Hi all !
I did my first build almost exactly 4 years ago for a HTPC. The use has been the same since then:
- Connected to a good audio system (originally via optic, now via USB) and a Full HD TV via HDMI.
- Listen to music
- Watch videos, including streaming
- General Internet browsing
- NO gaming at all
I've had no problems at all with the build, it has done the job and have always been very happy. But in the past year I've noticed that it really struggles to read higher quality video files (I usually run XBMC) and more and more the CPU is completely overloaded, specially when streaming videos. I don't think my build was a beast at all to begin with so I guess after 4 years it's just even less !
So here is my current build:
1 Antec Veris Media Fusion Case
1 Antec EarthWatts Green 380W
1 Asus E35M1-M E-350, SATA600, HDMI
1 Kingston 2x2GB, DDR3, PC10666, CL9
1 LG Blu-Ray Drive CH10LS20 10x/16x SATA OEM
1 Samsung 1TB SATA300 32MB, HD103SJ
Windows 7
And now the big question: what should I rather change and how to improve the performance of my PC ?
Before posting anything here I was thinking of changing the embedded ASus motherboard for a nice new combo of some sort. Considering the use I make of the PC (see above):
- Is it worth going for a separate graphics card ?
- Any recommendations on mobo + CPU good combinations for my build ? I would like to keep my RAM if possible...
- I was also thinking about going for an SSD HDD for OS and software; is it worth it ?
- Depending on all these choices I might also start to get worried about my PS at 380W, even if I haven't really looked at numbers yet...
Budget wise I'm looking at something around 150-200 pounds
Hope I've given enough info to get useful feedback !
Cheers,
I did my first build almost exactly 4 years ago for a HTPC. The use has been the same since then:
- Connected to a good audio system (originally via optic, now via USB) and a Full HD TV via HDMI.
- Listen to music
- Watch videos, including streaming
- General Internet browsing
- NO gaming at all
I've had no problems at all with the build, it has done the job and have always been very happy. But in the past year I've noticed that it really struggles to read higher quality video files (I usually run XBMC) and more and more the CPU is completely overloaded, specially when streaming videos. I don't think my build was a beast at all to begin with so I guess after 4 years it's just even less !
So here is my current build:
1 Antec Veris Media Fusion Case
1 Antec EarthWatts Green 380W
1 Asus E35M1-M E-350, SATA600, HDMI
1 Kingston 2x2GB, DDR3, PC10666, CL9
1 LG Blu-Ray Drive CH10LS20 10x/16x SATA OEM
1 Samsung 1TB SATA300 32MB, HD103SJ
Windows 7
And now the big question: what should I rather change and how to improve the performance of my PC ?
Before posting anything here I was thinking of changing the embedded ASus motherboard for a nice new combo of some sort. Considering the use I make of the PC (see above):
- Is it worth going for a separate graphics card ?
- Any recommendations on mobo + CPU good combinations for my build ? I would like to keep my RAM if possible...
- I was also thinking about going for an SSD HDD for OS and software; is it worth it ?
- Depending on all these choices I might also start to get worried about my PS at 380W, even if I haven't really looked at numbers yet...
Budget wise I'm looking at something around 150-200 pounds
Hope I've given enough info to get useful feedback !
Cheers,
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