$500 Media PC

[devilduck79]

Looking to build this system but my main concern is music and dvd conversion. I'm currently running conversions on my laptop and it takes forever to convert files. Will this build be decent for what I want to do? I've done some research but wanted others opinions.

Want to use to convert music files to .mp3 format and dvds to avi/mp4 format.


Approximate Purchase Date: Within the month

Budget Range: $500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Music conversion, DVD conversion, Home Media Server, Photoshop editing, and webpage development

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: Intel Core I3 2100, Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2, CORSAIR TW3X4G1333C9 DDR3-1333, HIS RADEON HD 5750, Cooler Master 534 w/460W PSU

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No concerned with at the moment

Monitor Resolution: Not concerned with at the moment

Additional Comments:

 

[mlcaouette]

Here is a better gpu with two free games and it's only $99 after rebate:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=41114&CatId=3669

 

[devilduck79]

Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[dan4patriots]

you can build that pc there or i can sell you one that is pre built for $400 shipped

Pictures of the build:
http://s693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/dan4patriots/Core%20i3%20Gaming%20PC/


Specs:
Intel Core i3 2100 Dual Core 3.1 Ghz
4GB GSkill Ripjaws CL7 DDR3
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
AsRock H61M U3S3 Motherboard
Seagate 500GB 7200.12 Hard Drive
DVD Burner w/Lightscribe
Antec 430 Watt Earthwatts PowerSupply
Coolermaster Elite 341 Case

 

[ScrewySqrl]

if you're primarily doing music encoding and video encoding, you want an i5-2500K for the HD 3000 QuickSync encoding, and don't need a video card at all.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

Here's a $500 build for that purpose:

i5-2500K $214.98 W/ promo Code HARDOCPX5X4B
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

G.skill 4 GB DDR3: $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

AS rock H61M/U3S3: $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

Rosewill P218 Case: $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147073

Samsung Spinpoint F4 2 TB hard drive $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152245

Xigmatek 400W 80+ Bronze PSU: $34.95
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815007

LFG DVD Burner: $20.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136236

total: $500.89

 

[devilduck79]

You suggested to go with i5 2500k and avoid purchasing a video card overall, but in the build listed below the motherboard has no onboard graphics. What else would you recommend?

AS rock H61M/U3S3: $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

 

[ScrewySqrl]

it list no onboard because its On the CPU itself. The P67 bypasses the on-die GPU and allows overclocking. The H67 reverses that. The H61 is like the H67, but No RAID. Most H61s also don't have SATA 3/USB3, but the model I listed *does*.

The 2500K/2600K hqave the HD3000 built in (about a AMD 5450 in ability), the rest have teh HD2000 (about any other on-motherboard GPU ability)

 

[devilduck79]

Ahh... went back to the reviews I've been reading and all of them give benchmarks with video cards. This is sweet, going to definitely go with the i5 now. Thanks again!

it list no onboard because its On the CPU itself. The P67 bypasses the on-die GPU and allows overclocking. The H67 reverses that. The H61 is like the H67, but No RAID. Most H61s also don't have SATA 3/USB3, but the model I listed *does*.

The 2500K/2600K hqave the HD3000 built in (about a AMD 5450 in ability), the rest have teh HD2000 (about any other on-motherboard GPU ability)

 

[devilduck79]

Alright so this is what I ended up buying... I'm a little over my budget but I think it was well worth it.


- ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

- XIGMATEK ACXTNRP-PC402 400W ATX12V Ver.2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

- Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

- Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

- Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT

- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1-Pack - OEM


I think it's going to be a good HTPC. Thanks for everyones suggestions.

 

[devilduck79]

Oh yeah, any suggestions on monitors?

 

[ScrewySqrl]

well, if it'll be an HTPC, won't your monitor be your TV?

 

[devilduck79]

Yeah but I'm going to be using it for work too, I noted above, photoshop and web dev. Going to be connected to my home network but need it at the desk. I think I found one. Thanks for all your help.