Help With Computer Build

[bige208]

I'm looking to build a Windows Media Center PC. I don't want the price to go over $1500, prefer to stay under $1200. My main use of the PC will be PVR, to record tv shows. I would prefer to be able to record more than one show at once. My main question is do you guys think I should go dual core? I want be able to record live tv, and still do other things like burn dvds or surf the internet, will the dual cores let me do that? Also, do you guys think cyberpower, inc is a good place to have it done for you? I don't plan on doing much gaming on my pc, but I'd like it to be able to have a decent graphics card like a geforce 6600 256, is this a good card choice for what i want? I'm pretty much just tryin to figure out the cheapest and easiest way to build this. Thanks in advance.

 

[FghtinIrshNvrDi]

AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562

Go with two hard drives. I would make one smaller one (40-80gb) your one to install windows on and other system files. The second one will be your storage and video files.

WD 320gb 7200rmp SATA 150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144394

WD 80 gig 7200rpm SATA 150
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106

The rest is really up to you as far as case, motherboard, and optical drives.

Ryan

 

[ZeroStrife49]

Do with 2GB RAM also, if youre gonna torrent Media files or view them with no hindering.

 

[FghtinIrshNvrDi]

Good thought about the ram. 2 gigs definately wouldn't hurt. You could get away with 1 gig, for sure, but 2 would make it smooth sailing for you.

Ryan

 

[bige208]

Which dual core should I go with, amd or intel if I want to do media center stuff like burn dvd's and capture video? I've been reading that intel is better at this, is that true? sorry i'm a newbie.

 

[trigger_sad]

Yes thats true, i priced out a decent machine for my dad for a good price.

Antec Overture II Media Case w/ 450W Antec PSU = $105
Intel 820 + Asus P5WD2 = $400
2 GB of pqi Turbo DDr2 = $180
Media Center Remote = $50
NEC DVD Burner = $50
DVD-Rom = $30
2 x Maxtor DiamondMax 10 SATA 200GB in RAID 0 = $170 total
All-In-Wonder X600Pro = $145

Total Price: $1130
With the extra money You can improve any of the components i've selected (maybe an x800 AIW if gaming is important, maybe bigger hard drives if thats important to you, etc.).