Building system - Not a gamer at all

C

CASTLECASCADE

New Member
Hi guyz

I am planning to build a computer on my own (first time). I understand that 2 of the most important things would be selecting a motherboard and a CPU.

Now I do want to build a system which would be really TOP notch. I read reviews regarding this............BUT, wherever I check, it seems GAMING (video card) has given a lot of importance. I am not interested in any serious gaming (eg: i might play FIFA, testdrive 5 etc.......all which will play with just any type of video card or even onboard video, i guess).

So basically.........I want the BEST motherboard and the BEST CPU (allowing the total "Built System" price to be around $1000!) without wasting money for features that a GAMER would need.

The High profile stuff I would do with the computer would be all video, audio related: recording/watching movies from the TV, Camcorder and Editing videos etc.

So maybe I am looking for something "Media" Oriented.

I looked for motherboards with good review at amazon, cnet etc. But they talk of features like "this will support the latest Graphics card". That is precisely what I DON'T need. But other than that, I need the best.

What should I go for guyz?

Please ask me for anything I have forgotten to mention here. I need to get started on this soon :)

(the money saved on a graphics card.........I would like to use for the VERY BEST SOUND CARD)
 
Last edited:
Core 2 Duo Q6600 - $290

GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Motherboard - $110

Corsair XMS2 4GB (4 X 1GB) DDR2-800 Memory - $174 (1st pair has MIR)

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 Mid Tower Case - $50

MSI X1550 128mb GDDR2 PCI-Express Video Card - $30

Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE TV Tuner Card - $68

Corsair 450watt Powersupply $70 (after MIR)


Western Digital Caviar 500GB SATA Hard Drive - $110

X-fi xtremegamer 7.1 Sound Card - $91

LG DVD Burner -$28

Comes to $1021 without shipping. So somewhere around $1050-$1070 with shipping.

Should do everything you need. A nice quad core processor and 4 gigs of ram for video encoding. A TV tuner with hardware encoding for recording stuff. A nice x-fi sound card (dont mind the name, its not really for extreme gaming as it doesn't have the 64megs of xram) for listening to music and a rather large hard drive for storing media.
 
Last edited:
oscaryu1 said:
Wheres the speakers?

OS?

Video card... dunno how to say it... thought he wanted top of the line?
Click to expand...

He says that he's not interested in any gaming.

(the money saved on a graphics card.........I would like to use for the VERY BEST SOUND CARD)
Click to expand...

As for speakers and OS, if I add those two in, the computer wouldn't really be much of a top of the line PC anymore, especially if he wants REALLY nice speakers.
 
Guys...........nice to so many replies already.

I am sorry.......i know i did not explain things in more detail.

--->I will use XP and do have the disc already.
--->I will connect the sound output to my Pioneer amplifier and speakers/sub.
--->I already have CORSAIR HX520 (520watts) brand new PSU, which I can use (can't I?)

I certainly am thankful for answers from all you. Among the parts mentioned by "didyouknowthat", I really like and am seriously thinking of buying
1, Core 2 Duo Q6600
2, Corsair XMS2 4GB (4 X 1GB) DDR2-800 Memory
3, Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE TV Tuner Card
4, Western Digital Caviar 500GB SATA Hard Drive (i would add a smaller one
too for the O/S partition)

Regarding the other stuff, lemme ask some q's plz.

1, I find slightly better reviews for the Extreme Music version of the same
sound card you mentioned (instead of Extreme Gamer or Extreme Audio).
What is your opinion about this?

2, My previous computer had serious heating issues. I live in an apartment
and in summer, it IS HOT. That could be the reason why that system didn't
last. I wanna make sure that the CASE for my new system has EXCELLENT
ventilation/cooling. So, is the one you suggested nice enough or....?

3, The motherboard has full star reviews wherever I checked. Still would like
to know how it compares to ASUS P5B-E/ASUS P5B Deluxe (i can't use
firewire with the GIGABYTE one?).

4, Its true, I won't be gaming much. But I would still like these features on my
video card: TV OUT and DUAL VIEW (i think thats what it is called where I
can watch something on TV and something totally different on the monitor.
eg: Play a movie on the computer and have the display on the tv; while
working with WORD on the computer monitor). So what would be a nice
video card which will do that (my old geforce xfx 6800 agp used to have
that feature)?

5, And finally, would I need any EXTRA cooling mechanism to guarantee 'no
overheating' (again....i am not running any hardcore games) ;)

I know I am asking a lot of questions. But, I am just giving the full details of what I need, so that you guyz can help me better. Please take your time; but do help me :D
 
Just because he is not interested in gaming doesn't mean a video card should be left out. Take for instance if you record HDTV, you will not be able to play it back effectively.

A quad core is not necessary and 4 gigs of RAM is not also, if you want to spend the money, buy better, not more where it counts.
 
I understand. But I won't be recording HD for a while. Then, I would get upgrade my video card. Surely, not now.

More answers please.
 
CASTLECASCADE said:
Guys...........nice to so many replies already.

