Hey everyone, could anyone please give me some help on upgrading my system? Basically for faster video-editing rendering time, standard video (not hd). I've currently got an ancient Dell Precision 370, here's the specs:
Motherboard: Intel Alderwood i925X
CPU: Pentium 4 3Ghz (530)
Memory: 4GB (4 x 1GB DDR2-400 SDRAM)
Video card: NVidia Quadro FX 3400 with dual-monitor output
Hard Drives: 80gb & 2 x 500gb, all internal SATA-II 7200RPM.
2 x 19" monitors.
DVDROM, DVDRW, Floppy.
Firewire card
What I'm wanting to do is to spend £300 (give or take a few quid) on getting another 2nd hand / refurbished system - such as a Dell Precision 670 / 690 - and then putting as much as what I've already got into it as possible. I figured this was the best route since the Dell 370 can't really be upgraded that much more because of the motherboard (and newer motherboards won't fit).
For instance, I've seen a Dell 670 with dual xeon 3Ghz with 2gb ram for £200, Dell 670 with dual xeon 3.6ghz with 2gb ram for £290, Dell 690 with dual core Xeon 5060 3.2ghz and 4gb RAM for £300.
Basically, I just need some help in figuring out where's best to put my money. It seems as though it's cheaper to buy a refurbished system (e.g. dell 670) than it is to buy the parts separately and self-build. Is this right? I don't really know much about HP workstations - has anyone any experience? Also, will I be able to put my 4GB ram with another system using different memory? I don't know what the 'rules' are regarding ram.
Any help would be greatly, greatly appreciated! Thanks guys. Lee
Motherboard: Intel Alderwood i925X
CPU: Pentium 4 3Ghz (530)
Memory: 4GB (4 x 1GB DDR2-400 SDRAM)
Video card: NVidia Quadro FX 3400 with dual-monitor output
Hard Drives: 80gb & 2 x 500gb, all internal SATA-II 7200RPM.
2 x 19" monitors.
DVDROM, DVDRW, Floppy.
Firewire card
What I'm wanting to do is to spend £300 (give or take a few quid) on getting another 2nd hand / refurbished system - such as a Dell Precision 670 / 690 - and then putting as much as what I've already got into it as possible. I figured this was the best route since the Dell 370 can't really be upgraded that much more because of the motherboard (and newer motherboards won't fit).
For instance, I've seen a Dell 670 with dual xeon 3Ghz with 2gb ram for £200, Dell 670 with dual xeon 3.6ghz with 2gb ram for £290, Dell 690 with dual core Xeon 5060 3.2ghz and 4gb RAM for £300.
Basically, I just need some help in figuring out where's best to put my money. It seems as though it's cheaper to buy a refurbished system (e.g. dell 670) than it is to buy the parts separately and self-build. Is this right? I don't really know much about HP workstations - has anyone any experience? Also, will I be able to put my 4GB ram with another system using different memory? I don't know what the 'rules' are regarding ram.
Any help would be greatly, greatly appreciated! Thanks guys. Lee