Really simple build

F

flametail

New Member
I am asking for some help with a really simple build. I want a tower that I can hook up to my LG hdtv. It doesn't have to do much, just run smoothly with plenty of memory and i'm thinking at least 2gb ram. I would say XP as an OS just for simplicity also. A decent video card would be nice just because I would like to be able to play movies from it. I don't plan to game on it, just have another computer besides my wife's laptop. Oh, and as inexpensive (not cheap) as possible would be great also.

So, where should I start?

And also, I have a DVR and I know there are ways of pulling the movies out of the HD, anyone know how?
 
Okay. First, how much can you afford? Second, where are you located?
After we know that we can start choosing components. :)

Do you prefer to buy from a store or online? Online is much cheaper but if that isn't an option it will make things more expensive and harder to find components.

From what you said, a Core 2 Duo (possibly a Core 2 Quad) based system sounds like what you need. However an AMD based system would be cheaper and provide matching/better performance. A graphics card that will be able to handle what you want and some games on the side would be an nVidia GeForce 9600GT.
 
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I'm not sure exactly of a budget but if I could build a system to match what I need then I could easily buy it piece by piece and then put it all together. I am technical enough to know what to plug where and stuff like that.

I am located in the US, but not sure what that has to do with it? explain, please.

I will also be buying my stuff online because there aren't many computer stores around where I live.
 
Okay i just threw this build together,I know you dont have a budget right now....so itried to make a system that would be good for your needs.

AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103706

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail -$5.00 Instant
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500)-$10.00 Instant
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227346

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB-$5.00 Instant
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

SAPPHIRE 100255L Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16-$20.00 Instant
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102792R

You said you dont plan on gaming so this should be fine :rolleyes:

COOLER MASTER eXtreme Power RS550-PCARE3-US 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171038

COOLER MASTER RC-690-$15.00 Instant
http://www.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingItem.aspx?ItemList=N82E16811119137

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM -$10.00 Instant
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?submit=ChangeItem

Total =$598

Someone could probably do a better build list for the price,Im not realy all that good with AMD build lists :p

If you realy wanetd Xp you could shed about $25 off that total price,But i highly suggest you go with 7 its much better and 64 bit.
 
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I had forgot about 7 coming out and would probably end up going with it, I just know I didn't want Vista.

Is there any major differences between AMD and Intel? I have always had Intel powered computers.
 
Yeah i dont blame you...i ran Vista for ages and hated it,However i wanted DX10 fo was stuck with it.

Is there any major differences between AMD and Intel?
Click to expand...

Both are just as good as each other,however Intel are still in the lead with performance atm.

AMD tends to price their products cheaper,That doesnt mean theyre not good though.

What is your max budget? no one is realy going to build a list until they know your budget.
 
Just curious, would it be feasible to buy a pre-built, used PC, wipe it clean, and slowly add items to help out?

I'm assuming no and that it would be, I guess, less of a headache to start with a brand new PC.
 
flametail said:
Just curious, would it be feasible to buy a pre-built, used PC, wipe it clean, and slowly add items to help out?

I'm assuming no and that it would be, I guess, less of a headache to start with a brand new PC.
Click to expand...

You are correct. Less of a headache, and you're assured of quality components.

Buying a prebuilt pc guarantees that you don't know the quality of the components.

Plus, wiping it clean might not be good because you need motherboard drivers for whatever OS you run, and the manufacturer may not have drivers for what you want to run.
 
flametail said:
I had forgot about 7 coming out and would probably end up going with it, I just know I didn't want Vista.

Is there any major differences between AMD and Intel? I have always had Intel powered computers.
Click to expand...

If you have the money I do recommend Core i5 750

It performs way much better than Athlon X4, but it is more expensive though.
 
maroon1 said:
If you have the money I do recommend Core i5 750

It performs way much better than Athlon X4, but it is more expensive though.
Click to expand...

Indeed...but like i said...until he gives us a budget,how are we to know what he can afford.
 
I think $700 or less would be perfect for me. Like I said, all I really need it to do is be reliable, upgradeable, and be able to hook it up to my TV. OS i'll go with 7, and processor doesn't really matter between AMD and Intel, but if I can save a bit with AMD and still get the performance then that would be perfect. I don't expect to be doing too much gaming but I would like it if I wanted to get a game for the computer then it would run it smoothly, and not necessarily on the highest settings either...then again, I don't expect a NASA computer with a $700 budget.

And thanks everyone for the help so far!
 
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