Ok. What I have to start with is a Compaq Presario 5010 case. Here are the specs on what I have. I know most of this info as far as the specs, arent needed, but just putting it out there so you know what I'm going from and what I want to go to.
Date of Purchase was 2007
Case: Mid-size ATX 14.8 x 6 x 16.5 inches (Compaq presario SR5010NX)
CPU: Celeron: D360 3.65 GHz
Motherboard: Mini-ATX 945GC7-HM (Livermore)
Video Card: GeForce 8800GTS (originally integrated)
Sound card: Integrated
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA Interface - 3.0Gb/sec transfer rating - 7200RPM
Memory: 512MB, I added more but dont remember how much more
CD/DVD: SuperMulti 16x DVD R/RW
Bay Sizes: 2-5.25inch and 3 3.5 inch
PSU: 250W
USB Ports: 4
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So here is what i want to do:
Use the case, video card, RAM, Hard Drive, PSU, CD/DVD, and buy a new Motherboard, CPU, Sound Card (although I could go with integrated. It would be nice to be able to upgrade it if i want.) Network Card (I could go integrated here too.) Add a larger hard drive at some point.
I used to be a gamer when i first got this computer in 2007. Now what I want to do is watch movies that I torrent on utorrent in at least 720p. I finally cut the cord and got rid of comcast television. So I torrent everything tv/movies for my television entertainment. This is of most importance for me.
BTW, I use my 42" HDTV as the moniter. DVI out to an HDMI adapter into the TV. 1260x760 (or whatever that size is), 720p I believe, 60Hz
EDIT: I looked into it furthur and to be exact, it is a phillips 40PFL4907/F7 1920x1080 and 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV
Also, it really bugs me that, when You Tube went HD, all the videos started being always choppy and sometimes pixelated when 720p HD or higher was used. This is second most importance. Would that be in the department of streaming? Other than that, I dont really need anything else from my computer besides fast internet, and that shouldnt be a problem.
================================================
So that brings me to a few questions. I dont know which motherboard to get and I dont know which CPU's go with the motherboards. I dont understand what the chipset means. I think I should pay around half or more of my $400 dollar budget on these two items. I also need some suggestions on the other items I want to buy.
If I just go with integrated sound and network cards then which motheboards have that, plus the four USB Ports, plus an HDMI port so I dont have to use the DVI to HDMI adapter that pulls down on the HDMI port on my tv. (I've always been afraid that its going to break.)
Also, is the 250Wpower supply going to work for the new motherboards out these days? If not, I need some suggestions on that too.
Do you think I can do this and get what I want for $400 or less?
The following list I found in the HTPC build section. All from the list submitted by: shortstuff_mt
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2141766/bestconfigs-home-theater.html
I found this Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard(Will this fit in my case?)(Do I need some type of adapter plate?)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah81mhd2
If so, then I could use this CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646g3220
Do I need a CPU cooler?
and I could use this PSU: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply(if my power supply is not sufficient.)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx430
How much memory do I need? If I have 1GB in my existing computer, is that enough?
Maybe the integrated video card will be good enough for the 720p HD quality that I want?
Can I use my old DVD R/RW? (Hmmm. 60 bucks and I could have blu-ray too. I just might do that too!)
And what about an operating system? I dont need to go with the latest version of Windows do I?
=====================================================================
I know this was a long post, but I hope someone could help me. Could I do it with cheaper equipment than what I am listing. I have read the sticky on the home theatre PC build, which is where I got the parts I list. I also read the sticky of step by step instructions. Let me know your thoughts. and thanks in advance.
Jim
Date of Purchase was 2007
Case: Mid-size ATX 14.8 x 6 x 16.5 inches (Compaq presario SR5010NX)
CPU: Celeron: D360 3.65 GHz
Motherboard: Mini-ATX 945GC7-HM (Livermore)
Video Card: GeForce 8800GTS (originally integrated)
Sound card: Integrated
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA Interface - 3.0Gb/sec transfer rating - 7200RPM
Memory: 512MB, I added more but dont remember how much more
CD/DVD: SuperMulti 16x DVD R/RW
Bay Sizes: 2-5.25inch and 3 3.5 inch
PSU: 250W
USB Ports: 4
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So here is what i want to do:
Use the case, video card, RAM, Hard Drive, PSU, CD/DVD, and buy a new Motherboard, CPU, Sound Card (although I could go with integrated. It would be nice to be able to upgrade it if i want.) Network Card (I could go integrated here too.) Add a larger hard drive at some point.
I used to be a gamer when i first got this computer in 2007. Now what I want to do is watch movies that I torrent on utorrent in at least 720p. I finally cut the cord and got rid of comcast television. So I torrent everything tv/movies for my television entertainment. This is of most importance for me.
BTW, I use my 42" HDTV as the moniter. DVI out to an HDMI adapter into the TV. 1260x760 (or whatever that size is), 720p I believe, 60Hz
EDIT: I looked into it furthur and to be exact, it is a phillips 40PFL4907/F7 1920x1080 and 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV
Also, it really bugs me that, when You Tube went HD, all the videos started being always choppy and sometimes pixelated when 720p HD or higher was used. This is second most importance. Would that be in the department of streaming? Other than that, I dont really need anything else from my computer besides fast internet, and that shouldnt be a problem.
================================================
So that brings me to a few questions. I dont know which motherboard to get and I dont know which CPU's go with the motherboards. I dont understand what the chipset means. I think I should pay around half or more of my $400 dollar budget on these two items. I also need some suggestions on the other items I want to buy.
If I just go with integrated sound and network cards then which motheboards have that, plus the four USB Ports, plus an HDMI port so I dont have to use the DVI to HDMI adapter that pulls down on the HDMI port on my tv. (I've always been afraid that its going to break.)
Also, is the 250Wpower supply going to work for the new motherboards out these days? If not, I need some suggestions on that too.
Do you think I can do this and get what I want for $400 or less?
The following list I found in the HTPC build section. All from the list submitted by: shortstuff_mt
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2141766/bestconfigs-home-theater.html
I found this Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-HD2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard(Will this fit in my case?)(Do I need some type of adapter plate?)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah81mhd2
If so, then I could use this CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646g3220
Do I need a CPU cooler?
and I could use this PSU: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply(if my power supply is not sufficient.)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx430
How much memory do I need? If I have 1GB in my existing computer, is that enough?
Maybe the integrated video card will be good enough for the 720p HD quality that I want?
Can I use my old DVD R/RW? (Hmmm. 60 bucks and I could have blu-ray too. I just might do that too!)
And what about an operating system? I dont need to go with the latest version of Windows do I?
=====================================================================
I know this was a long post, but I hope someone could help me. Could I do it with cheaper equipment than what I am listing. I have read the sticky on the home theatre PC build, which is where I got the parts I list. I also read the sticky of step by step instructions. Let me know your thoughts. and thanks in advance.
Jim