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1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
This machine will serve multiple purposes. Primarily, it will be running Plex to serve content to networked machines, tablets, and phones. (The content itself will be stored on an external NAS.) It will also run a desktop client for Crash Plan (cloud backup service), and possibly a client/admin tool for some Foscam cameras. Acronis True Image 2012 will be used for making regular backups of the OS drive. I will eventually use this for running a home automation client (though that selection and implementation may not happen this year).
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Budget is $800 for the parts alone, though that can be increased if there is a good reason. Tax and s/h are not included in the budget.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
St. Louis, Missouri.
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
I'm building from scratch, so.... Case (see parts section below), Mobo (mini-ITX), Power Supply, RAM, Processor, Heatsink + fan, SSD (see parts section below).
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
External optical drive (temporarily, just to install OS).
6) Will you be overclocking?
No.
7)What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
I will be normally remoting into this machine for 2-D desktop interaction at 1920x1080 resolution.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within the next several weeks.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
Required: one full-length PCIe socket, SATA 3, onboard video, Gigabit NIC, DVI and/or HDMI output for the onboard video
Nice to Haves: RAID-1 support
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes - Windows 7 (x64)
Parts that I have been considering:
- Case: Fractal Design Node 304
- SSD: Samsung 840 (120 GB) or Crucial M4 (128 GB)
- Proc: Something in the i5 series (this is open to debate)
- RAM: 8 GB is preferred, unless there's a reason to go above that.
Build Notes:
- I'd like the components nominated to be those that would work well if repurposed as a HTPC setup. For example, I want the integrated video to reasonably run Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu - preferably at 1920x1080.
- I'm willing to spend extra on quality parts that contribute to a quiet running box.
- This machine will eventually be sitting on a shelf in a wallmount rack. Ventilation in the surrounding area is not a problem.
- Choosing a power supply whose size would not interfere with a mid-range graphics card (e.g. ATI 7770) in the Node 304 case would be a bonus.
This machine will serve multiple purposes. Primarily, it will be running Plex to serve content to networked machines, tablets, and phones. (The content itself will be stored on an external NAS.) It will also run a desktop client for Crash Plan (cloud backup service), and possibly a client/admin tool for some Foscam cameras. Acronis True Image 2012 will be used for making regular backups of the OS drive. I will eventually use this for running a home automation client (though that selection and implementation may not happen this year).
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Budget is $800 for the parts alone, though that can be increased if there is a good reason. Tax and s/h are not included in the budget.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
St. Louis, Missouri.
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
I'm building from scratch, so.... Case (see parts section below), Mobo (mini-ITX), Power Supply, RAM, Processor, Heatsink + fan, SSD (see parts section below).
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
External optical drive (temporarily, just to install OS).
6) Will you be overclocking?
No.
7)What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
I will be normally remoting into this machine for 2-D desktop interaction at 1920x1080 resolution.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within the next several weeks.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
Required: one full-length PCIe socket, SATA 3, onboard video, Gigabit NIC, DVI and/or HDMI output for the onboard video
Nice to Haves: RAID-1 support
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes - Windows 7 (x64)
Parts that I have been considering:
- Case: Fractal Design Node 304
- SSD: Samsung 840 (120 GB) or Crucial M4 (128 GB)
- Proc: Something in the i5 series (this is open to debate)
- RAM: 8 GB is preferred, unless there's a reason to go above that.
Build Notes:
- I'd like the components nominated to be those that would work well if repurposed as a HTPC setup. For example, I want the integrated video to reasonably run Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu - preferably at 1920x1080.
- I'm willing to spend extra on quality parts that contribute to a quiet running box.
- This machine will eventually be sitting on a shelf in a wallmount rack. Ventilation in the surrounding area is not a problem.
- Choosing a power supply whose size would not interfere with a mid-range graphics card (e.g. ATI 7770) in the Node 304 case would be a bonus.
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