[dsj419]

HEy guys,

I've read all the appropriate threads, and I think i'm close with what I want. I know i'm going a little "pricier" than whats really needed, but for me an extra few hundred bucks is worth it to me to ensure that 1080p endcoding is ALWAYS 100% smooth.

I'd love it if you guys could point out any obvious errors or have any suggetions to make this setup better! Also I should probably change my dvd drive to a blu ray reader/writer i'm sure, but not sure what to go with.. suggestions?

This case will be xbmc-only dedicated media center case.. I may one day install emulation stuff to play old school games but even thats doubtful.. only 1080p movies and shows (or at least some high-def).

This is all from newegg.com for reference.

1 AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819103727
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
$158.99


1 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
Item #:N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Standard Return Policy
$99.99

1 OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Item #:N82E16820227550
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
-$35.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$159.99
$124.99


1 SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black EIDE / ATAPI Model SH-S222A
Item #:N82E16827151175
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$20.99


1 SPARKLE GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) SXT4302048S3LNM Video Card
Item #:N82E16814187133
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$84.99
$74.99


1 ASUS M4A78LT-M LE Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131619
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$69.99


1 LIAN LI Black PC-C50B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
Item #:N82E16811112303
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$30.00 Instant
$179.99
$149.99


1 G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820231321
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$66.99


1 Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817371033
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$20.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate
$59.99
$39.99

Grand Total: $806.91

[numb7rs]

I can't see any obvious issues with this build, but I do have two suggestions.

The first one I have is that you can get an EVGA GT430 for $50 After Mail-in-Rebate.

The second: I know you said you want to overspec for peace of mind, but that CPU isn't overspec'd; it's like using a chainsaw to cut bread. If you will be ripping a lot of HD content, then it might be justified. If you will be playing straight from disc or file, then it is definitely not. Another argument against is that you'll probably be leaving this machine on for long periods, so you will see a rise in your electricity bill. A lower power CPU will help here.

[Choque]

A question for you numb7rs. Is there no difference between the Sparkle and the EVGA GT 430? I'm just asking cause the Sparkle has a core clock of 800MHz and the EVGA has a core clock of 700MHz. Also the Sparkle got 2GB and the EVGA 1GB

[numb7rs]

Then yes, there is a difference. However, both are more than sufficient for playback of full HD content.

[Choque]

That's what I meant. If there's a difference in the capability to play full HD content

[numb7rs]

Then no. Both can play full HD without issue.

[KiSUAN]

I would change this components...

AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDX840WFGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product
$ 110

MSI 880GMA-E35 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813130586
$ 85

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-8GBRH
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820231402
$25 off w/ promo code EMCKFKE39, ends 4/11 $ 80

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product
$ 135

CPU for your task/use is almost the same result-performance, SSD faster and more relievable, more ram, way better motherboard all around, all solid caps, better chipset, more supported memory with 6gb/s sata and USB 3.0 and more.

Your chosen components are $422 with rebates this is $410, no need for rebates and inconveniences.




Also, the VGA, for that price you can get a 5670 that is way better card, with way better cooling solution and no need to be a low profile with that case, something like this:

MSI R5670 CYCLONE 1G Radeon HD 5670 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814127489
$ 100 $70 after mail-in rebate

or

HIS IceQ H567Q1GD Radeon HD 5670 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814161334
$ 90 $80 after mail-in rebate

[SpectreX]

One word : Overkill. A Zacate board can playback 1080p vids and costs 100$, and gobbles up a couple of watts during playback.

[Choque]

One word : Overkill. A Zacate board can playback 1080p vids and costs 100$, and gobbles up a couple of watts during playback.

But Zacate isn't a good choice if the TE is going to use the Linux/Live Distro

[mr.sparkle]

"G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)"

Better get 16GB just to be sure

[KiSUAN]

Overkill or not, it's what he want. For the price/budget given I just make some recommendations/alternatives that I see are better, he didn't mention power consumption or anything else, he is buying a windows copy so he's not going to run Linux also.

[Choque]

You're right, sorry. I missed that

[KiSUAN]

No problem, anyway there's already working and easy solutions to run zacate in linux and play 1080p without problems, and you can be completely sure that in a couple of months with the release of Llano and more availability of the 6450 this will only get better in Linux, way better.

[nemek]

For what he needs this build is total overkill. I have no idea how zacate works with so called heavy skins - probably it can be too week (there must be really smth wrong with those skins!) but even considering cpu wastage for them i can't imagine how he may use whole 4 core - its just more heat = more loud. So as long as u don't want do anything more than just playing movies (ie no encoding / games) don't choose such strong cpu. 2 cores should be cool for what u need.

[dsj419]

"G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)"

Better get 16GB just to be sure

Why is it that every time this guy makes a post I want to bitchslap him.

Thanks for the advice! I'll review that hardware!