I currently have two builds that were popular here years ago, but are now starting to show their age. I'm not sure whether to reuse some of what I have or start from scratch:
HTPC: (5.5yrs old) Athlon 64 X2 2.4Ghz / 2Gb / IGP / Low RPM HDD / Antec Fusion Case
Mainly for: HD Video / Media Server
Desktop: (4yrs old) i5-750 / 8Gb / Radeon 5850 / Normal HDD / Sileo 500 Case
Mainly for: 1080p Gaming / Stuff you can't do on an iPad easily
I thought of two options but not sure which to take or if there's a better route. Would appreciate some input!
Option 1 - Cheapest / Easiest
Desktop: Add an SSD / Radeon 280x, keep the rest.
HTPC: New Trinity A8-5600k / A55 Mobo / 8Gb Ram / Small SSD. Keep the rest.
But no room in HTPC case for SSD, will have to stick it to the side or something. How long will the i5-750 keep up with gaming? Will it be a bottleneck?
Option 2 - Longer term but more hassle / expense?
HTPC: Use the old desktop components / New GD07 Case (as the 5850 won't fit) / New CPU Cooler as the Noctua I have won't fit / Add an SSD
Desktop: New i5-4670k / 8Gb Ram / Radeon 280x / New Mobo / SSD / USB 3.0 Front Panel (needed for case) / New PSU
Essentially the time of building 2 PCs. Longer term the larger HTPC case will be better. But will I get 4 years out of the Desktop like I did with the i5-750 / 5850 combo that has aged really well?
Part of me wants to reuse the Desktop components as it seems less wasteful but I'm not sure it's worth it? Realistically I won't overclock either PC as it's more important for the PCs to stay quiet.
HTPC: (5.5yrs old) Athlon 64 X2 2.4Ghz / 2Gb / IGP / Low RPM HDD / Antec Fusion Case
Mainly for: HD Video / Media Server
Desktop: (4yrs old) i5-750 / 8Gb / Radeon 5850 / Normal HDD / Sileo 500 Case
Mainly for: 1080p Gaming / Stuff you can't do on an iPad easily
I thought of two options but not sure which to take or if there's a better route. Would appreciate some input!
Option 1 - Cheapest / Easiest
Desktop: Add an SSD / Radeon 280x, keep the rest.
HTPC: New Trinity A8-5600k / A55 Mobo / 8Gb Ram / Small SSD. Keep the rest.
But no room in HTPC case for SSD, will have to stick it to the side or something. How long will the i5-750 keep up with gaming? Will it be a bottleneck?
Option 2 - Longer term but more hassle / expense?
HTPC: Use the old desktop components / New GD07 Case (as the 5850 won't fit) / New CPU Cooler as the Noctua I have won't fit / Add an SSD
Desktop: New i5-4670k / 8Gb Ram / Radeon 280x / New Mobo / SSD / USB 3.0 Front Panel (needed for case) / New PSU
Essentially the time of building 2 PCs. Longer term the larger HTPC case will be better. But will I get 4 years out of the Desktop like I did with the i5-750 / 5850 combo that has aged really well?
Part of me wants to reuse the Desktop components as it seems less wasteful but I'm not sure it's worth it? Realistically I won't overclock either PC as it's more important for the PCs to stay quiet.
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