Budget HTPC/light gaming build around my ati5870.

4

455olds

Gawd
Joined
Dec 19, 2008
Messages
791
I have a 5870 and some other spare parts around. Want to build a backup computer that will eventually replace my P4 HTPC system.(when I get around to buying a tv,stuck with s-video for now) This will not be my main computer. It will be in other room,I will occasionally use it to game and watch tv,netflix.
I will be moving around sometimes to different parts of house. If I could find a case that can sit vertical or horizontal it would be nice.

I also wouldn't mind getting a cheap or recertified prebuilt Dell or something and putting my power supply and video card in it if it will save me money on os and stuff.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
htpc,tv tuner and light gaming(gta 4)

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$300 to $500 kind of open here. The cheaper I can build it the sooner I can buy the parts. I don't want to spent too much all at once. I can wait for deals to come along if I know what i am looking for. I could spend $300 and put it together now.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Boston Massachusetts USA. I live near a Microcenter.

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.
Motherboard,cpu,ram,hard drive,operating system and considering a case.

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
I have a ide dvd burner,Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W,ati 5870 referance video card and dell 2350 case.

6) Will you be overclocking?
No overclocking.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1080 tv

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Over the next few months but I don't need it.

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.
Onboard Video and WIFI would be a plus but I don't need them.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I don't have a os. I had Vista but I used it to upgrade to Windows 8, I guessing I can't use it now on another computer.

This is what I come up with but I am not up with the latest things. I used parts from Logan's $550 build.

Case. I have a old Dell 2350 case I can use or I would need htpc case that can lay on side or stand up. So it will fit under tv 8.1/4" to fit tv stand,would also like to stand upright in other room.(I can do without this or get one later)

Power supply. I have a Antec NEO ECO 620C 620W

Video card. Have a referance xfx 5870 xxx edition (almost 11.5" long)

CPU- CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor about $91 shipped http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-AMD-Phe...BOX-/200880572604?pt=CPUs&hash=item2ec56a48bc

Motherboard- ASRock 960GM/U3S3 FX Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard. About $62.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157323

Ram- G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL about $50.00

Hard drive- Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard. about 57.00 Drivehttp://www.microcenter.com/product/399209/Barracuda_500GB_7,200_RPM_SATA_60Gb-s_35_Internal_Hard_Drive_ST500DM002_-_Bare_Drive

Windows 8 about $100- http://www.amazon.com/Windows-System-Builder-DVD-64-Bit/dp/B0094NY3R0 ( I think this is full install and not upgrade)

Total about $370.00

Did I forget anything? Thanks Tom
 
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No overclocking 1080p, gaming only, then go to microcenter:

i3-3225 ($120); http://microcenter.com/product/398007/Core_i3_3220_330GHz_LGA_1155_Boxed_Processor
MSI B75 motherboard ($55-$40-$10 = $5 net): http://microcenter.com/product/406650/B75MA-E33_LGA_1155_B75_mATX_Intel_Motherboard

Will be cheaper and faster than that AMD set-up you have, at least for most gaming. Any DDR3 1600 RAM will work, but you shouldn't pay more than $35 for 8GB. For a hard drive, 1TB 7200 RPM drives are starting to come around the $65-70 mark again.

FYI, you can use a Win7/8 upgrade disc to install on a clean drive. Might save you some money there. $30:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1741986

Do you want a SSD? You can get a 160GB SSD for $90 from Tigerdirect:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5736415&CatId=7387

NZXT Source 210 for $32 shipped:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146075

Amazing case for the price, it's not that big either. The Elite version comes with USB 3.0 and an extra fan for a bit more money, if you're into that.
 
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Eureka! said:
No overclocking 1080p, gaming only, then go to microcenter:

i3-3225 ($120); http://microcenter.com/product/398007/Core_i3_3220_330GHz_LGA_1155_Boxed_Processor
MSI B75 motherboard ($55-$40-$10 = $5 net): http://microcenter.com/product/406650/B75MA-E33_LGA_1155_B75_mATX_Intel_Motherboard

Will be cheaper and faster than that AMD set-up you have, at least for most gaming. Any DDR3 1600 RAM will work, but you shouldn't pay more than $35 for 8GB. For a hard drive, 1TB 7200 RPM drives are starting to come around the $65-70 mark again.

