HTPC/Gaming PC help

[soccerace]

I am looking to build a PC for the first time. More details around it are below in additional comments. Hopefully I fill this out correctly.


Approximate Purchase Date: Preferably within the next 3 months


Budget Range: Would prefer less than 1,000 (not including peripherals).


System Usage from Most to Least Important: gaming(WoW), DVR, watching TV


Parts Not Required: Operating System and monitor not required. Will buy wireless mouse/keyboard/headset.


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, ncix.com


Country of Origin: US


Parts Preferences: no preference


Overclocking: No


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe


Monitor Resolution: using a 60 inch HDTV


Additional Comments:

I'm looking to build a computer than I can hook up to my TV and play WoW on, but also hookup to my Xbox(not for online gaming though, but rather for DLCs and purchased items), use as Home Theater computer with a DVR to record shows, and watch TV and DVDs on, and probably infrequent burning to DVDs.


I have no parts chosen as this will be completely from scratch, but I was looking at the following:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

BIOSTAR TZ68A+ LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138319

ASUS F1A75-V PRO FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131765


For BioStar MoBo: Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073

For Asus: AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz 4MB L2 Cache Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU AD3650WNGXBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103943


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

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

Feel free to rip this to shreds if you wish. Just looking for some advice. And the case is mainly because I like how it looks Thanks

 

[wathman]

The Antec case is fine, good quality for the price. I would pick the Asus / AMD setup over the Biostar / Intel one. Biostar has yet to impress me as a quality motherboard manufacturer. Their stuff offers good features, though build quality tends to make it seem like a purchase from them is a gamble. The hard drive is fine, all I can say about that choice is to compare it to an equivalent Samsung F3 if you can. Both are pretty good and hard drive prices always fluctuate. You also might want to consider a mid range ATI Radeon since I don't see any gfx card in your setup.

 

[michxymi]

AMD A8 CPU is good for gaming at resolutions <1680 x 1050. I'm guessing your TV is atleast 1920 x 1080?

 

[soccerace]

@michxymi, my TV does from 640x480 to 1920x1080 @ 60Hz.

On your suggestion of an A8 CPU, you would recommend one like this:

AMD A8-3850 Llano 2.9GHz 4MB L2 Cache Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU AD3850WNGXBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103942



@wathman, true about the graphics card. I didn't look at those, or at TV tuners (which I will need if I want to use my computer to watch TV).

 

[michxymi]

LLano system is no longer a choice then. You will need something more powerful for playing at 1920x1080.

 

[rvilkman]

Depending on your tv provider and how much you actually record stuff from tv, you might consider getting:
Ceton Infini4 Quad Tuner $299.99

Eats up a lot of budget, but the remaining $700:ish should be enough to grab the rest.

+1 on the samsung spinpoint F3 1TB drives.

 

[soccerace]

@rvilkman, I don't anticipate recording TV that often. When I say infrequent I mean like less than 10 times a year. Like I won't be setting it up to record a show every week or every day.

 

[rvilkman]

Well you should be able to get a decent tuner card for about 100.

CPU: i5 2500k $219.99
MB: Gigabyte GA-Z68A-D3H-B3 $128.99
Memory: 2x4GB CAS9 1.5V 1600Mhz $57.99
GPU: Asus DirectCUII GTX560Ti TOP $249.99 (before $20 rebate)
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB $59.99
DVD: Asus 24x DVD+/-RW $19.99
Case: Antec 300 Illusion $64.99 ( before 10 MIR )
PSU: Antec HCG-750 $104.99 ( before $25 MIR )

Total about $910 before any rebates or possible combos.

Ready for SLI, just add tuner for HDTV stuff.
When you want more juice add an after market cooler for $30-$50.
Antec 300 Illusion has a nice cutout for the CPU cooler installation so it can be done later.

 

[soccerace]

rvilkman, you are awesome! I just put those things in my newegg wishlist. Thanks so much for your help, and everyone else also.