Input for $1000 build

openg123

Junior Member
Dec 20, 2009
2
0
0
My brother has been using a system since 2001. (Athlon XP 1800+, 512MB RAM, WinXP). We decided it's time to bring him out of the stone age. His budget is under $1000.

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

Very casual. Watching movies, videos (current system can't handle HD video streams from youtube,vimeo, etc.). He's big on music but not an audiophile. Browsing internet, word processing, etc. No gaming.

Caveat 1: He likes to use his PC's sound system for his mini home theater. i.e. having a panel that has an audio RCA line-in that he can hook up his Wii, N64 (retro gaming), TV, etc. So far the only solution I know of is an expensive X-Fi card with a front panel (X-Fi Fatal1ty Titanium).

Caveat 2: He wants to use the TV that is right next to his PC to watch videos (DVD, downloaded clips, etc.) with MINIMAL hassle. Is the best way to do this to go with a dual monitor set up with one monitor being the TV?

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

Under $1000. The faster/better/stronger it is within that price range to last him another 5-8 years the better.

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

USA

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.

Intel

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Only re-using peripherals (keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc.) Everything else will be replaced.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Default speeds

8. What resolution YOU plan on gaming with.

No gaming.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Asap/Now!

----------------------------------------------------------

Parts i picked out so far:

CPU: Intel I5-750 ($200)
Mobo: Undecided ?? ($150-210)
RAM: G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) 240-pin DDR3 1600 Dual Channel ($96)
Video Card: HIS H467QS1GH Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready ($80)
Sound Card: PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series ($162 -- see Caveat 1)
HDD : Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" ($85)
Optical: LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner ($30)
PSU: Antec earthwatts EA500 500W ($70)
Case: COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-KKN2-GP ($55)
OS: Win 7 64-bit (price of software NOT to be included in the $1000 budget)

Total Price: $928 - $978

-----------------------------------------------

There's a number of mobos in the $150-$210 range with the P55 chipset. I haven't quite figured out what the differences are yet. Any suggestions are welcome.

Also, the X-Fi card is one of the most expensive components which seems kind of silly. Any cheaper alternatives that will satisfy Caveat 1?? I'd rather use that money to get a Raptor drive for OS/Programs or get another 4GB of ram.

Any input on Caveat 2 will be appreciated, too =)
 
Last edited: