Cheap Media PC - Need help.

[TokeR]

Recently my 8800 GTX died on me and I have almost finished building my new gaming rig. I am now left with my old PC that I used mainly just to watch movies on and browse the web near the end of the cards life.

I Have the following things:

CPU: Intel Q6600 @ Stock.
HDD: 2x 500GB WD Caviar Blacks
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme

I only want to keep these items and I need recommendations for the following:

Mobo: A cheap reliable Motherboard.
GPU: Again Cheap and reliable and can play Blu-Ray quality movies.
RAM: Yeah everything just cheap lol, so long as it can handle light use and blu-ray movies I am happy.
Case: Cheap but flash.. this is something I will most likely find myself. But suggestions are great.
PSU: Cheap and reliable.
Heat sink for Intel Q6600 Cheap..

Everything else I have, I would really appreciate if someone has the time to try and help me piece together a system, I probably wont be building it for a few weeks but it would be great to have a plan..

I really want to keep this as cheap as possible so like -$400-500 which still sounds pretty expensive but I don't mind suggestions going over this limit.. Just please try to not exceed the limit by too much!


Thanks for any suggestions, love the help I get on these forums

[xlilmissmjx]

I tried looking on the Australian site ITSdirect – Buy Systems & Parts at Australia’s Only Service Based Online Computer Superstore! for the parts, but after not been able to get a motherboard for your Q6600 cpu I decided on pricing a newer build for you.

Here is what setup I'd do for a HTPC, using your other parts you have too

Silverstone SG02F $84
Corsair CX400W $72
Asus P7H55-M LGA1156 $125 USB3 $155
Intel Core i3 530 $143
G Skill 4GB 2x2GB DDR3-1600 $131 (F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ)
Samsung SH-B123A 12x Blu-ray/DVD Combo Drive $98
MS Win 7 Home Premium 64Bit OEM $138

Total is $791, with USB3 $821

Get the video card when you can afford it later on.

If you minus the blu-ray/dvd combo drive & OS your back down to around $560, plus/minus $20. You'll have to stay with the original cpu cooler, unless someone knows of a good one under 82mm in height.

There's a $100 difference (using the non USB3 price) with using an Asus P5G41T-M & Intel E5400 cpu, there's no price difference with using the same board with a C2D E7500 cpu and it would be an extra $70 for a C2D Q8400 cpu setup! So you've got some choices and some thinking to do mate

Good luck with whatever you choose though

[technix]

Imho, that's pretty expensive for a HTPC build. Doesn't Australia have any 'used PC parts' forums or websites? Or 'buy & sells' with older PC components? Maybe shipping to Down Under wouldn't even be that expensive? I don't know. There's ebay as well.

Video cards for HTPC can be had relatively cheap. A P45 or LGA 775 mobo you should be able to acquire cheaply. Hard drives and case, I'd buy new. A case is probably expensive when you need it shipped to you. RAM (1 or 2GB sticks) and mobo you might be able to find used for a good deal. You might want to buy the PSU new as well depending on: 1) what's available, 2) how much buyer's asking and 3) what it costs to have it shipped. Look into local sellers of used stuff and go from there? If the used market for that hardware is relatively available, I don't see why you couldn't get what you need for about $300 or less.

[dr_dream]

- ASUS P5QL/EPU LGA 775 Intel P43 ATX Intel Motherboard - $75
- 2x G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $78
- XFX HD-567X-YNFC Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit DDR5 - $80
- CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 CMPSU-430CX 430W - $50
- RAIDMAX Scorpio ATX-868WBP Black 0.8mm Japanese SECC ATX Mid Tower - $50
- KINGWIN XT-1264 120mm Xtreme Direct H.T.C. - $25
TOTAL: $358

If you want it a bit cheaper, you can pick only one 2GB stick and a PowerColor AX5550 graphic card priced at $65, but the performances are far from a HD5670 card which costs only $15 more. So, for the best overall experience, I recommend you stick to 4GB DDR2 and a HD5670, offering a more than decent gaming experience (even if you didn't mention gaming).
The cooler has great value, coming with a 120mm fan an featuring 4 heat-pipes. (most of the value HDT coolers are basically the same... manufactured at the same placed, but with other stickers, fan and prices, to the Kingwin would be definately be the best pick here.)

[JD]

Shame Australia is so much more expensive...

I'd suggest grabbing like a Gigabyte G31 board with a HD4350. 2GB of DDR2-667/800 (whatever is cheapest). PSU maybe like the Corsair CX400 or Antec 380D. Not sure if you can get Seasonic's down there, but a low wattage one of those would be good too.

Honestly though, depending on what media you want to play, it's likely cheaper (and quieter/less power) to buy a PS3. Should be able to stream PC content to it and it can play Blurays quite well.