My two cents worth of free advice.

When you pay more money, you get either speed (cpu, memory, video card, hard drive, mb) or capacity
(memory, hard drive).  So, by identifying your needs you are able to ascertain how much computer you have
to buy.  Other factors also reflect reliability and ease of use; the case and power supply for example.
The motherboard may have many or few features such as sound, usb outlets, etc.

Surfing the web usually will not stress a computer, especially dial-up.

Scanning and working with a video camera will likely not be a speed factor, because so little time will
be spent in the file transfer.  However, video images stored on a computer can take up a fair amount of
space.  100 gigabytes or more disk size is indicated if you are going to store much.

Ripping MP3 files is a slow process, but playing them back is no problem.  They, too, require a fair
amount of storage - new iPods have as much as 60 gig, I believe (mine has 30 and is half full of music).
This is more reason to get a larger hard drive.

You do not need SLI, which uses two video cards for playing intense games.

If you want to be ready for the future, you should probably get a pci express motherboard.  Then a video
card to match; also a power supply that supports pci express is advisable.  Get as fancy a set as your
desires and budget permit.  It never hurts anything but the pocketbook to get a faster cpu, more memory,
and a faster video card!

If your budget permits, get one of the larger disk drives  that has an 8 megabyte buffer on it.  200 or
300 gig.  Then you will have plenty of space.  I would get a SATA drive and a motherboard that supports
one.

Places like Newegg (www.newegg.com) sometimes have special packages.  That can be helpful because you
save money and know that the parts in the package will work together.  I saw a package yesterday that had
an FX 55 set for under $900.  (That may be more high-end than you want.)

If you are getting a new case, get a nice one that has lots of room (unless you are going to be moving it
a lot) and no sharp edges.  About eight years ago I bought a fancy case and power supply from PC Power
and Cooling for over $500 ( a lot!) and have not regretted it;  I have gone through several upgrades with
the same case.  Today, I would likely get a nice case and power suppy from Antec for a lot less money.

HTH

Dean Kukral



----- Original Message -----
From: daniel
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 1:29 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] First Build


Hello, and a Happy New Year too all.
After vacillating for some time,  I am ready to build my first computer.
I am unclear however on which components to choose.
I will try to delineate my needs.
I will never play games.
I will surf the web.
I want to do scanning, as well as working with a digital camera.
I enjoy MP3 files.
My pricipal question is which motherboard to purchase.
Do I need SLI? If I purchase a board with SLI, must I use two video cards?
I have noticed that the newer memory is DD2. Is there a big advantage to having a board that would
support this memory?
Any additional advice would be appreciated.

Daniel

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        The NOSPIN Group has added a new feature on our website,
           web based bulletinboard for questions and answers:
              Visit our sister website at http://nospin.com