Several Builds

[TopChip7]

Hi all.

I'm looking to build 5 different spec computers. Each one must be top spec for its purpose.

1) A general purpose pc but the absolute best for playing music.

2) A general purpose pc but absolute best for cinema/dvd/tv etc.

3) A pc primarily used for home/office/productivity etc.

4) A good all-rounder with something for the whole family.

5) An absolute gaming machine - good enough to blow the die hard away!!!

Now obviously I am not going to ask you all for full specs because with a list that long you'd be there all week tapping on the keyboard lol

What I would like suggestions on, is what should I be considering with each category - not the obvious things like speakers etc, but things like ipod docking & software etc that I may not have already thought of. What do I need top quality/speed memory for and what can I use cheaper ram on.
Is something more CPU intensive than I may have imagined? Etc Etc

Many thanks to everyone who can assist and save me hours of research !!!

[saphalline]

(1)

Modern single-core 64-bit CPU (Celeron D w/EM64T, Sempron64, etc)
512MB DDR2-667
large secondary hard drive (or partition) for music files
X-Fi sound card or $100-200 M-Audio sound card
mobo w/built-in firewire


(2)

Lower end dual-core CPU (Core 2 Duo, Athlon64 X2)
1GB DDR2-667/800
multiple large hard drives for A/V files
dedicated DX9 PCIe vid card w/256MB RAM
digital TV tuner card w/hardware MPEG 2/4 encoding/decoding
SD/xD/MS/etc card reader
possible provisions for streaming A/V over wireless network


(3)

Intel CPU
Intel mobo
1GB DDR2-667
front USB ports


(4)

much like #2 but without the need for a TV tuner card, and 1 or 2 hard drives would be sufficient


(5)

This one is easy! :p

[pangea33]

(1)
Modern single-core 64-bit CPU (Celeron D w/EM64T, Sempron64, etc)
512MB DDR2-667
large secondary hard drive (or partition) for music files
X-Fi sound card or $100-200 M-Audio sound card
mobo w/built-in firewire


Being somewhat of a fanboy, I cheer your inclusion of a M-Audio device, and wish I had this configuration. Just want to mention that the request was about playing audio, not producing it. While I'm still in favor of an M-Audio, I am not so sure about the firewire.

For one, I can't see a real advantage of 1394b over USB2.0 for the average user (non audio producer). USB is pretty darn fast. Also, regarding onboard firewire mobos, I noticed that NewEgg only has 2 available. Unless there is some major performance difference, I suspect a pci-e card would suffice.

I imagine anyone requiring connection to external audio equipment at 800mbps would want to invest in SCSI drives too, and those mobos can't hang. Serious ram helps reduce disk swapping too. I'd go for 1gig to produce, but I guess that's not what you're looking for.

[TopChip7]

Thanks guys.

The audio aspect of 3 of these builds (music, cinema & gaming) needs to be asbsolutely awesome and blow away the most discerning audiophile with immense surround sound.

After a bit of research into speakers I am considering the Logitech Z-5500. 500w, 5.1 Surround, THX certified, Dolby/DTS etc. Cost in UK is around £200

What would be the best card for these speakers to plug in to?

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/GB/EN,CRID=2177,CONTENTID=9486

Also looking at adding this to PC no.1 - any opinions?

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/GB/EN,CRID=2416,CONTENTID=11828#Features

[TopChip7]

How about this M-Audio Soundcard

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=420474

[deddard]

If you are looking for true Hi-Fi suitable for audiophiles, it would probably be a good idea to have a word with a local BADA audio dealer, and see if they know about tying the streaming equipment into a good system.

Any member of BADA is duty bound to advise impartially, even if it means they don't get a sale, so you shouldn't have any problem with dodgy advice. If they don't know themselves, they will probably be able to guide you to an audio specialist who does.
Bear in mind that streaming media at high definition is going to require a good quality network system - the files are much larger than your average MP3, and shouldn't be interrupted by other traffic, so wireless is not going to be on the cards here.

you may want to have a look at what-hifi? magazine, where they do list mp3 and streaming media devices. Make sure that the system is top spec from top to toe - there's no point running a £200 audio card through mediocre cable and speakers. ( and just remember that as you're in the UK, you have some of the best audio products on earth on your doorstep!)

[TopChip7]

didnt even think of looking in audio mags... nice suggestion! good point too about the cabling.

[TopChip7]

OK guys.... based on budget & bang per buck..... System number 1 (primary audio machine) I've come up with the following build:

Aspire X QPack Case complete with 420Watt PSU
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811144109

Asus M2NPV-MX uATX mobo, socket AM2
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=432825

Sempron 3600
512mb Corsair Value Select PC5300 (667) Cas 5.5.5.15 DDR2
XFX 7300LE passive cooling
80Gb HDD for o/s & other data
500Gb HDD for music
Reduced length DVD RW 16x16


Now I think bang per buck that even a £1000 sound card probably wont outperform the X-Fi Xtreme Music by too much to anyone who isn't a record producer - please correct me if I am wrong!!!!

And I think I'm going to go with the Logitech Z-5450, 315Watts, Cordless THX cert Set up as opposed to the Z-5500 505Watts Corded.... simply because wires all over the place with a 5.1 surround set up - opinions please on whether 315watts is enough????????

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/GB/EN,CRID=2177,CONTENTID=10928


This system really does need to replace the need for a hi-fi. Opinions on whether or not it will cut it are all welcomed as always.


Thanks


PS. sorry..... is that cases fan going to be enough to keep this system cool?

[mjc]

Unless you are planning on using only Internet radio sources, you'll need a radio turner card to truly replace a Hi-Fi...

[TopChip7]

Nice one MJC... didnt even think of that - doh!