FYI, you can use a Win7/8 upgrade disc to install on a clean drive. Might save you some money there. $30:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1741986

Do you want a SSD? You can get a 160GB SSD for $90 from Tigerdirect:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5736415&CatId=7387

NZXT Source 210 for $32 shipped:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146075

Amazing case for the price, it's not that big either. The Elite version comes with USB 3.0 and an extra fan for a bit more money, if you're into that.
Click to expand...

That motherboard and cpu looks better than what I picked out.

I don't have a windows key to do the upgrade with. It wont work right?

The case looks good but it won't fit where I want it. I need one that can sit sideways and upright or i'll just use the free one I have.

I don't need the ssd, I won't be gaming on it much.
 
SSD is not for gaming. SSD is for your day-to-day use... think 15 second boot times (that's 15 seconds to your desktop), increased read/write times, and small programs will open up in terms of milliseconds.

I have not used the version on Newegg, but I received a Windows 8 upgrade from MSDNAA. It installed on a brand new drive. This has been the case with every Windows upgrade version I've received since XP. It comes with its own key. At worst, you can install a copy of XP or Vista that you have lying around, and upgrade as soon as you're done.

I have a Source 210, and I could've sworn it's narrower than 8". Maybe I'm lying and my memory is fading. But either way, it's definitely not designed for sideways usage... hopefully you can find one that fits. There are some small profile cases if you want to use a low-profile GPU, like this, but it won't fit your 5870. You could fit a low-profile 7770 in there.
 
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I like the price on this. It would get me going for now and I could do upgrades later. I wounder if they would let me try my video card at the store to see if it fits. Could I upgrade that cpu to something faster,quad core?
The case has pads to lay on its side also which is a plus. Hewlett-Packard
DC7800 Desktop Computer Off Lease Refurbished
http://www.microcenter.com/product/407112/DC7800_Desktop_Computer_Off_Lease_Refurbished
 
Not really worth it. Older CPU is worth $20 at most, questionable motherboard design, the other parts are throwaway. You could probably piece together a better system from the FS/FT for around the same price.
 
I looked into it some more and it will not take a standard power supply so I can't use it anyway.
 
Eureka! said:
Not really worth it. Older CPU is worth $20 at most, questionable motherboard design, the other parts are throwaway. You could probably piece together a better system from the FS/FT for around the same price.
Click to expand...

Questionabe its right. I am going to keep a eye out for used stuff. Feel a lot beeter if i got started cheaper where i dont really need it
 
What are the max dimensions of the space for the case?
 
455olds said:
Its a standard micro atx case from what I could find out about it on internet.
Click to expand...

He is asking the space the case will be placed. What's the largest case dimensions that space can have.
 
Danny Bui said:
What are the max dimensions of the space for the case?
Click to expand...

Its a standard micro atx case from what I could find out about it on internet.

edit.
For a new case ,I need it to be 8.2" high on its side to fit my tv stand or less than 10.5" wide when standing up to fit my computer desk.
 
I don''t need it to be as fast as the parts I picked. Maybe something that just wont dog out my 5870 too bad. Not sure what is a good match for it on the low end.
 
So you want a case that you can lay horizontal AND vertical positions? Do you intend to move this system between your TV stand and the desk?

When vertical it can be no more than 10.5" tall.
When horizontal it can be no more than 8.2" tall.

Right?
 
Skillz said:
So you want a case that you can lay horizontal AND vertical positions? Do you intend to move this system between your TV stand and the desk?

When vertical it can be no more than 10.5" tall.
When horizontal it can be no more than 8.2" tall.

Right?
Click to expand...
Yes, but
When vertical no more than 10.5" wide + 20" tall (desk)
When horizontal no more than 8.2 height (tv stand)
 
Ok so you need the dimensions to be no more than..

