Indecision over new build + repurposing path...need suggestions/input

[texasnightowl]

Hey! Sandy Bridge is out! I want to upgrade! I have the itch to build a new PC!

But ... I don't want to do it just to do it and I'm about to drive myself insane over whether to:

a - Build a new primary workstation PC and repurpose my old one into an HTPC @ $1000
b - Keep my existing primary desktop as-is and build a new HTPC @ $800
c - Build both basically new (re-using some parts, but new CPU/mobo on both) @ $1200

So, I'm looking for suggestions, advice, etc. to help me narrow focus and figure out what path will be the best use of money for me.

What I currently have is:

1 - a WHS (Antec 300 Illusion, OCZ Fatal1ty 550w PSU, Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R, Intel e6400, 2gb RAM, Samsung F2 Eco 1.5tb (x2), Samsung F4 2tb; Also have a second Samsung F4 that will go in sometime soon). I do use the WHS backup function to backup my 2 systems. I do store all my music and am working on my movies; also my ebooks and other misc. files (documents and software). And I run PS3 Media Server to stream my ripped movies to my PS3.

2 - a Lenovo x200 ThinkPad; used primarily in the living room to web surf while watching TV. Actually am considering selling it (gulp!). (Intel C2D P8600 @ 2.4, 3gb RAM, Win 7 64 bit)

3 - my primary desktop, dates mostly to Sept. 2007: Antec Solo, Corsair HX520 PSU, Asus P5W DH Deluxe, Intel e6750, 4gb RAM, 1xWD 500gb hdd, 1xWD 320gb hdd, dvdrw, evga 8800 GTS.
Usage: I am really not a gamer...though I'm still playing Civ4. Most of what I do is Word, Excel, Quicken, web surfing. I do some ebook conversion and editing (the Calibre ebook software rocks). I run dbPowerAmp for ripping my CD's to mp3. Use iTunes for music and syncing my iPhone. Have an attached scanner for scanning receipts and statements to pdf. I do run AnyDVD to rip my movies from DVD. About the only thing I'm interested in doing that this machine can't do - or would be painfully slow in doing - is video encoding. I borrowed a bluray drive from a friend and ripped all my bluray movies to ISO files with the plan to store the movies on my WHS. But, I'd rather re-encode them to a smaller file size...maybe 10-15gb instead of 30-40gb. But attempting that stresses this machine badly.


What I am looking for:

1 - WHS: no changes required...it's doing what I need right now.
2 - x200: no changes (unless I sell it)
3 - a general purpose PC “workstation”
4 - an HTPC
Functionality desired: Playing movies from my WHS, streaming netflix, watching live tv from websites (ie. espn3.com). HDMI for video and audio to my Yamaha receiver. IR function to work with a Harmony remote. BluRay drive is kind of optional as far as being on the HTPC...I can continue using my PS3 but I do need to pick up a drive for either the main PC or the HTPC.

Either 3 or 4 needs to have enough oomph to do the bluray re-encoding.

I don't need the HTPC to record shows...at least right now. I currently don't have cable or satellite, just an antenna. So I either watch stuff live or watch it later via websites, torrents, or whatever.


Given all that, I'm trying to make the best decision between:

a - making my current desktop PC my HTPC (which would only need a sub $100 video card and an IR adapter) and building a brand new system to be my new workbox. The downside here is that while the Antec Solo would make for a fairly quiet case in the living room if I'm going to have an HTPC I'd rather have it in more of an AV style case that sits on the shelf with the other components instead of a tower that sits next to them. Swapping all my current components out of the Solo into another case is an option...but a PITA. Though I would probably end up doing it.

b - leave my primary system as is since it does almost everything I need and build an HTPC with enough power to do the video encoding that my e6750 struggles with. The upside here is that I would just be building one system and not having to mess with anything that is in my current system. My hangup with this option is having an HTPC build that is more powerful than my "workstation." But then I could always use that as an excuse to build an Ivy Bridge system later this year.

c - start from scratch with both...build two new systems.


I’m really torn…mostly between options a and b. I guess it comes down to whether I’m OK with my HTPC being more powerful than my workstation! It would be a lot easier to leave my current box as-is and build just the htpc instead of swapping parts into a new case, etc. Is there anything I’m not thinking about? Any other questions I should ask myself?


And thanks very much to anyone who made it through all that. I really had no intention of typing that much!

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
See my dilemmas above

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
@$1000 give or take $200

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
USA. No Microcenter or Frys closer than 5 hours. Do have a local CompUSA. Means I'll probably be using the egg.

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.
CPU: No real preference, but haven't followed AMD for a while (had a Barton 2500 several years ago). Video: prefer ATI. Hard drives: prefer Samsung and WD.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Yes, see my descriptions above.

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
Yes.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Don’t plan on overclocking.

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.
Let’s go with 1920.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
February

 

[mfenn]

For the HTPC, I'd probably grab an AV style case, an IR receiver, and something like a 5450 and dump the rest of the workstation parts into it.

Then for the new system, I'd reuse the Solo and get an H67 mobo (you really want to be able to use Quick Sync) once the software matures), i5 2500K, 4GB of RAM, PSU (no OCZ this time!), HDDs, etc. You'll want the K model of the i5 for the better IGP (should be fine for Civ 4).

Let me know if you want a more detailed build.

 

[texasnightowl]

Thanks for your feedback. Going down that path, this is what I've come up with:

HTPC @ $240
Case: I'll need a case that holds a full ATX board, so either a Silverstone LC17 or LC20, Lian Li C33B, nMediaPC 2000, or Antec Fusion Remote Max. Figure around $160

IR Receiver: turns out I may have one. My Asus P5W DH came with a remote and USB receiver. I had to go digging through the closet, but I did find it! Now, will it work? I dunno. If not there seem to be several $20-25 versions.

Video: Either the 5450 or a 5670. I believe I've seen a lot of good reviews for a Sapphire 5670. $80 or less.


New Workstation @ $580
Case: existing Antec Solo
Board: why so few full ATX H67 boards? Only 2 on newegg. Guess I can go with a micro.
- Gigabyte GA-H67A-UD3H $135
- Asus P8H67-M EVO $136
- ASRock H67M $89
CPU: i5 2500k $225
Cooler: Stock
RAM: May go ahead and splurge on 8gb
- G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $90
Video: IGP
HDD : have a spare WD RE 250gb laying around
Optical: LiteOn 208 $50
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 $80

So, a rough estimate of $820 total

 

[mfenn]

Looks pretty good to me. Two things that I would suggest are:
- S12II 520W $60 over the VX because it's a bit nicer than the VX for less money
- Depending on the age of that 250GB drive, it is likely to be awfully slow, $43 buy you the Samsung F4 320GB which is a short-stroked 640GB platter.