Spot on spec, or throwing money away?

Gingerbread Man · 22 Jan 2011 at 17:59

Media centre build. I have this sitting on my table specified by a friend at the local computer shop. I'm not 100% sure on it and could take some back tomorrow if you agree with my thinking.

So, running Windows 7 Media Centre with DVD's (Blu Rays/ Standard DVD's and music) ripped to hard drives. I want this to run smoothly and happily. I don't want to play games or anything else. Is the spec below over the top? Am I throwing money away anywhere?

Corsair CX 430W ATX PSU - This was recommend to me on here, so I think it's staying.

2tb hard drive x 2 for a raid 1 setup - happy with this.

Blu Ray drive - happy.

Now for the things I'm a bit questionable about.

Gigabyte GA-MA74GMT-S2 AMD 740G (Socket AM3) Motherboard - AMD or Intel - I'm happy either way really. No HDMI out on this as I'm using a.....

Radeon HD5450 graphics card - Using the HDMI out on this for audio and video. Do I need this separate card or can I swap the mobo and this in for an inbuilt graphics/ mobo combi?

Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit - do I need 4 gig?

AMD Athlon II X4 640 Quad Core 3.0GHz Socket AM3 - Is this CPU over the top or just fine for my needs?

Cleeecooo · 22 Jan 2011 at 18:04

X3 will be enough. I'd still stick to the X4 tho. You only really need 2 GB but agin, stick with 4. I'd still keep your 5450 as it is always better to have separate graphics, make sure you get a passively cooled one

Gingerbread Man · 22 Jan 2011 at 18:21

Cleeecooo said:
X3 will be enough. I'd still stick to the X4 tho. You only really need 2 GB but agin, stick with 4. I'd still keep your 5450 as it is always better to have separate graphics, make sure you get a passively cooled one

So you're saying keep it all and get on putting it together? Good spec for what I need. Good spec, not ott.

Sootie · 22 Jan 2011 at 18:27

If you are going to be running this 24/7 a more energy efficient version of the processor might be worth having. Otherwise looks fine.

Gingerbread Man · 22 Jan 2011 at 18:29

Sootie said:
If you are going to be running this 24/7 a more energy efficient version of the processor might be worth having. Otherwise looks fine.

What are your suggestions?

Sootie · 22 Jan 2011 at 18:41

There are a couple - these are 45W processors rather than 95W
AMD CPU Athlon II 610e - Quadcore
AMD CPU Athlon II 415e - tricore

Problem is, they are more expensive than conventional processors and a lot more difficult to get hold of!

So I'd say stick with the one you've got!

Gingerbread Man · 22 Jan 2011 at 18:42

Sootie said:
There are a couple - these are 45W processors rather than 95W
AMD CPU Athlon II 610e - Quadcore
AMD CPU Athlon II 415e - tricore

Problem is, they are more expensive than conventional processors and a lot more difficult to get hold of!

So I'd say stick with the one you've got!

Okay cheers.

Cookeh · 22 Jan 2011 at 19:10

the HD5670 would be a lot better card, but yours is adequate.

Quad core is overkill, X2 would be more the enough. Ideally you want a m-ATX board for HTPC use as well.