Opinions on Computer Build

[zad0030]

So right now I have about half of a computer laying in my room. I have been wanting to build a computer for quite a while and now that I have some spending money Im going to do it.

It's not going to be anything real fancy, just something to surf the web and watch movies etc.

Im going to be hooking it up to a TV. The TV only has Component inputs. It doesnt have VGA, DVI, or HDMI inputs. I know they make DVI to Component (YPbPr) adapter but the problem is it only works with certain graphics cards. In particular, ATI cards.

Im trying to stay around $200 without going over $250.

Here is what I have in mind right now....(this is just the Motherboard and Processor, the rest is irrelevant.

-ASRock A780LM AM2+/AM2 AMD RS780L (760G) Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157153

-AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200 Brisbane 2.7GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADO5200DOBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103210

Im just looking for someones opinion. Someone that can tell me if this will do what I want it to.

[ragboy]

I build servers, and have experimented with many motherboards. Motherboards can be a pain in the ***. Don't go with a cheap name mobo. Stick with something like asus, or gigabyte. I can't tell you how many times drivers don't work right, hangs, freezes, cuz of crappy mobos. I have found asus and gigabyte to work well out of the box and they do great driver and bios support. Your choice of processor is fine. Here is one I would look at, just a bit more.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128379

Same thing goes for memory, newegg has great prices, but even better, put in your mobo model into crucial.com and get the memory from them. I have put together probably 300+ systems, and have dealt with all the headaches.

Also, make sure you buy good thermal grease, and don't use the crap that comes with. I usually use arctic silver 5.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007

Its cheap and works great. If you use a micro ATX mobo, here is one,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128379

and then you can get a nice small case. Don't skimp on the case either, but I use these all the time as servers they are very reliable, and you can order power supplies when they die. These cases are pretty sexy in gloss black also, they are not chinsy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...antec%20minuet

May seem a bit pricey for a mini case, but trust me, it is worth it, 350watt power supply, nice ports, and still easy to put everything in, and nice looking. It doesn't have cheap plastic doors that fall off quickly.

HTH.

[time2kyl]

and don't forget an extra can of magic smoke to put back in after the inevitable...




























Sorry, had to get that in there before Phil did

[zad0030]

Thanks Ragboy!

I was hoping you would reply because I know you know boat loads about this sorta stuff.


I guess I can spend $5 more for a quality board.

Actually Im reusing a case I already have.
I have:
Case, Power supply (250w), and Disk drives.
Im buying:
Cpu, Motherboard, Hard drive (320gb WD), and RAM

But what do you think as far as hooking it up to the TV with a component connection? From what I have read on the ATI and reviews on products and such I should be able to do it.

[ragboy]

Are you saying hook it up to TV, INSTEAD of a monitor? or just extra for watching video and stuff?

[zad0030]

Are you saying hook it up to TV, INSTEAD of a monitor? or just extra for watching video and stuff?

Yes, instead of a monitor.

[ragboy]

Not a good idea. TVs run at like 60hz, or worse if not digital. So you are going to have a screen resolution at BEST of 1366x768 if it is HD, if not, don't even go there. You will kill your eyes in no time.

You should check craigslist for something cheap. A 20" or so with 1680x1050 would be good sweet spot for price, and good size, I would say.

OK, here is one. Seriously, how do you beat this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236056

[jwanck11]

For your needs, I'd think this proc might be a bit better suited and is worth a few bucks extra:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103300

If you are still keen on the micro atx, Robert provided a good match of a MB and case. I've done micro-atx, but like ATX better. You might just want to upgrade stuff sooner than you think. If you do get the itch for a higher end vid card for instance, it will be far easier to do so with an ATX set up (case included than micro.)

The key with thermal grease is not so much the brand name of grease as it is in the thickness and uniformity of the layer that is applied. Too little or too much can be a very big problem. You want a layer that is as thin/thick as light construction paper and make sure it is a uniform thickness across the processor devoid of waves.

[jwanck11]

Save your pennies for a few weeks. Discount and free shipping. The extra real-estate is worth it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009145

Go to the store and look at a 19 vs 22. The difference is unreal.

[zad0030]

TV is a 32in CRT that supports 1080i.

The idea behind hooking it up to the TV was that I could use the computer from my bed or wherever.. just being lazy.

If I dont hook it up to a TV then Im back to square one and need to find different Mobo and CPU.

[ragboy]

You def don't want to use 1080i (interlaced) as your main screen. It will drive you nuts.

[zad0030]

For your needs, I'd think this proc might be a bit better suited and is worth a few bucks extra:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103300

If you are still keen on the micro atx, Robert provided a good match of a MB and case. I've done micro-atx, but like ATX better. You might just want to upgrade stuff sooner than you think. If you do get the itch for a higher end vid card for instance, it will be far easier to do so with an ATX set up (case included than micro.)

The key with thermal grease is not so much the brand name of grease as it is in the thickness and uniformity of the layer that is applied. Too little or too much can be a very big problem. You want a layer that is as thin/thick as light construction paper and make sure it is a uniform thickness across the processor devoid of waves.

Im limited to Micro ATX because of the case I have.

[zad0030]

So you guys think I should bag the TV idea?

[jwanck11]

I know Rag has his opinion and I respect that he's got a lot of knowledge in this area.

My thought is that if you are mainly viewing from a long distance away, then it might not be a bad thing.

Do I understand that you all ready have the TV?? If that is the case, this is a no brainer... try it and if it drives ya nuts, buy a monitor. The parts that you are looking at will push either the TV or the suggested monitors. Lastly, I am not sure there is a reason to be wary of using converter connectors. Just ensure the MB you get has an ATI chipset. Also make sure to dedicate proper memory to it. I exclusively use ati graphics cards (currently running 2 1GB XFX 4890's in 16X crossfire ) and have never had problems with them.

[ragboy]

Y, plenty of room for other opinions, but I think 1080i, instead of 1080p, and not digital, won't be as cool as you think, but def no harm trying it out.

What I would do, is hook up to monitor, and HDMI to tv, or component with adapter, and download windows 7 ultimate, which is free for a year, and INCLUDES windows media center.

Or hook the tube up to an xbox 360, which will connect to PC over the net, and act like a monitor on your computer, showing all video and music from your computer, it works well.