Final Parts for my HTPC build Need Help

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Elohssa6

New Member
I posted earlier in the month and got some good help, so I'd like to try and get some final things squared away...I havent started the build, just have been slowly (faster than I planned though) buying the parts

I have already bought:

CASE:
The wooden HTPC nMediaPC case ATX
(and the LCD screen for it)

CPU:
Intel Core i5-660 Clarkdale 3.33GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Processor

MOBO:
Intel H55 HDMI ATX Intel Motherboard

TV Tuner:
ATI wonder TV tuner with "Cablecard" slot

BlueRay/DVD drive:
LG Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Combo LG Blu-ray Reader & 16X LightScribe

Wireless Internet Card:
TRENDnet TEW-623PI 32-Bit PCI Rev. 2.1/2.2/2.3 Wireless N-Draft Adapter

Keyboard/Remote(Mouse):
Gyration GYR4101US Black 2.4GHz RF Wireless Mini Air Music Remote w/ MotionSense & Compact Keyboard


I Still need:

RAM
(mobo has 4 slotsx 240pin) Would like A LOT of RAM

HDD
I dont know how much I want here yet....At minimum 1.5T but maybe even 2

POWER SUPPLY
Can't choose that really until I have ALL componenets, but interested in reccomendations




This will be my first build (I have assistance) but am looking for as much feedback, comments as possible...

What do you think so far? What would you get for RAM & HDD??

All criticisms welcome
 
Cool case!

Exactly how much is "A LOT" of RAM? 4GB is about all that's practical right now. Grab a 2x2GB, and you'll have room for another set later on to bring it to 8GB.

Or, you can spend more and buy a single 4GB stick, which leaves room for 3 more...a total of 16GB. You won't need that for a while(years), but the day may come.

edit: I'm assuming this is you? Dude has a good point.
http://www.computerforums.org/showthread.php?t=94398
 
So I can buy RAM piece by piece?? See, these are the things I dont know or wouldnt have thought of.....I have expansion capability then.....If I were to get the 8gb vs 4gb vs 16gb What exactly would change in performace of my pc??

I am ordering everything from newegg....basically made a wish list and waited for prices to drop....I buy the parts when they drop in price and a little at a time...

I am not a computer builder and really not all that knowledgeable....I figured that I would buy the BD rom drive now while I was putting this thing together....and wait for the software side to catch up....In the mean time, with all of my internal/external storage, I can back everything up....

The BD rom drive is less than $100.....I am spending 8-900 total on this build so the extra 40-50 bucks isnt going to kill me....I would like to not have to change out anything for a while....Not to mention, the BD Rom is in the mail......

This is going to be an HTPC/desktop(internet ect.) PC

I plan on running 2 monitors (my 42" plasma for TV and a little internet and my 22" LCD monitro across the room for standard desktop applications)

I have mostly everything figured out, just looking to go in the right direction as far as HDD and RAM

I would like the speed and power to perform multiple functions at once such as sitting at the monitor on the web and watching TV on the big screen....

I also need the storage to save movies, photos, music ect.

I may try and play around with some home movie editing (nothing crazy) so I want to atleast be able to support that....

PC gaming isnt my thing as i only play games on my Xbox360

Sorry to be so long winded, I am just excited/nervous about this stuff!
 
Elohssa6 said:
So I can buy RAM piece by piece?? See, these are the things I dont know or wouldnt have thought of.....I have expansion capability then.....If I were to get the 8gb vs 4gb vs 16gb What exactly would change in performace of my pc??
Click to expand...
4GB is pretty standard right now...you probably won't use but about 2.5 of it at most, which leaves some breathing room. You won't be using 16GB, or even 8GB, anytime soon, but it might be nice to have the room when you do. 1GB was pretty standard for much of XP's life...so it stands to reason that near the end of 7's life it could be useful. :)

The BD rom drive is less than $100.....I am spending 8-900 total on this build so the extra 40-50 bucks isnt going to kill me....I would like to not have to change out anything for a while....Not to mention, the BD Rom is in the mail......
Click to expand...
Well, you heard/read the argument against it, so if it's still fine with you, there's no point to arguing. Little late for that anyway, lol. :)

I plan on running 2 monitors (my 42" plasma for TV and a little internet and my 22" LCD monitro across the room for standard desktop applications)

PC gaming isnt my thing as i only play games on my Xbox360
Click to expand...
You should be good here. The onboard GPU supports dual screens, and should be powerful enough. (If not, the worst that'll happen is you have to get a cheap graphics card...no biggie.)

I have mostly everything figured out, just looking to go in the right direction as far as HDD and RAM

I also need the storage to save movies, photos, music ect.
Click to expand...
4GB of RAM should be plenty. Getting that in one stick or two is your call.

If you're going to be storing movies and TV on it, get at least a 1TB hard drive.

edit: For a 1TB, this would be great:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

And for a 1.5TB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136351

I would like the speed and power to perform multiple functions at once such as sitting at the monitor on the web and watching TV on the big screen....

I may try and play around with some home movie editing (nothing crazy) so I want to atleast be able to support that....
Click to expand...
The i5 660 will do all that pretty easily.

Sorry to be so long winded, I am just excited/nervous about this stuff!
Click to expand...
I'd be the same way. :good:


edit: And for the power supply, this would be good:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

It's a Corsair, which is about as reliable as they come. That one is rated to run 24/7 for over a decade. The fan is thermally controlled, too, so it'll only run fast when it needs to. This helps keep things quiet, which is important for an HTPC.
 
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