Building a new pc as a "Media PC" for the wife Need Suggestions

[Crazybob's Son]

So... I have the OK to build a "Media PC" for the wife to hook up to the 55" LED to allow her to watch her netflix on the tv (as well as use it for music, etc so I don't have to go to the basement to change songs or set up a playlist). Before you say anything, I don't want to use the wireless on the Wii to stream netflix, and both the TV/Blu-Ray player don't have the netflix app.

My budget is $3-400. I know I could just do one of the CompUSA barebones kits, but wanted to throw the idea out there to everyone here. Just a rundown of components I have sitting around the house. I have a couple mid-towers, Nvidia 9600GSO, Nvidia 8800GS, no useable RAM, 80GB SATA HD (and a couple of IDE HD's if the MOBO has an IDE Header), don't need CD-ROM as I have a couple IDE drives for that as well, 450w PSU w/1PCI-e plug, one 550w PSU w/1PCI-e plug. I have a socket 775 Mobo (only one PCI-e slot) but apparently the two CPU's that I tried (P4 w/HT and Celeron) did not work because it would not give a video signal.

I was hoping to get a mobo with dual PCI-e x16 slots for upgrades to a dual-GPU cruncher in the future.

[Shadow]

This is what I've got my sights on:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223
and:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849
I've always used Intel, but the AMD's are a little cheaper. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on it just to see how they compare. I've got a pair of 4870's just sitting around collecting dust and begging to be put back to work. :D

[Crazybob's Son]

This is what I've got my sights on:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223
and:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223

I've always used Intel, but the AMD's are a little cheaper. I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on it just to see how they compare. I've got a pair of 4870's just sitting around collecting dust and begging to be put back to work. :D

Both URL's go to the same part number ;)

[rgathright]

I recommend the ASUS M4A88TD-M/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131654&cm_re=asus_am3_motherboard-_-13-131-654-_-Product)

It has built in HDMI output for that TV and should support those exciting new 8 core AMD chips coming out later this year.

For now, I recommend buyin an AMD Sempron 140 (http://www.epinions.com/review/AMD_Sempron_140_Processor_2_70GHz_Socket_AM3_512KB _Cache_2000MHz_4000_MT_s_HT_Bus_Retail_CP/content_531401379460) which this motherboard can unlock to create a dual core processor.
http://c1.neweggimages.com/BizIntell/item/13/131/13-131-654/13-131-654_h2.jpg

[Crazybob's Son]

If someone has a Core2Duo CPU lying around that they know works (doesn't matter the speed) I could probably just throw that into the current frankenstein rig that I threw together and put my 9600GSO into that. Then I could work on talking her into a good crunching rig later.

[Dandasarge]

This thread is random, do you want a "Media PC" that will crunch or a cruncher that will play movies? A "Media PC" needs atleast a 2.8ghz P4+ no matter what the spec's say. Also atleast 2gigs of ram. You can Pick of a cheep duo combo mb+cpu+ram on ebay sub 100. Look for a good motherboard 750i (50-100) range or a 680i (70-130) If you want to use it to run video cards.

[Crazybob's Son]

This thread is random, do you want a "Media PC" that will crunch or a cruncher that will play movies? A "Media PC" needs atleast a 2.8ghz P4+ no matter what the spec's say. Also atleast 2gigs of ram. You can Pick of a cheep duo combo mb+cpu+ram on ebay sub 100. Look for a good motherboard 750i (50-100) range or a 680i (70-130) If you want to use it to run video cards.

It's going to crunch regardless... Just need it to not lag when streaming video. And just to make sure it doesn't lag I would probably snooze BOINC while watching the video.

[rgathright]

It's going to crunch regardless... Just need it to not lag when streaming video. And just to make sure it doesn't lag I would probably snooze BOINC while watching the video.

Dude... that Frankenmonster is not going to do what you expect it too, given the fact that the motherboard will not even recognize a Celery.

In fact, I have a spare / confirmed working / AMD Sempron 140 that I would have no problem shipping along with a heatsink to the Frankenmonster Castle. Just send me your coordinates in a PM when ready.
http://www.americanbeautybordercollies.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/grey-large-animated-castle.gif

[Dandasarge]

Dude... that Frankenmonster is not going to do what you expect it too, given the fact that the motherboard will not even recognize a Celery.

In fact, I have a spare / confirmed working / AMD Sempron 140 that I would have no problem shipping along with a heatsink to the Frankenmonster Castle. Just send me your coordinates in a PM when ready.
http://www.americanbeautybordercollies.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/grey-large-animated-castle.gif

What the heck is that castle from?

[rgathright]

What the heck is that castle from?

Found it using Google search. Nice isn't it? :D

[Fire$torm]

What the heck is that castle from?

That pic is one of the castles that can be found in M$'s Age of Empires. Great RT-RPG.