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hitchface · 04-25-2013, 05:37 PM

Hey folks, long time no post.

My current computer is on its last legs and I'll need to invest in a new machine soon. I have and plan on keeping all of my current peripherals, so really the box is the only thing in need of replacing. I'll post my loose plan, but I'd like to hear some of your experiences/ideas. I want to undershoot $1000 by as much as humanly possible.

Uses: Web browsing (LOTS of video and streaming content), HD video playback/light editing, recording/music playback. Recording usage is fairly light...no more than 2 or 3 tracks at a time, with most of the processing being outboard. All of my video recording is also outboard, so direct video capture isn't necessary.

*Silverstone HTPC case or similar. Smaller profile is preferrable, but I want to keep fans down to a minimum. Probably looking at a small all-in-one CPU liquid cooler/exhaust fan. Last I checked, these weren't the best idea ever, but maybe things have changed?

*micro-ATX Intel-compatible board. From what I know, Intel is still making the coolest running chips for the dollar. Willing to be proven wrong.

*150mm PSU, modular is a MUST. Not a lot of room in those cases, and I need all the airflow I can get. I currently have a 750 watt PCPnC unit, but it is physically huge and likely overkill for this system.

*8 gigs of RAM. Sure, I could go 16, but my current rig has 2 gigs DDR2800 and it does just fine.

*Video card is the trick. Something that will run HD video at resolutions between 1650x1080 and 1920x1080 (current screen is the former, but also getting old). My current card is a last gen nVidia (GTX 260 I think) that could work, but it is also getting to be old.

That is the loose blueprint for now. I don't like the idea of an all in one like a Mac Mini, partly because I can be a control freak and partly because I want to be able to upgrade this thing as needed and not be waiting on someone else to fix it. That is how I got so much life out of my current computer, and its former life was very demanding.

Thoughts?

Oh, and it is cool to see how many of you are still around. Great community.

04-25-2013, 05:37 PM	#1
hitchface Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,387	Recording/HTPC build Hey folks, long time no post. My current computer is on its last legs and I'll need to invest in a new machine soon. I have and plan on keeping all of my current peripherals, so really the box is the only thing in need of replacing. I'll post my loose plan, but I'd like to hear some of your experiences/ideas. I want to undershoot $1000 by as much as humanly possible. Uses: Web browsing (LOTS of video and streaming content), HD video playback/light editing, recording/music playback. Recording usage is fairly light...no more than 2 or 3 tracks at a time, with most of the processing being outboard. All of my video recording is also outboard, so direct video capture isn't necessary. Silverstone HTPC case or similar. Smaller profile is preferrable, but I want to keep fans down to a minimum. Probably looking at a small all-in-one CPU liquid cooler/exhaust fan. Last I checked, these weren't the best idea ever, but maybe things have changed? micro-ATX Intel-compatible board. From what I know, Intel is still making the coolest running chips for the dollar. Willing to be proven wrong. 150mm PSU, modular is a MUST. Not a lot of room in those cases, and I need all the airflow I can get. I currently have a 750 watt PCPnC unit, but it is physically huge and likely overkill for this system. 8 gigs of RAM. Sure, I could go 16, but my current rig has 2 gigs DDR2800 and it does just fine. *Video card is the trick. Something that will run HD video at resolutions between 1650x1080 and 1920x1080 (current screen is the former, but also getting old). My current card is a last gen nVidia (GTX 260 I think) that could work, but it is also getting to be old. That is the loose blueprint for now. I don't like the idea of an all in one like a Mac Mini, partly because I can be a control freak and partly because I want to be able to upgrade this thing as needed and not be waiting on someone else to fix it. That is how I got so much life out of my current computer, and its former life was very demanding. Thoughts? Oh, and it is cool to see how many of you are still around. Great community. __________________ Disclosure: I make bad music. Listener beware.