Any Advice for a Beginer Build?

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dolphintales

New Member
I would like to build my first computer. It will be used in our motorhome with a 24" 1080p LCD tv as the monitor. I will load all of our movies onto it, use it to access internet, downloading, some office applications, mild photo and video editing, and maybe a game but nothing high end. I'd love to do an HDMI with audio directly to the monitor so I only have one cable. Also I wouldnt mind having the ability to connect it to my cable to view HD tv and some DVR. Am I asking too much out of one machine? Also, what kind of specs should i be considering when building something like this? I am look to spend less then $1000 with operating system. Thanks for any input from you all. Scott
 
Not asking to much at all. Your basically building a media center pc which is becoming increasingly popular these days. Other members will give you good advice on hardware, but make sure you look for a video card that has sound onboard to carry audio and video through the HDMI cable. Also, your gonna want a good Hauppauge tv tuner if you want to record and watch tv too.
 
You might even think about buying a prebuilt pc. I got mine, one that can do all you mentioned, for $600 almost a year ago. Especially since you already have the monitor you shouldn't get close to $1000. For the video card I recommend at least a 9 series Nvidia card with HDMI support.
 
AMD phenom II 955 $190
AMD 770/ 785G chipset DDR3 mobo (prefered Gigabyte/ Asus)$80
4GB DDR3 RAM $80 (e.g. 2 x 2GB G.skill DDR3 1600)
ATI 4870 512MB $130
1TB HDD $90 (Seagate/ WD)
DVD burner $30, Blu-ray rom if you want $60
550W PSU $70
decent case $60
OS $110
 
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That's an interesting use for a computer...or at least one I've never thought of. I think I may consider getting a computer for our RV too. :)

The one tip that I could offer for a first time build would be to be completely patient with it. I'd recommend choosing a weekend where you are relatively free and will have plenty of time to work out your problems without getting frustrated and trying to rush things. I'd also try to know exactly what you're going to do and the order you'll do it in before you even open the packages, and make sure everything is compatable.
 
 
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i agree with erict, with that budget you can get a branded computer, you have a LCD, so you can get a pre-built with a sound processor and good graphics card
 
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