This is a build request thread. I am starting from scratch, so I need absolutely everything required for this setup. Please help me out.
General Info about me for context:
I’ve been around PCs for years, but I’ve not bought a computer in 10 years; I keep my electronics for a LONG time. I’ve done some reading, but I don’t have anything past general knowledge. I have knowledgeable and experienced friends that can help me put the computer together.
Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime this month, unless there’s a compelling reason to wait.
Budget Range: $2,000 max incl TV (lower preferred)
I'd prefer to be between $1,500 and $1,800, I'm willing to hit $2,000 if it makes that big of a difference (as I said, I keep my electronics for a long time). If my $2,000 budget isn’t sufficient for my needs, please tell me
Parts to Upgrade: Desktop PC & TV (TV will be used as computer monitor & TV - video will be played from media on my harddrive, bluray/dvds, and cable)
Would you consider computers that are refurbished/redistributed? Yes, if it’s worth it and advisable.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes - I'm not really a Linux guy, so it must be Windows
Do you play games? If so, what type of games?
I do NOT game.
System Uses from Most to Least Important:
What software do you intend on using on the computer?
Do you tend to have a lot of programs running at the same time, or do you close every program when you are done using it? I’ll have the download/file manager running almost constantly (uploading or downloading). I’ll have multiple browser windows open with multiple tabs in each. I’ll have widgets going on the desktop. I’ll have music playing while I browse or work.
How much hard drive space do you need? Do you want a SSD drive?
I need lots of space to store video and music; 2 to 4 terabytes is probably appropriate (again, I need this backed up too) I’ve read that a non-SSD HD will usually cause a bit of lag and bottleneck the system from being 100% snappy, so I’ll probably want an SSD as well in order to keep things flying (I HATE lag & stutter.)
Are you buying a monitor: Yes -
I want to buy a TV to use as both my TV and my monitor. I think I'd like to use from 5 to 20 feet away most of the time, so I'm thinking 55" to 65" (closer to 65" probably). Viewing angle can’t be horrible – Ideally I'd like to be able to accommodate viewing angles of up to at least 45%. I will need at least 1080p. Smart features, USB plug-ins, older generation ports, etc aren’t so crucial, but it should have a few HDMI ports. It will probably be in a brightish room.
Your Monitor Resolution:
Whatever is going to give me a good picture for all my uses. Need recommendations.
Other important factors:
Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD Burner, Blu-ray Reader or Blu-Ray Burner?
Blu-ray and DVD player is desired. Burning capability is nice, but not imperative. 3D playback is nice but not imperative.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Doesn’t matter
Parts Preferences: No preference as long as they meet my expectations
Overclocking: I doubt I’d need to, right?
Location: Western NY, USA
SLI or Crossfire:
I’m honestly not even sure what this is. I guess, just let me know if you think it’d be important for me.
Additional Comments:
I’ve never built a PC, but I have friends who are quite experienced with this and can help me. I do want to be certain that all the components will work together perfectly; I don't want to have to go buy different stuff to make things work or get into a situation with workarounds.
I hate bloatware, adware, malware, intrusive software, excessive utilities that aren’t needed at all, etc. If the computer comes loaded with them and they truly aren’t needed, I’d want to get rid of them immediately.
I’d like the setup to last me at least 5 years, if possible.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading:
I need an all-in-one solution that works as a TV, music player, and primary computer for general computing.
General Info about me for context:
I’ve been around PCs for years, but I’ve not bought a computer in 10 years; I keep my electronics for a LONG time. I’ve done some reading, but I don’t have anything past general knowledge. I have knowledgeable and experienced friends that can help me put the computer together.
Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime this month, unless there’s a compelling reason to wait.
Budget Range: $2,000 max incl TV (lower preferred)
I'd prefer to be between $1,500 and $1,800, I'm willing to hit $2,000 if it makes that big of a difference (as I said, I keep my electronics for a long time). If my $2,000 budget isn’t sufficient for my needs, please tell me
Parts to Upgrade: Desktop PC & TV (TV will be used as computer monitor & TV - video will be played from media on my harddrive, bluray/dvds, and cable)
Would you consider computers that are refurbished/redistributed? Yes, if it’s worth it and advisable.
Do you need to buy OS: Yes - I'm not really a Linux guy, so it must be Windows
Do you play games? If so, what type of games?
I do NOT game.
System Uses from Most to Least Important:
■ Downloading / Uploading – The computer will be on pretty much 24/7. I have a large amount of automated uploading and downloading going on, and I deal with file sizes (typically between 350 MB and 6 GB.)
