Rate my HTPC setup

joker932

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Jun 30, 2009
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any suggestions, problems, thanks



Koutech IO-RCM620 USB 2.0 3.5" Card Reader

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820162016

A-DATA G series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820211281

HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822145215

Microsoft Black Wired Digital Media Keyboard 3000 and Mouse Kit

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16823109067

EVERCOOL FAN-EC12025M12C Case Fan

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16835119045

AMD Athlon II X2 250 3.0GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819103681

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16827151171

Rosewill R101-P-BK Black Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811147112

Rosewill RG430-2 430W Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817182159

GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-US2H Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813128379

Acer X193W+BD Black 19" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009127


also i dont know if i should get an amd phenom II 710 instead?

all purpose computer
 

Klon0pin

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Are you trying to build an "all purpose computer" in an HTPC form factor case? Or are you trying to build a HTCP which I though was more along the lines of a PC used on a hdtv with DVR support or blu-ray or whatever you preference that would make it a computer to power a home theater ie HTPC "Home Theater PC".

If you are building an HTPC where is your video input device (guessing you're going to use the onboard Radeon HD 3200 HDMI ouput)? That's a relatively small hard drive considering the prices these days and video takes up a lot of space.

I guess you have to be a little clearer on what your intentions are before anyone can actually rate your build. Because this build is looking like a budget PC or an expensive DVD player.
 

joker932

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yes actually, i guess i am trying to build an all purpose budget pc, that can handle movies, a little bit games, and multiple OS, and other small media stuff
 

Klon0pin

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In that case I like most of the parts you chose because it's not overkill for what you want to do with it. I would not get the Phenom, but I would get a larger hard drive.

You could always add Ram or a graphics card if you feel you need more power in those departments. But with the small case and what you're planning on doing I'd get a larger hard drive off the bat.
 
The build looks decent, but can be improved for not a lot more money. The first thing that NEEDS to go is the Rosewill PSU. Rosewill PSU's are well known as ticking time bombs. This PSU would be much better:

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008 $59.99 - $20 MIR

I know this is just mainly for a HTPC, but AMD CPU's benefit from DDR2 1066 RAM. This RAM is only $4 more:

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166 $49.99

I, personally, don't trust Hitachi hard drives. I would try to get a Western Digital if the budget permits.

The only other major thing to keep in mind is that the motherboard needs at least the F4 BIOS released on 04/30/2009 to support your Athlon II CPU.

http://www.gigabyte-usa.com/Support/Motherboard/BIOS_Model.aspx?ProductID=2997#anchor_os
 

joker932

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thank you, i agree with u on the PSU, the one u suggested was my second choice. i picked rosewill because the reviews were really good and the price was perfect, so i guess i will go with the one u suggested .

and should i still get the ram u suggested, even if i upgrade to an phenom II ?

thanks

 
Yes, all current AMD CPU's with onboard RAM controllers benefit from DDR2 1066 RAM. The G.Skill RAM also runs at the same timings and voltage at 1066 as the A-Data RAM does at 800 which indicates it's higher quality RAM.