to build or not to build

[Dirk33]

I have been wanting to build a computer for a while now but the problem is i'm greedy, i want a high performer for cheap.
I want the computer to be under $800. My problem is that i can't find a configuration i like that is cheap enough, mainly because i have absolutely nothing to salvage from old computers.
I was looking at this HP computer:

d5100t series

Operating system Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Quad processor Q9300 (2.5GHz)
Memory 4GB DDR2-800MHz dual channel SDRAM (4x1024)
Graphics card 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 9300, DVI-I, VGA adapter,HDMI
Hard drive 500GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
Primary DVD/CD drive LightScribe 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti drive
Sound Card Integrated 7.1 channel sound with front audio ports
Productivity software Microsoft(R) Works 9.0 edit

I'm hoping that someone will be able to come up with a configuration that would convince me to build something instead of buy prebuilt.
And if not what do you guys think about this HP computer, i hear good and bad things about HP, but the same can be said about Dell and most other production built computer companies.

[Masaki 7-11]

What do you want to use your computer for?

[Dirk33]

i'll be using it mainly as a HTPC. I'll have it connected to my tv mostly because i don't have a monitor.
I need it for music, movies, TV, and surfing the internet.
Some gaming from time to time but not much because i use xbox for that.
I'll have adobe photoshop intalled on it and will need to do photo editing from time to time.

[Dirk33]

i should mention that the HP i listed about is 799 before tax.
What i'm curious about is if i could build a comparable computer for the same price or less.
I'd much rather build mainly because i believe it would be fun.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by Dirk33 i'll be using it mainly as a HTPC. I'll have it connected to my tv mostly because i don't have a monitor. I need it for music, movies, TV, and surfing the internet. Some gaming from time to time but not much because i use xbox for that. I'll have adobe photoshop intalled on it and will need to do photo editing from time to time.

If you are using it as a HTPC, will you need a TV tuner?

[Dirk33]

I would probably get one at some point yes. Its not the most important thing to me and i don't think they are too expensive so i may or may not get it with the computer. It may be something i add later

[Masaki 7-11]

Here is a parts list for a HTPC with better performance than the HP computer and with a tv tuner:



LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model iHAS120-08
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106264
$25.99

Antec New Solution NSK2480 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 380W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129034
$119.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218
$74.99

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 ATSC/ClearQAM/NTSC TV Tuner PCI w/Remote 1178 PCI Interface
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116007
$79.99

SAPPHIRE 100255L Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102792
$79.99

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996557
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146692
$54.99

ASUS P5KPL-CM LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131288
$52.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017
$189.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit English 1pk for System Builders DSP OEI DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116485
$99.99

Subtotal: $778.91

From my experience, Vista 32-bit was easier to work with than Vista 64-bit, but if you want to take full advantage of 4GB of ram, you will need Vista 64-bit. Both Vista premium 32-bit and 64-bit costs the same.

[Dirk33]

Thanks masaki, i appreciate your time
do you think it would be worth it to use the P5Q mobo and drop the CPU to a core 2 duo e7300.
I don't know much about the differences between chipsets but people seem to really like the p45 and the p5q board.

[David M]

I think you will do best by looking at a refurbished Dell. You cant build your own low end computer for less than what you get with one of the low end Dells. No offense, but $800 is a low end computer.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by David M I think you will do best by looking at a refurbished Dell. You cant build your own low end computer for less than what you get with one of the low end Dells. No offense, but $800 is a low end computer.

I disagree with that, it's possible to build a really low end computer ($300) which far outperforms a refurbished dell and comes with much better quality parts.

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by Dirk33 Thanks masaki, i appreciate your time do you think it would be worth it to use the P5Q mobo and drop the CPU to a core 2 duo e7300. I don't know much about the differences between chipsets but people seem to really like the p45 and the p5q board.

A lot of the people on this site recommend the Asus P5KPL-CM as a stable and good quality board. If you were to make a higher end computer with a focus on gaming, the P5Q series would have been my recommendation, however a HTPC which uses a HTPC case requires a mATX motherboard such as the P5KPL-CM and most if not all P5Q series use full ATX.