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Thread: Budget Media Centre Build

  1. #33
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    Quote Originally Posted by mycarsavw View Post
    I think he meant, "What about [using] MythTV [as your OS]?"
    Yeah, just wondered as I was quoted. Wasn't actually intended as a joke Cat but rather a semi-serious answer.

    It reads like I was being asked if the Vista version has some baring on MythTV. I actually forgot MythTV was a full OS and not just an application, hence the answer
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

  2. #34
    Formerly known as Zap. Stephen C's Avatar
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    So this is my updated semi final decision thus far, minus the case and PSU which I've yet to decide on.

    Mobo
    CPU
    RAM
    HDD

    Any reccomendation for change anywhere?
    I've also sourced Windows 7 for an OS.
    Last edited by Stephen C; 27-07-2009 at 05:37 PM.

  3. #35
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    Quote Originally Posted by Zap View Post
    So this is my semi final decision thus far, minus the case and PSU which I've yet to decide on.

    Mobo
    CPU
    RAM
    HDD

    Any reccomendation for change anywhere?
    I would probably go for the X2 245 and use the savings to get a Samsung or Western Digital hard drive. Make sure you check the Scan Today Only and Shop Offers webpages too.

  4. #36
    Formerly known as Zap. Stephen C's Avatar
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1TB-S...ache-89-ms-NCQ?

    Oh, I'm guessing one with 7.2k RPM?

  5. #37
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    Quote Originally Posted by Zap View Post
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1TB-S...ache-89-ms-NCQ?

    Oh, I'm guessing one with 7.2k RPM?
    Yep!! This one in fact:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1TB-S...ache-89-ms-NCQ

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  7. #38
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    The Athlon II X2 240 can be had for around £44:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/AMD-A...che-65W-Retail

  8. #39
    Formerly known as Zap. Stephen C's Avatar
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    Can anyone reccomend a PSU for the outlined system in the first post for under £30?

  9. #40
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    Be Quiet! 350w for £29.99 excluding VAT:

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166784

    Was £24.99 yesterday.

    Alternatively a Silverpower 400w for around £29:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/400w-...ed-cooling-fan

    Silverpower is part of the same company as Tagan.

  10. Received thanks from:

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  11. #41
    Formerly known as Zap. Stephen C's Avatar
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      • Storage:
      • 120gb Barracuda
      • Graphics card(s):
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    Thanks alot CAT-THE-FIFTH, you've been very helpful

  12. #42
    Formerly known as Zap. Stephen C's Avatar
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      • CPU:
      • P4 3.4ghz @ 4.01ghz
      • Memory:
      • 4GB Corsair XMS Pro LL @ 2-3-3-6
      • Storage:
      • 120gb Barracuda
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI HD3850
      • PSU:
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      • Case:
      • Chieftec Ultra Dragon
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      • XP
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    Decided on this case, the look goes well with where it'll be placed.
    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150277
    So I'll have a scout round for mATX PSU's.

  13. #43
    Formerly known as Zap. Stephen C's Avatar
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      • 120gb Barracuda
      • Graphics card(s):
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    I'm curious to know, if I were to attempt to swing this build to combine both gaming and a media centre, despite what size the system may end up being..
    What if anything would need change or make an addition, keeping within a budget of say £250-£275?

    Sorry for all the questions, I'm just a bit out of the loop and this is a big buy for me as I'm on a seriously low income.

    My current "gaming" system comprises of a Water Cooled Pentium 4 Prescott 3.4ghz @ 4.01ghz, Asus P4C800 E Deluxe with 4gb Corsair XMS Pro LL and an ATI HD3850.
    Last edited by Stephen C; 30-07-2009 at 04:07 PM.

  14. #44
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      • Storage:
      • Not in any order
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    Quote Originally Posted by Zap View Post
    I'm curious to know, if I were to attempt to swing this build to combine both gaming and a media centre, despite what size the system may end up being..
    What if anything would need change or make an addition, keeping within a budget of say £250-£275?

    Sorry for all the questions, I'm just a bit out of the loop and this is a big buy for me as I'm on a seriously low income.

    My current "gaming" system comprises of a Water Cooled Pentium 4 Prescott 3.4ghz @ 4.01ghz, Asus P4C800 E Deluxe with 4gb Corsair XMS Pro LL and an ATI HD3850.
    You would need a case which can take full size graphics cards and a more expensive PSU too.

    Also if you want to go significantly better than your existing HD3850 you would need to go for an HD4850 which is over £70.

    The other alternative is upgrade your existing CPU and motherboard in you main build first. Perhaps an X2 550 and a Gigabyte 770 based motherboard which will cost you around £120. Also newer 770 based motherboards can be used to see if you can unlock the X2 550 to a quad core if you are lucky.

    Upgrading your existing PC will be a better use of you funds if they are limited and this can be used to play media too instead of two separate PCs. This is what I would do as even an old PC can be used for media purposes with a cheap PCI-E graphics card which can be used to help the CPU decode the video.

    TBH,I would another 6 months or so until the first DX11 cards come out and if anything this should hopefully drive down DX10 graphics card prices even lower.

  15. #45
    Formerly known as Zap. Stephen C's Avatar
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      • CPU:
      • P4 3.4ghz @ 4.01ghz
      • Memory:
      • 4GB Corsair XMS Pro LL @ 2-3-3-6
      • Storage:
      • 120gb Barracuda
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI HD3850
      • PSU:
      • Hiper Type R
      • Case:
      • Chieftec Ultra Dragon
      • Operating System:
      • XP
      • Monitor(s):
      • 20WGX2
      • Internet:
      • Virgin 30mb

    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    What are the thoughts of an Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H and an E6300?
    Is there a simmilar but better motherboard alternative to take the same CPU?
    Trying to keep under £120 for the board.

  16. #46
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    Re: Budget Media Centre Build

    Quote Originally Posted by Zap View Post
    What are the thoughts of an Gigabyte GA-E7AUM-DS2H and an E6300?
    Is there a simmilar but better motherboard alternative to take the same CPU?
    Trying to keep under £120 for the board.
    Check my PM. Also the 9300 chipset will do the job as it has the same features as the 9400 but the GPU is underclocked.

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