Help with HTPC BUILD

[mgoblue3]

HEY FOLKS......first time visitor, but have read a lot and you guys are good. I am hoping that you can help me out with my first build. Below is what i am after and i would like to go under $500 (closer to 400 ) if possible.

Programs i run (sometimes simultaneously):
Photoshop CS3 + bridge
Itunes
IE
Zoombrowser
Picasa
Gaming is limited to Madden football (maybe once a year)

I am primarily photo involved and would like to make this pc double as a dvr at which i will hardwire via hdmi to my 60 in the basement and stream recorded tv and movies wirelessly to my tv's upstairs via media extenders. I hope i have given enough info here.....help me out please! I already have a 250gb external hd.

 

[WR2]

Welcome to the THG forums. A few sample options to consider:

Antec NSK1380 case and PSU $120
GIGABYTE GA-EG45M-DS2H LGA 775 Intel G45 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $125
E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache Dual-Core CPU $83
mushkin 4GB DDR2 800 RAM $46 (& $20 rebate)
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 750GB 32MB Cache SATA 3 HDD $75
LITE-ON 20X DVD burner $21

Thats about $470 before any rebate, tax or shipping.

Antec NSK4480B ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 380W Power Supply $70
GIGABYTE GA-EG43M-S2H G43 HDMI Micro ATX Intel MB $103 ($15 rebate)
E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz Dual-Core CPU $70
plus the RAM, HDD and DVD burner above.

Thats about $385 before any rebate, tax or shipping.

Rosewill R379-SM Black/ Silver MicroATX Slim Case ATX12V Flex 300W PSU $50
GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2HP AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX Motherboard $80 (& $10 rebate)
MD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz AM2 45W Dual-Core CPU $57
plus the RAM, HDD and DVD burner above.

That's about $329 before any rebate, tax or shipping.

 

[mgoblue3]

thanks much for the info. How do the above processors compare to the intel core 2 duo??
My current pc is a dell dimension 4600 2.6ghz, 80gb hd, 1.5 g-ram. how with the aboves compare?

 

[mgoblue3]

also, i am going to have to buy a tv tuner still yet.....right?

 

[mgoblue3]

thought i would share with you what i came up with earlier at work....for some reason i could find the info in my initial post, sorry bout that, question is "does all this stuff work together and is it any good":

I would also like to consider what you have and/or combine or intertwine some things!

mobo+processor combo:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4352240&CatId=3586

ram:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3228139&Sku=C13-6082

hd:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2203982&Sku=TSD-750AS

burner:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3970029&CatId=1624