Suggestions for new PC

[Welshjim]

The time has come for a new PC, and hardware has never been my strength (if I have one).
Would you be willing to design a PC for me?
I will not build my own, but would have no problem asking a local PC store to build one to custom specs, or I could buy a Dell, etc.
I am definitely not a gamer. I do not code or design websites. I do not do CAD. I store few audio tracks or digital pictures. I have only one PC now, so when I buy the new PC I will have two. I would plan to really use only the new one, but keep the old PC as an independent unit. Therefore I do not feel I would need wireless capability, but maybe that is incorrect.
Up to now I have not used the PC to download and store video or TV (though I do watch some occasionally by streaming), but since I understand this will be something that will be more common in the future, I want to be ready for that.
My main uses for the PC today are surfing, word processing and email.
I plan to use Win7 Ultimate and would want to use the WinXP Compatibility option.
One hard drive or two?
Either 32 or 64 bit as recommended. I will buy new peripheral hardware as needed. But I do not want to learn I cannot find 64 bit software/hardware as needed for common tasks, even if such will probably be available "in the near future". I feel 64 bit has been "promising" to take over for a very long time, but has not yet delivered.
On the other hand, I do not want to be locked out from future developments in the next 2-3 years.
Cost is not a major problem, but there is no point in buying something I will never use.
Please ask questions, if necessary, to help you better understand my needs. I am sure some of my comments above have shown my lack of knowledge in this area.
Thank you.

[Welshjim]

Maybe I do want wireless capability to communicate with peripheral hardware such as the printer.

[SuperSparks]

Definitely go for two hard drives. 1 to 2TB drives are reasonably priced, and you can never have enough storage. My last 3 builds I have put what I thought was far more storage than I would ever need, and by the time that I'm ready to do the next build, I'm scratching about for more space. My formula is to think how much you feel you can possibly need, then multiply that by 3.

As for 64-bit, there is no downside to using it - I have run x64 since the early betas of Vista, and even back in 2006 I had just two items of hardware that I couldn't get 64-bit drivers for. Drivers and software are not an issue at all now. If you stick with 32-bit you will be hobbled by memory limitations, and that's another thing you can never have too much of. Especially if you want to run virtual machines.

Do you have a preference for AMD or Intel, Jim?

[Welshjim]

SuperSparks--Thanks for the response.

Do you have a preference for AMD or Intel, Jim?

I really do not know enough to answer that now. I could of course Google to learn more, but I would appreciate guidance.
My present PC has an Intel chip. My earlier (first and departed) PC had AMD. Both seemed fine to me.
Does my first post give you any ideas whether one or the other would be better to suit my needs? I am not a gamer. And, as mentioned, price is fairly far down the list of criteria. I keep being amazed that AMD is still in business.

[SuperSparks]

Either would be suitable, it's just that some folks have a strong preference for one or the other, and it's a good place to start.

My suggestion is to go for a nice mid-range spec, say an Intel Core 13 or i5, or and AMD Phenom, with plenty of storage and 4gigs of RAM. That will do everything you want with enough headroom to spare for a few years. Do you have a budget in mind?

[bistro]

It really scares me, Jim, when you say you are not a gamer...really, really scares me....


Despite that...ditto on the storage space and RAM. Think for the next 3 years or so....you don't want the system to grow old on you too quick. Video can take up a lot of room. Another thing you want is a GOOD video card...depending on your budget and your intentions, a mid-range card should do you fine. Avoid overstock crap cards that are being dumped on the market right now. Avoid mobos like PC Chips...they are not bottom-of-the-barrel...they are underneath the barrel.

Anyhoo, knowing your budget parameters would help narrow down the choices.

[jdc2000]

Just my $.02 worth - Id' go for an LGA 1366 i7 motherboard, probably Gigabyte or ASUS, rather than an LGA 1156 i3 or i5 board. The i9 chips are supposed to be out later this year and will use the LGA 1366 socket.