I am sorry.......i know i did not explain things in more detail.

--->I will use XP and do have the disc already.
--->I will connect the sound output to my Pioneer amplifier and speakers/sub.
--->I already have CORSAIR HX520 (520watts) brand new PSU, which I can use (can't I?)

I certainly am thankful for answers from all you. Among the parts mentioned by "didyouknowthat", I really like and am seriously thinking of buying
1, Core 2 Duo Q6600
2, Corsair XMS2 4GB (4 X 1GB) DDR2-800 Memory
3, Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE TV Tuner Card
4, Western Digital Caviar 500GB SATA Hard Drive (i would add a smaller one
too for the O/S partition)

Regarding the other stuff, lemme ask some q's plz.

1, I find slightly better reviews for the Extreme Music version of the same
sound card you mentioned (instead of Extreme Gamer or Extreme Audio).
What is your opinion about this?

2, My previous computer had serious heating issues. I live in an apartment
and in summer, it IS HOT. That could be the reason why that system didn't
last. I wanna make sure that the CASE for my new system has EXCELLENT
ventilation/cooling. So, is the one you suggested nice enough or....?

3, The motherboard has full star reviews wherever I checked. Still would like
to know how it compares to ASUS P5B-E/ASUS P5B Deluxe (i can't use
firewire with the GIGABYTE one?).

4, Its true, I won't be gaming much. But I would still like these features on my
video card: TV OUT and DUAL VIEW (i think thats what it is called where I
can watch something on TV and something totally different on the monitor.
eg: Play a movie on the computer and have the display on the tv; while
working with WORD on the computer monitor). So what would be a nice
video card which will do that (my old geforce xfx 6800 agp used to have
that feature)?

5, And finally, would I need any EXTRA cooling mechanism to guarantee 'no
overheating' (again....i am not running any hardcore games) ;)

I know I am asking a lot of questions. But, I am just giving the full details of what I need, so that you guyz can help me better. Please take your time; but do help me :D
Click to expand...

QA2: Perhaps this case might be better to your likings? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811166045

QA3: No, firewire for that gigabyte. other part of question? perhaps someone else can answer.

QA5: You could always shoot for a tuniq tower 120 for ensured cpu cooling
 
Thankyou.

Also,

1, Which of these sound cards is better:
Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer or Creative X-FI Xtreme Music?

2, Is SEAGATE 500GB (7200RPM) SATA HARD DRIVE with 16mb cache good
enough?
 
CASTLECASCADE said:
Thankyou.

Also,

1, Which of these sound cards is better:
Creative X-FI Xtreme Gamer or Creative X-FI Xtreme Music?

2, Is SEAGATE 500GB (7200RPM) SATA HARD DRIVE with 16mb cache good
enough?
Click to expand...


Question 1: The X-FI Xtreme Gamer Card will be a Excellent Card if you are a gamer, But if your not a Hardcore gamer, I would personally go with the X-FI Xtreme Music Card.

Question 2: 16mb Cache is Standard. It will be good. I have the Sata2 Seagate 320Gb Hard drives, and they are amazing. The Speed is excellent.
 
CASTLECASCADE said:
Guys...........nice to so many replies already.

I am sorry.......i know i did not explain things in more detail.

--->I will use XP and do have the disc already.
--->I will connect the sound output to my Pioneer amplifier and speakers/sub.
--->I already have CORSAIR HX520 (520watts) brand new PSU, which I can use (can't I?)

I certainly am thankful for answers from all you. Among the parts mentioned by "didyouknowthat", I really like and am seriously thinking of buying
1, Core 2 Duo Q6600
2, Corsair XMS2 4GB (4 X 1GB) DDR2-800 Memory
3, Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE TV Tuner Card
4, Western Digital Caviar 500GB SATA Hard Drive (i would add a smaller one
too for the O/S partition)

Regarding the other stuff, lemme ask some q's plz.

1, I find slightly better reviews for the Extreme Music version of the same
sound card you mentioned (instead of Extreme Gamer or Extreme Audio).
What is your opinion about this?

2, My previous computer had serious heating issues. I live in an apartment
and in summer, it IS HOT. That could be the reason why that system didn't
last. I wanna make sure that the CASE for my new system has EXCELLENT
ventilation/cooling. So, is the one you suggested nice enough or....?

3, The motherboard has full star reviews wherever I checked. Still would like
to know how it compares to ASUS P5B-E/ASUS P5B Deluxe (i can't use
firewire with the GIGABYTE one?).

4, Its true, I won't be gaming much. But I would still like these features on my
video card: TV OUT and DUAL VIEW (i think thats what it is called where I
can watch something on TV and something totally different on the monitor.
eg: Play a movie on the computer and have the display on the tv; while
working with WORD on the computer monitor). So what would be a nice
video card which will do that (my old geforce xfx 6800 agp used to have
that feature)?

5, And finally, would I need any EXTRA cooling mechanism to guarantee 'no
overheating' (again....i am not running any hardcore games) ;)

I know I am asking a lot of questions. But, I am just giving the full details of what I need, so that you guyz can help me better. Please take your time; but do help me :D
Click to expand...

