Help Me Build A New System

[lightiv]

Ok, I will be replacing my current BP6 dual celeron system soon and I am will either build or buy from Dell. This thread will hopefully push me one way or the other.

This is what I want to accomplish if possible:

1. Dual processor preferred but would consider a single one.
2. This will be primarily a multimedia/gaming PC.
3. I would like to run it on my HDTV ready 57" Hitachi TV. I know with normal TVs the TV's resolution is way to low.
4. Digital or Optical sound out to my Pioneer 56TXi Receiver. The 56TXi has a USB & Fireware connection but that is another topic. The manual does state you can stream sound via the USB.
5. 1 GIG of RAM

With all that said I will want dolby/dts quality sound.

Any suggesiton will be much appreciated.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Originally posted by: lightiv
4. Digital or Optical sound out to my Pioneer 56TXi Receiver. The 56TXi has a USB & Fireware connection but that is another topic. The manual does state you can stream sound via the USB.

It's easier than that. You just need a sound card or onboard sound with SPDIF out, which most have. It's only a matter of getting a toslink or coax cable and hooking it up just like any other digital input.

 

[Silversierra]

Do you mean dual processor or dual core, or are you indifferent between the two. Dual core should be out soon. Many current amd 939 boards should support the amd dual core cpu when it comes out. Intel dual cores require new motherboards that are soon to be released.
What inputs does your tv have? Most video cards have svideo and dvi.
Ram: Corsair value select cas 2.5 is good and less than $90 a gig.

 

[imported_Kensai]

I'll suggest a dual Opteron system to you, and for a sound card grab a Audigy 4 Platinum.

 

[lightiv]

It's easier than that. You just need a sound card or onboard sound with SPDIF out, which most have. It's only a matter of getting a toslink or coax cable and hooking it up just like any other digital input.

Will Dolby & DTS pass through to the receiver for decoding?

 

[lightiv]

Originally posted by: Silversierra
Do you mean dual processor or dual core, or are you indifferent between the two. Dual core should be out soon.[/b]

Well I'm reading the various reviews and they are compairing Single Core P 4 EE vs Dual Core P EE and logically for apps designed for only one CPU you get not boost to minimal boost from Dual Core P EE. It seems on logical that you would compair Dual Core versus Dual CPU if you want a true apples to apples. In one instance I am not sure if I want to pay the premium price for Intel Dual Core if I can get a Dual Xeon or Dual AMD for less or more performance from the dual processors.

Originally posted by: Silversierra Many current amd 939 boards should support the amd dual core cpu when it comes out. Intel dual cores require new motherboards that are soon to be released.

I'm so clueless when it comes to AMD. Where can I get up to speed? What about the addition features that will come with Intel Dual Core such as HD Audio and support for SATA II. Should I care about these?

Originally posted by: SilversierraWhat inputs does your tv have? Most video cards have svideo and dvi.

My TV has a DVI input which I'll make sure that my new system has that. The DVI input is also to be used for HDTV input. Will DVI out resolve the normally low resolution of a normal TV?

Originally posted by: SilversierraRam: Corsair value select cas 2.5 is good and less than $90 a gig.

Wow that sounds great!

 

[lightiv]

Originally posted by: Kensai
I'll suggest a dual Opteron system to you, and for a sound card grab a Audigy 4 Platinum.

Ok, where can I read about Opterons? I bet that Audigy 4 Platinum will cost me my first child?

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

If you want two processors and AMD I would wait until June and get an X2 (939 dualcore) instead of two opterons. Intel's dualcore is coming out now. Personally, I am waiting for end of summer for my next upgrade and X2's sound good to me.

 

[ArnoldLayne]

Originally posted by: lightiv
Will Dolby & DTS pass through to the receiver for decoding?

Yes. Your software player will need to have support for AC3 passthrough though. e.g. mplayer, WinDVD, PowerDVD

Once you decide on a system, you may want to search for its sound chipset on avsforum.com or another audio/video site to confirm it will do what you want. Most current onboard sound will probably do what you want.