building an entertainment PC...need some suggestions

[dmw16]

Heres what Im looking to do. I want to build a PC for my dorm that will just act as...like the subject says...an entertainment PC. I want to be able to watch cable TV(with on screen guide if possible), watch DVDs, play MP3s, have PVR functionality, and pass through a PS2 or X-Box into it. So Im trying to decide on specs. Here's what I am thinking so far:

Asus P2-99 motherboard(I own this board already)
Celeron 600-900mhz
256MB of RAM
20GB 5400RPM HD
60-80GB 7200RPM HD
Pioneer DVD-ROM
Sound Blaster Live
Nvidia Personal Cinema or ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon

I think that about covers it. I also need a rather inconspicous(sp) case and an RF remote...I think a company called keyspan makes one. Any thoughts or suggestions on hard ware or software?
thanks,
-doug

 

[ScrapSilicon]

looks good,...build it give it to me 😉 I'd go w/ the AIW Radeon and put the faster 7200 rpm HD as the main use the 5400 as storage and grab a CDRW for making some backup stuff

 

[ai42]

If you intend on recording tv (which I do lots)... That CPU might not be able to do it. I bet it can, but maybe a high frame rate loss. Perhaps considering something higher?

I also agree go with the AIW. However please know that ATI software is terrible you will want to consider Cyberlink PowerVCR

 

[dmw16]

The 7200RPM is for PVR, the other drive is for mp3s, software, and OS. As for the CPU, what speed is enough?
thanks,
-doug

 

[ai42]

Well the Celeron 900 would probbably do fine but if you could go higher then it would help. A P3 866+, but your a college guy like me so you need stuff on the cheap so a Celeron Ghz would do fine, and is fairly cheap.

Also why do you want your slower drive to have your OS?! If you want logical seperations partion the 7200 into like a 10 and 50 gig and use the 10 for your OS.

 

[Mavrick007]

I would look at a Hauppauge (probably the WinTV Theatre ~$130US) or a Terratec tv card. These will give you better tv pictures and allow for better capturing. I just find that the AIW Radeon is a bit pricey for what you will get. If you get a quality tv card and a good video card, you will be able to use the tv card in another machine when the video card is obsolete and still have another video card too that could be affordable and fast. Think about a GF3 Ti200 and a TV card like above mentioned. You will get better quality and it will cost you less money.

Also like said above, I would get the faster celeron(like the 1Gig), especially when DVD is involved. As well you will be able to rip mp3's faster as well. If you don't have any speakers, look at Logitech z560's, they really rock and are small and fairly affordable. You will also either want a good monitor or at least a good tv if you're going to be playing DVDs, so make sure the video card has tv-out minimum. The SB Live should be good enough quality for the sound. For recording video to hard drives, make sure that the speed of the hd is at least 7200(meaning fast ide or scsi). If you're going to be doing alot of .mp3 listening, invest in a burner, it will pay for itself 🙂

 

[dmw16]

Anyone else have any thoughts on this? Any one able to suggest a good case or a nice heatsink that will keep my cpu rock stable w/o a loud fan? Also, anyone have any info on on-screen programming guide?
thanks,
-doug

 

[NeoMadHatter]

yea, definately go with the ati all in wonder radeon. but it's really better to hook up the ps2 and xbox to a real tv. you might as well get a big tv for that and hook the computer to the tv and use it as a divx box. that's what i'm going to be constructing over the summer for my apartment/dorm.

 

[oldfart]

If you can, go with a Celeron Tualatin 1.0A. It will be faster, and run cooler (.13u and 256K cache). This CPU can also be undervolted to help keep the heat at a minimum. This would mean a new mobo. If you do go CuMine Celeron, C800 and up is 100 MHz FSB, which helps quite a bit. I'd go with a single HD. Less noise, space in the case and heat. ATi AIW sounds good.

 

[majewski9]

Definately get an AIW radeon! Nvidia personal cinema is not even in the same league as the ATI solutions!

I am going to have to agree with oldfart and you shoujld opt for the 1ghz Celly!

 

[hagbard]

Every video card I've ever owned has been an ATI. I don't recommend them, and won't be buying another, no matter what "features" they offer. They just NEVER get their drivers right, and stop supporting any product that isn't brand new. Just take a look at what people are saying at the ATI newsgroup then make your decision. (BTW, try finding a contact email for ATI on their site...its there, but you'll spend a fair bit of time trying to find it, and when you do, it won't do you any good anyway).