Hi Brian?.that?s some mighty hi specs you?ve got there? Unless you?re going into video production to stream to the ?world? it seems a little bit of overkill to me? Especially in lieu of system deals like this out there http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=5 263757 I?d start with something like that, then add as time and needs and ?cash? permit? It may not be the screamin demon your $900 machine is, but it?ll allow you to get beefed up faster and cheaper than that one will too. Unless you?re going to be doing some of your video editing stuff at the same time you?re playing a monster game like WoW or some such at the same time, the specs you lined up are huge-ish? Not trying to tell you what to do, just trying to save you some dough on things that might be overkill? Now I?ll shut up and let you build your dream machine? Bruce From: triadtechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:triadtechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of brian Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2009 6:12 PM To: triadtechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [triadtechtalk] New Computer/ Win7 Upgrade All TTT members, Well, its just like old times when I needed frequent and detailed help, I am at that point again. After doing research about Win7, and what I think the basic makeup of a new computer system should be, I have developed a rough idea of what I think I need. Instead of of a plain computer system like I have, I intend to up grade slightly so hopefully the system will last for a number of years. If it only lasts half as long as my existing one that going on its 11th year I will consider it a success. I especially want a fast computer and one that can handle video viewing and edition since my current system has a hard time just playing on-line videos now. Since I have only purchased this one computer, and knew absolutely nothing about computers when it was purchased, I hope I can make a more informed purchasing decision this time with my increased computer knowledge and the help from the group. I appreciate the many TTT members who have owner multiple computers, repaired them, built systems, and have developed expertise and extraordinary knowledge about what makes a good computer. With the groups comments about my plan, hopefully I can avoid any uninformed choices I would otherwise be apt to make. Both Howard's and Bruce's are encouraging me the assembling my own system; I would love to do just that! I have just developed two lists: 1. A list of items that I think I would like in the new computer system. 2. A list of items I would most likely have to purchase to assemble a system I have also looked at a few on-line of existing computers to see what the computer and the price may look like that matched the specs that I think may offer a strong system. This is what I think the basic make up of the computer should be: OS: Win7 Home Premium System Memory (RAM): DDR3 SDRAM, 6 GB Minimum Graphics: Nvidia or ATi, , 512MB Minimum, with an HDMI out port (With multiple video-out ports) Processor Speed & Type: Quad, 64-bit, 2.6GHz, Core i7 or AMD?s Phenom II X4 Mother board: ?? Hard Drive: SATA, 10,000RPM, 500GB minimum LAN: 802.11a/b/g/n PORTS: PCIe x16: 1 - 2 PCI Express x1: 2 - 3 Standard PCI: 2 SATA port: 1 3.5-inch bays: 2 - 3 eSATA Ports?? USB: 3.0 Ports (6 of them) These are the items I think I would need to purchase: Computer (bare bones, probably with DVD, HDD, Ram, CPU) Router Modem Speakers 2 Monitors: 22? or 24? LCD HDD: External 1TB, for backup UBS Cables Floppy Drive? Power Supply Win7 Home Premium Of the computers I looked at that seems like it would meet most the specs is a Bust Buy HP - Pavilion Model: e9220y Elite Desktop with AMD Phenom? II X4 Quad-Core Processor. This is they link to Best Buy page detailed information about the computer. I have also copied the information at the end of this message. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9549465 <http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9549465&type=product&id=12181 22580572> &type=product&id=1218122580572 It is a little pricey especially since I will still have to buy the other parts of the system. Once the items I think I need to purchase and the computer specs can be finalized, it would be much easier to see if such a computer exists that closely match the specs and what the price would be. I could them compare that price to getting a bare configuration and adding the parts to get the exact specs desired, and could either get a better system or save some money buy building my own system. Below is a copy of the detailed info about the HP Pavilion Model: e9220y Elite Desktop: HP - Pavilion Elite Desktop with AMD Phenom? II X4 Quad-Core Processor Model: e9220y | SKU: 9549465 So as usual, and like old times I sure would appreciate any feed back to help finalize my plan. =================== =================== =================== Customer Reviews: 0.0 out of 5 stars Be the first to write a review. Shipping: Usually leaves our warehouse in 1 business day Estimate Arrival Time Store Pickup: Check Stores