Help spec a media PC

Tombles · 15 Sep 2009 at 19:27

Hi guys,

I have been out the loop for a little while with hardware and my friend wants me to build him a new media PC.

He has around £800 to spend but if big improvements can be made by spending a little more he will.

His requirements are to be able to watch films with it via his TV (including Blu-Ray), listen to music and use it for the occassional gaming. This means ideally it would be a quiet machine for the use of watching films but good enough to play the odd game without struggling. Of course being as future proof as possible is also a good thing. He will not be overclocking at all so no need for OTT coolers and the likes.

Any help much appreciated

coupe69 · 15 Sep 2009 at 20:25

Something like this perhaps? I'm presuming with you saying "media pc" it's going in his front room?

Didn't know whether you needed an os putting on as well, so I've included W7, but obviously this isn't out till October. Apart from that this spec should do the job well.

Hopefully Scythe will bring out an 1156 bracket for their mini ninja soon, as this would make the system I've specced very quiet indeed, it's as if the mini ninja was purposely designed for the Antec fusion

Tombles · 16 Sep 2009 at 10:25

Thanks for the spec it looks good

Would there be much more to gain if he was to spend an extra £100 or so?

coupe69 · 16 Sep 2009 at 23:45

Tombles said:
Thanks for the spec it looks good

Would there be much more to gain if he was to spend an extra £100 or so?

I guess you could spend more on the video card, and maybe upgrade the soundcard, although this depends on how much of an audiophile your mate is?

What resolution and quality is your friend wanting to run his games at?

Tombles · 17 Sep 2009 at 15:17

Showed my friend the spec and he is wanting to add another couple of things to the list. As it will mainly be used for media he would like a seperate sound card and a tv tuner card. Would adding these cards still fit in the Antec Fusion or would it be better to put it in a normal PC case (like the Antec 300 he has seen).

He will not be a hardcore gamer so the res and quality wont need to be top notch but good enough to play current games and future games without struggling too much.

5abr3 · 17 Sep 2009 at 18:16

They should fit, I haven't seen the rear of the case but from other cases the 4 slots should be in a position that all 4 internal cardslots (2 PCI-e and 2 PCI) can be used. You will fill either the PCI-e or the PCI dependant on which connector you get a TV tuner for.