New Build Help (non-gaming, media center, $1000-ish)

[mwulf85]

New Build Help (non-gaming, media center, $1000-ish)

Looking to build a non-gaming, general needs PC, with strong multi-media features. Will be using it for light business apps, general internet usage, and most importantly, storing and streaming high quality music (flac) and movie files.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128358


UPDATE: Memory: A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1B16K - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211188


Power Supply: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

Hard Drives:
UPDATE - Primary Drive: 1- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319

UPDATE: Storage drives: 4- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319
Notes: Run in Raid 5

DVD/Blu Ray: LG Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Combo LG Blu-ray Reader & 16X LightScribe DVD±R DVD Burner - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136162

Video Card: EVGA 01G-P3-N959-TR GeForce 9500 GT 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130395

UPDATE- Case: NZXT TEMPEST Crafted Series CS-NT-TEM-B Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146047
Note: With the change in my RAID thinking, having a few more bays to expand in the future is probably a good idea.


OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116677

[Khalil]

A 256 bit video card will give you better results with blu-ray, consider a GTS250 or an ATI 4830. That is a very nice motherboard but I would look at an Asus with the same features, much better warranty and support from Asus.
64 bit Operating systems are a bad idea for multimedia, alot of Multimedia software does not like 64 bit.

[glc]

1. That motherboard takes DDR2, not DDR3. DDR2-800 is all you need.
2. Use a Black for the primary hard drive.
3. A 3 drive RAID 5 is not a good way to do it. You need 4 or more drives for speed and stability, especially if you are using RAID on the motherboard controller instead of a dedicated RAID hardware card.

[mwulf85]

Originally Posted by Khalil A 256 bit video card will give you better results with blu-ray, consider a GTS250 or an ATI 4830.

Currently, I am streaming my movies via a wired UPnP connection to my PS3 over my network…my plan was to duplicate that setup taking the video card out of play…right? (sorry I should have made note that in my OP)

That is a very nice motherboard but I would look at an Asus with the same features, much better warranty and support from Asus.

I will look at them...

64 bit Operating systems are a bad idea for multimedia, alot of Multimedia software does not like 64 bit.

I hadn’t thought of that…I will check into that…thanks. I am pretty happy in the software I am using, I don't want to cut off my nose to spite my face (more storage, safer storage...which is really what i am chasing with this build)

[mwulf85]

Originally Posted by glc 1. That motherboard takes DDR2, not DDR3. DDR2-800 is all you need.

Duh…thanks

2. Use a Black for the primary hard drive.

Will do…

3. A 3 drive RAID 5 is not a good way to do it. You need 4 or more drives for speed and stability, especially if you are using RAID on the motherboard controller instead of a dedicated RAID hardware card.

So, 4 640GB WD blacks in a RAID 5 would be better?

[glc]

Definitely.