HTPC/Gaming Rig

U

UndeadNinjaZ

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 2, 2001
Messages
471
It's been over 5 years since I last built a computer and I'm trying to absorb as much about the current offerings as I can. I want to build a htpc so I can use it to play media with xbmc or boxee on my tv. I also want to play some occasional fps on my tv just because it would look pretty awesome.

Questions:
1) What will you be doing with this PC? HTPC on my 50" plasma but want to use it for gaming as well later on. The case was the first thing I picked so the mobo has to be mATX.
2) What's your budget? around $1000 after tax, max of $1200
3) Where do you live? Chicago
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, DVD-Drive, Mobo, Video card, case, PSU
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? WD 250gb, TV, Mouse, Keyboard
6) Will you be overclocking? No
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have? 50" 1080p tv
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? As soon as all the parts are picked out unless something is suppose to be released soon. Am willing to wait until the summer, no big rush
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? mATX
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? Win 7 x64 possibly a hackintosh

Most of the parts are picked out except the motherboard and memory and dvd drive:

CPU: Intel Core i5-750 - $200
Case: Antec Black Aluminum / Steel Fusion Remote Black Micro ATX Media Center - $130
Video Card: XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 - $170
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-750HX 750W - $150

Mobo Choices:
1.) ASUS Maximus III GENE - $200
2.) GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4 - $135

Leaning towards the Gigabyte one but the Asus one has better on-board sound. Maybe gigabyte + separate sound card is better?

Memory:
1.) G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) (7-7-7-21) - $130
2.) Any other 2x2gb memory kit.

Don't know anything other than faster speed and lower timings are better. Heard PC 1600 was the sweet spot to get DDR 3 and G Skill Ripjaws series were really good?

Dvd-Drive:
1.) LG Blu-Ray Drive + DVD Burner - $95
2.) PLEXTOR Blu-Ray Drive + DVD Burner - $135

Want to watch blu-ray movies on my tv using my computer
 
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what is your soundsystem and/or speaker setup?

Get the $95 ripjaw 4gb kit instead. lower latency isn't worth any noticeable price premium due to the lack of noticeable performance gains.

Plextors are overpriced because you're paying for the brand -- they use the same internals as everyone else these days, so nothing makes them special/worth the extra price anymore. Go with the cheaper option.
 
enginurd said:
what is your soundsystem and/or speaker setup?

Get the $95 ripjaw 4gb kit instead. lower latency isn't worth any noticeable price premium due to the lack of noticeable performance gains.

Plextors are overpriced because you're paying for the brand -- they use the same internals as everyone else these days, so nothing makes them special/worth the extra price anymore. Go with the cheaper option.
Click to expand...

I have Logitech z560 4.1 setup but eventually I'll upgrade to a real receiver and speakers. I would say 90% of my digital media comes from my computer via bittorrent.

$95 ripjaw (these?) and LG drive it is!
 
Good idea on the PSU. I'll take a look at the 650 one.

Only question left is mobo. When I end up with a real home theater audio receiver, I'll probably be using digital out (S/PDIF??) so the onboard sound chip shouldn't matter right? What about games with surround sound? How would that work?

edit: from this thread http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1489161, it looks like I need something that has DDL or DTS:C or basically encodes 5.1 sound into S/PDIF so it can be passed via optical to the receiver.
 
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I'm thinking of getting 8gb of ram by getting 4 x 2gb sticks since this computer is suppose to last 5 years and who knows if I ever find identical ram again. I'm guessing it's better and more compatible if I get the quad channel memory kit over 2 dual channel ones? I heard it's kind of hard getting a mobo to utilize all four memory slots.

Also, since the tighter timing ram (7's @ 1.6v) is suppose to be overlocked regular ram (9's @ 1.5v), wouldn't they be higher quality and therefore, would run better at stock timings?
 
The ram timing isn't going to make any difference in real word applications EXCEPT that with 4 sticks of ram, the 1.5v will be easier to provide voltage to (less is better) and the ram will run cooler (less voltage). Both sets will run at thier rated ratings. Both sets of ram will run in Dual channel, regardless if you buy a "quad channel" set or pack. On the flip side, by ordering 2 sets of ram, if one set goes bad and you have to rma one set, your computer can still work when you send the one set back. The 4 pack of ram requires you send ALL of the ram back ;)
 
gwarren007 said:
The ram timing isn't going to make any difference in real word applications EXCEPT that with 4 sticks of ram, the 1.5v will be easier to provide voltage to (less is better) and the ram will run cooler (less voltage). Both sets will run at thier rated ratings. Both sets of ram will run in Dual channel, regardless if you buy a "quad channel" set or pack. On the flip side, by ordering 2 sets of ram, if one set goes bad and you have to rma one set, your computer can still work when you send the one set back. The 4 pack of ram requires you send ALL of the ram back ;)
Click to expand...

that is a very good point. 2 x (2 x 2gb) of ram it is! :)
 
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