True and I didn't even think that the new CPUs already came out. I think my biggest thing is going to be to buy slowly as things are on sale.

That being said I think the mobo, graphics card, and CPU are on sale now so I should probably act on those. However, I'd really like to have that other graphics card, the 8800. Will the graphics card I have be sufficient for what I need to do or should I just try and get the 8800? Some sites have been saying a faster 9000 is coming out soon.

 

didn't you say GDDR3 earlier? Isn't that memory on the graphics card, not main memory.


Ok... here goes:

I have an idea to save you some money. Take a look at your immediate vs. long term goals w/ this machine. Then pick the MoBo and Processor that will satisfy both of those. Don't skimp on the following (this is what I've come up with so far, too):

MoBo - Abit IP35 Pro 149.99 after rebate
Proc - Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66 GHz 189.99
memory - Corsair XMS2 2GB 55.00 after rebate AND will work w/ this board
Video card - Powercolor (ATI) Radeon HD 3850 256MB 179.00

Total: 573.98 before shipping

This is what I would use... you don't have to go with any of it. Heck, even I might change my mind tomorrow after reading a few reviews/ doing some comparisons. To me, this is a very good foundation. To this I would add:

HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250 GB SATA 65.99
CD/DVD Burner - Lite-on 20x DVD+/-R DVD burner w/ Light Scribe 35.99

Grand total before shipping and OS/software - 675.96

Now you can build on this system by adding other components as you can, it's a good foundation for a computer, and can be used to rip/playback the DVDs you own already.

Something I didn't think of before, because I use it as a back-up device, is the Western Digital My Book. It's an external USB Hard Drive. I have a 320 GB that I used to back up my XP machine while I was building the Vista machine I have now. I have about 25 movies on it too. I've watched the movies straight from that drive with no hiccups or other issues, but I wouldn't do it all the time.

Anyway, like I said, this is what I would use, but I might change as I did more research.

As far as a case goes, it's another place where I wouldn't skimp, but I also wouldn't go whole hog until I wanted to get some of the other components, like the HD Tuner card. Mainly you need to make sure it is an ATX case (to use with the MoBo) and that it will provide ample cooling.


OHHH yeah, these are all Newegg.com prices too. Don't forget to shop around. For example: Abit IP35 Pro @ Pricewatch.com.

***Edit*** added links

 

Yeah I think I'm going to go with the CPU and Mobo you described. My only question would be on the graphics card.

Instead should I stick with 512mb and get the PNY VCG86512GXPB-OC GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail?

It'd be less money and 512mb vs 256mb.

I'll go with a cheaper ATX case until I know exactly how I'll be putting this in the entertainment center in June or July. I have a 250GB USB external WD USB hard drive already. However, it feels like it takes forever to write too. I was going to use it though to take the stuff off my notebook and switch it over to the hard drive on the HTPC.

Also, do you think 2GB of memory is sufficient? I read Vista needs at least that and that I should be doing 4GB if I'm going to be doing powerful stuff like rip DVDs, watch HDTV with Vista on the HTPC. See that I'll have 4 slots I was thinking of doing 2 1GB for now and then add a one 2GB later.


EDIT: I found the Abit ip35 for 149 after $30 MIR on Newegg.

 

Ok. Pick the CPU you are interested in, in the drop down box for 1st selection. Then pick another CPU you are interesteted in, in the 2nd box.
Then select your benchmark test, such as HDTV playback - Blu-Ray disc w/ Power DVD 7.3.

It will tell you how each CPU performed based on their research.

For Example. This is the 2.66 vs. 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo chips. The results are the two bars in red. Blue bars are other Intel chips, green bars are AMD.

 

I have heard nothing but good thinigs about nVidia graphics cards. I've just never used them. If you stick w/ ATI or nVidia GPUs, I don't think you can go wrong... even if it isn't an "in house" (ATI or nVidia branded) card.

I only have 2 GB Ram in my machine and I have no problems rendering DVDs or ripping movies. In fact, when I first got my Creative Zen W, I didn't have the machine I do now. I ripped a few movies to put on the Zen W, and it took 45 minutes to an hour to do so. These were animated movies that my 3 year old wanted to watch in the truck. That machine only had a gig of ram and a 3.0 Ghz P4. Heck, I don't even think FSB was thought of when I built that machine. Anyway, the new machine ripped a movie of similar time, but at a higher bit rate, in 20 minutes. You should be fine w/ 2 GB to start out with.

 

I have had no problems with the nVidia cards, and I have owned both BFG and PNY. Both worked quite well.
As far as memory is concerned, yes earlier he did state GDDR3, but that is graphics memory. DDR3 is for the MB. As the MB he is looking at only shows it uses DDR2, it's not a problem and definitely cheaper. With him rendering HD content, the more memory, the better, especially with Vista.

