Sytem Build - need input

[otteridiz]

Here is the "almost" final verdict for my system build. This is a Media Center and semi-serious gaming system. I probably won't get everything until late January, so... I may make small changes and search for better prices, but this is pretty close to what I want.

Any input is welcome and maybe needed?!

Athlon 64 Media Center/Gaming PC
_____

CASE
ANTEC Performance Plus Case with 430W Power Supply, Model "PLUS1080AMG" -RETAIL

$115.50

------

PROC
AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 512K, L2 Cache, Socket 939 Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor - Retail
(Core: NewCastle)

$267.50

------

MOBO
ASUS "A8V Deluxe" VIA K8T800 Pro Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU -RETAIL

$129.50

------

RAM
Corsair XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, (Twin Pack) 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - Retail

$199.27

------

HARD DRIVE
Seagate 200GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model ST3200822AS, OEM Drive Only

$122.00

------

VIDEO
EVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card With Free Doom 3Bundle, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, 8X AGP, Model "256-A8-N349-AX" -RETAIL

$399.00

------

SOUND
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL

$93.00

------

SPEAKERS
ALTEC LANSING VS4121 2.1 MULTIMEDIA Speakers -RETAIL

$70.00

------

DVD/CD Burner
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Silver, Model ND-3500A S, OEM

$64.00

------

DVD/CD Reader
SAMSUNG 16X DVD Drive Black, Model TS-H352A/WBGH, OEM

$24.99

------

OS
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 - OEM

$131.00

------

REMOTE
Remote Control with Receiver for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center - OEM

$37.95

------

PVR/TV Tuner
Hauppauge PCI Video Recorder, TV/FM Tuner Card, Model "WinTV-PVR250MCE" -RETAIL

$130.95 (maybe a dual tuner PVR500MCE ~ $199)

------

Total Price: $1,784.66 ($1852.71 w/dual tuner)

PS: All prices are from Newegg.com

 

[Regs]

There is nothing you listed that I wouldn't buy.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you want something like Sage or BeyondTV, check out the Hauppage bundles at pcalchemy.com including the PVR-150 which is supposedly just as good as the -250 but cheaper to manufacture and so cheaper to you.

I haven't gotten around to building my HTPC so I can't recommend software, but the folks at www.AVSForum.com probably can.

 

[LordPhoenix]

Originally posted by: Regs
There is nothing you listed that I wouldn't buy.

 

[edelbrock]

Go with the dual tuner 500. I have 2 150's and now all of my pci slots are full. Wish I had gotten the dual tuner. Quality for the 150's is the same as the 250 for cheaper.

 

[otteridiz]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
I haven't gotten around to building my HTPC so I can't recommend software, but the folks at www.AVSForum.com probably can.

Thanks,

I just posted my build on their site.

 

[otteridiz]

Originally posted by: edelbrock
Go with the dual tuner 500. I have 2 150's and now all of my pci slots are full. Wish I had gotten the dual tuner. Quality for the 150's is the same as the 250 for cheaper.

I am definitely leaning towards the PVR500, since I would probably get a second tuner later anyways.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[RussianSensation]

With that soundcard, I'd definately pick up budget 5.1 speakers (unless you care about space).

Also by January Nforce 4 motherboards might be available so SLI videocard could be an option.

 

[otteridiz]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
With that soundcard, I'd definately pick up budget 5.1 speakers (unless you care about space).

Also by January Nforce 4 motherboards might be available so SLI videocard could be an option.

I am not committed to the speakers, but I might just get a decent 2.1 system until I can afford a better 5.1 sound system.

I am looking to make this system a long lasting one, but I don't know if I need to wait (and maybe splurge) on the nforce4 mobo?? Is it really worth it? Will my above specs not be able to keep up for the next 3-4 years?

 

[edelbrock]

Originally posted by: otteridiz

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
With that soundcard, I'd definately pick up budget 5.1 speakers (unless you care about space).

Also by January Nforce 4 motherboards might be available so SLI videocard could be an option.

I am not committed to the speakers, but I might just get a decent 2.1 system until I can afford a better 5.1 sound system.

I am looking to make this system a long lasting one, but I don't know if I need to wait (and maybe splurge) on the nforce4 mobo?? Is it really worth it? Will my above specs not be able to keep up for the next 3-4 years?

They will if you are using it as a media center recording standard definition television. Not for gaming for 3-4 years. Recording HDTV maybe? By the way if you want an HDTV tuner card you might want to buy one soon. I have read elsewhere that they are going to be implementing the broadcast flags copy protection feature in cards starting sometime next year.

Make sure you can find drivers for the 500mce card if you don't have XP Media Center Edition. Last time I looked the drivers for normal XP installation was not available on Hauppauge's website. The mce version only comes with Media Center drivers.

 

[RussianSensation]

I agree with edelbrock. Unless you are a serious gamer, it should be OK. But 3-4 years might be pushing it for the videocard. I am sure latest generations of videocards will still be available in AGP form though at least until 2006. Socket 939 also gives you an option of cpu upgradability.

If you can afford to wait, I'd wait for the Nforce 4. However, I am thinking Nforce 4 motherboards will cost more (at least in the beginning) since so many people are waiting for them. In addition to that, 6800GT PCIe cards are more expensive and harder to find.

In 3-4 years dual-core will have become mainstream (and maybe even multi-core processors). Next generation processors (A64 2, P5) will have come out and maybe DDRII is going to be the standard. New hard drives with SATA 300 support and BTX form factor cases and power supplies. You can never catch up with progress. So it might be better for you to just get a whole new system in 3-4 years if you dont plan to upgrade in-between.