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Highend gaming only rig for Home Theater Setup

M

morkman100

Senior member
Hi guys,

I read the AT forums daily, so I know this is the best place to pose this question.

My buddy wants me to build him a high-end gaming machine that he can use (only) with his home theater system. He has an InFocus project and 100" roll down screen and wants to be able to play PC games on it (and only this... no monitor). He wants this PC in his components closet (with the receiver, HDTivo, etc) which will be around 20-25 feet from the sofa where he'll be playing. The only game that he mentioned that he wanted to play was BF2, but I'm sure he'll be playing more.

He is willing to spend up to $2000.

I really don't want to overclock it, since it will be in a closet and heat might be an issue (and I wouldn't want to risk anything with someone else's dime). But I would like to leave that option open for him to decide later.

I had ideas for some of the components, but I would love to hear everyone's recommendations for everything.

CPU: He was thinking FX-55, but I was thinking Athlon64 4000+ ($370 vs $810).
Memory: OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB)
PSU: ?
GPU: eVGA 7800 GTX KO (changed from BFG 7800GTX) (for the improved cooling).
HDD: Seagate 250-300GB SATA
Sound: He's an audio engineer so great sound is a must. Also must have high-end outputs to A/V receiver
Motherboard: ?
Keyboard/Mouse: Wireless keyboard/mouse that can do at least 30 feet.
DVD: NEC 3540
Case: Antec P180
OS: WinXP Home (don't think Pro is necessary)

Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance.

John
 
Originally posted by: daftpunkit
i heard the BFG 7800GTX is loudest
Click to expand...

Noise is not really a concern since the computer will be in a closet with other A/V components and I think another computer (a G5 mac)... unless we're talking leaf blower loud!

morkman
 
Originally posted by: morkman100
Originally posted by: eastvillager
resolution of the projector determines the pc config he'll need, not how big an image he throws.
Click to expand...


I believe it's the HD InFocus project.
Click to expand...


I would go with the InFocus 4805, awesome deal right now out there on that projector for $699.
 
Originally posted by: GamerExpress
I would go with the InFocus 4805, awesome deal right now out there on that projector for $699.
Click to expand...

He already has the projector & screen, but thanks anyways.

morkman

 
check out silent PC.com for heat questions.

PSU: Seasonic 450W or 500W
Case: Antec Solution (cheap but good)
CPU: 3800X2 or 3200+ (either would be fine...btw don't worry about heat in OCing. If you don't jack up the voltage, you can overclock without raising temps much - additionally, you could undervolt to reduce temps).
Ram:2x1GB ocz value
GPU: X800XL or 7800GT... GTX is overkill
Sound: X-Fi for EAX capability.... Mystque for music
DVD: Benq DW1640 - best burner out there
HDD: 250GB Hitachi/Seagate/etc.
OS: Win XP OR MCE with PVN-150 Hauppaugn capture card to eliminate the Tivo.
 
Originally posted by: kleinwl
check out silent PC.com for heat questions.

PSU: Seasonic 450W or 500W
Case: Antec Solution (cheap but good)
CPU: 3800X2 or 3200+ (either would be fine...btw don't worry about heat in OCing. If you don't jack up the voltage, you can overclock without raising temps much - additionally, you could undervolt to reduce temps).
Ram:2x1GB ocz value
GPU: X800XL or 7800GT... GTX is overkill
Sound: X-Fi for EAX capability.... Mystque for music
DVD: Benq DW1640 - best burner out there
HDD: 250GB Hitachi/Seagate/etc.
OS: Win XP OR MCE with PVN-150 Hauppaugn capture card to eliminate the Tivo.
Click to expand...

He wants to get a higher end CPU & GPU, so I think I'm sticking with the 4000+/FX55 and the 7800 GTX.

I'll take a look at silentpc.

Thanks.
 
run far and quick

tell him to get a dell media center pc and put in a nice gpu under the options, something like a 7800gt or 7800gtx. you will hate yourself for helping him out as he will always come to you for help and anything that goes wrong will be your fault (viruses, spyware, his stupidity, etc.) especially if you have to ask here on what to buy. sorry, but this is the truth.