Q2 : Bigger case, more air, = better cooling for CPU and Mobo
Q4 : My FX5200 could do that.
Q5 :

1. CASE FANS
2. AFTERMARKET COOLER (full copper preferably)
3. ARCTIC Silver 5
4. Water cooling.
 
Core 2 Duo Q6600 - $290

GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Motherboard - $110

Corsair XMS2 4GB (4 X 1GB) DDR2-800 Memory - $174 (1st pair has MIR)

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 Mid Tower Case - $50

MSI 2400PRO 256mb HDCP Ready video card - $47

Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE TV Tuner Card - $68


Western Digital Caviar 500GB SATA Hard Drive - $110

X-fi xtremegamer 7.1 Sound Card - $91

LG DVD Burner -$28

Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler - $45

Update:

1) Dropped the powersupply since you said you already had one.
2) Added a thermaltake big typhoon CPU cooler (because you mentioned that you have a really hot room)
3) Changed the video card to the x2400 HDPC ready card (in case you need high def support)
 
Hello guyz...........

I am glad to say......with your suggestions, I have already planned 80% of my purchase (parts to build the system).

I have a few questions (hopefully enough to bug you :D).

Questions

1, DIDUKNOWTHAT suggested "Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler". Is a cooler always a separate item that you need to purchase while building a system (or does it come with the tower case or whatever). I mean, did you suggest it just because my room is hot or do I need to buy a cooler anyway?

2, I like everything about the motherboard: GA 965P DS3. But I am concerned
about the lack of FIREWIRE. I have never used firewire before; but when I am buying a new computer, shouldn't I be thinking that it must have firewire. Without firewire, am I not gonna be at a disadvantage later on (lower speed than usb or something)?

3, Which of these RAM versions should I buy (difference in latency times?):
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180BD3839&vpn=TWIN2X2048-6400&manufacture=CORSAIR
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180BD9722&vpn=TWIN2X2048-6400C4&manufacture=CORSAIR

And are both of them compatible with the above motherboard?

4, Will this case (COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 Mid Tower Case) be comfortably spacious enough for the above motherboard and "Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler" (assuming I am getting the cooler -- I read somewhere that THIS cooler/fan is too big for some tower cases)?

5, Last but not least, do you think this card is a good deal for 100 CAD
BFG GeForce 8600GT OC 565MHZ 256MB 1.4GHZ GDDR3 PCI-E Dual DVI-I HDTV Out HDCP DIRECTX10 Video Card ?


Thank you guyz.

Once I know the answers to these questions, I can finalize my parts and post them here with the price.

Thanks for helping me.
 
Last edited:
2. you can buy an firewire card later..
3. 2nd one. If you are not an gamer the first one is great too.
5. Some 7900's are better than the 8600s
 
YES..............!!! Thankyou.

2, Never thought I could add a firewire card. Great!
3, So I will get the first RAM; since acc. to you, those latencies won't affect
needs other than gaming.
5, But I guess I will go with this card; also since I am buying the other stuff
from the same online store.

Thanks again for getting those 3 questions OUT OF THE WAY.

Now just to make it easier, lemme post the REMAINING Questions again.

1, DIDUKNOWTHAT suggested "Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler". Is a cooler always a separate item that you need to purchase while building a system (or does it come with the tower case or whatever). I mean, did you suggest it just because my room is hot or do I need to buy a cooler anyway?

4, Will this case (COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 Mid Tower Case) be comfortably spacious enough for the above motherboard and "Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler" (assuming I am getting the cooler -- I read somewhere that THIS cooler/fan is too big for some tower cases)?

:lolol:
 
Last edited:
CASTLECASCADE said:
YES..............!!! Thankyou.

2, Never thought I could add a firewire card. Great!
3, So I will get the first RAM; since acc. to you, those latencies won't affect
needs other than gaming.
5, But I guess I will go with this card; also since I am buying the other stuff
from the same online store.

Thanks again for getting those 3 questions OUT OF THE WAY.

Now just to make it easier, lemme post the REMAINING Questions again.

1, DIDUKNOWTHAT suggested "Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler". Is a cooler always a separate item that you need to purchase while building a system (or does it come with the tower case or whatever). I mean, did you suggest it just because my room is hot or do I need to buy a cooler anyway?

4, Will this case (COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 Mid Tower Case) be comfortably spacious enough for the above motherboard and "Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler" (assuming I am getting the cooler -- I read somewhere that THIS cooler/fan is too big for some tower cases)?

:lolol:
Click to expand...

1. If the processor your ordered is OEM, you need that fan. If it is not OEM, the stock fan is fine. BEcause your room is hot you may need extra cooling, hence the better HSF.

4. If where you read says it is too big, then I would say get an smaller one. I cannot tell you for sure though. Get the dimensions of the cooler, and see if you still have enough space for the mobo, if so, it will probabyl work
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top