8.2" x 20"

Assuming you don't have a limit on depth. Since 8.2" is your smallest dimension, then that's the number we're gonna use for the wide when in vertical, then when you lay it in the horizontal position it becomes 8.2" tall and 20" wide.

Now since you intend to use an optical drive, would you rather the drive be horizontal when you're in the "vertical" (Desktop) position or do you want it to be horizontal when in the "horizontal" (HTPC) position? Personally since I never use an optical drive in my desktop except to install initial drivers/Windows I would rather it be horizontal in the horizontal position so you can easily use it to watch DVD/BD movies on your HTPC. That's my personal preference, what's yours?
 
Skillz said:
Ok so you need the dimensions to be no more than..

8.2" x 20"

Assuming you don't have a limit on depth. Since 8.2" is your smallest dimension, then that's the number we're gonna use for the wide when in vertical, then when you lay it in the horizontal position it becomes 8.2" tall and 20" wide.

Now since you intend to use an optical drive, would you rather the drive be horizontal when you're in the "vertical" (Desktop) position or do you want it to be horizontal when in the "horizontal" (HTPC) position? Personally since I never use an optical drive in my desktop except to install initial drivers/Windows I would rather it be horizontal in the horizontal position so you can easily use it to watch DVD/BD movies on your HTPC. That's my personal preference, what's yours?
Click to expand...

I don't have a preference for this build. Just a case that is actually intended to go either way.
 
 
I bit on Micro Center combo deal but now I have to buy a case.
Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 $50
Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz $189.99
 
Well I've been briefly looking around and I can't seem to find a case that's designed to lay horizontal OR stand vertical. So basically you're gonna probably just have to by a vertical case and lay it down horizontal or buy a horizontal case and just stand it up vertically.
 
Skillz said:
Well I've been briefly looking around and I can't seem to find a case that's designed to lay horizontal OR stand vertical. So basically you're gonna probably just have to by a vertical case and lay it down horizontal or buy a horizontal case and just stand it up vertically.
Click to expand...
Thanks for looking.
I'll just have to ghetto it off to the side standing up next to my tv stand. Not sure about case yet.Should turn out to be a nice build. Good choice of parts so far?
 
CPU yes, Motherboard no on account of it being an AsRock board. Their QC isn't all that great as proven recently by HardOCP. Not to mention their warranty is usually below the industry standard 3 years.
 
wtourist said:
Not a lay down case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-013113-Latest-_-ComputerCases-_-11119227-L0K

Too wide?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...13113-Latest-_-ComputerCases-_-11139018-L019A

mATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352009

ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129187

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815004

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147159
Click to expand...
Didn't realize its only the half height HTPC cases that have the option to stand or lay flat.

I ended up getting the 2nd case you listed. The Corsair R200. $35 after rebate and free shipping. Seams like a nice case for the money.


Have my eye out for a operating system. Will this work? Is this full install? windows pro for $75
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Windows-8-P...perating_Systems_Software&hash=item19d8a6f561
Or this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-W...perating_Systems_Software&hash=item20ce48dc69
I need a os with windows media center.(aware its extra $10 if I cant find a key) Windows 8 would be better.
I don't have a unused os to upgrade from.
 
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This is final build. Bought all parts. I think I have everything. Prices after rebate. I sent all rebates in.

ASRock Z77 Extreme6 LGA 1155 $50

Antec NEO ECO 620C $30

Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz $189.99

Seagate 2TB Serial ATA
HD 7200/64MB/SATA-6G $80

Corsair 200r case $35

Crucial 8gb ballistix sport $40
ddr3-1600 91 stick)

windows 7 home premium $95
I reused some other parts I had.

LG blueray burner

xfx 5870

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Media Center Kit
Dual TV Tuner w/ IR Remote PCI-E x 1

I didn't add in taxes on a couple things but spent roughly $540.00
Went a little over ,I couldn't resist that motherboard and cpu deal and then I wanted to do the rest of the build nice with a good size hdd and stuff.


Going to try to add a old x300 video card just to hook up old tv and see if it works for s-video hook up.
 
AsRock is never a good deal, but to each his own. Good luck with it.
 
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