The perfect Multi-media computer?

[Wing Nut]

Well, I am planning my multi-media computer to replace my CD collection, and was having a bit of trouble deciding what to use.

[Jared]

hmm, may I recommend the SOYO KT-400 motherboard?

Comes with C-media 6.1 surround out to a digital reciever if you already have one.. ;-)

as far as going out to our tv you should be ok with any of the newer video cards that happen to have the s-video out, that is of course if your tv has an s-video input.. ;-)

if your tv doesn't have a compatible input as the output from your pc, you can by a vga to RCA converter box for around $30USD.. ;-)

Are you planning on storing dvd material on this pc? or just playing dvd's?

[Wing Nut]

I think just playing DVD's.  Collecting DVD's is sort of a hobby for me and I would much prefer to have an original copy in the case than some plain Jane burned one in a jewel case.  Plus, with only 200 Gigs to play with, I don't see that much room for music and DVD's together.

My TV does have an S-video plug, but sometime after the move, we are planning on moving up to a plasma TV, and since you need a tuner (the cheap bastards won't supply one with it) I figured I'd need it.  Besides, I already have one, so it saves money there...  ;)


Kevin

[congo]

B-29,

That KT-400 chipset (socket 462) leaves a lot to be desired, it's old, wasn't as good or upgradeable as the nforce2 chipset and it doesn't support current CPU's or Ram. You should be thinking about an upgrade soon.

===============

Dread Pirate Roberts,

If you do go for socket 478, (and I wouldn't), get a mobo with a Intel 865PE chipset or I875, or the  equivalent chipset for onboard (omg) graphics, (865G ? ), if you don't buy a video card for it.


I would spend the few extra dollars on a current chipset and CPU such as an Intel 915p mainboard (socket 775) and the 3.0ghz P4, (the 630 model with 64 bit support in case you go to a 64bit op sys in the future).

The mainboard should always be the latest possible, there are budget socket 775 boards available.

You could also look at socket 939 (AMD 64bit cpu), in the budget range, as they will perform comparable to a P4 rig or better.

Take your time choosing as prices will continue to drop.

[the_autopilot]

hmm, may I recommend the SOYO KT-400 motherboard?

Comes with C-media 6.1 surround out to a digital reciever if you already have one.. ;-)

as far as going out to our tv you should be ok with any of the newer video cards that happen to have the s-video out, that is of course if your tv has an s-video input.. ;-)

if your tv doesn't have a compatible input as the output from your pc, you can by a vga to RCA converter box for around $30USD.. ;-)

Are you planning on storing dvd material on this pc? or just playing dvd's?

Might want to consider getting an all-in-wonder 9800 xt then.

For DVD content and storage, I recommend getting 2 hd with native command queuing and raiding them together. For this though, a mobo with SATA2 support is ideal.

I'd get a socket 775 just to future proof. Since your using a plasma, make sure you get the card i suggested cause you can the dvi connection. Other connections will lose quality.

[Jared]

B-29,

That KT-400 chipset (socket 462) leaves a lot to be desired, it's old, wasn't as good or upgradeable as the nforce2 chipset and it doesn't support current CPU's or Ram. You should be thinking about an upgrade soon.

Really? I hadn't noticed....

Yeah, yeah I know I need to update, but first things first, finally broke down and bought a laptop the other night so I could work on homework no matter where I was....and no I'm not gonna tell you which one... because it isn't the fastest one out there.... It IS the one I could find with the best 'bang" for my buck.. ;-)

we would all love to have the best stuff out there, but sometimes other things come first.. ;-)

I was just recommending something that will work for what he is asking. I believe it does NOT have to be a supercomputer.. ;-)

Anyways......  ::)

Just my thoughts,

TA ta!

[congo]

Most people who need my help have bought a rig that will "do the job".

I rarely get to help anyone with a quality system.

How often do we see people in these forums with problems on the better chipsets like Intel 865/875 and above, or nForce2 and above? Those chipsets have been around for nearly 3 years and though aging, are still going strong, providing upgrade support with current solutions.

If you buy the same chipsets now, however, you limit future upgrades and compatibilty by a factor of years.

The extra cost of the newer stuff is a small fraction of the overall PC purchase. Trying to skimp on the most important thing (in my opinion) is going to cost more in the long run and/or make your computing experience less enjoyable and less productive.

I have many boating friends who buy old laptops for use as GPS interfaced chart plotters because "it's all that they need". Then they try to use it for cameras and other devices and soon find out that a 2gb hard drive, 64mb of Ram and 500mhz (or less) cpu's just aren't doing the job.
They try to run the latest software and then they are back on the phone to me, asking what's wrong with their PC's. I then remind them of the advice I gave them originally, and that's all I can do until they shell out the cash for something that works.

[Wing Nut]

Ok, so I'll make that a socket 775 Mobo.  Remember though, this thing is not going to be doing any heavy lifting, so it doesn't NEED to be a Cray 2000.  All it's going to do is play music and watch movies and TV, pretty much.  That doesn't take a whole lot of power.  I figure a Gig of Ram ought to be more than sufficient as well.

Right now, I have the ATI TV Wonder Pro tuner card, but the more I look at this, the more I'm going to have to find one with a remote.  I'm kind of fuzzy on how the interface for this is going to work...  

Kevin

[Jared]

I have many boating friends who buy old laptops for use as GPS interfaced chart plotters because "it's all that they need". Then they try to use it for cameras and other devices and soon find out that a 2gb hard drive, 64mb of Ram and 500mhz (or less) cpu's just aren't doing the job.
They try to run the latest software and then they are back on the phone to me, asking what's wrong with their PC's. I then remind them of the advice I gave them originally, and that's all I can do until they shell out the cash for something that works.

I see what your saying there, in fact I'm replacing 333mhz ibm which served it's purpose well as a basic word editor and powerpoint machine. Now I'm getting into the visual studio dot net programming and that machine can't handle it, so I ordered a emachines/gateway with an athalon 2800, 512 ram, 32mb video card, 60GB hard drive, integrated wireless...etc...we shall see how it works when it gets here tomorrow.. ;-)