FX55 is a waste....
 
He's not looking for a media pc. He wants a gaming pc. He don't need tivo, or want to watch movies on this computer. Just gaming.

He just wants to use his Infocus projector instead of a monitor.

I usually help all my friends with their pc problems anyways, so I might as well build something that I know is a quality build. Nothing wrong with Dell... I recommend Dell all the time when someone wants a computer to browse the web and use Office. But for a gaming machine, I would rather build it.

The reason that I'm asking this question here is because I've never built a computer that was going to be used like this (outputting only to a projector... no monitor, and interfacing the video/audio to a a/v receiver) and I figured a few people on here have.



morkman
 
Originally posted by: morkman100
He's not looking for a media pc. He wants a gaming pc. He don't need tivo, or want to watch movies on this computer. Just gaming.

He just wants to use his Infocus projector instead of a monitor.

I usually help all my friends with their pc problems anyways, so I might as well build something that I know is a quality build. Nothing wrong with Dell... I recommend Dell all the time when someone wants a computer to browse the web and use Office. But for a gaming machine, I would rather build it.

Thanks.

morkman
Click to expand...

as long as you know what you are getting into that is cool.

basically just match a video card to the capabilities of the projector. what projector?

benchmarks will tell you that for bf2 a 3000venice matched to a 7800gtx is nearly as good as 3700diego since the bf2 engine is gpu limited. getting a higher end cpu is just a waste of money if all he is going to do is game on it. unless it is for bragging rights, but that is where you need to educate him.
 
Originally posted by: bob4432

as long as you know what you are getting into that is cool.

basically just match a video card to the capabilities of the projector. what projector?
Click to expand...

I believe it's the Infocus 5000 (1280 x 720 resolution).

morkman


 
Originally posted by: morkman100
Originally posted by: bob4432

as long as you know what you are getting into that is cool.

basically just match a video card to the capabilities of the projector. what projector?
Click to expand...

I believe it's the Infocus 5000 (1280 x 720 resolution).

morkman
Click to expand...

for that you will be fine with a 3000venice, 2GB ram, 7800gtx, epox nf4 m/b, whichever hdd you want, nothing fancy. h3ll even my 1.5yr old 2.8C INTEL P4 (rig in sig) plays bf2 1280x960 fine. then updated to an x2 in year if needed.

when you say high end output to his A/V gear, do you mean optical, composite or xlr?
 
Originally posted by: bob4432
as long as you know what you are getting into that is cool.

basically just match a video card to the capabilities of the projector. what projector?

benchmarks will tell you that for bf2 a 3000venice matched to a 7800gtx is nearly as good as 3700diego since the bf2 engine is gpu limited. getting a higher end cpu is just a waste of money if all he is going to do is game on it. unless it is for bragging rights, but that is where you need to educate him.
Click to expand...

That's kind of what I was thinking, but he wants to keep this setup for awhile, so he wants the video card and CPU to be pretty high end (it took some convincing to get him to even look at the 4000+). Plus, if a game comes out soon that is more CPU entensive, I wouldn't want my reco to come back and bite me in the A... especially if it was just to save money, which is not an issue with him.

I think he might even be interested in an SLI setup, but I'd have to look at some benchmarks before I mention it to him.

Thanks for the help.

 
The 7800 series cards are total overkill for 1280x720 resolution, you would get the exact same performance with a 6800gt for a lot less money.

 
Originally posted by: morkman100
Originally posted by: bob4432
as long as you know what you are getting into that is cool.

basically just match a video card to the capabilities of the projector. what projector?

benchmarks will tell you that for bf2 a 3000venice matched to a 7800gtx is nearly as good as 3700diego since the bf2 engine is gpu limited. getting a higher end cpu is just a waste of money if all he is going to do is game on it. unless it is for bragging rights, but that is where you need to educate him.
Click to expand...

That's kind of what I was thinking, but he wants to keep this setup for awhile, so he wants the video card and CPU to be pretty high end (it took some convincing to get him to even look at the 4000+). Plus, if a game comes out soon that is more CPU entensive, I wouldn't want my reco to come back and bite me in the A... especially if it was just to save money, which is not an issue with him.

