A/V Multimedia build

[racerxden]

I would welcome advice in choosing stable balanced components for my wifes new PC. She has an online business that she is VERY active with & its time to replace the old HP .http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/hp-...-31963386.html
It sits 3 feet away from our best TV so this will be something that I connect to home theater and maybe a Sony Playstation 3.I'm not sure about that yet as after this build a gamer for me is next.I wont be over clocking, Im looking for smooth and stable .LEDs and bright lights wont be required. I bought this case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147135

Ill be spending $100 to $200 at newegg weekly and looking forward to the day I unplug this boat anchor. I have some thoughts and maybe someone can help me choose.

1 I like AMD processors, Im leaning towards a lower end Phenom II .Id want a serious heat sink & fan that I wont have to tinker with after installing.
2 ASUS DDR3 motherboards that have beacoup USBs are what Ive been looking at but you can change my mind.
3 a single video card should suffice Im thinking along the lines of a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121368 or a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121356 but I really dont have the knowledge to know why.
4 Power I dont want to hook up another PSU next year & if I upgrade something in the video end Id like it to handle that bump free. ----maybe 600 to 800 watts?

I would like to keep this a cool package and can turn up the sound if I hear a fan, but no liquid cooling. Its hot here in Arizona(110 degrees today)and I dont always keep the AC on cold. THATS what our POOL is for lol. Sigh when did I start to sound like my Dad.
Thanks for any help offered
Den

[racerxden]

Maybe I should have called it a gamer to get advice? She plays spades a little online...

[pally01]

So the current build you're enquiring about is for wife's business and also for media-type stuff like playing movies, music etc? You don't say you want to game with the new build but rather build a gamer later on...

I'm no expert for sure, but I can tell you that my HTPC consists of:
Evga 630i motherboard
E2160 processor @ 1.8 ghz O/C'd to 2.85 ghz
Radeon HD4550 video card
2x2gb OCZ ram
40gb Intel SSD
Corsair 650w PSU
Windows7 64-bit.
LG DVD burner

This is a simple, budget-minded build and absolutley rocks! It's super-quick, super-stable and super-cool running too.

Assuming you aren't gaming with the build in question, I would think a lower-budget video card than what you spec'd would fit the bill for HTPC-type use. Some others here are really current with video cards and can probably steer you to an appropriate model.

PSU choice will depend on the video card etc you end up choosing. I chose a 650 Corsair because it was highly rated, way more power than I need and also a terrific deal at the time.

I built another machine using an AMD X2 245 Processor and Asus M4A78L-M motherboard and it is a really quick machine too. More than adequate for HTPC use if need be. I'm really impressed with this particular set-up as it was really inexpensive to build and rock-solid stable.

[racerxden]

Pally thanks plenty for the help. Can you tell me more about your AMD build? That 1 in your last paragraph is interesting to me.

[pally01]

Sure. That build is:

x2 245 processor http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...-687-_-Product
Asus M4A78L-M motherboard: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...8&Tpk=m4a78l-m
2x2gb Mushkin ram: http://www.mushkin.com/Memory/Silverline/996557.aspx
500gb W.D. hard drive
Antec 500w PSU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...1007&Tpk=ea500
LG DVD burner: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...16827136167CVF
Windows 7 64-bit

I originally had it inside a Antec Sonatta III case, but have ordered a replacement Rosewill due to a measuring oversight on my part.

Anyways, this build was cheap: about $400.00 CDN all-in. It went together very smoothly and hasn't hiccupped once from the get-go. I ran through prime, memtest etc and didn't break a sweat at all.

The machine flies along really well when doing basic stuff like websurfing, emailing etc and can play movies etc fairly well too. I say fairly because I haven't tried any Blurays on it yet but I think the onboard graphics may struggle a bit. My local brick-and-mortar is offering Evga G220's (I think or it may be G210) graphics cards for $9.99 tomorrow and I think I'll throw one in for the heck of it. Bluray's will play fine with that I'm sure.

I'm running the stock cpu cooler and the stock 120mm case fan (on medium speed) and it isn't very loud at all. Suitable noise level for an HTPC-type machine in my opinion. Heat levels registered by Speedfan are under 45 degrees for the chip cores while running Prime. Very acceptable to me. I'm really quite impressed with the speed that processor cooks along at too. Hard to believe it goes for $60.00 or so.

This machine isn't intended for HTPC duty, but it easily could be. It's quick enough to to handle normal, non-media center programs as well.

[racerxden]

OK man much appreciated. Only thing I see I might change id the MB . Id like to get 3.0 USBs and the DDR3 memory. I really DONT want to mess with this box again as Ill be dumping the cash in a build for me right? Again, thanks bro

[pally01]

Yah me too.

I got that motherboard and processor from my favorite local store a few weeks ago as a package deal. Too sweet for me to pass. It's going to Mom for email, web surfing etc and is really a big step up from her 4 year old Dell. If it were a build for me, I would've bought a more advanced board I think.

Good luck with your project.