Special Offers: * Save $70 on Win7 : See How * Shipping: Free Financing: * Great Financing Offer Our Price: $799.9 -------- OVERVIEW: Store important documents, special photos, favorite songs and more on this desktop's spacious 1TB Serial ATA hard drive. The built-in wireless LAN allows you to connect to the Web without a tangle of cables. * Windows 7 Home Premium preloaded Which Windows 7 edition is best for you? Compare. * Learn more about LightScribe technology. What's Included * HP Pavilion Elite Desktop with AMD Phenom? II X4 Quad-Core Processor * Power cord/cable * HP USB keyboard, HP USB optical mouse * Software: Microsoft Works 9; Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe; HP MediaSmart Software Suite and more * Owner's manual Product Features * AMD Phenom? II X4 910* quad-core processor True multicore processing for extreme multitasking performance. Cool'n'Quiet? 3.0 and CoolCore? technologies and Dual Dynamic Power Management? for efficient energy usage. * Direct Connect Architecture Delivers overall system performance. HyperTransport? technology, AMD Balanced Smart Cache and AMD Wide Floating Point Accelerator for quick access times and improved performance. * AMD Memory Optimizer Technology For multithreaded software performance, and AMD Virtualization with Rapid Virtualization Indexing to help virtualization software run securely and efficiently. * 8GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM For multitasking power, expandable to 16GB. * Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible media. Supports DVD-RAM. Also supports LightScribe direct-disc labels using compatible LightScribe media. * 2MB L2 cache memory For efficient system processing. * 1TB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm) Offers spacious storage options and fast read/write times. * ATI Radeon HD 4350 graphics Features 512MB dedicated memory and up to 3327MB total available graphics memory as allocated by Windows 7. Supports Microsoft DirectX 10. HDMI output. High-definition audio with 8-speaker support. * 15-in-1 media reader Supports SmartMedia, xD-Picture Card, MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital, Mini Secure Digital, CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo and Memory Stick PRO Duo formats. * Also supports Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard, MultiMediaCard Mobile and MultiMediaCard Plus formats. * IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface and 7 high-speed USB 2.0 ports For fast digital data transfer and easy peripheral connectivity. * Built-in wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n) Connect to the Internet without wires. * 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet LAN For wired Internet connectivity. * Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system preinstalled Provides a stable platform for word processing, Web navigation, gaming, media storage and more. * Software package included With Microsoft Works 9, Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe, HP MediaSmart Software Suite and more. 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 also included. * AMD, AMD Arrow logo, AMD Phenom, Cool'n'Quiet, HyperTransport and combinations thereof are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. *Model number indicates relative software performance among this AMD processor family. ======== SPECIFICATIONS: Warranty Terms - Parts 1 year limited Warranty Terms - Labor 1 year limited Product Height 15.8" Product Width 7.1" Product Weight 13 lbs. Product Depth 16.9" Processor Brand AMD Processor AMD Phenom? II X4 Processor Speed 2.6GHz System Bus 4000MHz Cache Memory 2MB on die Level 2 System Memory (RAM) 8GB System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 16GB Type of Memory (RAM) DDR3 SDRAM Hard Drive Type SATA (5400 rpm) Hard Drive Size 1TB Graphics ATI Radeon HD 4350 graphics Video Memory 512MB (dedicated); up to 3327MB total available as allocated by Windows 7 Audio High-definition (8-speaker configurable) Speakers None Network Card Built-in 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet Wireless Networking Built-in wireless LAN (802.11a/b/g/n) Recordable DVD Drive Yes, double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Recordable DVD Drive Speeds 12x DVD+R DL; 12x DVD-R DL; 16x8x16 DVD+RW; 16x6x16 DVD-RW; 12x DVD-RAM; 40x32x40 CD-RW Direct-Disc Labeling Yes Digital Media Reader or Slots Yes, digital media card reader Available Expansion Bays External: 1 (3.5"), 1 (5.25"), 1 Personal Media Drive; Internal: 1 (3.5") Available Expansion Slots 2 PCI Express x1, 1 MiniCard USB 2.0 Ports 7 (3 front, 4 rear) IEEE 1394 Ports 1 S-Video Outputs None Serial Ports None Parallel Ports None Game Ports None Keyboard Description HP USB Other Control Devices (mouse, etc.) HP USB optical mouse Operating System Platform Windows Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Software Included Microsoft Works 9; Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe; HP MediaSmart Software Suite and more ENERGY STAR Qualified No HDMI Output Yes Blu-ray Player No ========