I'm gonna take the plunge!
djshowdown
London
I've decided to finally just get myself into gear and build my first pc
after doing my homework on how to build for quite a few months I am confident that i can assemble and configure a pc from parts to finished product
after toying with the idea of building a core 2 system to replace my current p4 system i have decided to go a completely different direction................building an HTPC for my bedroom:)
now looking at cpu prices I'm thinking that a P4 system may be the way to go as they appear to be quite cheap at the moment
Obviously this pc doesnt have to be lightning fast, but i would like it to be fairly quick. When it is not in use for watching vids and playing tunes i would like it to fold for a cure:smokin:
What would you all say is sufficient for a pc of this type
I'm thinking
P4 3ghz
512mb ram
quite big storage (im thinking minimum 500gb for media + a bit for OS)
graphics card im really not sure, i like the one that is in my current system (in my sig) but im not sure if that would be the best one for an HTPC.
soundcard. im thinking something with surround capability. it wouldnt happen for a while but if all goes well i could go for a surround system in the not so distant future
dvd-r/rw drive. again im thinking same one as in my sig
wireless keyboard and mouse so i can control it all from the comfort of my bed
my budget is £300 - £450. yeah its asking alot but i would like something that is quiet and reliable for this price. there's no point watching a film on this thing if all i can hear are the fans!
like i said i dont need a lightning fast machine but for the money i would like to get something thats as quick as possible
i trust you guys will point out some stuff i didnt think of
thanks in advance!!!!!!!
after doing my homework on how to build for quite a few months I am confident that i can assemble and configure a pc from parts to finished product
after toying with the idea of building a core 2 system to replace my current p4 system i have decided to go a completely different direction................building an HTPC for my bedroom:)
now looking at cpu prices I'm thinking that a P4 system may be the way to go as they appear to be quite cheap at the moment
Obviously this pc doesnt have to be lightning fast, but i would like it to be fairly quick. When it is not in use for watching vids and playing tunes i would like it to fold for a cure:smokin:
What would you all say is sufficient for a pc of this type
I'm thinking
P4 3ghz
512mb ram
quite big storage (im thinking minimum 500gb for media + a bit for OS)
graphics card im really not sure, i like the one that is in my current system (in my sig) but im not sure if that would be the best one for an HTPC.
soundcard. im thinking something with surround capability. it wouldnt happen for a while but if all goes well i could go for a surround system in the not so distant future
dvd-r/rw drive. again im thinking same one as in my sig
wireless keyboard and mouse so i can control it all from the comfort of my bed
my budget is £300 - £450. yeah its asking alot but i would like something that is quiet and reliable for this price. there's no point watching a film on this thing if all i can hear are the fans!
like i said i dont need a lightning fast machine but for the money i would like to get something thats as quick as possible
i trust you guys will point out some stuff i didnt think of
thanks in advance!!!!!!!
0
Comments
Good luck with the build dj
:smokin:
There are price cuts for Intel due on the 7th January on Netburst CPUs and on the 21st, Intel releases the E4000 series Conroes (800fsb), so if your are in no rush, wait a while and see what is the best bang for buck.
Datsun 1600
Answer these first and you'll be able to tailor your build properly.
P.S. maybe a remote control would be better than mouse/keyboard. If nothing suits you could get a learning remote and an infra-red keyboard and teach the remote the shortcuts.
Using XP/MCE or Linux?
512meg = 2 X 256meg pieces "matched"
or
1Gig = 2 X 512meg pieces "matched"
Later
its all about what my budget will allow
im gonna stick with intel for the processor and will wait for the price cuts
i started getting together a list of parts last night and it ended up totalling well over £700!!!!!!!!!!!
i guess budgeting aint my strong point!
gonna have to sacrifice something though
here is the list that i compiled
its by no means researched, i just wanted a rough idea of the kind of system i could throw together
please suggest alternatives if you can think of something better!
pick flaws at will...................
mobo
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=324365&view=detailed
case
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=326920
graphics card
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=324858
hard disc 1
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=117527
ram
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=322818
cpu
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=322631
psu
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=307837
hard disc 2
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=327715
cpu fan
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=312473
os
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=327642
keyboard and mouse set
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=312544
dvd drive
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=325580
On a side note...if you really do want it quiet when not being stressed you might want to get an automatic fan controller of some kind. The zalmann9500 is ok quiet, but the fanmate2 controller is fully manual. Not heard of the psu brand before but a 140mm fan is a good start, as long as its slow when there's little heat. Spending a little on these type of things can make all the difference later.
It's a rush, It'll make you want to do it again.
The first don't have to be all that, save that for when you have the cash let this be your dry run.
You can alway upgrade to better things.
Good Luck
how did you manage to put together something for £250?!?!?!
im intrigued
Asrock K8NF6G-VSTA motherboard £33.55
Sempron 3000 retail £35.19
Corsair value select 512mb PC3200 £43.42
Seagate 120gb 2mb,7200 £30.49
BlackGold dual DVB-T tuner with
remote and TV software £131
ok adding that up it comes to £273.65 and I got a compucase media-centre type case for free from a friend. You should probably add £25 to get a 300gb drive but you could probably spend less on the tuner card too...the blackgold was the only dual tuner I could find with low profile bracket :-). And you can buy cheaper ram, but I feel spending a bit more there gives a bit of reliability. The PSU is in the case and is pretty low power....but that suits the contents fine. Is in testing at the moment and seems pretty good....no smoke at all!
just so you know i am probably going to be getting sky in the same room in the not so distant future so the tuner card wont really be a top priority for now
could always add it later though.
the joy of expansion
see the problem im having is deciding wether to make a pc that can just about manage playing video or absolutely rip through it and other things as well
its a toss up between making a pc that is purely an htpc or one that can be used for other purposes