[Solved] Media PC for my parents

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (June)

BUDGET RANGE: (500-800) Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (Media center: streaming movies, bluray/dvd, tv tuner, internet)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (no monitor required but will be buying new TV for living room to hook it up to)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (Newegg) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: (USA)

PARTS PREFERENCES: no preference

OVERCLOCKING:No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Not against it but shouldn't need for this

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (1920x1080 Dell monitor, but will most likely be using on a 42" TV that is yet to be purchased)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Would like to run everything TV related through this. My parents don't watch a ton of TV but would watch movies from netflix etc on this.


I recently built a i5 system for myself but have no idea what is the best for this type of non-gaming setup. Any recommendations on how to set this up are welcome. I plan to have a decent 600-1000 tv wall mounted and have this pc instead of the dvd player/vcr (?) and stuff. This will take the old computer out of my mom's office/sewing room to give her more space. I'm open to processors/cases etc, just looking for a general idea of what this will cost etc before I buy the stuff in about a month.

MOBO - Gigabyte - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128429 $100

CPU - i3-530 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115222 - $120
- If you live near a Microcenter I think you can pick these up for $100

HDD - Seagate 7200.12 1 TB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148433 - $79

PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371034 - Antec EarthWatts 430 - $60

Blu-Ray ROM drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106325 - $60

RAM - Crucial 2 x 2 GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148262 - $105

Windows 7 Home Premium OEM - $100

Wireless Keyboard & Mouse - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6823126069 - $34

TV Tuner Card - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6815116036 - $124

EDIT: TOTAL - $873

CASE: Same as shortstuff_mt - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811163166

EDIT: Ok, forgot the case...and also ... I was in the middle of posting when shortstuff posted....SOO...in that case I think I'll add these thoughts to shortstuff_mt's post...

Right now the Seagate 7200.12 is $80 at Newegg...so you could save $10 for minimal performance difference (if you'd even notice it in day to day activities...I'd be surprised)

The difference between the MOBO's really boils down to USB 3.0 support...the Gigabyte has it, the ASUS doesn't...Is the change worth it for future compatability....up to the OP

What do you guys think about a modular PSU for this case? I've read there isn't much room for cabling. Any recommendations on which one? I don't see any under 500 watts

I will be ordering this by the end of the week. Anyone have any last recommendations or changes. Also, can someone answer my question about modular PSU? thanks

Yeah case looks nice, and doesn't look like much in cable management.

BTW don't order that PSU expecting to get the rebate. I'm waiting around 3 months now and nothing. Other then that my 700w version is working just fine.

do you have the latest drivers installed?

try downloading the latest drivers for your hardware and see if that helps...

right now your system may be defaulting to the generic windows drivers for some of the hardware...and in that case, some of the hardware may not be optimized.

EDIT: Also, FYI, I have that i3-530 with a Gigabyte motherboard...and it's displaying 1080 just fine...on a TV...and I did not have to install any specific driver for the TV

That's what makes me think you need the latest drivers for your motherboard...

What motherboard do you have in this rig?

If I get a moment, I can look up where to get the latest drivers and provide a link...but it will be coming from the manufactures website...so it's just as easy if you want to look it up yourself.