Building a TV viewing and gaming Computer

Klink

Klink

New Member
Hi, I’m new member here, and a computer building Noob, so please forgive my ignorance on the subject.

I am starting a new project to build a computer to replace several of my current TV entertainment components. I have done some preliminary research but would like to get expert help and opinions from the forum members here on the hardware and software needed for my build. While money is not a big issue I would like to keep it under $1500.00.

I am looking to build a computer that will be connected to a HD 720P 52” Plasma TV and will replace:

1. The current DVR
2. The gaming consul.
3. Satellite TV with over-the-air HD TV, Netflix, HULU and so on.

The computer will also be hard wired to a high speed DSL modem.

Here are a few things I want it to do.

• Still be able to watch one TV program over the air with a high quality antenna while recording another TV channel.
• Surf the web while recording over the air TV
• Watch Blue Ray disks, and maybe burn them.
• Play current and future Multi-player PC games such as COD on the big screen.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na&AID=10521304&PID=4169961&SID=opbwi8r3eh4u

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4169961&SID=15ubotpn21n46

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na&AID=10521304&PID=4169961&SID=lm1qkk1086tw

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231546

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136241

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127567

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

(Optional; small SSD for a boot drive)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233223

Total: $1200. Will be able to play any game at ultra settings easy. I am unsure of the software you need, but XBMC is a good one to look into.
 
Thanks for your time and input Claptonman....Looks like a great set up. A couple of questions....

I also will need to add a TV tuner such as this one to have the computer also function as a DVR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116037

But the BIG question is will case below work with the set up Claptonman suggested??? The Mid tower case on the list will not fit in my entertainment center. I need a desktop model. It also comes with a 500 watt PSU, and will that be sufficient?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144231&Tpk=APEVIA X-Master-BK/500
 
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It is a tossup. The case will support ATX motherboards. That is given. It has a PSU, but its not a good quality unit, and I do not see any notes on the PSU support, but if it is ATX, then you can get the PSU that he suggested. That case will probably not support full height video cards though, so that is something to think about.
 
If space is an issue, you might have to go to a microATX build.

But then you couldn't fit a graphics card very well into any of those, so you couldn't play any games. If you do manage to find one that can fit a graphics card, you'd be sacrificing temperature/performance for space. I would not recommend sticking a 580 into a micro ATX case.
 
If it weren't for the fact that you want to watch Blu-ray movies on it, I would recommend getting a big case so all the parts can fit, buying a long HDMI cable and hiding the computer somewhere. (I'm assuming you don't want to have to walk far just to put in a disk.) Not only would you not have to worry about the computer fitting into your entertainment system, but you would also reduce noise in the viewing environment (considering the fact that the computer will have high performance parts).
 
Not going to down size the case. I'll find another spot for it next to the entertainment center.

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm going to go with Claptonmans' original advice, but increase the hard drive to 1TB since I will be using the PC as a DVR.

Below is my wish list with all the extra accessories I'll need for my new PC included. If there are any more suggestions please feel free give me your opinion.

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=23730347

Once again thanks all for your time and input. This is a Great forum and look forward to reading more as time allows.

I'll let the forum know in the near future how my "build" turns out.
 
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We cannot see the list because its set as private.

And just so you know, I chose one of the best video cards out there, since you said you want to play games. If you want to save money, you could downgrade it, but since you want to use it as a console, then it would be a very powerful machine. It just seems like it is a media center first, gaming console second.

And when people comment on your system, be sure to send them to this forum for help!

And if you're inexperienced in building computers, stop back for help. The CPU cooler I chose for you is hard to get on, but I've installed 3 of them, so I got some experience.

And finally, be sure to look for promo codes, like the one on your CPU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na&AID=10521304&PID=4169961&SID=km97ipjvdtx3

"$15 off w/ promo code EMCNGHA32, ends 4/4"

and be sure to print off and fill out any rebates like the one on your case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...na&AID=10521304&PID=4169961&SID=1n1il2d2hnlig

"$49.99 after mail-in rebate"
 
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Will get help from you and other on the forum as needed... Thanks again for all your help.

Not going to down grade the video card.. that is the best.....and I am willing to pay for it. I do play alot of games when I get days off.

Can't find out why the list won't go public. I have put it as Public and the shared box is checked. Sorry.
 
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no. You can not use that key on anything but the laptop it is on. Each copy of windows can only be installed on one computer at a time. Otherwise your breaking the EULA and thus are breaking the law.
 
wolfeking said:
no. You can not use that key on anything but the laptop it is on. Each copy of windows can only be installed on one computer at a time. Otherwise your breaking the EULA and thus are breaking the law.
Click to expand...

Guess Bill is going to rip another $100 bucks out of my pocket..makes me sick...I already bought his software like 8 times....
 
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There's no point in a graphics card like that with a 720p tv. 1080p is what those cards are made for, which is 1920x1080 resolution, while 720p is 1280x720, that means there's over twice as many pixels or bits of data for the resolution these cards are made for. If you were to completely max out the most demanding game out there today, BF3, your min would be over 100 probably. My point being, if you want to save some money, since you were complaining some about windows, then that graphics card is complete overkill and will be fore the next few years at that monitors resolution.
 
jonnyp11 said:
There's no point in a graphics card like that with a 720p tv. 1080p is what those cards are made for, which is 1920x1080 resolution, while 720p is 1280x720, that means there's over twice as many pixels or bits of data for the resolution these cards are made for. If you were to completely max out the most demanding game out there today, BF3, your min would be over 100 probably. My point being, if you want to save some money, since you were complaining some about windows, then that graphics card is complete overkill and will be fore the next few years at that monitors resolution.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input JohnnyP. Just complaining not because I can't afford the $100, but because I hate buying something I already own. But after getting Wolfekings reply and reading up more on the Licensing agreement of one computer, one license, I have ordered a new copy Windows 7.

I knew the Graphics Card was probable better than I needed, but you never know when I could be buying and putting the computer on a new TV.
 
If you get a new TV anytime, i would look for a tv with a resolution around 2560x1440, i think it is called 1440p but there are tons of resolution names.
 
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