Computer Configuration Help

[mattruthluke]

Hello. We are wanting to build a BUDGET computer and need help configuring the computer with devices we already have. We are not gamers. We will primarily be using the computer for movies, web browsing, music, photos, etc.. We want a basic computer setup with a VERY, VERY clear and fast picture quality and good audio quality.

We currently have -
1) Logitech X-530 5:1 speakers
2) Viewsonic VA 2703 27" Widescreen High Definition (1920x1080) LCD Monitor

What do we need?
1) Case - Will any case due?
2) Power supply - Minimum amount or Maximum?
3) Motherboard - Needs to work with a TV tuner, 5:1 audio, Graphic Card.
4) CPU - Needs to be compatible with motherboard.
5) Memory - How much do we need for clear and fast picture quality?
6) Video Card - Integrated or Dedicated? How many GB or MB?
7) Hard Drive Storage - How many GB or TB? Which brand?
8) Optical Drive - Blue Ray or Basic DVD-RW?
9) TV Tuner - Best picture quality and user friendly?

Thanks a lot and have a good day, Matthew.

 

[Wolfshadw]

1) Yes. Any case will do provided it supports whichever components you select.
2) For your system usage, I don't see any need to go over a 400watt power supply from a reputable source (Antec, Corsair, PC Power and Cooling, Seasonic, Fortran Source FSP)
3) You should probably look at the FM2 series AMD Trinity motherboards.
4) Again, Look at the AMD Trinity APUs.
5) You won't need anything more than 4GB or RAM.
6) Go with the integrated video or the Trinity APU.
7) That's going to depend on how much DVRing you intend to do.
8) The problem with OEM Blu-Ray drives is that you need to pay extra for the Blu-Ray playing software. Retail drives include the software needed, but for a bit more money. If the overall cost of the system is too high, this is probably the first thing to go (just go with a standard DVD drive).
9) This depends on your video source (Free Over-The-Air, Basic Cable - No Set Top Box, Extended Cable - Requires a Set Top Box, or Satellite).

If you could provide us with a budget and answer the questions above, we could probably provide you with a decent build.

-Wolf sends

 

[eojhet]

This may go against the nerd community but often times buying a prebuilt computer is cheaper than building your own unless you are into gaming. You have speakers and a monitor so pick up a basic tower from best buy and get yourself a tuner card from newegg. These days manufacturers of pre built pcs get better deals on hardware than you can. If you were a gamer I wouldn't recommend this because I disagree with what HP and Dell see as gaming pcs.

 

[hilltopmonk]

It helps if you supply a budget...

Also;
Do you need to include an OS with this?
What are you planning to do with this PC? - a rundown of what your going to do with in order of importance.

If your not going to do anything too demanding (ie, rendering , gaming etc) it might be better to do as eojhet says and buy a prebuilt system

 

[mattruthluke]

1) Yes. Any case will do provided it supports whichever components you select.
2) For your system usage, I don't see any need to go over a 400watt power supply from a reputable source (Antec, Corsair, PC Power and Cooling, Seasonic, Fortran Source FSP)
3) You should probably look at the FM2 series AMD Trinity motherboards.
4) Again, Look at the AMD Trinity APUs.
5) You won't need anything more than 4GB or RAM.
6) Go with the integrated video or the Trinity APU.
7) That's going to depend on how much DVRing you intend to do.
8) The problem with OEM Blu-Ray drives is that you need to pay extra for the Blu-Ray playing software. Retail drives include the software needed, but for a bit more money. If the overall cost of the system is too high, this is probably the first thing to go (just go with a standard DVD drive).
9) This depends on your video source (Free Over-The-Air, Basic Cable - No Set Top Box, Extended Cable - Requires a Set Top Box, or Satellite).

If you could provide us with a budget and answer the questions above, we could probably provide you with a decent build.

-Wolf sends

Thanks for the response. I forgot to mention I'm wanting to go with an Intel motherboard and CPU. Could you suggest any?

I'm still a little confused on what ports I will need for my 5:1 audio speakers. I have green, orange, and black male inputs on my 5:1 audio speakers. I've been told by a Dell chat rep that I can use the green, pink, and blue ports of the motherboard on the back of the computer for my 5:1 audio speakers. But......that just didn't sound logical to me. So.......will the green, pink, and blue ports work for my green, orange, and black inputs on the 5:1 audio sub-w, center, front, and back speakers? Or do I need to choose an Intel motherboard that provides green, orange, and black ports on the back of the computer?

 

[Wolfshadw]

Thanks for the response. I forgot to mention I'm wanting to go with an Intel motherboard and CPU. Could you suggest any?

Yes, but we could do a better job if we had a budget to work with. Off the top of my head, this Intel Pentium G630 Sandy Bridge Processor should be enough for your purposes. Additionally, any motherboard that accepts your processor, has 5.1 surround sound outputs, and some other options available would do.

I'm still a little confused on what ports I will need for my 5:1 audio speakers. I have green, orange, and black male inputs on my 5:1 audio speakers. I've been told by a Dell chat rep that I can use the green, pink, and blue ports of the motherboard on the back of the computer for my 5:1 audio speakers. But......that just didn't sound logical to me. So.......will the green, pink, and blue ports work for my green, orange, and black inputs on the 5:1 audio sub-w, center, front, and back speakers? Or do I need to choose an Intel motherboard that provides green, orange, and black ports on the back of the computer?

This is going to depend on the motherboard's audio output layout. Looking at a random motherboard with only Pink, Green, and Blue audio ports on the motherboard, it can be configured to run a 5.1 Surround Sound System.

Blue = Rear Speakers
Green = Front Speakers
Pink = Center/Sub-Woofer

-Wolf sends