Scratch the above system - too many bad reviews on that case and I've had change of heart on most of it after giving it some real thought!

Looking at Aspire X-Cruiser Case
4 x 250Gb (1TB total)
X-Fi Fatal1ty
Logitech Z-5500
500Watt XClio SLI Goodpower PSU

[saphalline]

I am not so sure about the firewire.USB 2.0 is a given on a new system. The latest chipsets include 10 of them by default, and most mobo's will support that. I added firewire in there (IEEE 1394a, not b) because it's the slickest way I've seen to directly connect most Apple Mac's to a PC. I figured an audio-centric PC should have all the bases covered.

Yeah, Newegg's filters don't always work. Trust me, there's a lot more than just 2 mobo's on Newegg with built-in firewire! Do a normal mobo search by socket or chipset and you'll see them. Just don't rely on doing a firewire search.

This system really does need to replace the need for a hi-fi.Ok, you're gonna have to be more specific about this. No computer for a reasonable amount of money is ever going to replace a high end Hi-Fi system. Whose standards are we using here? Because we've got a few audiophile members here who would never be truly satisfied with the standard 5.1 gaming speakers that most PC users have. The acoustic requirements for $200 PC speakers are incompatible with the Hi-Fi music systems that audiophiles need.

[TopChip7]

Well the Z-5500 set up is over £200 in the Uk (cheapest) and £279 actually on Logitech site, which must equate to around $350 - $450. I dont know much about sound as I am not an audiophile (lol). However, the speakers are THX certified so i am only assuming that they must be pretty good (although I always stand to be corrected when I talk a load of old hat).

Now I'm sure there must be much better speakers out there but I cant seem to find any that match the same sort of power.

Prices are so much higher in the UK than USA and just to build a basic pc without the soundcard & speakers is running this budget very high indeed.
My head is spinning.... this is only PC 1 of 5 and I aint getting anywhere today - I need my bed and I need a huge spider throwing outside please if any one would oblige!!!

[TopChip7]

Oops.... my budget - I aint put it anywhere have I? Doh.

OK - PC #1....

Total Budget is £1,100 and not a penny over !!!

Ideally £600 on the PC and £500 on the audio card & speakers.

[saphalline]

If the budget is that low, then this thing ain't gonna be a Hi-Fi replacement to the discerning ear! That much is clear. So do the best you can with the money you've got available, and just let the customer/future owner know that even a monitor-wielding recording studio buff can't work miracles on a low budget. Not much else you can do.

Don't worry about the other 4 systems. This one was the stickiest by far! :p

[TopChip7]

If you think that's bad, I've only got a budget of £2,000 to build the cinema system and that needs to include a 32" LCD HDTV and surround sound!!!

£1,800 to build the perfect games machine shouldn't prove too difficult - I hope.

£1,850 for the home/office, but needs to include a minimum of 4 hard drives, MS Office, XP Pro, networking & a fast all in one printer/scanner/copier! Oh boy.... dont hold out much hope there!

[mjc]

Here in the US...I think that the budgets would be workable...but, on your side of the pond...ummm...yeah, me thinks they are a bit tight...

The office machine shouldn't be too bad..a motherboard with onboard sound, video (or no video and a low cost card) and network would probably work.

Why four drives?

On that one, about a quarter of the budget is going to go to MS for the software...

The cinema system...I know it could be done easily...if you don't go with Windows as your OS.

[TopChip7]

Spoke to client this morning about Audio Machine.

Surround sound is not what they want - lol.... So now looking for best 2.1 speakers for upto £370.


On the other one, I can only assume that the 4 hard drives are there to be used as a small server style system:confused:

On the plus side - I havent actually got to physically build these pcs. Getting paid for the research!!!

[pangea33]

Unqualified wattage ratings mean absolutely nothing. They're often highly exaggerated, using legitimate justification, that is explained by the last link. Amplifier signal-to-noise rating, and speaker efficiency have infinitely more to do with volume and accuracy than wattage does. Plus, any manufacturer that doesn't qualify the frequency response specification with a deviation in decibels, nor the total harmonic distortion of the amplifier, usually has something to hide.

We going to operate under the assertion that true audiophile sound is close to impossible from computer speakers. Given that, I highly recommend these Klipsch speakers for 2.1 sound. They're an established quality brand, and you can buy replacement parts rather than having junk if something breaks.

Also, considering the 2.1 audio, and multiple drive requirements you got from the customer, they may actually be interested in more than just audio reproduction. They might want to capture audio for some limited production tasks, so it's best to clarify with them. If so, m-audio is the soundcard horse I'd put my money on.

http://www.klipsch.com/products/details/promedia-gmx-a-2-1.aspx
Maximum SPL: 108 dB
Frequency response: 30-20 kHz +/- 5 dB
Power Handling: FTC rated; Satellites: 14 W/channel continuous, 2 channels driven from 150 Hz-20 kHz, <=1% THD+N.
Subwoofer: 50W continuous, from 30-150Hz <=2% THD+N

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/GB/EN,CRID=2177,CONTENTID=10928
Maximum SPL: 103 dB
Frequency response: 35 Hz - 20 kHz

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/loudspeakers/loudspeakerfrequencyrespon.php
A simple claim of frequency response that cites two frequency extremes unqualified by a dB specification (e.g., frequency response: 34 Hz - 22 kHz) is meaningless and useless. It may mean that although the speaker responds at 34 Hz--the cone moves a bit, perhaps--nothing will be audible because the speaker's response at 34 Hz is at -30 dB and inaudible! On the other hand, if Axiom states that the M80’s frequency response is 34 Hz - 22 kHz +/-3 dB, this indicates that every tone that emerges from the M80 will be within 3 dB of any other over that entire frequency range.


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