New Multimedia Computer

[thom]

I just started shopping for a new multimedia computer. Primarily the computer will be used for music files, photo files, video files, burning DVD's & CD's and perhaps watching TV; No games. The HP below is sold at my local Home Depot and Circuit City. It has the following features:

• AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4200+ (2.2GHz)
• Windows XP Media Center
• 2GB PC 3200 DDR SDRAM
• 300GB 7200 rpm hard drive
• SuperMulti DVD drive with LightScribe, DVD±R/RW, and CD-RW combo drive
• DVD-ROM drive
• ATI Radeon Xpress 200 graphics with 256MB shared video memory
• 9-in-1 digital media card reader
• TV tuner (NTSC) with personal video recorder
• Remote with IR receiver
• Media drive bay
• Windows Vista Capable
• One-year limited warranty

Are there any features or upgragrades not listed that would be hightly recommended for my use. What about features listed that I do not need?

Thanks,

Thom

[MakeYourslf2012]

That looks like a pretty solid PC, how much are they selling it for?

I'm not too sure how much the onboard graphics comes into play when watching movies/tv...hopefully someone can clarify the importance video card quality when trying to do this.

Other than that concern, I'd say it looks like a great system. Have you ever thought of building the computer yourself? It's pretty easy and very rewarding once its running, you may even be able to save a few bucks!

[thom]

Yes, I've considered building a computer and I'm very tempted to do so. I've done some minor repairs and installations so I think I could work my way through it, especially with the excellent advice on this forum.

The computer at Circuit is $1000. That sounds like a good price for that configuration.

Thanks,

Thom

[glc]

Only problem is - if you do wind up needing a discrete video card to get the performance you need, the stock power supply may not be able to handle it. The Radeon Express isn't bad for onboard video, but it does use system ram. Expect the preload to have a ton of preinstalled crap running in the startup.

[thom]

Yea, the preinstalled crap is exactly what I don't want. Do you think I can build one myself for the same price or cheaper? I'm going to need some help with the configuration. Care to make suggestions?

Thanks,

Thom

[MakeYourslf2012]

I think a dual-core with 2 GB of RAM Media PC can be built for $1000.

You seem like a good candidate for an ATI All-In-Wonder Graphics+TV tuner card.

I'll start putting a list together and see what I can come up with.

[Panama Red]

Moving to BYOPC

[MakeYourslf2012]

Heres a suggestion:

Asus M2NPV-VM Motherboard $80

AMD 3800+ X2 AM2 socket $304

1 GB of OCZ DDR2-800 (2x 512MB sticks) $104 (after rebate)

ATI All-In-Wonder Video Card+TV Tuner PCI-E $134

Antec Sonata II Case + 450W Power Supply $100

Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB Sata HD $80 (after rebate)

Lite-On 16x DVD/CD Burner $35

NEC Floppy Drive $7


Windows XP Home $90

Total: $1014

Feel free to make changes, you can add a second DVD-ROM drive for around $25 if youd like, or spend another $100 and get 2 GB of DDR2 RAM. This is all-around newer technology than the shelf PC, which is why it costs a little more. You can get the Media Center Edition OS, but I don't think its worth it in my opinion.

[glc]

I'd replace that with a tried and true Asus A8N5X and standard DDR400 ram - and a 939 version of that processor. The AM2 is having teething problems.