I think he might even be interested in an SLI setup, but I'd have to look at some benchmarks before I mention it to him.

Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

you need to explain to him how computer equipment works and its lifespan. if he needs a faster cpu in the future, then upgrade then. skt939 will be around for some time, there is no reason to waste $$$ when it is not needed. why waste $$ now on a single when in 1yr when it needs an upgrade anyway the newer games may utilized dual core and they will be much more affordable. not worrying about money doesn't mean you have to waste it.
 
I guess I mean middle-high end... just composite or optical as far as I know, but I don't know what model his receiver is.
 
Originally posted by: morkman100
I guess I mean middle-high end... just composite or optical as far as I know, but I don't know what model his receiver is.
Click to expand...

i would probably get a board with onboard optical out and have all the audio route that way. it is not going to be 5.1 sound though, at least that i know of.

better yet, i would let him pick out the sound parts...
 
Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
The 7800 series cards are total overkill for 1280x720 resolution, you would get the exact same performance with a 6800gt for a lot less money.
Click to expand...

Two things about that...

1. He basically doesn't want to upgrade this computer for awhile, so if this setup will play everything that is thrown at at in a couple of years, then it's money well spent (games in a few years will not run so well on a 6800gt).

2. If he decides to use this computer on a regular monitor (LCD), then there won't be a performance issue.

I just remembered that he was talking about running this computer on a 60" plasma. Would a 60" HD plasma run at the same resolution as the projector?

morkman
 
Originally posted by: morkman100
Hi guys,

I read the AT forums daily, so I know this is the best place to pose this question.

My buddy wants me to build him a high-end gaming machine that he can use (only) with his home theater system. He has an InFocus project and 100" roll down screen and wants to be able to play PC games on it (and only this... no monitor). He wants this PC in his components closet (with the receiver, HDTivo, etc) which will be around 20-25 feet from the sofa where he'll be playing. The only game that he mentioned that he wanted to play was BF2, but I'm sure he'll be playing more.

He is willing to spend up to $2000.

I really don't want to overclock it, since it will be in a closet and heat might be an issue (and I wouldn't want to risk anything with someone else's dime). But I would like to leave that option open for him to decide later.

I had ideas for some of the components, but I would love to hear everyone's recommendations for everything.

CPU: He was thinking FX-55, but I was thinking Athlon64 4000+ ($370 vs $810).
Memory: OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB)
PSU: ?
GPU: eVGA 7800 GTX KO (changed from BFG 7800GTX) (for the improved cooling).
HDD: Seagate 250-300GB SATA
Sound: He's an audio engineer so great sound is a must. Also must have high-end outputs to A/V receiver
Motherboard: ?
Keyboard/Mouse: Wireless keyboard/mouse that can do at least 30 feet.
DVD: NEC 3540
Case: Antec P180
OS: WinXP Home (don't think Pro is necessary)

Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance.

John
Click to expand...

Motherboard- ASUS A8N SLI Premium
PSU- SeaSonic S12-600 600Watts. Click Here
CPU- AMD X2 4400+ or AMD X2 4800+
 
Originally posted by: bob4432
Originally posted by: morkman100
I guess I mean middle-high end... just composite or optical as far as I know, but I don't know what model his receiver is.
Click to expand...

i would probably get a board with onboard optical out and have all the audio route that way. it is not going to be 5.1 sound though, at least that i know of.

better yet, i would let him pick out the sound parts...
Click to expand...

I was wondering the same thing. AFAIK, optical out would output 5.1 (or 7.1), as long as the receiver could decode it. I think that's the way it works. But it's been a while.

I just noticed that some motherboards had optical out's built in, like the Epox you mentioned.

I just found this on Turtle Beach's website...
"Supports 5.1 or 7.1 Surround Sound Formats
Enjoy DVD playback with full 6 or 8 speaker surround sound. Optical S/PDIF output for playback of pure digital audio at resolutions of up to 24 Bits at 96KHz sampling rate, allowing the sound card to pass through Dolby® Digital and DTS® multichannel DVD sound to external A/V receivers."

I guess it would work, since the receiver would do all the decoding.

morkman

 
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