------
>
> Bit fast isn't it? *And probably a huge jump.
>
> It's too expensive. Any ideas where I can trim the cost back a bit.
>
> Was told Intel cpu's have currently stolen a lead on AMD. *Also that
> Intel mobos were no longer significantly more costly than AMD mobos. *
> True enough?
>
> Decent mobo can provide integrated function which is more costly to
> add later so I don't want to pare this back to a "skeleton" mobo.
>
> Decent case and PSU save endless trouble but is the Antec Sonata with
> PSU good value? I don't like it's glossy front flap (remove), only 2
> front USB and no front fan.
The more resources you have the longer the system will be viable.
that said most systems are bogged down in junk that starts at boot and
serves no real use other than it will allow the application to launch
slightly faster if the user decides to us it. Do some research and
tweak your current system you may be happy.
But if buyin, buy asbig as you can afford.
Hit for what to do if you do get a new system install Linux on the old
one
http://www.ubuntu.com/ Offers a good product and excellent community
support and will run like a winged rodent exiting the underworld
Linear Mode
