System for gaming and HDTV

[highkftj]

Hi,
I need a pd desktop around 600-900 bucks which is able to handle entry level/old games (old car simulators) but mostly which is able to output any video I have on my hd to my HDTV via hdmi. Thus I am looking for a video card with at least 1) DVI for connecting the monitor and 2) HDMI with audio support for sending the video+audio to my hdtv

I read that ge force need to have the audio hooked up via spdif with the mobo or audio card in order to have audio over hdmi output. that's why I was thinking to move more to a radeon system which seems to handle better the problem. I saw that 4350 or 4550 have good gaming entry level with a good hdmi support, up to 1080p.

at the moment, after reading all the possible combination I found two system which satisfy my needs, but I am not sure if they would really work and if there is any better possibility:

a) pc: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229117 with monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009157

this system sounds pretty good and it would be perfect if it had a firewire support...(needed to edit some video). is there any possibility to have a front panel multi card reader/usb/firewire to connect to the pc (also with pci connection to the mobo if the mobo does not support directly the connections)



b) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113106

this also look a pretty nice system but I am not sure if the g210 worked for streaming audio + video over hdmi. why gateway is not more specific about this point and doen't say if the system has the audio connection via spdif.



Any helps, comment or advice on above or other system would be really appreciated!

Thanks

 

[lunyone]

Are you open to the possibility of building your own system?? If so you can build a decent system yourself. The GPU's in those builds aren't what I'd call "Gaming" GPU's. Yes they will run better than onboard GPU's, but you would want something better, if you want to have a good gaming experience.

Here is what I'd consider:
~$187 - $10 MIRc = $177!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259850

$100 shipped!! Much better "Gaming" GPU than either of the ones listed above!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824

$70 shipped!! One of the better HD's out there for the $!!!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

$80 shipped!! Should be plenty for what you need for now!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

$90 shipped!!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.245592

$31 shipped!!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140041

$150 shipped!! Should be plenty for what you need!!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009175

$110 shipped! It's what you should get until Windows 7 comes out. This comes with a free upgrade to Windows 7!!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

Total = $818 - $10 MIRc = $808!! Pretty close to your budget!!

It's up to you on what you want to do, but the build above is much better than the ones that you listed.

Thoughts:
* The AMD build you selected has a pretty crappy GPU and I'm not sure how good the PSU is in it either.
* The Intel build has a nice CPU, but the GPU is lacking too, plus it's more expensive.

 

[build]

lunyone your links doesn't seem to work.

Here's my suggestion:

Intel Core2 Duo E7500 Wolfdale 2.93GHz
+
SAPPHIRE 100258-1GHDMI Radeon HD 4850 1GB
Combo Price: $224.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231095

GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L LGA 775
+
OCZ Gold 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
Combo Price: $126.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.253490

Antec Basiq BP430 430W Continuous Power
+
Antec VSK-2000 Black ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.246458
Combo Price: $74.94

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM
+
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
Combo Price: $149.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259577.22-152-181

LITE-ON CD/DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA
$28.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Total = $605.87

You get a faster Intel processor, much better graphics card that is actually suitable for gaming (with 1GB of memory for higher resolutions), and a more reliable power supply compared to that Cyberpower PC.

That Gateway PC is not a good deal.

 

[highkftj]

Thank you guys, I didn't consider to build one myself to avoid the potential problems of drivers and incompatibility but after all should be fun. I will go to this way.

I like more the intel idea: if I want to move to a faster cpu, shouldn't I leave amd and prefer intel??

Also I would like to point out something more specific. the gaming will be more the 30% of my activity with this pc, but mostly I will be working on it and especially 50% I will be playing content on my hdtv, so I need a system which is in between gaming and media center. Do you guys know if the above gpu has AUDIO OVER HDMI??? this seems to be a crucial problem because a lot of people out there connect the pc to the tv and then they don't have audio, or the video is crappy...

that was my first concern when I started considering this system...

 

[build]

Yes, Intel has faster processors but AMD is good value for money.

Are you talking about the Sapphire 4850 i suggested? If that's the case, it says "HDMI w/ both video and audio output", so I'm guessing that's what your after?

 

[highkftj]

Yes, since you both guys were selecting a 4850 (just with different ram) I am thinking to get this one (the one with 1gb actually)
I just wanted to make sure that I am not so focused on gaming but probably more in a media center system which doesn't mind some games... Also I am fan of old simulator car games which requires less powerful machines.

I am not getting the vista license. I have a xp pro 64 bit license and I am planning to use this one, since I hate vista (don't know how w7 will be though...) Anyway I am thinking to use that money to get other 2 banks of the same ram.
Do you know any compatibility issue about xp pro 64 and the above hardware.

