First build in 10 + years

[TexasEd]

I've been fed a steady diet of work computers for a long time now and really want to do something about the lack of processing power I have at home.

I'm not a PC gamer for the most part.

Main interests would be:
- video ripping
- burning backups for the kids to use in the car
- video streaming (introductory step to the HTPC world)

I thought about the HTPC route, but I'd rather have a multi-purpose system for surfing and a few applications I'll use on occasion for some of my hobbies. Since my existing home computers are pretty old this will have to be a completely new system. I doubt I need a dedicated graphics board and I'm not interested in spending a lot of time overclocking and tweaking.

What kinds of components will have the most impact on ripping and burning?

Would the i5 2500 based systems I keep reading about be overkill? What do I give up with an i3 based system?

I'd like to keep the budget around $500 without OS or display and I think that puts an i5 system out of reach. I think I can build an i3 540 system for around $500.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

i5 build is possible. This is just an example.

COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Case -$49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119227
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" - $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152185
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W 80 PLUS BRONZE PFC Power - $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371034
G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) - $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231396
ASRock H67M LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX - $88.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157220
Intel Core i5-2300 Sandy Bridge 2.8GHz (3.1GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 - $184.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-_-ProductASUS
DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - $16.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135204

Subtotal: $495.93
HARDOCP112C Promo Code: -$15.00
Grand Total: ~$483.83

 

[tynopik]

298 cpu+mobo combo (i5-2500 + Intel BOXDH67BL LGA 1155 Intel H67) 
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.575898
 40 2x2GB DDR3 1333 Mushkin
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748
 35 Rosewill Blackbone case
    http://www.chiefvalue.com/product-_-productdetails.cv_-_linkid--110&item--CE00157596010060
 41 Antec NEO ECO 520C
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030
 17 Asus 24X DVD Burner
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
 55 Samsung F3 1TB HD
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

$486

 

[mfenn]

OP, both Patrick and tynopik's builds are good, though I would give tynopik's a slight edge because he was able to fit the 2500 into the budget.

 

[TexasEd]

Thanks guys. I tried some different configurations at newegg and only got it to $725
I had a DVD/BR reader, a more expensive Gigabyte Motherboard and a $70 case which drove up the price.

I'll definitely delve into this more. I'd like to get the i5 2500. If I understand correctly it has integrated video enhancements (maybe its the chipset) over the i3.




BTW, I have been a member here since the early 2000s but my account must have lapsed and been recycled because I got my same username back.

 

[mnewsham]

The new sandy bridge architecture has a FAR more advanced IGP then any IGP before. The new SB IGP rivals many low end HTPC cards or "consumer" discreet cards in performance. It also has Quick Sync a useful feature that may or may not be useful to you. If you are looking for a purely integrated graphics system with little to no "high end" gaming capabilities then a decent H67 motherboard and the i5-2500k would be a good mix.



And welcome back

 

[mfenn]

Yes, the i5 2500 is a totally new architecture compared to the i3 540. It's probably about twice as fast, all things considered.

 

[Davidh373]

Yes, the i5 2500 is a totally new architecture compared to the i3 540. It's probably about twice as fast, all things considered.

Yessir! I second that both builds are wonderful for your purposes.