Building a PC for Multipurpose/Media - Please review!

[Crush3d]

Hello all,

First off, I'd like to thank you all for taking a look at my build and reviewing so many builds. It takes a lot of time and I probably speak for most that have done so in saying that we appreciate what you all do for those of us that just can't seem to keep up with the times! Below is my build that I have at the moment and I'd love to hear your feed back on how I can possibly improve it!

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the week (Possibly tomorrow if everything checks out!)

Budget Range: $700-$800

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Media (BluRays/DVD's/Netflix) and Pay bills/Facebook Games

Are you buying a monitor:No

Parts to Upgrade: Buying all new parts (see below)

Do you need to buy OS: Yes (Included, see below)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg or Amazon.

Location: Pennsylvania, USA

Parts Preferences: None (No cheapo's, please )

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 46 Inch 1080p TV

Additional Comments: I asked for some preliminary assistance a few days ago to get me started. My original thread was about a HTPC, however, after some light discussion what I'm seeking isn't necessarily a HTPC, to be precise. I'm looking for something that will sit near my TV and will be used primarily for watching BluRays, light streaming from Netflix, be connected to my printer, and be used for casual internet usage and paying bills.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Our old computer is.. old. Looking to custom build a new PC.

PARTS LIST:

CPU/GPU:
AMD A8-3850 Llano 2.9GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 6550D AD3850WNGXBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103942

MOBO:
ASRock A75M FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157260

CASE:
COOLER MASTER Elite 341 RC-341C-KKN1-GP Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119193

CD/BLURAY:
ASUS Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135247

PSU:
Rosewill CAPSTONE Series CAPSTONE-450 450W Continuous @ 50°C, 80 PLUS GOLD Certified, Single +12V Rail, ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92, SLI Ready, CrossFire Ready, Active - PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=4176827&SID=198642wa50232

MEMORY:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL8D-4GBHK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231180

HD:
Western Digital RE4 WD5003ABYX 500GB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136697

SSD:
Intel 330 Series Maple Crest SSDSC2CT120A3K5 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167121

OS:
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116992

Total: $724.91

I really appreciate the time you all spend reviewing and commenting. Please let me know if there are any major (or even minor) oversights in compatibility, suboptimal parts, etc.

Thanks again!

 

[chulex67]

Okey First Of all I dont Recomend The A8 3850 in Desktops pc at all.

Why? Because the New Gen of these Cpus is Coming Out in like 1 month and they will have a good Boost on Performance and They will use a diferrent plataform. Also You Spend Less Money and Gain More Performance If you go Intel+dedicated Video Card.
Let me post you a build that i suggest for you.

CASE : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352009

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116399

MOTHERBOARD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128540

MEMORY RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

VIDEO CARD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102969

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703034

and just add your OS, SSD, HD and blue ray. Will give you more performance and you will spend less money.

 

[Crush3d]

First of all, thank you for the comment/suggestion. A few questions, if I may.

I like the case, it will save me a few dollars. I have heard of CoolerMaster which is why I overlooked that case (a brand I did not know). I could also save a few dollars with the memory that you suggested, thanks!

My questions are as follows:

1.) I'm not sure how I save money with the Intel + Discrete, the combo you suggested is $164, while the APU is only $110. Perhaps my performance would be better on the top end, however, would I ever get there watching DVD's/Blurays or browsing the net? My issue with the motherboard, though it is cheaper and suited for the setup you suggested, is that it does not have HDMI, which I would be using to connect to my TV.

2.) I picked my power supply based on the suggestions in another sub-forum (The CPU & Components forum) in which it was recommended in the sticky. I've also seen many, many posts about not going with "off-brand" power supplies. I've never heard of PC Power and Cooling as a brand - is it truly reliable?

Thanks again for the comments, I would love to hear more from you and others!

 

[chulex67]

1.- The 6550D is Enough to Watch Blue Ray and 1080p , I Suggested the Intel Root because even that cpu have more proccesing power that you Would Not Notice at all with the Workload you want to do. So Yeah You Will not See Any performance boost from one or another. The 7750 Will be more Future proof and faster.

2.- i tought it was other psu, but yeah that psu its really nice, Good to go with the psu you choosed btw, Pc power and Cooling is one of the best brands in psu it usually goes : Corsair, Seasonic, Antec , Enermax , PC power and Cooling.

The case i suggested can stock your ssd and hdd, yours cant, so you will need to get a 2.5 to 3.5 adapter if you want to keep the coolermaster case , some mushkin ssd sell their ssd with adapters.

So in less words, I would Rather go Intel+video card (my build) because i will be able to use it for atleast 3 years without slowing down, its smaller and draws less power than the apu build.

 

[chulex67]

This is the Adapter you should get for your SSD, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994085

 

[chulex67]

I got an Htpc and Use this Keyboard with it:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994085

Its Wireless has a track pad, its an easy way to change from Videos to web browsing from my sofa. Totally Worth it.

 

[Crush3d]

Can you repost with the link to the keyboard so I can check it out, you accidentally posted the bracket again.

Thanks.