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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> PC upgrade
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 08/04/2004 01:48:23 PM · #1
Does this sound like an ok custom build for £430? It will basically be used for visiting here and post processing of pictures (PS7).

AMD 3000 XP 333 FSB
400Mhz FSB Motherboard inc AGP & PCI slots
2x DDRam 512Mb PC2700 333
80Gb 7200rpm UDMA 133 hard drive
AOpen/MSI Combo DVD/R/RW,
Floppy Drive
32Mb Savage Pro Graphics,
6x USB v2 Ports (4 rear,2 front)
56kb Modem, 10/100 Network incuded
Midi Tower ATX Case inc 300w PSU, Lots of Room for Expansion

I was advised that I don't need more than 32Mb of Graphics card as PS will use the pc memory?

As for monitors I was looking at a 19" GNR TFT (£540) at a later date.

Any advice would be most welcome.


08/04/2004 02:04:45 PM · #2
It's not so much the amount of memory the graphics card has, it's that fact that lower-end graphics cards will naturally have less. Hence, it's likely a fairly slow, poorly built, poor drivers, card.

Otherwise, it looks fairly good.
 08/04/2004 02:08:57 PM · #3
If you're not gaming, you'd be better off buying a good 2D card, than a junk 3D. Otherwise it looks like a pretty good system. Couldn't say on price though, since I don't know how the US $ compares.
 08/04/2004 02:11:15 PM · #4
Should be just fine, however I don't buy into that you only need a 32M Video card. That will become the bottleneck on the system. The more processes that the GPU can perform the better overall performance of the systems. Start resizing pictures, doing conversions and watch the video card struggle.

Is it on board sound or is it an added PCI card?

The CPU and PC2700 will work well together both being 333Mhz. Alot of people will run PC3200 (400Mhz) with a 333Mhz CPU...(silly).

Where's the savage pro from? Your old system or are the finding it on ebay, thats a pretty old card (technology).
 08/04/2004 02:35:47 PM · #5
333 fsb seems kinda slow...
 08/04/2004 03:45:03 PM · #6
Originally posted by awpollard:

Where's the savage pro from? Your old system or are the finding it on ebay, thats a pretty old card (technology).


The card is part of the standard build, should I get something bigger, better, faster and newer?

As for the speedv hsteg I guess its relative to what you are used to??

This is the site I was looking at (click on special offer). I spoke with the shop and got prices for upgrades to processor, memory and dvd from the parts list. Anybody want to create a better spec pc from the parts/upgrade list (remembering that money is an object) or direct me to a better site (this one is in my home town).
 08/04/2004 03:46:46 PM · #7
Try //www.novatech.co.uk I must have referred a couple of dozen PC purchases for individuals and businesses over the last few years - I've yet to hear of someone that's not happy.

Edit: I've also yet to find a good value small shop. :-)

Message edited by author 2004-08-04 15:47:18.
 08/04/2004 04:07:28 PM · #8
Originally posted by awpollard:
Should be just fine, however I don't buy into that you only need a 32M Video card. That will become the bottleneck on the system. The more processes that the GPU can perform the better overall performance of the systems. Start resizing pictures, doing conversions and watch the video card struggle.


Actually scaling an image or doing image type conversions and filters and stuff in Photoshop is not done by the GPU, this depends mainly on CPU speed and the amount of RAM you have (if your programs run out of RAM and you start swapping to disk, your speeding CPU will be waiting all the time for the slooooow hard drive).
 08/04/2004 05:43:12 PM · #9
im not so sure the 300w power supply will be enough. maybe go for a 400w or 450w power supply. Im sure you will add stuff to the system at some point and its better to have the power capabilities now instead of having to upgrade the power supply later.

James
 08/04/2004 05:55:54 PM · #10
Jeez, and I thought it would be easy to upgrade
Thanks for the link Paul. So, I don't really need a bigger graphics card as I don't game but I need more than a 300w power supply. If I went to 450w is that constant? i.e. will it always cost more to run or is it there if I need it? (not that I pay for electricity).



Message edited by author 2004-08-05 03:37:38.
 08/09/2004 12:19:55 PM · #11
Well, I ordered the above pc today, will get a new monitor after payday. I have a *cough* 'copy' of xp pro and also have proper version of Windows 2000 - any W2000 owners out there want to sing its praises enough to make me switch to that?
Thanks
 08/09/2004 12:25:59 PM · #12
Originally posted by skylen:
Actually scaling an image or doing image type conversions and filters and stuff in Photoshop is not done by the GPU, this depends mainly on CPU speed and the amount of RAM you have (if your programs run out of RAM and you start swapping to disk, your speeding CPU will be waiting all the time for the slooooow hard drive).


I agree, I would also recommend adding another small hard drive,
a 10 or 20 gig. Just something you got laying around and use it
for photoshops scratch disk. This way photoshop can access it with
out having to wait for windows to stop using your main hard drive.
 08/09/2004 04:41:46 PM · #13
Thanks Dave, was thinking of partioning 20gb or so solely for PS7, I also have a 20gb jukebox I could use. I guess I install PS7 to the new partion? or just point the scratch pad to it?
 08/09/2004 07:50:05 PM · #14
i use 2K on my workstation (also running Litestep - shell replacement) - only copy of XP is running on my Games system.. (more stable than 98SE and better @ games than 2K)

i tried XP on my workstation (dual boot) for a couple of days, but found it a little sluggish for the variety of work that i do.. also used more RAM..

video card wise i would reccommend a Matrox G550 for a good fast 2D card for the money..

Message edited by author 2004-08-09 19:53:01.
 08/09/2004 08:12:15 PM · #15
RAM is cheep, get lots!
08/09/2004 10:17:59 PM · #16
I'm sure everyone means well, but there is some bad advice in this thread. That system is fine. The price strikes me as a bit high, but I don't know what the market is like in that part of the world. A similar system in Canada would be half the price.

I'd leave the Savage card and not worry about it. The graphics card matters for moving objects (both raster and vector). Unless you drag windows around like crazy, 2D performance isn't going to be an issue. I have 128 MB is my current video board, and I doubt if the system has ever paged more than 8 MB of it.

333 MHz fsb is not slow. Look at the benchmarks on Tom's Hardware and Anandtech. 400 MHz is faster, but not much.

300W is fine for a power supply. It's not like you're plugging a toaster into it. I wouldn't recommend putting case mod disco lights or a new NVidia 3D board in it, but 300W leaves enough power for more USB devices, hard drives, and optical drives.

Tough call on the extra drive for the scratch disk. I think the speed of the ATA133 drive would outweigh the benefit of an older drive slaved to the IDE channel. I guess you'd have to benchmark it to know for sure, but I don't imagine it's worth the trouble.

I'm not a Windows user, so I won't say for sure that 512 MB is enough memory, but Photoshop runs fine for me with 512 MB of RAM. Yes, RAM is cheap, but not buying more RAM is cheaper.

Again, I don't know that much about Windows, but I assume XP has better support for new hardware. I understand Microsoft now feels that security might be important to some users and is releasing a service pack to help keep bad guys from hijacking your computer. The last time Microsoft did this, it locked out registration keys known to be stolen. If Bill Gates shows up at your door, you might want to have that legit copy of Win2k handy.

Bottom line: That system is good as it stands. It's not top-of-the-line, but it's more than adequate for the uses you described. I think you'll be happy with it, and won't notice much of a difference by making small improvements to it. Certainly not enough of a difference to justify the added expense. Just make sure you're getting a good price.
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