Hello everyone,
It's been a really long time since I've attempted to build a computer and look at components and was hoping some of you might be able to help.
Right now I'm in the process of trying to build an HTPC that will be used primarily to play videos, netflix, hulu, etc. Additionally, I would like this new box to hold all backups of my computers and serve as the main hub for all media storage until I finally get a NAS server setup.
I do some light gaming usually fifa or something like that so while gaming isn't a priority it would be something I might want to include now or have room for expansion for a better graphics card in the future.
My main priorities are:
1. Play any file type without difficulty on a 1080p screen.
2. Low power consumption and quiet, box will be on 24/7 and all downloads will be going to this box
3. +/- light gaming
4. Storage for my network
5. Decoding? I may want to be able to stream videos through my game console ps3 or xbox360 and would like to get a processor that would be able to handle that without causing much lag.
Things that I’m confused about OS and front-end with XBMC. I know that I would use windows because I have easy access to it. I’ve messed around with XBMC and like the look and feel. If XBMC is started on default how easy is it to change back to make it look more like a pc is there just a simple setting to use it like a regular desktop or even as simple as turning the program off? Any tips or advice about components to consider I would really appreciate. I’ve been doing my own reading and just keep getting lost in the sea of choices.
Approximate Purchase Date: this week
Budget Range: $600-700, somewhat flexible but the name of the game is cheaper the better
System Usage from Most to Least Important: watching movies, streaming to other computers on the network and over ps3, surfing the web, light gaming
Parts Not Required: new build but have all peripherals and TV
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, got prime so amazon is awesome but whatever is a reasonable site with a good deal.
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: I’ve had some bad luck with AMD in the past so would like to try intel for the first time but I’m flexible
Overclocking: NO
SLI or Crossfire: not sure what this is so probably not?
Monitor Resolution: 1080p
Additional Comments: low power, quiet
It's been a really long time since I've attempted to build a computer and look at components and was hoping some of you might be able to help.
Right now I'm in the process of trying to build an HTPC that will be used primarily to play videos, netflix, hulu, etc. Additionally, I would like this new box to hold all backups of my computers and serve as the main hub for all media storage until I finally get a NAS server setup.
I do some light gaming usually fifa or something like that so while gaming isn't a priority it would be something I might want to include now or have room for expansion for a better graphics card in the future.
My main priorities are:
1. Play any file type without difficulty on a 1080p screen.
2. Low power consumption and quiet, box will be on 24/7 and all downloads will be going to this box
3. +/- light gaming
4. Storage for my network
5. Decoding? I may want to be able to stream videos through my game console ps3 or xbox360 and would like to get a processor that would be able to handle that without causing much lag.
Things that I’m confused about OS and front-end with XBMC. I know that I would use windows because I have easy access to it. I’ve messed around with XBMC and like the look and feel. If XBMC is started on default how easy is it to change back to make it look more like a pc is there just a simple setting to use it like a regular desktop or even as simple as turning the program off? Any tips or advice about components to consider I would really appreciate. I’ve been doing my own reading and just keep getting lost in the sea of choices.
Approximate Purchase Date: this week
Budget Range: $600-700, somewhat flexible but the name of the game is cheaper the better
System Usage from Most to Least Important: watching movies, streaming to other computers on the network and over ps3, surfing the web, light gaming
Parts Not Required: new build but have all peripherals and TV
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, got prime so amazon is awesome but whatever is a reasonable site with a good deal.
Country: USA
Parts Preferences: I’ve had some bad luck with AMD in the past so would like to try intel for the first time but I’m flexible
Overclocking: NO
SLI or Crossfire: not sure what this is so probably not?
Monitor Resolution: 1080p
Additional Comments: low power, quiet