Planning HTPC

Where does he get those wonderful toys!?!?
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shiram
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Planning HTPC

Post by shiram »

after pondering over if i really needed a laptop, to replace my pc
i decided that i did not... i got a work laptop i can take home if i need to , and i'd much prefer to have a media hub pc, that runs all my video and audio, net-ready and all. plus computing on a 40inch screen is just cool

i already have a decent receiver and a set of ok 5.1 speakers, that are good enough for an apartment

im just hoping you can maybe give an opinion on the hardware i got lined up

* CPU: Phenom X3 8750 Black Edition HD875ZWCGHBOX 2.4GHz Socket AM2+, $148.49
* Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2HP AMD 780G chipset microATX, $93.75
* Memory: A-DATA ADQVE1B16K DDR2-800 2 x 2GB Kit, $45
* HDD: Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB SATA, $94
* Case: Antec Fusion Remote Black, $187
* Total Cost: $ 570

i'll use the onboard sound and vid untill further along when i got more $ to throw at it
not really going for a tv tuner as of now either
all this stuff seems to have good reviews from what i saw

edit : prices are in CDN$ and taken form newegg.ca, so they should be slightly higher than what you united-statians can find on newegg.com
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

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ZoSo
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Post by ZoSo »

Are you building the comp, or buying a package?

Intel flat out pwns AMD right now. Of course the AMD will be fine, though - your call :)

I just bought a new pwn ass gaming comp at the end of Oct. I researched every single part and it's fuckin wicked. Spent $900 total.

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16ghz (overclocked to 4.1ghz)
8 gb OCZ Reaper RAM (running at 1080 mhz)
ATI HD 4850 gfx
Antec 1200 case
Vista 64
etc

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySa ... ID=9747426

check http://www.overclock.net and http://www.tomshardware.com for hardware stats, reviews and shit.
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shiram
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Post by shiram »

im buying it in pieces
i was mainly going from a htpc guide i found
there we're recommended intel system as well, but I've been with amd for a while and i haven't had an issue, and the toughest thing this system will have to do is play dvds / blu-ray (if i ever buckle down and switch to bluray)

i'll check my pieces on your websites, to make sure, but im hitching to order all this up
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

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Bane
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Post by Bane »

You still need a graphics card.

Other than that, I also would advice on Intel now. This generation is far better than AMD. A couple of years ago it was the opposite way around, and it may change back again in the future. But you will be ready to buy a new one again in teh future, so no point in buying the second best this generation just out of pure solidarity, IMHO.

As said though, the actual performance difference is seldom noticable for a anything less than a super-geek, but Intel do give more bang for the buck..
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shiram
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Post by shiram »

as i said i'll use the onboard video for now, untill i scrunge up more cash
then i'll look for some decent vid cards
also i wanna have the case in hadn before buying the vid card, as its a small factor case, and size might be an issue

as for the cpu : what im getting from both you is that intel is only marginally better
the techs in here are telling me about the same, or that intel is generally better but that AMD is better in audio/video stuff
as for my choice, amd is less expensive, so there we go
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

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ZoSo
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Post by ZoSo »

also, if you're buying a new Vista OS, be sure to get a 64 bit. there's no downside and it will recognize all your RAM
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ZoSo
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Post by ZoSo »

also, i've never heard of that RAM. get this, imo. it's definitely the best 800 mhz RAM out there. :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231209
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Post by ZoSo »

and you'll need a PSU. Seasonic is a top end company with the best efficiency ratings.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... n=Seasonic
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shiram
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Post by shiram »

thanks zo
i'll compare the ram when i get a chance
as for the psu, there's an antec silent one in comes with the case
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

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