 

Oh.. I agree. I plan to up my RAM to 4 gigs myself. But I'm not actually rendering HD content yet. I do have Pinnacle Studio 11 Ultimate, though. So, as soon as I get a HD capable video camera... but that's later.

I merely suggested a good foundation on which to build. The format war (HD DVD/Blu-Ray) could be over by tomorrow, and that may solve the question of BURNING one format or the other. Or, it may last for years.

And since I brought it up... I think Toshiba better pay attention. Sony learned their lesson w/ the Betamax. That's why other companies (Pioneer, LG, Sharp, the list goes on) can make Blu-Ray players, drives, etc. I don't think I've seen anyone but Toshiba and LG make HD DVD players and drives. Ahh...but I digress.

Anyway... there's some wiggle room in the items I found. Take the HDD, it's available for 66 bucks. Heck, you could buy two and not blow the budget. The memory is a little expensive up front, but it has a 40 dollar rebate. So, yeah, there's room to purchase 4 gigs.

********By the way, I updated my earlier post so it links to all the items described.*********

 

Ok, now that site makes sense (Tom Site). I'll run through the CPUs there and find the most cost effective one. But I'm currently leaning towards the 6750.

So are you guys saying I should lean away from the PNY and towards an ATI or nVida?

Also, I'm really stuck between Vista and XP Media Edition. I know the XP will be easier to use and I don't know squat about Vista and haven't heard many good things about Vista, but then again there are very few people using it yet. I wonder though if it'd be better to move onto Vista now since support for XP Media Edition will beging to dwindle further.

 

Nah... go w/ the PNY. The "core" of the card is nVidia. Just like the Powercolor card I recommended (it's an ATI at heart).

I'll ask my wife on the Vista vs. XP question. She's the MCSE... I just deliver dial tone.

 

Sounds good I'll stick with PNY.

I'll get the CPU, CPU cooler, MOBO, Memory, video graphics, 500 GB HD, and power supply we've been discussing.

I'll add on the other stuff when it gets installed in June or July. In the mean time I should probably do a cheap but good optical drive to rip and read dvds and cds. Because I'm not sure if I can keep it in the cheaper ATX case or if I'll need to look for something more appealing to the eye because of it's location. That way I save the $300 in the short term on the LG optical drive to play blue ray, HD DVD and rip DVD and CD. Then I can upgrade to it later and have only lost $30 on the first optical drive.

Does anyone know of any good ATX cases I should look at under $30?

 

In actuality, nVidia does not make graphics cards. They only make the chipset for them. It is up to other manufacturers to build the card. You will not find a nVidia branded card, just others with a nVidia chipset.

For ATX cases, you probably will not find anything much less than $50, although you will find some for that price with PSUs in them. Can't vouch for the quality though. Also would have a tough time using something like that, that could easily spike my MB or other hardware.
Coolermaster makes some relatively inexpensive cases that are good quality, although most are towers.

 

Yeah I'm not worried about how it looks really or if it's a tower. It'll just be a temporary enclosure (thus looking for a lower price) to hold everything and use it as a PC and load dvds until we get into the house in several months and see how it needs to blend in the family room. IE. I don't want to spend a lot of a nice media looking enclosure if it won't work in the room later on.

Duke

 

Make sure you get a good quality power supply. Don't trust the cheapos that come with a case unless it's a name brand. I would go with nothing less than a 700watt. Something with specs like this. I just bought a XFX 8800GT and it calls for at least a 500w ps that has the dual pci-e 12v connectors. The card came with a splitter that lets you use one molex connector but it's not recommended by XFX.

Also, when you buy your ram, make sure you get matching sets so it runs well in dual channel mode. ie; if you want 4gb get a 4gb "kit" which would be 2x2gb sticks in one package or two 2gb kits. Here's a 4gb kit.

Sorry if all this has been mentioned and decided already, I didn't feel like reading the two pages I wasn't caught up on. :o

 

Here is a nice case for $39.99. It also comes in all black.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119104

 

That power supply looks really nice but is definitely out of my price range for a PSU.

Here is the one I plan on getting at the moment...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001

Point noted on the memory. I'll do a 4gb kit from the start since I'll probably end up using Vista since I can't get ahold of Windows XP Media edition.

Case looks good. Meets the criteria of being cheap but still useable since it's not a long term solution.

I just need to remember to not get more then 1 optical drive for this since the entertainment style case will only allow 1 optical drive.

I'm thinking about changing up my decision on the CPU. I was going to do the 6750 with the IP35 MOBO. However, if I spend another $30 I can get the 6850 with the IP35 MOBO and the CPU was rated a lot better on that site for ripping and playing DVDs as an HTPC.

Problem is it's at Frys and looks to be "in-store" only, so it might not be accessible to me unless anyone in San Jose wants to pick it up for me.

Something interesting I read "the MSI P35 Platinum v1.1 board. It's the highest rated P35 board on Tom'shardware and it's cheaper also"