New to computer. Please help with components!

[jmp6p]

Hi all,

I am completely new to building a computer but determined and excited to try it. I know the first step is picking the right components. I am hoping folks can help me.

I need a machine that can hook to an HDTV. I will do no gaming. I will use it for Internet, streaming videos, playing BluRay, streaming and playing native music, ripping my DVD collection, hosting files to download off internet, remote desktop connection, and torrenting. In the future, I probably want to install a tv tuner to watch and record live tv. Multi-tasking is important in that I might want to rip while torrenting while streaming at the max. Might use office later on but not at the moment. Have windows 7 to install.

I have always thought I need the i5 and an LGA1155 is the easy way to go. Do I need this or is an i3 sufficient?

Thinking an SSD for the OS is a good idea. Anything else I should put on it? I am a little bit intimidated by switching the temp files and other writes to other HDDs like I've read about.

My budget is 500-600. Doable? Any specific recommendations or general advice? I'm particularly concerned with which CPU I should get as well as features on the mobo, but I will take any advice and any specific component recommendations I can get.

Also, before I sound selfish and lazy, I have searched and read plenty about this but everyone seems to jump from low-level HTPCs to gaming rigs and I think I might fall somewhere in-between. Or do my intended uses from above slate me for one of those type builds.

Thank you so much for your help. I really really appreciate it and hope down the road I can return the favor.

[jmp6p]

One other thing I forgot to mention--as this is a media TV, the quieter the better, but one critical thing is that it is always on, so low power is a big plus.

[glc]

For that use, you essentially need a gaming-quality PC but you don't need a video card. The only way to get it close to budget is to forego the SSD for now, and deal with limited hard drive capacity. Hard drives are very expensive right now. This is around $650:

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

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

Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I52500K

Newegg.com - CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9

Newegg.com - ASUS Black 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM 8MB Cache SATA Blu-ray Burner BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS

Newegg.com - HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.D HDS721050DLE630 (0F13178) 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

[jmp6p]

Thank you so much for the response. I really appreciate it.

I am a little disappointed that I can't get what I'd like for my budget. Is there anything specific I said that requires the extra power? I know I could drop the Blu Ray write feature--I don't expect to burn Blu Rays. I could maybe also lose a little clock speed?

I am trying to get some more context about why I need what. Again, real new at this.

Thank you again for the response. I am very grateful.

[glc]

You do need those specs to do what you want, I don't think a dual core would be able to hack that load.

Multi-tasking is important in that I might want to rip while torrenting while streaming at the max.

You will save very little foregoing the Blu-Ray burner for just a reader that can also burn CD/DVD.

Newegg.com - ASUS Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS - Blu-Ray Drives

You might be able to get within budget, but not with QUALITY components.

[Staren]

Its the multitasking that forces this out of budget. I've done a few home theater PCs at this point. Streaming isn't that hard, and neither is torrenting really, but running them together is hard on a processor. Adding HD content into the mix can max you out pretty fast. You can drop the K series CPU to a standard i5 2500 to save a bit of money. You could also probobly drop down to a cheaper Asus, Gigabyte, or Intel motherboard. Something like this:

Newegg.com - Intel BOXDH67BLB3 LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

[jmp6p]

OK. I understand. The multi-tasking requires the extra horsepower. Can y'all help me understand something else please? Assuming I use the build specced by glc (but with the mobo from Staren), using the main tasks listed below, what combination would be too much even for this build?

1. Streaming internet video
2. Streaming music
3. Playing BluRay
4. Torrenting
5. Ripping bluray and dvd
6. Hosting files (assuming someone is downloading remotely)

Thank you again.

[glc]

No, I would keep the "K" processor to get the 3000 series video. I also would not trust that Intel motherboard. I'm afraid I'm gonna have to stand on my recommendations.

It's only $50 over budget - isn't that close enough for a QUALITY build?

[jmp6p]

Oh, glc, please don't misunderstand me. I absolutely am not discounting your expertise here. I am just trying to see if there is any place I can squeeze.

I know what you're saying--there is a fine line between sacrificing quality and preserving a budget. Please don't think I am trying to over-question you here. I am the rookie, you're the pro.

I'm just trying to learn more.

Would you mind if later on tonight or tomorrow I post a potential build and you tell me where I've shirked too much, so I can learn a little bit more?

[Staren]

If you're trying for onboard video, then yes the K processor. I usually go with a discreet video card. Especially if you add a TV tuner, you want to get as much of the work off of the processor as you can.

