PC Peripherals PC Upgrade

[chiron]

My parent's pc is dying so I am thinking of giving my current PC to them and building a new one for myself. Since I decided on getting a lancool cabinet purchase would be in another 6 weeks or so, but I wanted to get an idea of what to get early.

Q: What is your budget?

20-25K tentatively. Not fixed yet.

Q: Which hardware will you be keeping (component name - component brand and model)

Monitor - VS 1912w

SMPS - Corsair VX540

GFX - POV 8600gt 256mb ddr3

4 X Sata HDDs

Q: Which hardware component are you looking to buy (component name). If you have already decided on a configuration then please mention the (component brand and model) as well, this will help us in fine tuning your requirement.

CPU - vfm

Motherboard - 5/6 sata ports, NO sli, onboard audio

RAM - 2/4gb

HDD - OS drive

Optical drive

2 X 5.25 to 3.5" converters for HDDs or cheap hdd cage.

Remote(primarily for fast-forwarding titles etc in kmplayer, should be compatible with tuner card etc)

Q: Is this going to be your final configuration or you would be adding/upgrading a component in near future. If yes then please mention when and which component

Yes, will upgrade the following within 6 months

Monitor - 22" or higher, HD

Gfx card - midrange, DX 11

Tuner Card compatible with services like tata sky etc

Sound - something in the range of Xonar series or a DAC

Q: Where will you buy this hardware? (Online/City/TE Dealer)

Online purchase/S.P Road

Q: Would you consider buying a second hand hardware from the TE market

Only local purchase, no shipping.

Q: What is your intended use for this PC/hardware

Gaming

Browsing

Download rig, 24x7 operation

3D Software, PS

Q: If you will be playing games then which type of games will you be playing?

Demigod/Spellforce 2/Starcraft 2

Crysis, Bioshock 2

Grid, Shift



Q: Are you looking to overclock?

No

Q: Which operating system do you intend to use with this configuration?

XP, Windows 7

 

[Gannu]

Phenom II X2 550 + Biostar TA785GE 128M + 2x2GB 800MHz Transcend sticks + WD 640AAKS + Samsung SH-S223D seems like a probable configuration for you. Have the additional cores unlocked and you've a great processor!

Add the Hauppage PVR 150 MCE tv tuner kit with the remote and the IR blaster and you're done. You can source the kit from Supra.

 

[chiron]

I'm not getting the tuner card right now; is there any standalone remote people here prefer?

Also, is the WD640 better than the 1001FALS (disregarding the capacity and price)?

I checked out a few reviews of the TA785GE which seemed perfect for me, but the problem with is that there are only two pci slots and one will most certainly be lost due to the gfx card. So, I need at least 3 PCI slots. Also, onboard video isn't a requirement as I already have an 8600gt.

 

[Udit]

E7500 + Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L + 2x2GB Transcend 800MHz DDR2 + WD640AAKS 640GB HDD + LG GH22NS30 DVD-RW = 22k

 

[Gannu]

I'm not getting the tuner card right now; is there any standalone remote people here prefer?

Also, is the WD640 better than the 1001FALS (disregarding the capacity and price)?

I checked out a few reviews of the TA785GE which seemed perfect for me, but the problem with is that there are only two pci slots and one will most certainly be lost due to the gfx card. So, I need at least 3 PCI slots. Also, onboard video isn't a requirement as I already have an 8600gt.

The TV tuner card I've emntioned comes with the IR blaster and a remote which could be purchased separately for ~800 INR IINM. The whole kit for 1.5k makes a sweeter deal IMO, thus the suggestion.

The 1001FALS should be the faster of the lot.

Most decent mid-end cards are dual-slot cards. In your case when you choose to upgrade, you'll most definitely lose a slot. Any particular reason apart from the TV tuner card, you'd need the PCI slots for?

Btw you get cheap 5.25" to 3.5" converters made of metal from computer shops. Amarbir's retailing a Scythe Bay rafter made of plastic which additionally has a provision for attaching a 80/92/120mm fan underneath the bay. The CM690 enclosure comes bundled with one such metallic adapter. Uusers who do not use it can spare theirs'.

 

[chiron]

^^ I've already got a zebronics tuner card for cable tv which however has a terrible interface and poor recording capabilities. I'm not using it right now and won't be till I graduate which would be in another year(hopefully) which is why I'm not in a hurry to get a tuner. I did check out some reviews and can't figure out whether it input from supports set top boxes.

I like the layout of Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L. Maybe I will be able to afford an e8200 or better in a couple of months if the prices come down

 

[chiron]

Upgrading the PC this week; the requirements are the same as in the first post but am only getting processor and mobo with a budget of around 10k(can go upto 15k if the extra amount is worth it). What would be my options if I'm getting Intel/AMD?

I'd like maximum possible number of sata ports and pci slots on the mobo. I liked the MSI P55-CD53; which processor would be a good choice to go with it?