New build specs (1st time user)

[fowozolo]

First off...This is a great site with great posters. I know I could probably buy a PC cheaper that could fit my needs but like most here, I want the satisfaction of building my own. My experience is limited to adding CDROMS/DVD and one harddrive. I am not completely lost with a screwdriver though

Second....I am not looking for absolutely the best of everything, infact I am trying to make this an economical build that will last a few years hopefully. I have a monitor, keyboard, etc.

I do game occasionally and play a few MMO's like SWG and WOW. That is all I play atm but there are a few games I am interested in like COD etc. This will not be a hardcore gaming machine and I can live without maxed settings. I will use it for backing up DVD's (so kids do not kill original ones), playing music, and web surfing mostly.

This build will replace my current one and will be used as an all-in-one type machine. I would also like to watch TV on it (in guest bedroom) for when my kids are hogging the main TV and use it occasionally to record programs. I will be ordering the pieces over a few months to split the cost up some so I would prefer pieces that will not be completely obsolete within the year.

So here is what I am thinking. Check to see if I missed any compatability problems.

I am trying to keep it around $800-900 or so, but will go cheaper if you see some areas I can skimp in without a major downgrade in performance. My prices are rounded upwards. I will add a HD later for backup. Should I do External or Internal (I am leaning to external)?


*pretty sure about these
MOBO- ASUS A8N5X $85.00
CPU- AMD 3700+ San Diego 939 $215.00
PSU- ANtec smartpower sp-500 500w $70.00
Ram- Corsair value select 2GB (2x1gb sticks) $142.00
cdrom- Lite-ON IDE combo drive (CDR-CDRW-DVD) $29.00
DVDRW- Lite-On DVD burner w/ lightscribe x5 dvdram $52.00
case- just whatever I like that is reasonably priced $60.00

*not so sure here
HD- looking for 300+GB (confused if I should go sata or sataII)
GPU- 6800GS or All-in-wonder (leaning towards 6800GS and seperate TV card)
TVtuner- no idea of a good one but do not want to spend too much because it will mainly be used for me to watch TV while surfing and for my inlaws when they visit.



Thanks in advance

[jayb1234]

Look at the Hauppage pvr line for the tv card.

If you don't mind a big black case, this Antec comes with a 500W psu and is in the price range.

2nd hard drive: External has it's advantages, portable, can stick it in a drawer when not using it. Main disadvantage is price.

Primary HD: Seagate with a 16Mb cache if it fits the budget.

[fowozolo]

Thanks JayB.

So does anyone else have any suggestions? Are all the pieces compatible? Does this look like a stable decent performer?

[not important]

You can get an Antec Sonata II case (comes w/450W Antec PSU) for less than you have alloted for that Antec PSU and a $60 case.

[Staren]

The core parts look good. That motherboard has 2 PCI-E x1 slots, so I would go with a PowerColor theater 550 Pro as your TV tuner. It's $85.00 from NewEgg. They say it has better picture quality then the Happuge PVR-150 which is the standard tuner that everyone seems to use, and the 550 is a few dollars cheaper, plus leaves your PCI slots open for other cards later on.

As for the back-up hard drive, there is a trick to going external without breaking the bank. You can buy external enclosures for between $20 and $35 or so. Then you can buy any standard internal hard drive and drop it in. It's a lot cheaper then buying them put together. I do the same thing with external dvd/cd burners. You can get one at the store for $150, or buy an enclosure and a standard internal drive for a total of like $75.

[Davermonk]

I have the Antec TX-1050B sever case that jayb1234 mentioned and I couldn't be happier with it (thought it only came w/ a 400W PSU 2 years ago).

As long as you plan on putting your computer someplace and leaving it, it's a great case. If you plan on moving it around frequently, you might want something lighter.

I'm getting ready to "upgrade" my system and I'm glad I have this case because I know that I can buy anything and it'll fit inside of it. It's not the prettiest case out there, but it'll last you through several rebuilds without a problem.

Just my $0.02.