Author Topic: Wanting new Machine for Multimedia.. Help? (Read 2738 times)

theprophet · « **on:** February 22, 2010, 02:40:37 AM »

Well I am half way tech saavy but thought someone here might know a decent way to get what I am wanting.

I am wanting to get a new computer that I can use only to store video files and run them on my TV. I don't care about the processor speed much, or anything the only real requirement is that I am looking for HDMI output and enough video card capacity to run video files, and Space. I would like to have at least 4-5 TB on it.

Is it a better idea to look for one of the multimedia machine, or to make a cheap computer from scratch? What would be cheaper what would be better performance wise?

are there any brands that should stay away from any that shine? I usually use newegg.com for computer parts are there any other sites that might be a good place to hit up to build this machine or buy it? Give me the low down on what you guys think.

vuzedome · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2010, 05:50:22 AM »

First, size. Big? Small?
Then you work your way onwards.

Xiong Chiamiov · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2010, 05:52:52 AM »

I personally moved all of my data storage into a separate machine, and the media center access everything via samba (yes, it's Windows :/). That allows me to have a small little media center out in view while having a nice 4u rackmount for storage expandability.

fohfoh · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2010, 06:27:30 AM »

So basically the answers range from:

#1: Size. Do you want a little box beside your TV, or a big tower beside it. (Noise probably is included in this topic)
#2: Components. Do you want an all in 1, or do you want to build an octopus machine that has like 8 USB externals sticking out of it.
#3: Price. (No need to explain)

Typhoeus · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2010, 09:02:40 AM »

a cheap AMD CPU since you don't need too much CPU power, but for video conversion+streaming, a cheap quad is the best option, imo: http://www.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingItem.aspx?ItemList=N82E16819103706

Asus or Gigabyte motherboard- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

and for streaming playing 720/1080p video you'll want something with *some* oomph to it, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102871&cm_re=5670-_-14-102-871-_-Product

and for a PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003&Tpk=corsair%20450w

case:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129069
and finally, ram:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134492

nothing too fancy, but will get the job done, done right, and will last you a good while with upgrade-ability in the future.

theprophet · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2010, 09:06:58 AM »

Size is really not the issue on this one, neither is the noise of it. I know fans can get noisy on a computer.

I would like something with all internal drives that I can run things off. I have external drives right now and im concerned something might happen to them. So I want a machine that I can just leave next to my TV and run when I need it instead of using my laptop when I wanna watch something like I do now. Kinda sucks when watching can't use the laptop for messaging or anything.

Basically gonna use the externals as backups and this machine to play my vids on whenever. don't plan on playing any games with it, or even net browsing just for watching movies.. possibly playing some music from too. Just need one HDMI output really nothing else.

Price: I would like to keep the machine around $500 at the moment. I know that won't get me all the space I want on it at the moment, but it will be enough to get me started and then upgrade with more drives as I get the money.

fohfoh · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2010, 10:46:11 AM »

If that's the case, any decent C2D should function fine for you. Quad core is nice, but not really necessary. (But might as well, right?) Chasing the i-series from intel doesn't seem like a good use of money IMO, so the phasing out of the quad core and even AMD might be a good look.

Choose your proc
Then go for your mobo

Consider whether you want a raid array (which I highly doubt is useful in a tower just for movies such as this... but you never know) and go from there.

There's a lot of other threads on building PCs in the forums if you want to wander over there and get a general idea before asking specific questions about this and that.

DeadSpaceX · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2010, 11:53:59 AM »

Current media system is a dual core amd, 2gb ddr2 @800 and a 9500gt 512mb card gddr2 w/hdmi out, 500w psu, total price (already had spare hdd/optical drive and case) was a little under $300 (including am3 mobo w/PCI-E 2.0 x16). networked to file server.

video card was kind of overkill for just playing vids, but lowest priced cards were around $30, so $20 more wasn't that big of a difference. Most complete systems around that price were integrated graphics(6000 series), single core, and intel atoms.

