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Need some advice on computer parts
#298918 - 11/13/12 10:45 PM
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I'm looking to build a new computer and could use advice about some of the components. Here are the specs for my current build (built Aug 2006):
- AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+
- ASUS M2N-E
- Patriot DRR2-800 2GB (2x1GB)
- HIS X1900XT
- Plextor PX-760A (PATA connection)
- 1 300GB PATA drive (storage)
- 2 300GB SATA drives (1 boot/storage, 1 storage)
- 1 500GB SATA drive (storage)
- Peripherals (speakers, keyboard, mouse, monitor)
The old computer will be going to my parents to replace their current one and these are the parts I'm keeping:
- Peripherals (speakers, keyboard, mouse, monitor)
- 1 300GB SATA drive (storage)
- 1 500GB SATA drive (storage)
Everything else I need to purchase, including drives to replace the two that are remaining with the old computer. The primary use of my computer is gaming/emulation, along with other mundane stuff (listening to music, photo editing, watch movies & shows). I would also like to run Virtual Machines for software/OS alternatives testing and to run older OSes for non-compatible software. I have a hard limit of $1,450 to spend on this build, it was $1,600 but I need at least $150 to upgrade the memory and OS on the old computer. Here are the parts I'm currently looking at:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nzmO
Normally I would go with AMD, but given their lackluster performance of late, I'm leaning towards the i7-3770. I don't plan on overclocking so, other than the 100 MHz stock speed difference, would there be any noticeable differences during normal use between the K and non K version? Given what I expect to do with this build, would it be possible for me to go with the i5-3570?
How much memory should I be looking at, 16GB or 32GB? Normally I would gear it around what I planned to do, but I've never run VMs before and am a bit confused by their memory requirements.
And finally, we're using Windows XP x86, so both computers are in need of a current OS. It'll be Windows 7 x64, but should I go with Home Premium or Professional? Can Home Premium run VM programs like VirtualBox or VMWare Player without choking?
And a semi related question, are Blu-ray burners worth the $100 or is the technology still too new to be viable? I ask because of the 25GB disc size and the fact that the price per disc has become somewhat reasonable.
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| Naoki |
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Reged: 11/10/09
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Posts: 1998
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Re: Need some advice on computer parts
[Re: Anime-niac]
#298924 - 11/14/12 12:14 AM
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> How much memory should I be looking at, 16GB or 32GB? Normally I would gear it around
> what I planned to do, but I've never run VMs before and am a bit confused by their
> memory requirements.
>
> And finally, we're using Windows XP x86, so both computers are in need of a current
> OS. It'll be Windows 7 x64, but should I go with Home Premium or Professional? Can
> Home Premium run VM programs like VirtualBox or VMWare Player without choking?
>
> And a semi related question, are Blu-ray burners worth the $100 or is the technology
> still too new to be viable? I ask because of the 25GB disc size and the fact that the
> price per disc has become somewhat reasonable.
FOr CPU, not sure, but with RAM, it dependson what os you use to virtualize and how many you run. If it's Windows 7 with 2GB of ram and only one VM, 16GB is plenty. And i'd go with home premium. Neither will limit you in what you do (Virtualbox or the like aren't affected bythe edition) but HomeP is cheaper.
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| R. Belmont |
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Re: Need some advice on computer parts
[Re: Anime-niac]
#298987 - 11/14/12 06:22 PM
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> And finally, we're using Windows XP x86, so both computers are in need of a current
> OS. It'll be Windows 7 x64, but should I go with Home Premium or Professional? Can
> Home Premium run VM programs like VirtualBox or VMWare Player without choking?
Home Premium will run those fine; the only advantage virtualization wise to Professional is the free copy of Virtual PC and "Windows XP Mode", but that's easy enough to handle with VirtualBox or VMWare.
> And a semi related question, are Blu-ray burners worth the $100 or is the technology
> still too new to be viable? I ask because of the 25GB disc size and the fact that the
> price per disc has become somewhat reasonable.
The nice thing about BD-ROM burners is they're still expensive enough to be fairly well built. I have a piece of software that comes on 8 DVDs; it literally burns out your typical $30 Chinese DVD burner before completion, but my BD-ROM burner has no trouble with it. And yes, 25GB on a disc is very, very handy.
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