"Media" living room PC/ Mid Game Build

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CuMonger

New Member
This seems to be exactly what I need in terms of a PC.

PC will be connected to a flat screen through HDMI, with digital optical audio surround sound.

Mostly just for movies/ minor games comparable to WoW, etc.

If I can get something for better and cheaper, or if something just doesn't make sense in the build, please tell me.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136775

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131672

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220544

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103809

I'll have an update for the graphics card in a bit.

Total so far: $324.95

Thanks in advance.
 
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claptonman

claptonman

New Member
A dual-core could play movies and Wow just fine, I believe. And, depending on your GPU, a 550w would do.

And 1600mhz RAM would be overclocking your RAM speed.
 
Benny Boy

Benny Boy

Active Member
For $325 you could get,
A much better mb w/ AM3+ socket for upgradability and onboard graphics for backup or when you dont need the vc.
A Ph II 965cpu (overkill).
A faster hdd. The blue is ok for that type media, but may as well get a faster one since the os will be on it too?
A cd/dvd/driver. (Maybe you want BR too)
2x2GB 1600 memory. 1600 is usually only a couple bucks more than 1333 and it will default to 1333 at install unless you change it, which is simple to do. You'll want 2 sticks so it will run in dual channel.
And a quality 500-550w ps.

Edit: How much do you want to spend? Do you want an X4 processor? or one that will do the 2 things you mentioned?
 
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C

CuMonger

New Member
Makes sense. I thought the same thing about the RAM.

In what way do you mean a faster HDD? As in faster RPM, or larger cache?

I should definitely bump down the processor, correct?

I have a DVD burner in my old computer that I bought new a little while ago.

I just chose the processor because I knew it wouldn't be beaten down for a long time. I'm not much of an "enthusiast", but more of I build a computer, and use the same components for years, until I'm forced to upgrade.

As money goes, I'm not really worried about prices, however, I know that I can build what I want without overpaying or having to buy a pre-built. That's why I came here lol
 
Benny Boy

Benny Boy

Active Member
Faster in seek times and overall performance. Since it looks like your going with 1 drive for the os and storage, I'd say get a faster one, then the storage can just go on there too.

If you want it to keep up for as long as possible, and you may do more than media/WoW sometime in the future, consider the Ph II 965 for $115.
Or there's a combo w/ the 965 + Corsair 500w/34A for $147. Pretty good deal.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.707875
You could run something like a HD 6850 on those 34A or a 560ti which is a stronger card and they will max wow and the like and then some.

There's some other things to consider. Like,
Some mini desktops can hold an atx or matx motherboard. Some only matx. What kind of case you thinkin'?
I think a mb w/ onboard video would be good to have for this type system. Just me tho, doesn't have to have it. Whether you wanted that (and the case) might have a bearing on the mb you choose. The AMD boards with the latest 9xxx series chipsets don't have ob vid. The 880 and 890 chipsets do and can get them with the AM3+.

Either way, If your going AMD, get the AM3+ socket. If you think that's more cpu than you'll ever use, the Athlon X3 Rana 450 gives you 3 cores vs the x2 that the Ph II x2 has, for less money.
 
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C

CuMonger

New Member
I see what you're getting at. So for less money I would go for a Athlon II X3 instead of a Phenom II X2. But wouldn't losing the nice sized L3 cache be an issue?

Thanks for the combo info.

Also, I have my own case, as well. It's an ATX factor case, however I've been using MATX in it for sometime. I just reuse cases, as well lol.

HDD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136794

Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128504

Graphics http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031

RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161450

CPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886

$427.94
 
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Benny Boy

Benny Boy

Active Member
Not much diff really.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/athlon-l3-cache,2416-6.html
The Black x2's as you know are very good overclockers and may unlock to x3/x4. Then the A II X3 has the extra core, overclocks good, and may unlock to x4. When choosing between L3 or cores, cores win.

Your picks look good. Don't get that CM ps tho. Here's some alternatives.

$48 off compared to NIB. Don't know how you feel about open box, but it has a lot going for it.
ASUS M5A88-V EVO AM3+ AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

Only $2 more.
AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX455WFGMBOX

CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Free game.
SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ

Here's speedy, quiet, and reliable 500GB's for only $40.
Seagate Barracuda ST3500413AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Looks like $462 shipped and $437 after $25 MIR.

This lowers it by $17.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.695558
　
　
　
　
 
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