Adding a case, hdd, optical drive...though i'd discount hdd and optical, both are reusable

would only bring it up to around $400, with still more capability then oem.

vuzedome · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2010, 02:43:32 PM »

95oo? dual-core amd?
you serious?
Get those Core i3s or i5s, 2gb ddr3, 450W psw, go internal with GMA HD.
Now most people would argue with me about GMA, if you actually go through the effort of getting DXVA to work properly, just as you would do the same with an ATi or nVidia card, it has unnoticed potential.

kureshii · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2010, 05:11:41 PM »

Quote from: DeadSpaceX on February 22, 2010, 11:53:59 AM

Current media system is a dual core amd, 2gb ddr2 @800 and a 9500gt 512mb card gddr2 w/hdmi out, 500w psu, total price (already had spare hdd/optical drive and case) was a little under $300 (including am3 mobo w/PCI-E 2.0 x16). networked to file server.

That's a good budget build (Assuming that's an Athlon II X2 you have), stick with it. No point shelling out for a system you don't need just yet.

Proin Drakenzol · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2010, 08:49:40 PM »

I recommend setting up some form of RAID, probably RAID 5.

4 1.5TB drives in a RAID 5 gives you 4.5TB of data storage and one redundency drive (if a drive fails you keep all of your data).

A micro-ATX networked to a large storage box (with RAID!) is probably a good idea, too.

fohfoh · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2010, 09:20:59 PM »

ON top of all that, I recommend an uninterrupted power supply. In case the electricity flickers a little, you're not losing your viewing pleasure and getting a tiny bit of random damage to your pc.

Hex9001 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2010, 09:58:45 PM »

i agree with proin on doing RAID. faster storage that will keep your data in case 1 HD crashes. get a box that has lots of hdmounts with a fan or 2 blowing on them. also follow fohfoh's advice and get a backup battery for your pc. that way you get steady power and in the case of a power outage you can have the backup supply tell your computer to shut down before the battery runs out which greatly reduces the risk of hard drive corruption.

now... to fill those giant shiny empty hd's you're gonna need a fiber internet connection. that way you can share the love with us! all in favor of shameless leaching from Saqiw?

Gamerzhell · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2010, 03:54:38 AM »

most new cpus can decode 1080p flawlessly (yes the dual cores aswell) so there isn't much point in buying a supplementary card.

Proin Drakenzol · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:01:57 AM »

Quote from: Gamerzhell on February 23, 2010, 03:54:38 AM

most new cpus can decode 1080p flawlessly (yes the dual cores aswell) so there isn't much point in buying a supplementary card.

agreed. a gpu is only really needed for gaming. as long as your mainboard has dvi/hdmi out, you're good.

theprophet · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2010, 06:44:14 PM »

What about the Idea of grabbing a cheap used computer I am currently looking at the following machine.

Dell Optiplex GX280

Processor - 3.2
Ram - 2 GB

Then going to grab an AGP card with HDMI output and throw in 2 2TB drives. Only paying $100 for the computer this way. Think this is a good plan or better to just get a new system for more money? Opinions?

halfelite · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2010, 06:58:55 PM »

why not buy a popcorn box or something. 179.00 for the A200 and im sure you have a spare drive to stick in it if you dont want to stream from a pc.

bcr123 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2010, 11:14:27 PM »

Quote from: theprophet on February 23, 2010, 06:44:14 PM

What about the Idea of grabbing a cheap used computer I am currently looking at the following machine.

Dell Optiplex GX280

Processor - 3.2
Ram - 2 GB

Then going to grab an AGP card with HDMI output and throw in 2 2TB drives. Only paying $100 for the computer this way. Think this is a good plan or better to just get a new system for more money? Opinions?

Not enough cpu horsepower for 1080 but it'll do 720, I have a small-form-factor GX280 (It cost me all of $39)

theprophet · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2010, 11:49:38 PM »

I mostly run 720 on video or lower depending on if I can find a decent version of them or not. But I would think a 3.2Ghz processor would be more than capable of running 1080? Maybe I'm wrong..

I think I am going to grab this Optiplex and just run with it for now. Thanks for everyone's input on this!

Xiong Chiamiov · « **Reply #19 on:** February 25, 2010, 01:54:54 AM »

Quote from: theprophet on February 23, 2010, 06:44:14 PM

Processor - 3.2

That's not a processor. While I can guess that you mean 3.2 GHz, there's more to a processor than clock speeds.

I find that trying to repurpose prebuilt computers causes me more pain than it's worth. You get crappy hardware, and they generally aren't very expandable.