New build

Crazy Climber

Crazy Climber

Crazy Climber

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Joined
4 Mar 2011
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41
Hi. This is the first time I've built a computer for a while... so need some advice.

I'm thinking about building a computer firstly for playing movies, music and probably tv - something along the lines of a home media centre...

Now, my next thought is can I also build this as a computer to store files etc on for my laptop to access (and other computers in the house too) so working in a server sort of capacity... this is something I know nothing about by the way.

I am looking to do this on a budget (i.e. as cheap as possible.) just to make life even easier.

Now what I am asking, is firstly, some one to tell me this is never going to happen and point me in a more realistic direction (or fingers crossed, say yes this is possible)

next, some advice on which hardware to be looking at. I've been reading some stuff on here, but been out of the computer loop for quite a while so not too sure whats what right now.

I'm not too fussed about a tiny case, I'm thinking more just get a nice looking case.

Thats about it for now so see what people think...
 
So... what budget ideally? Do you need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, Windows, etc?

If you're not going to game on it then we should be able to spec a pretty cheap PC.
 
Erm budget wise if I say 2-300, would this be sensible? Basically I've no idea what would be a reasonable budget but the cheaper I can get a reasonable PC that will last/be upgrade-able in the future the better.

I would be needing a monitor idealy, but If I can aquire one then I can make my life cheaper. Keyboard and mouse I think Ive got some lying around - I'm not worried about wireless etc to begin with, can always add this as money allows.

Windows would be a no too I think. I'd quite like to try out Linux, I've dabbled in it before but not to any great extent and not recently.

I wouldn't be gaming on it. However, I do some CAD work with some 3D rendering at times too. I'm thinking the requirements for this would be similar to media centre type requirements so would be looking to add this capability in the future if not from the outset. Again, please correct me if I'm off the mark on this.

Cheers!!
 
Ok so had a quick look over the weekend. Figured a CPU is the best place to start.

how does the AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 255 3.10GHz (Socket AM3) look?

I have done come CAD/3D work on my laptop with a 1.6GHz CPU and 1GB RAM so would this CPU be a bit over kill. i.e. would saveing some money here with a slighly lower rated CPU still give me good enough results for TV/Music/file sharing/ocasional CAD work?
 
Good place to start, hows this look? Included a Blu Ray player

Samsung SH-B123L/BSBP 12x BluRay ROM DVDRW DL & RAM Lightscribe SATAII Optical Drive - OEM Black £47.99
AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 255 3.10GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £47.99
Asus M4A78LT-M 760G (Socket AM3) DDR3 Motherboard £43.99
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD103SJ) £42.98
OcUK Aphrodite Media Case - Black £39.82
OCZ Platinum 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Ultra Low Voltage Dual Channel Kit (OCZ3P1333C9ELV4GK) £31.99
HIS ATI Radeon HD 5450 512MB GDDR3 SILENT Low Profile PCI-Express Graphics Card (H545HR512) £29.99
Sub Total : £237.29
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £10.00
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £49.46
Total : £296.75
 
That spec looks pretty good for the spec requested, and it has a blu-ray! Does the case bring a PSU ? Didn't see one on the spec?

The OP also needs a monitor ;)
 
Didnt read OPs 2nd post, my bad, read media centre so assumed no need for monitor
yes case includes PSU, if youre looking at doing CAD/rendering then ideally look at a quad core CPU in fact as this will help massively, could obv drop Blu Ray player if you only need DVD which would allow for inclusion of quad core in budget, youre going to be struggling to get any kinda spec in budget including a monitor as this will use up £100 of budget itself
 
Cheers. That gives me something to look at :)

The AM3 socket would be fairly easy to upgrade would it not? ie if I started with the duel core then in the future decided the Quad was needed this would be fairly easy?

Looking at the Hard Drives, I would never use the 1TB, but I also wouldnt find many for less than the one suggested would i?


Wouldn't really used the blu ray player I don't think so a plain DVD RW would be more than adiquate.

The motherboard comes with on board graphics, does anyone know what these are like? I know a graphics card would be best, but if the on board would be adiquate then its something that can be upgraded in the future (once I had more cash)

cheers for the suggestions :)
 
Just when I think I'm getting somewhere I read something else that makes me wonder...

I presume that Dual core would be more than enough for my needs as above? and the only advantage of a quad core would be for gaming?
 
Well it depends if your CAD/3D work is likely to get any more intensive in the future, if it runs fine on a single core laptop then I would have assumed you'd be fine with a dual core.
 
Ok, so spent most of my weekend so far looking at computer components and trying to compare specs... I now have a few more questions...

Motherboard: For a similar price I have found the Gigabyte GA-MA78LMT-US2H 760G
(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-245-GI&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=1481)

or the original suggestion of Asus M4A78LT-M 760G (Socket AM3)
(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-424-AS&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=1481)

Is there a great difference in these and what would your recommendation be?

Memory: all 4GB (2x2GB) OCZ 1333MHz or OCZ1600MHz or Kingston HyperX 1600MHz

Would I have comparability issues with any of these? and in real terms is there a massive difference between 1333 and 1600?

Case: OcUK Hades Micro ATX Tower Case
(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-018-OP&tool=3)

or OCUK EZCool NA-705 Case
(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-043-OP)
Does this case come with Fans? if so how many and how many can it take total?

What are peoples views/ experiences with either of these and their PSUs?

CPU: I have found an Athlon II X2 Dual Core 3.20GHz (Socket AM3) for a similar price to the 3.10GHZ - in real terms, how much of an improvement would this be on speed ect?
Also will the Retail cooler that comes bundled be adequite or would an after-market one be a better choice. If so what would you suggest?

TV Cards: Compro VideoMate DVB-T100 Digital TV Internal PCI
(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-007-CP&groupid=701&catid=1915&subcat=)

or Compro VideoMate DVB-T220 Digital TV Internal PCI
(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-008-CP&groupid=701&catid=1915&subcat=)

We only have freeview, no sky. would either of these be suitable for this?

Basically if anyone has any opinions on any of these components or alternatives, or notices compatibility issues or any other dramas, please share...

Cheers :)
 
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