1 Rig to do-it-all

Mar 17, 2005
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I'm looking to build a PC that does it all - Gaming, File server, & Media center. This PC will be located in the Family room next to a Sony HDTV (A2000) connected via DVI-HDMI cable and audio connected to an existing 5.1 Home Theater Reciever via optical or SPIDF connector. Please give your inputs what other parts I would need or if this is even a reasonable build.

The Parts that I already have:
ASUS P5W DH
E6600
2GB Corsair 5400C4
7800GTX
X-Fi Fatality
600 Watt Seasonic
ASUS DVD ROM
NEC DVD Burner
2 x 320GB Seagate 7200.10 (RAID 1 file server)
1 x 400GB WD RE2 (DVD archive)
1 x 300GB Maxtor Maxline III (TV recording)
1 x 74GB Raptor 8MB cache (OS install)
Zalman 9500 CPU cooler
2 x ATI theater 550 SDTV tuner cards
Cooler Master Stacker Case (Silver)

What I think I need to add:
Intel Q6600 - for muscle to game while recording and playing TV
8800GTS - for gaming on LCD (7800GTX will power the Sony HDTV, different resolution)
Extra RAM 1 or 2 GB more
Possibly a Dell 2407WFP (replacing my Samsung 204T)
Tuniq Tower 120
2 x VBOX Cat's Eye USB-A-3560
Current OS is MCE2005, Probably upgrade to Vista Ultimate down the road

One question I have is about sound: will I wife be able to watch the TV (with sound through the Reciever) while I game on headphones in the same room?

Sorry for the lengthy post, hope someone reads this.
 

firewolfsm

Golden Member
Oct 16, 2005
1,848
29
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Just build a computer for gaming and a cheap one for the media center, those don't need much power. You have a gaming computer, you can build a microATX rig for the family. Use a half-height 7300GT, Athlon X2 3800 EE, and that cheap Biostar 6150 motherboard.
 

Philippine Mango

Diamond Member
Oct 29, 2004
5,594
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You get more for your money if you take older systems and give them a task then try to do an 'all in one' type approach. And if you mess up your main rig at all, you run the risk of losing a LOT.