Media Center + Work PC ($750)

[rogued]

Greetings:

My current system is no longer cutting it. I last relied on the help of a friend in 2004 to build my own system, and a couple minor upgrades + nearly 10 years I'm ready to tap the community again for able assistance. I'm greatly appreciative of folks who are willing to share their expertise. Thanks in advance!

Approx. Purchase Date: e.g.: by Friday 1/25

Budget: $700-750 USD before shipping

System Usage: streaming, sending movies to 46'' plasma HDTV, photoshop, educational software (SMART notebook)

Buying Monitor: No

OS:Win 7 preferred but could be convinced otherwise. I'm slow to change OS though - still using XP on my old machine. Could go to Win 8 some day, or the next windows.

Site for Parts: not critical but have an account @ newegg.

Location: Syracuse, NY

Parts Preferences: none

Overclocking: maybe; not a concern for my style of computing?

SLI or Crossfire: don't think this applies to me; had to look it up to find out what it is.

Monitor Resolution: 1680x1050; might like to upgrade monitor in the future (have Acer 20'' now).

Other: Quality, quiet PS with a nice, functional case a plus. No window or bling; straightforward and functional.
Would like to run a SSD for OS if possible, and optical drive should be blu-ray to send to TV.

Why Upgrading: running slow on XP; ready to jump to Win 7 and get a high-end graphics card to send signal to my TV and rock this system for 5 years plus. I don't have cable TV; this will be an entertainment center + work PC.

 

[rogued]

ps - I set up PC part picker too if there is a good link for all this already out there. Thanks.

 

[djangoringo]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H77M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.57 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7750 1GB Video Card ($93.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (32-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $734.26
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[jmsellars1]

You don't really need a good GPU to watch 1080P movies anymore, integrated graphics has gotten really good. You could get something like the i3-3225, i5-3570k or the i7-3770 and use the integrated graphics. They all have HD 4000 which is more than enough.

 

[rogued]

Thanks, both, for the replies.
I have a couple questions:

1. How does this system differ from one using the same specs but for a person who wants a gaming system? I'm curious what differences there might be and wonder if they would be overkill for my wants.

2. I forgot to mention I'd be interested in a blu-ray drive for my optical.
jmsellars1 has said that the integrated graphics card will be fine; I would like that to be the case. I wonder, though - is it possible to send a video signal out through an HDMI to the TV whilst doing something else on a monitor coming from the same computer?

 

[rogued]

You don't really need a good GPU to watch 1080P movies anymore, integrated graphics has gotten really good. You could get something like the i3-3225, i5-3570k or the i7-3770 and use the integrated graphics. They all have HD 4000 which is more than enough.

I know this may be difficult to answer, but: Is the quality of the integrated graphics card on the i3, i5, or i7 you mention enough to make me ok with that 5+ years down the road (same type of usage + reasonable expectation of technology changes)? Or perhaps I could always get another video card down the road if I so chose . . .

 

[jmsellars1]

For a gaming machine, an i3 or i5 is still fine. You will want a decent graphics card though. i3 or better should always be fine for 1080p movies, even in 5 years. Yes you can connect 2 monitors using integrated graphics so long as the mobo has the ports you need.

 

[rogued]

Thanks again for the reply. I'm thinking to go with the i7-3770.

Why not Windows 7 64-bit?

Any recommendations for a solid optical blu-ray drive? I would like to write the occasional CD but don't care about writing blu-ray.

 

[djangoringo]

Thanks again for the reply. I'm thinking to go with the i7-3770.

Why not Windows 7 64-bit?

Any recommendations for a solid optical blu-ray drive? I would like to write the occasional CD but don't care about writing blu-ray.

A card like the 7750 could prove to be good for other stuff, but you can drop it for now, and just get the i5-3570k(quad core unlocked), the i7 is too expensive, in my opinion not worth it.
It has the intel hd 4000 graphics, when movies start to feel sluggish add a gfx card(in years to come)
This list includes a ssd,bluray drive, os :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.50 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS29 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($45.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (32-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $718.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[iceclock]

only problem is there that card doesnt support true sli or crossfire, second pci-express port is only 4x, so thats a sli or crossfire fail right there. cant even run correctly might as well go with a full sli and xfire board or none at all.

here my build, u dont need an i5 to stream stuff, i got u an amd with the a decent integrated gpu plenty to stream.

an htpc case. better ssd.

also the pc is more power efficient.

decent build tho.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zeBB
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zeBB/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zeBB/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($116.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus F2A85-M/CSM Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Memory: Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: nMEDIAPC HTPC 1080P HTPC Case ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($55.98 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $689.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-23 21:15 EST-0500)

Base Total: $674.87
Shipping: $14.99
Total: $689.86
(Using your selected merchants and only including nearby in-store pickup prices)

 

[rogued]

I'm just now noticing that I ended up on Tom's Hardware UK instead of the US . . .what the heck?! My first reaction was to curse google . . . but folks here are plenty helpful. Thanks djangoringo, iceclock, and jmsellars1.

 

[iceclock]

also the real price for djangorinos build is:$754.40


im saving u 70$ about.

 

[djangoringo]

I never said it was to crossfire or sli.
The parts that i suggest don't even have a card(second build).
An i5 for photoshop might be useful, listed desire by the op.

 

[iceclock]

i dint say u did but u chose one with fake crossfire or sli on it, just a waste of money unless u just want it for oc sake.

amd quadcore is quite fine with photoshop actually, doubt hes doing any professional work.

anyways if the op wants an intel build.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zeOi
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zeOi/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zeOi/benchmarks/

Motherboard: EVGA 120-SB-E672-KR Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.98 @ Outlet PC)
Case: nMEDIAPC HTPC 1080P HTPC Case ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($52.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($55.98 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Other: 3570k ($224.00)
Total: $793.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-23 21:29 EST-0500)

Base Total: $778.88
Shipping: $14.99
Total: $793.87



with a proper sli motherboard

 

[jmsellars1]

I wouldn't SLI on a mATX board to be honest.

 

[iceclock]

theres no reason not too.

 

[jmsellars1]

Everything would be much closer together so it would get hotter/louder and you would use pretty much all your expansion slots on graphics cards.

 

[iceclock]

just saying whynot if u got the option.

 

[rogued]

Best answer selected by rogued.