I have been looking at the Sony A1 for a while, but buying it means I need a new PC as well. Seems like every time I buy a new computer it gets more complicated. I mainly use my PC for audio and video apps. I figured I can salvage some parts when configuring a new setup.

Here is what I might be able to still use:
320 gig HD
2 sticks 512 RAM (older)
ATI Radeon 9200 128MB 8XAGP W/T
Echo Gina soundcard
NEC DVD RW
Dell 1905P Monitor
Older Firewire card

If I could get away with keeping most of these parts, I would like to keep my price to $1000 or under. Also my current computer is way too loud. I would like something with some power but still fairly quiet.

I feel comfortable putting computers together, just lost on what specs to buy and any advice where to start, what to keep and what to get rid of is appreciated.

Thanks for all the help in advance. Love this board, read all the time, just don't post much.

Joel

What editing system are you using?

2- I don't do DAW work myself, but I've heard some discussion on the Sony Vegas board that a lot of the new motherboards will give you grief if you use a PCI audio card. So watch out for that.

http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=463042

Your video card is AGP- not all new motherboards have this slot anymore, since everything is moving to PCI express.

They are also moving to DDR2 RAM... not the old DDR RAM, RAMBUS, or the one before that.

3- So if you want a good quiet computer, you probably want to look at an AMD processor. Less heat = less cooling necessary = less noise. But don't go AMD if it doesn't play well with your NLE.

silentpcreview.com has lots of excellent information on building a quiet computer. In particular, their forums and their guides to PSU/mobo/CPU/etc. are good.

Glenn thanks for the advice. I learned and am currently working with Premiere. I am taking a trip down to Atlanta next month to visit a friend that just started using Vegas, so I am curious to see how I like that. I like the screen shots I've seen.
So sounds like I can scratch RAM and video card off my list of salvagable goods.

I'm trying to find a good barebones kit to start with, but might have to configure something myself. Seems like barebones now is mostly the small form factor computers.

Thanks for the website too.

Joel

Quite a range of barebones combos here:

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=M&Category_Code=COM

I wouldn't bother saiving the vid card or the ram.

Go with a brand new AMD X2 (4400+ or faster if the price point works for you) if you are in a hurry, or wait a couple of months for the new Intel Core 2 Duo. Put in 2 Gig DDR2 and an nVidea 7600 or faster (or similar ATI) video card

Sell it all and get a Mac!

;-)

I was emailed a lot of information from posting this message. I purchased the A1 last friday and hopefully will be here soon. Been reading this board about the camera for several months now. I'm going to hold out till the end of the month to see if cpu prices fall, but will have to probably get something by then. Been looking at the AMD X2, and if prices fall a little I'll pick up a 4400+ or faster. Still got some research to do about some other components, but thanks for all the help up till now.

Tomas-I would, but I can't afford that camera and a whole new mac system.

Joel

Joel,

I've been thinking about building a new system for a bit now and have gotten a lot of great info from this site.

Check it out - particullary their DIY4 project - toward the bottom of the page they have a great matrix showing the best bang for the buck when it comes to processors and the like.

http://www.videoguys.com/DIY.html