1st time build

[BikeNut]

Can someone give any suggestions for this build. I am looking to spend around $700 for a good all around computer. Not going to install a video card at this time. Would like to cut cable TV and use this computer to stream movies and TV shows from internet to the TV.

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Item #: N82E16819115072

ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Item #: N82E16813131773

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136533

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139005

Or

Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817371044

Which Asus Monitor? 20 – 22”

Which Corsair Memory? 8GB

Already have optical drive, mouse and keyboard. Was thinking about using Linux OS.

[glc]

650 watts is a lot more than you need, you can save there.

Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

Newegg.com - Asus ML228H 21.5" 1920X1080 2ms Full HD LED BackLight LED Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 10,000,000 :1 (ASCR)

What are you going to use for a case?

[BikeNut]

I forgot to put the case on the list.

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811129042

[BikeNut]

If I were to add a video card, would it interfere with that memory?

[glc]

It wouldn't interfere with that memory, but you may need a stronger power supply. The Earthwatts 650 is out of stock, so the Corsair is probably the best deal right now.

[David M]

Won't he be okay without a graphics card if all he wants to do is stream video? (and not play the more demanding games)

How about an AMD Llano which has faster onboard graphics although weaker CPU processing speed than the Sandy Bridge series?

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4476/amd-a83850-review

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...fix=earthwatts

[glc]

The Intel onboard video is fine for streaming video. It's roughly equivalent to a Radeon 4550.

[BikeNut]

What are your thoughts about using Linux? I probably haven't played around with it for at least 3 years. Or would I be better off with Windows 7?

[mjkovis]

Originally Posted by BikeNut What are your thoughts about using Linux? I probably haven't played around with it for at least 3 years. Or would I be better off with Windows 7?

Purely your preference.

I'm not really sure (nor educated) on how well Linux would work with streaming TV and movies. If I had to guess, it shouldn't have that much (if any) impact, but please don't hold me to this.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by BikeNut What are your thoughts about using Linux? I probably haven't played around with it for at least 3 years. Or would I be better off with Windows 7?

5 Great Linux Media Center Distributions To Transform Your TV

[BikeNut]

What is the difference between the Asus P8Z68 boards V LX, V, V LE? Which one should I get? Or doesn't it matter?

I have 2 sets of external speakers already from previous computers. Are external speakers generally better performing than speakers that come with monitors?

[glc]

The only differences in those boards are features. You can compare them directly using Newegg's "Compare" feature.

External speakers ALWAYS sound better than monitor speakers.

[BikeNut]

Here is my final list. I went with the 650W power supply because I am thinking about adding a video card in the future. Thanks for all the help.

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply

ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9B

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Asus ML228H 21.5" Full HD LED BackLight LED Monitor Slim Design

[BikeNut]

Does anybody purchase the extended warranty on parts when ordering from Newegg?

[Katreat]

Originally Posted by BikeNut Does anybody purchase the extended warranty on parts when ordering from Newegg?

Generally....... NO!

You have anywhere from a year to 3 years on most components, life-time on some if you register.

Kat

[BikeNut]

Would it be worthwhile to add one of AMD's Radeon HD 6670 or 6570 budget video cards?

Also, in another post I read, someone mentioned waiting until 2012 for some big tech changes. What will they be?

[glc]

Try it without a video card first, you can add one at any time.

If you keep waiting for new tech, you will never buy anything.

[BikeNut]

I am not planning on waiting because it will probably be too expensive anyway. I am just curious what this ground breaking new tech is going to be. I guess I can always look around at other sites on the internet and find out that way.