New computer

[Antares 531]

I'm considering building a new desktop computer set up with Windows 7.
I intend to keep my old outdated computer alive and serviceable, with
Windows XP Pro SP3 on it, until I'm sure I have all the files that I
want or need safely transferred to the new computer. My old computer
and the new one will be used for home office work and some things like
AutoCAD drafting and Adobe Photo Shop image editing. It won't be used
for games or Digital TV.

My questions are;

What motherboard, CPU capabilities and other provisions do I need to
consider for a Windows 7 computer?

What power supply capabilities are required for this kind of a
computer?

How much and what kind of memory should I get?

Is a 1 TByte hard drive a prudent way to go, partitioned into at least
three partitions...one for the OS...one for my client software
files...one for my everyday working files.

Any suggestions as to the motherboard of choice????

Thanks, Gordon

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm considering building a new desktop computer set up with Windows
7. I intend to keep my old outdated computer alive and serviceable,
with Windows XP Pro SP3 on it, until I'm sure I have all the files
that I want or need safely transferred to the new computer. My old
computer and the new one will be used for home office work and some
things like AutoCAD drafting and Adobe Photo Shop image editing. It
won't be used for games or Digital TV.

My questions are;

What motherboard, CPU capabilities and other provisions do I need to
consider for a Windows 7 computer?

What power supply capabilities are required for this kind of a
computer?

How much and what kind of memory should I get?

Is a 1 TByte hard drive a prudent way to go, partitioned into at
least three partitions...one for the OS...one for my client software
files...one for my everyday working files.

Any suggestions as to the motherboard of choice????

Buy top-of-the-line, get at least a dual core or about (quad cores are about
the same price) processors, 3GB+ memory and 256MB+ video card. Go ahead and
get a 500 watt power supply in case you start running RAID arrays for your
drive configuration.

I wouldn't overthink it. Do that too much and you'll end up spending too
much for a system you could have thrown together that would likely
outperform the over-cost one.

 

[Rich Barry]

You havent mentioned a budget. But, according to your description of
usage any medium range computer should work for you.
Go to some of the hardware sites such as www.tomshardware.com
www.anandtech.com and www.firingsquad.com

 

[Antares 531]

I'm considering building a new desktop computer set up with Windows 7.
I intend to keep my old outdated computer alive and serviceable, with
Windows XP Pro SP3 on it, until I'm sure I have all the files that I
want or need safely transferred to the new computer. My old computer
and the new one will be used for home office work and some things like
AutoCAD drafting and Adobe Photo Shop image editing. It won't be used
for games or Digital TV.

My questions are;

What motherboard, CPU capabilities and other provisions do I need to
consider for a Windows 7 computer?

What power supply capabilities are required for this kind of a
computer?

How much and what kind of memory should I get?

Is a 1 TByte hard drive a prudent way to go, partitioned into at least
three partitions...one for the OS...one for my client software
files...one for my everyday working files.

Any suggestions as to the motherboard of choice????

Thanks, Gordon

Thanks, Shenan and Rich, for your insights. This is an early stages
project and I will continue to gather information before I make any
commitments. I am seriously considering an ASUS P5N-D Motherboard with
an Intel Core 2 Quad processor and maybe I'll go for 8GB-64bit DDR2
RAM.

I suppose Windows 7 would be okay with this setup. I still haven't
decided what I want for a monitor but I am looking toward one that can
be rotated into portrait or landscape orientation to suit the project
at hand.

I'll keep you posted as to how this all works out.

Gordon