■ HTPC capabilities – I’ll be watching a lot of movies, TV shows and sports (so the TV must be able to maintain clarity during fast paced movements.) I'd like to be able to remotely/wirelessly interface with my media like a regular TV – I assume this means infrared setup, or Bluetooth keyboard (probably both.)
■ Normal computing- This will be my main computer as well as my HTPC. I browse the web with a good amount of tabs, I watch online videos, modify my Android phone (USB connection,) and do stuf like word processing, and excel spreadsheet work (nothing too intense.)
■ Music playback – Enough sound output to fuel a 10 to 20 person party if need be (I assume I can probably just buy a set of external speakers, hook them to the TV or PC and use Spotify, Pandora, or play local music.)
■ Video chatting - I do like to Skype (or other video chat) on occasion.
What software do you intend on using on the computer?
■ File management program that handles downloading and uploading
■ HTPC software: seems like Kodi or Plex are most commonly recommended (I’m looking for recommendations.)
■ A music player – Pandora, Spotify, or local media (I assume HTPC program can handle the last one.)
■ Browsers – chrome & firefox
■ Microsoft office – Word, Excel, maybe Outlook, maybe PowerPoint
■ Anti-virus / Anti-Malware – need to research
■ Possibly firewall software – need to research
■ Android modding software like rsdlite or ODIN and the SDK (rooting, flashing, and backup is all I really do – I just follow tutorials)
■ Possibly apps that bring news, weather, music, etc to my desktop
■ Image editor with basic features, but better than MS Paint – need to research
■ Ripping, encoding and burning software
Do you tend to have a lot of programs running at the same time, or do you close every program when you are done using it? I’ll have the download/file manager running almost constantly (uploading or downloading). I’ll have multiple browser windows open with multiple tabs in each. I’ll have widgets going on the desktop. I’ll have music playing while I browse or work.
How much hard drive space do you need? Do you want a SSD drive?
I need lots of space to store video and music; 2 to 4 terabytes is probably appropriate (again, I need this backed up too) I’ve read that a non-SSD HD will usually cause a bit of lag and bottleneck the system from being 100% snappy, so I’ll probably want an SSD as well in order to keep things flying (I HATE lag & stutter.)
Are you buying a monitor: Yes -
I want to buy a TV to use as both my TV and my monitor. I think I'd like to use from 5 to 20 feet away most of the time, so I'm thinking 55" to 65" (closer to 65" probably). Viewing angle can’t be horrible – Ideally I'd like to be able to accommodate viewing angles of up to at least 45%. I will need at least 1080p. Smart features, USB plug-ins, older generation ports, etc aren’t so crucial, but it should have a few HDMI ports. It will probably be in a brightish room.
Your Monitor Resolution:
Whatever is going to give me a good picture for all my uses. Need recommendations.
Other important factors:
■ Data Backup- My old hard drive got corrupted and I lost everything. I need data security to be a priority (and I mean everything,) whether that means an external HD backup, a RAID setup, etc.
■ Energy efficiency – I’m not sure if this one will be tricky b/c of the features I’ve requested, but the computer will be on practically 24/7, so power saving is important.
■ Wireless connectivity – I need it to be Wifi and Bluetooth capable
■ TV-like controls– This will essentially be an HTPC and primary computer, so I need it to behave like both.
■ Longevity & Future Proof(ish) – As I said, I keep stuff for a long time before upgrading. I’d rather not be running into issues a couple years in.
■ Snappy performance – I haaaaate lag. When I click or enter a command, I want the computer to do what I want quickly, without any stutter.
Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD Burner, Blu-ray Reader or Blu-Ray Burner?
Blu-ray and DVD player is desired. Burning capability is nice, but not imperative. 3D playback is nice but not imperative.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Doesn’t matter
Parts Preferences: No preference as long as they meet my expectations
Overclocking: I doubt I’d need to, right?
Location: Western NY, USA
SLI or Crossfire:
I’m honestly not even sure what this is. I guess, just let me know if you think it’d be important for me.
Additional Comments:
I’ve never built a PC, but I have friends who are quite experienced with this and can help me. I do want to be certain that all the components will work together perfectly; I don't want to have to go buy different stuff to make things work or get into a situation with workarounds.
I hate bloatware, adware, malware, intrusive software, excessive utilities that aren’t needed at all, etc. If the computer comes loaded with them and they truly aren’t needed, I’d want to get rid of them immediately.
I’d like the setup to last me at least 5 years, if possible.
And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading:
I need an all-in-one solution that works as a TV, music player, and primary computer for general computing.
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