It's the torrenting and ripping that is going to give you trouble. downloading and seeding torrents is the same load if you have it throttled properly. You just need to use the controls in your program of choice to make sure that it doesn't take over your connection. Now that being said, I personally would not torrent on a dedicated media box. I usually leave that task to my day to day machine because it has the processing cycles to spare when I'm not actively using it.

The streaming and bluray playback aren't an issue because you won't do any of them at the same time. You only watch one thing at a time.

Background ripping, that to me is just not a good idea. Yes I'll play some local music or something while ripping, but nothing too intensive. Especially if you're doing video, that takes processing power. I haven't had it happen to me, but I've heard of errors cropping up when ripping audio with a lot of other things going on. As for video, people build dedicated boxes to rip and transcode video. You can't really just expand the time it takes and let it go in the background. You are asking for something that is fairly technically difficult. You're asking for something people spend $3,000+ on at times, an you're asking a $600 box to do it in the background. It can be done, but not well.

[jmp6p]

If you don't mind, here is the build I'm thinking about. Where am I short/wrong?

CPU: Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor
Micro Center - Intel Core i5 2500K LGA 1155 Boxed Processor 179648

Motherboard: ASUS P8H61-M (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS P8H61-M (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H61 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

RAM: Crucial 8GB DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600) CL9 U-DIMM Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules)
Micro Center - Crucial 8GB DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600) CL9 U-DIMM Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory Modules) 649528756817

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

HDD: Seagate Barracuda Green ST1500DL003 1.5TB 5900 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda Green ST1500DL003 1.5TB 5900 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

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

Op Drive: ASUS Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM
Newegg.com - ASUS Black 12X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Drive Model BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS - Blu-Ray Drives

I am pricing this at about $555. I am sure there are reasons the above are not up to snuff though. Could you spare another few minutes to educate me please?

I am really really grateful for this help.

[jmp6p]

Staren,

Thank you for your reply. I understand. I agree that ripping in the background is not a good idea.

The torrenting trouble is disconcerting. Unfortunately, I don't have another machine. My last computer blew up, so I am trying something new. I have work computer where I will do most things, but the personal things (e.g. torrenting, downloads, streaming video) needs to be on a dedicated home computer. I also travel all the time, so I like to be able to access the machine remotely.

Thank you for your reply. I am convinced that I had a misconception (hope?) that I could be cheaper than I probably can be to accomplish what I want.

[glc]

Use *MY* build, and go ahead and get the CPU at Microcenter - and you should be right around $600.

That Green drive is SLOW, and really is only suitable for storage, not an OS.

[jmp6p]

glc, that is the way to go. I will definitely do that.

Just for my future reference and learning, I'd love to know why some of the components in my other post are not recommended.

I only ask because I'd like to be able to build again and again and select components in an educated way without having to bother y'all or other experts.

Do you mind giving me a brief explanation as to why you don't like that mobo and that RAM? Just trying to absorb a little more from a pro while I can.

Thank you glc, this has been a great help.

[jdeb]

From my view the Z68 board offers greater stability, speed, and upgrade path.

The Vengeance is a stable 1.5V memory that supports XMP which is for fine tuning and overclocking. Ballistiks are not known for stability on certain chip-sets and I gave up on them a few years ago

Hitachi drives have been more reliable than Seagate and offer a better value considering the price of drives these days. Additionally as glc mentioned, green drive are very slow and a better suited for backup storage.

[jmp6p]

Great to know. Thank you jdeb.

Cannot wait to build this weekend.

[jmp6p]

Folks,

I have taken your advice and am most of the way through the build you suggested (very slight modifications such as the optical drive).

One question: do I need more fans than the two 120mm in the HAF 912 case? What would be the pros and cons of more fans? If I do need more, how critical are they? How immediate a need?

Thank you!

[quartet-man]

It is pretty safe to say that if you needed them,George (GLC) would have t9old you. More fans aren't always better.

[glc]

You don't need any more fans.

[jmp6p]

Thanks guys! What a great help. What a great site!

Thank you!

[DeViLzzz]

stay away from Seagate ...

heck I would get a used drive before I would buy from Seagate with all the problems they had in recent years

Western Digital or nothing

[glc]

Western Digital or nothing

Hitachi has fixed their problems, and the current line of Hitachi drives is fast, reliable, and a relatively good value.

WD is in the process of buying Hitachi's hard drive business, and Seagate is in the process of doing the same thing with Samsung.

[Staren]

And yes, if you are an old time builder, we know how crazy glc's post would have read a few years ago. Back in the day you wouldn't touch a Hitachi "Deathsar" for the same reasons you don't want to go with Seagate today. That's why you have to stay current on whats happening in the market.