[Welshjim]

SuperSparks--
Again thanks for the response. Naming some specifics, as you have done, will let me narrow the research.
I think you meant Intel Core i3. I see from an Intel website that "This processor comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics". Does this mean I will not need a separate graphics card?

Do you have a budget in mind?

Not to sound cavalier, but no. ($1500 or slightly more?) I have no pressure to trade function off for money. Not being a gamer I think that should not be a problem.
I assume I should get SATA drives, even though I gather the difference vs. IDE is small.
Any recommendation on brands of drives?
Any other questions I should be asking? (Like what type of RAM)

P.S. Here is what I now have--bought in early 2004
CPU Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Motherboard Dell Dimension 4600i
Chipset Intel Springdale-G i865G
DDR SDRAM 1GB (I slipped up there)
Hard Drive WDC 160GB (7200 RPM SATA)
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
DVD-ROM JLMS
DVD+RW TEAC

[Welshjim]

bistro and jdc2000--
Many thanks.
Your posts came in while I was typing the response to SuperSparks. Some of your issues have been replied to in my response to him. (There is no budget and I am unclear whether I need a graphics card if I get the Intel i series.) I question whether I will need more than an i5, but convince me. Do I purchase the motherboard separately from the CPU? What about the chipset?

[jdc2000]

The chipset for onboard graphics is generally found on the motherboard. I have yet to see any desktop motherboards that have onboard graphics worth recommending. You will want to get a decent graphics card. You can get motherboard and CPU package deals, but I usually purchase the components separately.

[SuperSparks]

The Core i3 does have graphics integrated onto the chip. I haven't looked at them very hard yet, as they were only released to market the other day. But I don't see any advantage to them over the kind of onboard graphics that you get with motherboards for AMD CPUs. They seem power-hungry in comparison.

I recently built a socket 1366 Core i7. It is a wonderful chip and mobo, but I do think it's overkill for what's wanted here. My rig cost me the equivalent of well over $2500 too.

[bistro]

A separate graphics card is a must...onboard graphics borrow a LOT from the system memory....bad juju.

As for the RAM: Depends on the mobo you choose and its RAM compatibility (DDR2 or DDR3). DDR2 memory will do you just as fine as DDR3...and be less expensive. DDR3 is the latest version however and a tad faster (generally speaking...depending of course on individual speeds...a high-speed DDR2 will beat out a low speed DDR3). But if you have the bucks, go for broke and get a DDR3 compatible mobo and spend on the DDR3 RAM. Corsair, OCZ and Kingston are all excellent brands. For your intentions you really don't need to get the high-speed variety either. 4GB of DDR3 1600 can be had for around $80...you can always upgrade later (to the mobo's specified upper limit).

Now that I have muddied the waters....

[Welshjim]

jdc2000 and bistro--
Again thanks. What mobos and graphics cards do you recommend?
I see SuperSparks is not sure a separate graphics card is needed with the Intel i series, but that it may be too early to tell.
P.S. Any recommendations for or against using OEM companies, such as Dell? I was very satisfied with my present Dell bought almost six years ago. I had no power supply problems, which I gather Dell did have in that period.

[jdc2000]

After looking at LGA1156 boards on NewEgg, it looks like the P55 chipset has issues with the SATA3/USB3 capabilities on the boards that have that hardware. This could be another reason to go with the LGA1366 X58 boards.

Note: There are lots of better and more expensive video cards available.

Gigabyte has the following combo, although you may want to wait until there are a few reviews for the motherboard:

Motherboards:
LGA1366 X58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128422

LGA1156 P55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128417
(Read the NewEgg reviews)

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125295



ASUS hardware:
LGA1366 X58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131614

LGA1156 P55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131620

Video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121354


eVGA video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130531

[SuperSparks]

I see SuperSparks is not sure a separate graphics card is needed with the Intel i series, but that it may be too early to tell.

You misunderstand me Jim, some of the Core i3 series have a graphics chip built-in, but the i5 and i7 do not. I don't really recommend relying on on-board graphics for a general purpose computer, except for those on a very tight budget.