Speccing up a new PC build

[xm5er]

Hello folks, just thought I'd throw a question up to the PH massive.

I'm looking to build a new PC this week, spending about £300 (ex VAT) on box, board, cpu and video cards (I already have a Platinum Audigy sound card ready to go in) drives and other odds'n sods.

Any advice on cpu/board combinations that work well?

Also I want to be able to edit digital video from my vidcam, to burn to DVD. It would be nice to be able to stick a TV card in too, so any advice on video card appreciated.

I normally use microdirect.com for purchases of bits btut they aren't too hot on TV and video cards, can anyone recommend an alternative site for these?

Thanks in advance.

>>> Edited by xm5er on Tuesday 25th January 14:25

[beano500]

Just recently purchased some stuff from overclockers - and I shall be using them again!

They have, for example www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/TV_Cards.html

[Plotloss]

For TV cards, see Hauppage.

All the big resellers, erm, resell them...

[ErnestM]

Pinnacle Systems also have a new USB TV dongle out. I installed one on mine over the weekend and it looks great. Includes dvr capabilities and even MPEG2 compression (for an extra $5 after you install it).

ErnestM

[xm5er]

Thanks for the replies.

Anyone any thoughts on Amd over Intel?

[pdV6]

Either/or.

Pick a motherboard you like and the CPU decision is therefore made for you!

[Plotloss]

Rule of thumb and by no means exhaustive.

Media apps - AMD

Business apps - Intel

[beano500]

I've just stuck a P4 775 3.2 into an Abit AS-8

I have to say that, after a few teething troubles, it flies along nicely now. Bought some new speakers (Logitech X-530, what great value!) to make use of the excellent 5.1 sound too.

What's most impressive is Abit's overclocking utility. Not that I am likely to overclock much, but it has default settings that can run in "turbo" or "quiet" mode. There is also a mode called "auto drive" - I have it set up so that for music and DVD it's in "quiet" but for games and Photoshop it automatically goes into "turbo" mode. All done without having to go near the BIOS settings and re-boot.

It's called OCGuru - and there's a few impressive reviews about it if you search them out....