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Building a new computer

A

Alone

Diamond Member
I've been out of the loop for the last few years and don't know what's worth the money anymore.

I have an older computer that I put together myself, but I can't for the life of me remember some of the parts that are in it.

If I recall correctly, the case is a Lian Li PC-V1200B. I'd like to keep this, as it stills works perfectly and looks good. Motherboard, I can't remember. The processor is a Q6600 which probably still runs great, but I'd like to consider other options. PSU is a Corsair 500W, so I think that's still good. Video card is garbage and needs to be replaced, the ram is old and not worth keeping.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
I'd like to have video out via HDMI and have digital audio out (coax or optical are both fine). I'd be mostly using it as a media PC (movies/music) but I'd like to have the ability to play some games, nothing too intense (Counterstrike, games like that).

2. What YOUR budget is.
I'd like to spend around $1000.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Canada.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.
nVidia is a must. Processor and HD I have no allegiances.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Case: Lian Li PC-V1200B
PSU: Corsair 500W

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I like to overclock my machines for fun, but this is not a necessity.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Around September/October
 
I don't have a reasonable answer for either of those questions.

6. I've searched a few threads, but as far as reusing parts I have, my budget, and my planned use (not gaming, and mostly media), I can't find anything that relates to my situation.

8. I don't do much gaming, so I don't know which resolution. I don't play any demanding games, so I don't think it's much of an issue.
 
Also, don't need:

Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Speakers

Do need
Processor
Motherboard
Sound Card
Video Card
Ram

Might need
Operating System (undecided if I want to go with Win7, Ubuntu, or Debian)
 
Your current system is fine, if you have 4GB of ram I would toss in an SSD, 5770 (I know, ATI, but it's low-power and not overkill for what you want), and possibly a new monitor/bluray drive/terabyte hard drive depending on if the movies will be watched on the PC or on a larger screen.
 
I have a 50" plasma in my room for movies. My currently system would probably be adequate, but I need a new video card and sound card. Plus, I only have 1GB of ram and would like to have more.

I can't remember what motherboard I have, might have to investigate later.

As for movies, I'd be watching them off the external hard drive I have. Music plays from same location.

I wouldn't mind having a small capacity fast hard drive for the OS.
 
 
Last edited:
1GB of ram is a huge limiting factor. If you can find your mobo. specs, you could just drop in 4GB of ram with the 5770 and be good.

Does your mobo not support optical out? The digital out from your mobo and from a soundcard will have the same bitsream, same deal if you run it over HDMI to a receiver.
 
Mobo actually does have s/pdif out.

So I suppose I'd be good with...

4GB Ram
Video Card w/ HDMI
SSD Drive

Will inspect mobo to get information.

I think that could suffice?
 
Alone said:
Mobo actually does have s/pdif out.

So I suppose I'd be good with...

4GB Ram
Video Card w/ HDMI
SSD Drive

Will inspect mobo to get information.

I think that could suffice?
Click to expand...

Probably. As long as it isn't DDR memory (in that case it would be time for an upgrade likely) but yeah. Save some money otherwise.
 
Alone said:
Mobo actually does have s/pdif out.

So I suppose I'd be good with...

4GB Ram
Video Card w/ HDMI
SSD Drive

Will inspect mobo to get information.

I think that could suffice?
Click to expand...

Yeah, that would suffice. If you have a Q6600, you are almost certainly using DDR2 memory. You can use CPU-Z to check what CPU, motherboard, and RAM you have. Your mobo also probably already has S/PDIF out.

PQI DDR2 800 4GB $76
Radeon 5750 $100 AR - Not Nvidia, but Nvidia does not have a native HDMI audio solution for $100 right now
Corsair Force 60GB $165
 
I would have used CPU-Z earlier, except I have no displays to connect the desktop to. I left both my monitors at home when I moved, since I would not use them. I'll open the case and see what I can find.
 
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