Help with first pc build

sharpting

sharpting

sharpting

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16 May 2011
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I am looking to build a new base unit. I am not a gamer and would use it more as a HTPC than anything else. I know I won't necessarily need a fantastic spec to accomplish this but I want a really fast pc so I can multitask without any delay and also future proof. So far I have decided on an I7-2600k CPU sitting on an Asus p8z68-v pro.

I hope (for now at least) to use the integrated graphics to hook my monitor (dvi or vga) and also my TV via HDMI so although I’m not asking for advice on a graphics card, I am after advice on everything else.

The main thing I am wrecking my head about at the moment is the case, I want something that will lay flat under my TV and look like it’s supposed to be there but my initial investigations make me think I am a little limited as I have chosen an ATX board. It would be nice to have an IR receiver built in but that’s not a necessity (I’ve read bad things about Imon also). Also I’d like it to be quiet.

I suppose after that I will need your expert opinions on Ram, CPU Cooler, SSD (will I need one? If so will it just be to hold the OS?), TV Tuner, and the only other thing I can think of right now is the Remote control. I am after something that I can use to power off my TV as well as my PC, also to use the functions of freeview.

I was hoping to keep the cost of the box around or under £1000 but would rather stretch to around £1500 than scrimp on quality.

Ok thanks for all the help in advance
 
What you want is something like the Zotac ZBOX. It's designed from the start as an HTPC for 1080p playback, but can still browse the internet and play music. If you're desperate for other computing purposes like MS Office, buy a laptop as well.

Don't spend £1000+ on an i7 2600K if it's for an HTPC- even if you keep it running for the next 10 years, there will be no performance increase over the build I linked.
 
Sorry, I think I came across as wanting a HTPC and not really anything else. I am looking to replace my current pc and thought building it with HTPC in mind would kill a few birds with one stone meaning not only would I have a nice, new fast pc but also I would be able to ditch the crappy EPG on my new TV and play movies from my HDD on my TV.
 
What other uses do you have for it? I fail to see what a £1500 desktop can do, but a £400 media center and a £300 laptop can't, unless you're gaming or doing some serious video editing / encoding.
 
I am hoping to build my own as I never have and I thought doing this would get me the best performing system. I don't need to hit £1500, in fact under grand would be good.

I will be transferring movies from my camcorder and eventually may want to play a few games also.
 
Fair enough if you want to build your own, just heed my call that transferring movies and browsing the internet are things that old Pentiums are capable of, never mind HTPC boxes. You don't need extra performance, except for gaming.

An AMD build, with a Phenom II X4 840, a Hyper 212 Plus, 880GM-UD2H, 4GB of DDR3-1600 RAM, an F3 1TB, and a nice 650W XFX or Corsair modular PSU will give you a nice little system with HDMI output that's fun to build and will handle anything you throw at it. Get a nice case of your choosing, and a graphics card when you decide to start gaming (onboard is fine for now). You can even stick an overclock on it if you want.

Best of all, you can get all of the above for £300, plus whatever the case / GFX costs.
 
For comparison, an i5 2500K would be another £130, and an i7 2600K would be an extra £70, for a total of £200 over the above build. Both significant improvements in CPU power, and within your budget, so get them if you want them.
 
I think hybrid is spot on. If all you want to do is play films/browse the net etc then an all in one solution solution such as an an Acer Revo or Zotac Z box will fit bill nicely, particularly if you are wanting it to sit in the living room and be discrete.

If on the other-hand you want something a bit bigger then a basic AMD tri-core / 4GB RAM etc system will be fine. I recently built a HTPC for just over £200 and does everything a basic PC/HTPC needs to do. (clicky in my sig of HTPC).

I guess it really depends on what you mean by multitasking and how much the system will be being pushed.
 
Thanks for all your suggestions so far. I am hoping for the best spec because I hate upgrading. I'd rather put the money in now and run it until it dies / becomes far too outdated to be of use. If it lasts me 5 -10 years then I'll be happy.
 
I'll only say it once more. YOU DO NOT NEED TOP SPECS TO FUTUREPROOF AN HTPC. A £400 computer will last just as long as a £1500 until you need to upgrade it- basically, until one of the parts dies, or the computer just gets very old/worn, which you can stave off with good maintenance.

As for gaming, just stick a decent PSU in now, and buy a graphics card when you feel like gaming. It's easy as anything to open up a box and stick a graphics card in, and by waiting until you actually need to buy one, you will get *vastly* better value for money. If you want to buy a graphics card that will be top of the range in 5 years time, ask somebody with a 7950 GX2 (~£500 odd card from 2006) how it's performing now. Here's a hint: rubbish.
 
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