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I am planning my first build since 2002. I have not been keeping up with the technology so I definitely feel lost these days. I am looking to get a system to get me into this decade and plan on running it for awhile (probably not 9 more though!).
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Small amount of gaming (Starcraft 2, some FPS), general Web browsing and home office-type. Also want to double for some home theatre use (blu-ray player, downloaded content).
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$900 but would go up to $1000 if it takes it to the next level
tax and shipping are included
3) Where do you live?
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Net orders are a good option.
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.
Case, PSU, motherboard, CPU and cooler, RAM, video card, sound (maybe onboard? see notes below), hard disk (at least 1 TB), BD-ROM/DVD-RW (would be open to a BD-writer if the price is right), onboard NIC
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Yes, wireless G PCI card, although I would toss this if the motherboard has built-in wifi.
USB keyboard/mouse
I have an IDE DVD-RW which works just fine so may be able to use it instead of a BD-ROM/DVD-RW combo unit? Is the minimal savings worth having a second drive?
6) Will you be overclocking?
Not planning on it.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
19'' LG panel with DVI
40'' Sony Bravia LCD with HDMI
I have both of these
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within a week.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
USB 3.0
Not too sure on crossfire/SLI and SATA 6Gb/s but I imagine yes
Onboard audio, if it fits my requirements (see note below)
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No I do not.
I may also consider a dual boot to XBMC on Linux for the home theatre part.
A few other notes:
I would like to make my purchases from newegg.ca if possible. I would consider tigerdirect or directcanada if they had some deals.
I stared scoping cases and this one seems be pretty solid all around: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
Computer will be in the same room as my XBox 360 and Wii. I have a Sony Bravia 40'' TV and a Sony home-theatre in a box surround unit (with limited audio inputs). I currently run the audio and video for the video game systems into the TV and the use the TV optical out to the surround unit optical in for sound. Not an ideal setup but the Sony gear was free. Hopefully the computer can fit in to the 'model' as well.
Ideal setup would be:
+ a single HDMI output to the TV that does audio and video for home theatre use.
+ DVI output to the monitor and digital coax audio output to the surround unit for desk use.
Not sure how many motherboards have digital coax audio out. I could go with the standard mini-plug output to RCA inputs if necessary.
Appreciate any help you guys can provide.
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Small amount of gaming (Starcraft 2, some FPS), general Web browsing and home office-type. Also want to double for some home theatre use (blu-ray player, downloaded content).
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$900 but would go up to $1000 if it takes it to the next level
tax and shipping are included
3) Where do you live?
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Net orders are a good option.
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.
Case, PSU, motherboard, CPU and cooler, RAM, video card, sound (maybe onboard? see notes below), hard disk (at least 1 TB), BD-ROM/DVD-RW (would be open to a BD-writer if the price is right), onboard NIC
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Yes, wireless G PCI card, although I would toss this if the motherboard has built-in wifi.
USB keyboard/mouse
I have an IDE DVD-RW which works just fine so may be able to use it instead of a BD-ROM/DVD-RW combo unit? Is the minimal savings worth having a second drive?
6) Will you be overclocking?
Not planning on it.
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
19'' LG panel with DVI
40'' Sony Bravia LCD with HDMI
I have both of these
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Within a week.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
USB 3.0
Not too sure on crossfire/SLI and SATA 6Gb/s but I imagine yes
Onboard audio, if it fits my requirements (see note below)
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
No I do not.
I may also consider a dual boot to XBMC on Linux for the home theatre part.
A few other notes:
I would like to make my purchases from newegg.ca if possible. I would consider tigerdirect or directcanada if they had some deals.
I stared scoping cases and this one seems be pretty solid all around: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
Computer will be in the same room as my XBox 360 and Wii. I have a Sony Bravia 40'' TV and a Sony home-theatre in a box surround unit (with limited audio inputs). I currently run the audio and video for the video game systems into the TV and the use the TV optical out to the surround unit optical in for sound. Not an ideal setup but the Sony gear was free. Hopefully the computer can fit in to the 'model' as well.
Ideal setup would be:
+ a single HDMI output to the TV that does audio and video for home theatre use.
+ DVI output to the monitor and digital coax audio output to the surround unit for desk use.
Not sure how many motherboards have digital coax audio out. I could go with the standard mini-plug output to RCA inputs if necessary.
Appreciate any help you guys can provide.
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