ATI 8500 AIW RIG?

[Guest]

I am looking for some hardware recommendations to support the PC I am looking to build. I really want the ATI Radeon 8500 All in wonder. I am looking to reduce some costs so I am looking to compromise on somethings. I will be using the new computer mostly Using the features of the ATI card, Playing DVD movies on my TV / Home Theater, Gaming on PC and on my TV.

Here are the specs I have right now:

Monitor Samsung SyncMaster 755DF $180.00

Motherboard CPU Combo Epox EP-8KHA+ VIA KT266A with Athlon XP 1600+ $234.00

Video Card Radeon 8500DV All-In-Wonder RETAIL $315.00

System Memory Micron, Samsung, Kingston 1 x 512MB PC2100 DDR $125.00

Hard Disk Western Digital Caviar WD600AB 60GB UATA/100 $90.00

DVD Drive Sony, Toshiba, Creative 16x EIDE $60.00

CDRW Drive TEAC CD-W524EK RETAIL 24x10x40x $100.00

Sound Card Soundblaster Audigy Gamer OR MP3 + RETAIL $75.00

 

[AMD_Man]

Great system! Although I'd recommend a 7200RPM hard drive instead.

AMD technology + Intel technology = Intel/AMD Pentathlon IV; the <b>ULTIMATE</b> PC processor

 

[xxsk8er101xx]

don't skim on the monitor!

if your gonna watch dvd's and tv on it.. get a nice 19inch monitor and do not buy KDS! they are crap! Since this monitor will be with you for a very long time. get something nice now so you don't have to buy another one later.

I have a 17 inch but i really think a 19 would be better.. i have the all in wonder radeon.

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=9933" target="_new"> My Rig </A><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by xxsk8er101xx on 01/02/02 03:44 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[xxsk8er101xx]

oh it's also better to buy a monitor from a store. i wouldn't purchase one online to be frank.

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=9933" target="_new"> My Rig </A>

 

[AEboy128]

If you wanted to save $15 on the sound card get a Santa Cruz, great for DVD's and . Compusa has them this week for $60. <A HREF="http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=278953&csearch=" target="_new">http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=278953&csearch=</A> <A HREF="http://link" target="_new"> Santa Cruz </A>

What about a 16x burner?? Sometimes 24x burners are under $100 in retail stores... You may want to check that out.
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by AEboy128 on 01/02/02 06:33 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[FatBurger]

Don't get a Creative DVD-ROM, they're not good. You can't even update the firmware (unless they changed that recently).

Why are you getting the All-In-Wonder? I know it's an awesome card, but if all you're doing is gaming, DVD and TV, then you don't need it. You'd be better off with a GF3Ti200 and a TV tuner, or something similar.

<font color=orange>Quarter</font color=orange> <font color=blue>Pounder</font color=blue> <font color=orange>Inside</font color=orange>

 

[arsend]

I know that you will probably disagree, but for the features and the price, none can compete with the AIW Radeon 8500. If you plan on using the firewire, get a SB live Value or 5.1, They only cost $35 and offer everything except to firewire port and a few differences in quality. Also, You may want to invest money and buy a 7200 RPM 40 GB HD, then add one later if you need the space, this will get you more preformance, which, if you plan on doing video capture, you will need. As far as MB are conserned, you have picked a good one but see if you can find a MB with an SIS 735 Chipset. It will save you a lot and as it has been out for a few months, shoul be a stable platform. I will agree with everyone else that you will need at least a 19" monitor for this setup, as 17 is just to small. Try and buy a CTX, or Sony if you can. A good monitor will last people 3-6 years (I have a 5.75 year old CTX), and will cause less eye strain. If you find that you will not be able to do this, then get the AIW Radeon, with the soundblaster Audigy, with the excception of slower game play, and the lose of a remote, these two products have the same features as the Radeon AIW 8500 + SB Live 5.1, at a much lower price point. Then, in the future, you can upgrade to the faster card, as it will come down in price.

If it works for you then don't fix it.

 

[knowan]

If you're just planning on WATCHING dvd's and using the video-out to play games on your TV, then go for the Radeon 8500, not the 8500DV. It's got the hardware DVD decoder and dual monitor (hydravision) support that you need, plus it has a faster core for better gameplay.

Only get the All-in-Wonder (or DV) if you are planning on doing video CAPTURE (recording from your TV). If you are planning on capturing then you'll need a better hard drive. I recommend a 30 gig or higher 7200 from Quantum, Maxtor, Seagate or IBM. NOT a Western Digital as their seek time is abysimal.

I also recommend a 19" or larger monitor in any event, and highly recommend that it not be a KTS or Future Power. I have a KTS and I regret it. Get one capible of a 75-85 kHz refresh rate at 1280x1024. Hansol makes good cheep ones. NEC and Samsung make good expensive ones.

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