Newbie Htpc/ Work

[candyman206]

Hey guys. I've always wanted to get into pc's. So.. I have been searching and scanning around this site for info. I read the stickies and I understand them. So, to follow the outline that might give the most info for what I need help with is how I will describe it. I was looking into a HTPC/ WORKING, because I want it mainly for lookig at clips, vids, and whole lot of movies on disk. But I just don't want a HT. I do daily web searching and have a lady that is in college, so I wanted it to be pretty fast on the web also. I wanted to know the basics, such as what will fit in a $1000 dollar budget just the case and everthing in it such as vid card, sound card for big speaker setups "big bass and clear highs and mids," motherboard, PCU, and all the other stuff. IF it helps I want it to be able to hook up to a 32" LCD digitally. Thanks

[Nav]

hey there and welcome to PC MECH! a htpc will function exactly as a desktop computer except it has the ability to record tv and what not. you should off by picking out a case. do you like the little cube ones or are you ok with a mid-sized tower? what case you pick determines the motherboard. also, do you prefer intel over amd? and for video do you prefer ati over nvidia? it doesnt really matter, it is just personal preference. for your speakers, are you good with 2.1 speakers (one front left, one front right, one sub woofer)? or do you want surround sound? one last question, will anyone be playing games on it? once a few of these questions are answered, the process of picking parts can begin.

[candyman206]

Well, thanks for the start. I did not read that a HTPC does the same as any other computer. To answer your first question, I would rather have a mid sized tower. Because I am an Ebay shopper and have found some fairly priced midsized towers. About the question for PCU's and a video card, which everone has good and reliable performance at a lesser cost. I would like a video card that could keep up with alot of the newer movies. There will not be any game play, only simple ga,es such as, free online pool and free card games. As for the speakers, I would like to find out a way to hook up a full surround sound package with a cutswom built home theater subwoofer (around 250-500 watts) just for the subwoofer it self. I was thinking about a 5.1 speaker system all for corners and a subwoofer. Thanks again Nav!