EggXpert

I just wanted to get some opinions on my first computer build.  I'm mainly going to be using it as a media center.  I need it to play video in full 1080p with an HDMI output, but Blu-ray isn't a necessity.  While it is going to be an HTPC, I really don't like the HTPC cases.  I also don't really think a quad core would be necessary, but other than that I would like it to be fairly easy to upgrade.  I will need a lot of storage (I bought a TB external drive a couple of months ago and already need some more space), but don't necessarily need it all right away.

Budget: $1200

	.Update35-186-134		ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler - RetailModel #:Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2Item #:N82E16835186134Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add35-186-134) Save   Cancel	$36.98	-$3.00 Instant	$33.98
.	.Update11-129-058		Antec Nine Hundred Two Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - RetailModel #:Nine Hundred TwoItem #:N82E16811129058Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add11-129-058) Save   Cancel	$139.95	-$20.15 Instant	$119.80
.	.Update13-128-358		GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - RetailModel #:GA-EP45-UD3PItem #:N82E16813128358Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockMail in Rebate Card13-128-358 Note (Add13-128-358) Save   Cancel	$134.99		$134.99
.	.Update14-102-859		SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - RetailModel #:100284LItem #:N82E16814102859Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy Out Of Stock    Auto-Notify14-102-859 Note (Add14-102-859) Save   Cancel	$144.99		$144.99
.	.Update17-139-005		CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - RetailModel #:CMPSU-650TXItem #:N82E16817139005Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn StockMail in Rebate Card17-139-005 Note (Add17-139-005) Save   Cancel	$159.99	-$60.00 Instant	$99.99
.	.Update19-115-037		Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - RetailModel #:BX80570E8400Item #:N82E16819115037Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add19-115-037) Save   Cancel	$167.99		$167.99
.	.Update20-231-195		G.SKILL 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1100 (PC2 8800) Quad Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8800CL5Q-8GBPI - RetailModel #:F2-8800CL5Q-8GBPIItem #:N82E16820231195Return Policy:Memory Standard Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add20-231-195) Save   Cancel	$199.99		$199.99
.	.Update22-152-102		SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare DriveModel #:HD103UJItem #:N82E16822152102Return Policy:Standard Return Policy Out Of Stock    Auto-Notify22-152-102 Note (Add22-152-102) Save   Cancel	$84.99		$169.98
.	.Update27-106-335		LITE-ON Black 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support - RetailModel #:iHAS424-98Item #:N82E16827106335Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add27-106-335) Save   Cancel	$33.99		$33.99
.	.Update32-116-677		Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEMModel #:66I-03525Item #:N82E16832116677Return Policy:Software Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add32-116-677) Save   Cancel	$109.99	-$10.00 Instant	$99.99
Subtotal:						$1,205.69

 Couple of notes:  I know a couple of items are sold out, but it will be a couple of months until I have enough time to actually build the computer. I'd like the computer to be fairly quiet, and will probably add water cooling sometime in the future, but have no interest in overclocking.  I am also considering this power supply, as its modular and the same price (and from what I've read, still good quality): XIGMATEK MC NRP-MC651 650W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815001).

Any advice I can get would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

First off, the Intel LGA socket 775 is going the way of the dinosaur. Intel is getting ready to drop the line since they are starting to bring out the Intel Core i5 CPU's. Which means if your motherboard or the CPU go out, the only place to look for parts will be on places like E-Bay.

Instead of going with an Intel build, how about looking at an AMD Triple-Core with ATI Radeon HD 4200 on-board graphics for around $950.00?

Grand Total including the $29.94 shipping charge in the Shopping Cart is $950.87.

