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Upgrading my PC

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weera:
Hi guys!
I'd like to upgrade my PC (Mobo, Processor, Memory, HDD) and I want to ask few things. It's a value thing since I only have about $600-700 to spend.

1. Would I have to re-install windows again from the beginning if I use a new HDD as the primary hard drive? Is there a way to copy all system files on drive C to the new HDD?
2. I'm planning to buy Pentium D 945 (3.4 GHz, FSB 800MHz), I think it's quite a bargain since core 2 duo still expensive. Is it enough for me? I use my PC for video and graphic editing.
3. How much do I have to buy memory for this new processor? 1GB or 2GB?
4. How big is the power supply should I buy for my upgraded PC run smoothly?

Thanks in advance for any info guys :)

Quantum:
1. Yes, look in to programs like Norton Ghost, though never used it myself.

2. Pentium Ds are cheap for a reason, they're kinda crap. AMD and Intel have announced price cuts recently ( http://www.dailytech.com/AMD+Cuts+Prices+on+Highend+Processors/article6848.htm ), I would vastly recommended going for AMD. Low-Mid end AMD CPUs compete with if not out do Intels best offer in Price / Performance for the same price. Also AMDs use an open standard for their connection, this tends to mean their motherboards are of higher quality at lower price (though do look in to reviews of what you're buying before you buy it), you can get something like an nForce 570 SLi chipset motherboard for a very cheap price compared to Intel based Boards similar offerings. Also AMDs current socket, the AM2 is forwards compatible (with a BIOS update) with AMDs upcoming new architecture the AM2+ CPUs.

3. The amount of memory you want is up to you, if you want to do video and graphics editing I recommend 2 - 4 GBs, you should also think about what kind of speed you want (get at least DDR2 667, but it goes all the way up to 1066 these days).

4. Massively depends on what kind of graphics card you have. Also consider the quality of a PSU is important, a high quality 450 Watts is about equivalent to a 550 - 600 Watt unbranded PSU.

chip!:
when it comes time to upgrade your hdd, you have a couple options.. if you dont want to reinstall Windows and start fresh, then i would recommend using DriveClone 2 to copy your old hdd to the new one. its much better than the newer versions of Norton Ghost.. I recently replaced my hdd and tested out like 5 different programs and a couple versions of Norton Ghost and DriveClone 2 was the only one I was able to get working properly..

http://www.farstone.com/software/driveclone.htm

weera:

--- Quote from: Quantum on April 15, 2007, 05:40:00 am ---1. Yes, look in to programs like Norton Ghost, though never used it myself.

2. Pentium Ds are cheap for a reason, they're kinda crap. AMD and Intel have announced price cuts recently ( http://www.dailytech.com/AMD+Cuts+Prices+on+Highend+Processors/article6848.htm ), I would vastly recommended going for AMD. Low-Mid end AMD CPUs compete with if not out do Intels best offer in Price / Performance for the same price. Also AMDs use an open standard for their connection, this tends to mean their motherboards are of higher quality at lower price (though do look in to reviews of what you're buying before you buy it), you can get something like an nForce 570 SLi chipset motherboard for a very cheap price compared to Intel based Boards similar offerings. Also AMDs current socket, the AM2 is forwards compatible (with a BIOS update) with AMDs upcoming new architecture the AM2+ CPUs.

3. The amount of memory you want is up to you, if you want to do video and graphics editing I recommend 2 - 4 GBs, you should also think about what kind of speed you want (get at least DDR2 667, but it goes all the way up to 1066 these days).

4. Massively depends on what kind of graphics card you have. Also consider the quality of a PSU is important, a high quality 450 Watts is about equivalent to a 550 - 600 Watt unbranded PSU.

--- End quote ---
Thanks Quantum for your reply. :)
I'll look into AMD now, maybe I'll get a good review and buy it.
As for previously I 'm planning on buying ASUS    P5N32-E SLI combine with Pentium D945.
As for memory I'm planning on buying DDR2 667.


--- Quote from: chip! on April 15, 2007, 06:33:57 am ---when it comes time to upgrade your hdd, you have a couple options.. if you dont want to reinstall Windows and start fresh, then i would recommend using DriveClone 2 to copy your old hdd to the new one. its much better than the newer versions of Norton Ghost.. I recently replaced my hdd and tested out like 5 different programs and a couple versions of Norton Ghost and DriveClone 2 was the only one I was able to get working properly..

http://www.farstone.com/software/driveclone.htm



--- End quote ---
I'll look in to it Chip. Thanks :)

TheNightWatchman:
I bought a similar computer last year (Pentium D with 2GB ram) which the only intensive thing I do is video editing.

I use Core2Duos with a lot of RAM, good graphics card, etc at Uni and it's not a lot different. I think it depends on how much time you want to spend rendering and if you use Adobe After Effects etc.

I mean get the best that you can, but I find requirements for video editing aren't as big as people make out to be. Although if you're planning to re edit the matrix and do motion capture, it probably wouldn't load all week  ;)

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