Please recommend me a new PC tower around $700

[Greg Roles]

Hey all,

Over Christmas my trusty old 2004 Dell Optiplex GX 280's motherboard terminally died. Now it was a flash thing back then, but obviously today it's a crab pot anchor. I upgraded it as much as I could, but now that I'm delving into editing HD video, well it just couldn't keep up, even with the biggest video card and all the ram I could fit. It was a 3.2 with 4gig ram and a GT 750 ? card, can't recall ( I'm at work ).

So I've a budget of $700ish for a new full size "box". I understand computers a bit, but the more research I do into current processors etc the more confused I get. I'd love some advice on what you computer savvy guys would recommend for the bucks.

I like the specs of the new Dell Inspiron 580 with an i5, but it's obviously top dollar. I'm very happy with a bitsa in a normal black box, I don't need a flash gaming case, rather buy ram! I won't be overclocking, I save my messing around for the VW.

I have dedicated wired internet, don't need wireless. Sound doesn't matter. My two DVD burners are fine. My 320gb XP drive is fine. Screen etc all fine. I can install hardware no problem.

I need:
a system aimed at best HD video editing, I don't play games with it.
Win7 unless someone reckons XP will work ( don't want to spend ages sorting retro drivers )
video card
power supply to handle the above
max ram or ability to easily upgrade
doesn't need a massive HD, my 320 is only half full, I have a TB backup drive for storage.
Oh and please, no Vista!

Any help very gratefully received!

[team_v]

For all my computer needs i speak to the guys at MSY.
MSY Online

There are a few stores in Brisbane and you can get very good component prices.

My brother just finished building a Media computer with parts sourced from MSY for under $450

[h100vw]

http://www.allneeds.com.au/BROCHURES/systems.pdf

Page 2 for box only deals.

I am no geek Greg but I got my current PC from here. Essentially I just spent a grand on the box and bought a 22 inch monitor on top. 2 500gig hdds as well.

Not saying you should buy from Allneeds but it might give you some ideas of hardware and prices. Bound to be somewhere local can do the same job for you.

Gavin

[Greg Roles]

Thanks Lads,

Seems to be plenty of places to buy, and I'm not so worried about saving the very last dollar, more that I buy the things really necessary for my application.

The minimum recommended by my software Cyberlinks Power Director 8 is XP SP2, 2G DDR2 ram, Core 2 Duo E6400 or Athlon 64x2 5000+. It doesn't mention a video card, but I would assume that would help??? See I'm not sure what matters the most.

I'll check those links boys thanks!

[bombsquad21]

umart...

that place is nuts.

Umart Computer Notebook&PC Parts - Umart online® Your one stop Computer Shop for computer parts,notebook and new system