Also, I made some system in the past, but I am not really an assembler. Should this require some special tools like thermoconductive paste or special cables? or all the necessary is inside cpu and motherboard boxes?

thanks

 

[build]

Alright, if you insist on a less powerful graphics card, then get this ATI 4650 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127416&cm_re=14-127-_-14-127-416-_-Product. Sweet deal for only $45 after rebates. It will still play "old simulator car games" with ease.

I have Windows 7 RC and based on my experience I like it better than XP. You can pre-order a retail copy for an absolute bargain right now. Retail copies can be installed to another computer, as long as you uninstall it first from the previous computer of course, so when you need to build a new one in the future you won't have to buy an OS.

You won't need more than 4GB so don't bother getting more.

All cables you will need should come with the parts and thermal paste will already be pre-applied.

 

[psycho sykes]

How about....
CPU: i5 750 -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5-_-19-115-215-_-Product -- $209.99
Mobo: ASUS P7P55D EVO -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131407&cm_re=asus_p55-_-13-131-407-_-Product -- $189.99
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279 -- $94.99
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181&cm_re=spinpoint_f3-_-22-152-181-_-Product -- $49.99
Wait for HD5770 for like $199.99, See my last post in http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/271118-31-quality-gaming#t1988628
Or get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102853&cm_re=hd_4770-_-14-102-853-_-Product -- $109.99 -- SAPPHIRE 100277HDMI Radeon HD 4770 512MB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 ("Arctic Cooling" Cooling design)
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=corsair%20650%20TX -- $99.99

HSF: Thermaltake SpinQ Performance Series cooler with ultra-lightweight aluminum and six heatpipes CL-P0466 CPU Cooler -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106123&cm_re=1156-_-35-106-123-_-Product -- $59.98
Or COOLER MASTER Intel Core i5 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU cooler -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=1156-_-35-103-065-_-Product -- $29.99
CD/DVD Drive: SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD Burner Black SATA -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187 -- $30.99
---------------------------
Total: $805 (Without MIRs and DVD Drive, With the Thermaltake SpinQ HSF).

Hope helped you some.

Medo

 

[highkftj]

I think I'll go for this configuration. Please feel free to edit or advise any part you may think can be improved:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009157

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109156

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227199

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.259921.27-106-289

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.246458

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.253490

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.231095



Subtotal: $793.84
Shipping: $21.91

Grand Total: $815.75

 

[psycho sykes]

Why not i5 ?!!!?!!!

 

[build]

Because $800 is not enough for an I5 rig + OS + monitor + peripherals

You have 2 sets of RAM listed. Get rid of the other one.

You also forgot the OS.

Everything else is fine.

 

[psycho sykes]

Um.. I'll update with another configuration and try to make it i5 with all you said (I5 rig + OS + monitor + peripherals )

Medo

 

[build]

I'd like to see you try

 

[psycho sykes]

The honor of the try is enough !!

 

[build]

I like you

 

[highkftj]

Hey Guys,

thanks for your really great advices.
just two quick notes:

I put an extra ram of the same type because I want to have 8gigs and 4 rams are in the combo. Do you really think they wouldn't be used in a system which deals with video and graphycs???

I wouldn't need the OS. I have a retail license of xp pro x64 never used and I was planning to use it for this system (btw I hate vista)
do you have the link for the retail copy of windows7. I can think about it...

I am looking forward to see the other configuration with i5. I can stay around 800 bucks or just a little more.

Thanks

 

[psycho sykes]

^^ Same boat
^ So that's $200 off the build, Stay tuned

Medo

 

[build]

Seriously man, you won't need 8 gigs for those uses. Stick with 4.

As for the I5 build for under $800, psycho is still "trying" to put together one. God knows how long it'll take, or if he might succeed at all :lol:

 

[highkftj]

Ok, I will follow your advice about the ram. Let's see how looks like the i5 config.

btw I liked your first idea of the 4850 with 1g of ram. I can get that.

can you give me the link for the retail windows7?

 

[psycho sykes]

It's not out for retail yet.

 

[highkftj]

I like the i5 config.

Let's stick into that, with 4gigs and the radeon 4850

so what would be your final proposal??? I will be waiting to finalize the order

In order to get windows7, should I spend now 100 bucks for a crappy vista?? ok, let's put also that one

 

[psycho sykes]

Do you mean the build i posted? I was just about to finish a sub $900 i5 build! ..

Medo

 

[highkftj]

I am ok to stay below 900...

just give me your optimal configuration with i5, radeon 4850, 4 gigs.

 

[psycho sykes]

I Will

Do you need a Case and/or Speaker system??

 

[highkftj]

I Will

Do you need a Case and/or Speaker system??

I do need a case and power supply (like the antec combo or what is better...) if there is something with front panel ports, that would be nice but not essential.

I have the speaker system instead.