Qty.	Product Description	Savings	Total Price
1	LITE-ON Black 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support - Retail Item #: N82E16827106335 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy		$33.99
1	COOLER MASTER Sileo 500 RC-500-KKR3-GP Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC Body ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail Item #: N82E16811119207 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy		$109.99
1	Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Item #: N82E16822136320 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy		$69.99
1	Western Digital Caviar Black WD2001FASS 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Item #: N82E16822136456 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy		$299.99
1	OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR10664GK - Retail Item #: N82E16820227289 Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy	$20.00 Mail-in Rebate Card20-227-289	$110.99
1	OCZ Diesel 4GB Single Channel Flash Drive (USB2.0 Portable) Model OCZUSBDSL4G - Retail Item #: N82E16820227331 Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy	-$13.99 Saving	$13.99 $0.00
1	AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor Model HDX710WFGIBOX - Retail Item #: N82E16819103648 Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy		$109.00
1	Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM Item #: N82E16832116754 Return Policy: Software Return Policy GIGABYTE GA-MA785G-UD3H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail Item #: N82E16813128395 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy	-$10.00 Combo	$196.98 $186.98
Subtotal:			$920.93
Calculate ShippingZip Code: 55111 FedEx 3Day Express Saver -- $100.50FedEx 2Day -- $151.16FedEx Standard Overnight -- $180.45UPS Guaranteed 3 Day Service -- $29.94UPS 2nd Day -- $92.56UPS Next Day Saver -- $105.47		Shipping:	$29.94
Redeem Gift Certificates Claim Code: Security Code:		Gift Certificates:	$0.00
Apply Promo Code(s):		Promo Code:	$0.00
No Interest for 6 Months on orders over $500 or 12 Months on $999 or more. Subject to credit approval.
Grand Total:			$950.87

The motherboard is a Gigabyte UD3H with ATI Radeon HD 4200 on-board graphics and has a HDMI connection on-board as well. This motherboard is part of Gigabyte's "Ultra Durable" (UD) line. These are some of the better motherboards out there at this time. This is in a combo with Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium OEM.

The CPU is the AMD Phenom II X3 710 2.6GHz. Triple-Core CPU.

The case is the Cooler Master Sileo with a 500 watt power supply with the correct connections already mounted in the case. It has 2 120mm 800RPM fans and is quiet.

4GB of OCZ Reaper DDR2 1066MHz. memory with timings of 5-5-5-18 needing 2.2 volts to get them there. The 4GB flash drive is a freebie with the memory.

2 Western Digital Caviar Black hard drives. A 500GB 32mb cache for you main (C:\) drive and a 2TB with a 64mb cache for your storage (D:\) drive. (You did say you wanted more storage space.)

Lite-On 24X SATA DVD Burner with LightScribe.

Would that work for you as a HTPC?

Thanks for the input, but I've got a few questions/issues.

First, I'm not against using AMD CPUs, but I've heard the main reason to buy AMD is that you can mess around with them and possibly unlock additional cores.  I'm not really planning on doing that, as I'm not comfortable dealing with hardware on that level.  I know you can save a few bucks with AMD, but I feel that Intel is more reliable and user friendly.

Second, I'm not sure that a 500 watt PSU would be powerful enough, especially if I were to add a video card later.  Also, I now the PSU is one thing you want to make sure is quality, so I'd feel better buying it separate from the case.  Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. 

Third, I'm a little skeptical about the 2 TB drive.  For the price, I can get a lot more storage spread over a couple of drives.  Also, it must be newer, as there aren't many reviews for it.  I'd much rather buy multiple drives that are cheaper and more reliable.  I can always add additional drives or use externals.

Fourth, I'm not wild about onboard graphics.  I prefer to be able to just pull out the single part and not have to completely rebuild everything in case of a problem occuring.

Fifth, what's the advantage of using a smaller drive for the OS?

I have looked at another build with an AMD Phenom II X4 955, Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P, DDR3 1600 RAM, no CPU cooler and the rest the same that came to $1201.70 w/o shipping.

Always remember that unlocking the other cores and overclocking the Black Edition CPUs is an OPTION. You don't have to do it.

A 500 watt power supply has enough power to run a single video card.

The 2TB drive has been around for a while now. It's mainly used in a server set-up. That's why there aren't that many reviews on it.

You can still run a video card even if the motherboard has on-board graphics. In most cases, it will auto sense that a video card is installed and will shut-off the on-board. You can also shut-off the on-board from inside the bios of the motherboard.

Smaller hard drives are faster, in most cases, than a large hard drive.

If you want to go with Intel instead of AMD, I just put together an Intel Core i5 750 set-up for another person. This comes in under you budget as well. The Core i5 is faster than the AMD.